Epigram (“Yes! ’t is the time”)

Explained by Carruthers to refer to the large sums of money given in charity on account of the severity of the weather about the year 1740.

YES! ’t is the time (I cried), impose the chain,

Destin’d and due to wretches self-enslaved;

But when I saw such charity remain,

I half could wish this people should be saved.

Faith lost, and Hope, our Charity begins;

And ’t is a wise design in pitying Heav’n,

If this can cover multitude of sins,

To take the only way to be forgiv’n.