The Hillegas Family
In things of moment on thyself depend
Nor trust too far thy servant or a friend
To private view thy friend may promise fair
And servants very seldom prove sincere
What can be done with care, perform today
Dangers not thought of, may attend delay
Thy future prospects all precarious are
And fortune is as fickle as she is fair
Nor trivial loss nor trivial gain despise
Molehills if often heaped, to mountains rise
Weigh every small expense, and nothing waste
Farthings long saved amount to pounds at last
Shortly after her marriage to
Joseph Anthony, II, Henrietta Hillegas' father,
Michael wrote this poem for the newlyweds.
