Moral emblems, with aphorisms, adages, and proverbs, of all ages ...

BETTER BE ALONE THAN IN BAD COMPANY.
Full many years have I fold fruit,
And well its nature know ;
As that of ev'ry herb and root,
That in the garden grow ;
And this I've found, and heard it too
From all who fruit have grown,
cc However fine and frefh to view,
The good, keep beft alone."
No rotten pear, however flight
The token of decay,
But foon as e'er it meets the fight,
OL It mould be thrown away :
W
Iti I For
be the damage e'er fo fmall,
In little time, I've known
The taint will often fpread to all,
From that one pear alone.
>- I've had of Jargonels a lot,
< As found as fruit could be,
All from one apple take the rot,
And prove fad lofs to me.
Nor is there fruit that ever grew,
I When fpoil'd in any part,
But foon fpoils all that's near it too,
So take thefe truths to heart :
A tainted grape the bunch may fpoil ;
J A mildew'd ear, the corn in mock ;
A fcabby fheep, with rot and boil,
Infect and kill the fineft flock.
Hence, maiden, I would have you know
The ill that evil contact brings
To all the fineft fruits that grow,
And faireft maids, like other things.
Seek only all that's good to learn ;
Thine ears from evil counfel turn ;
For all the more the fruit is fair,
The greater is its need of care.
BE CAUTIOUS IN CHOOSINQ THY COMPANIONS.
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