Thus in a sea of folly tost,
My choicest hours of life are lost,
Yet always wishing to retreat:
Oh, could I see my country-seat!
There leaning near a gentle brook,
Sleep, or peruse some ancient book,
And there in sweet oblivion drown
Those cares that haunt the Court and Town.
O charming noon! and nights divine!
Or when I sup, or when I dine,
My friends above, my folks below,
Chatting and laughing all a-row,
The beans and bacon set before 'em,
The grace-cup serv'd with all decorum ;
Each willing to be pleas'd, and please,
And ev❜n the very dogs at ease!
What good, or better, we may call,
And what the very best of all?
Our friend, Dan Prior, told (you know)
A tale extremely à-propos :
Name a Town life, and in a trice
He had a story of two Mice.
Once on a time (so runs the fable)
A country mouse, right hospitable,
Receiv'd a town mouse at his board,
Just as a farmer might a lord.
A frugal mouse upon the whole,
Yet lov'd his friend, and had a soul;
Knew what was handsome, and would do't,
On just occasion, coute qui coute.
He brought him bacon, (nothing lean ;)
Pudding that might have pleas'd a Dean;
Cheese such as men in Suffolk make,
But wish'd it Stilton for his sake;
Yet to his guest, tho' no way sparing,
He ate himself the rind and paring.
Our courtier scarce could touch a bit,
But show'd his breeding and his wit;
He did his best to seem to eat,
And cry'd, "I vow you're mighty neat :
"But, Lord, my friend, this savage scene!
"For God's sake come and live with men:
"Consider mice, like men, must die,
"Both small and great, both you and I;
"Then spend your life in joy and sport:
("This doctrine, friend, I learn'd at court.") The veriest hermit in the nation
May yield, God knows, to strong temptation.
Away they came, thro' thick and thin,
To a tall house near Lincoln's inn:
('Twas on the night of a debate,
When all their Lordships had sat late.)
Behold the place where if a poet
Shin'd in description he might show it;
Tell how the moon-beam trembling falls,
And tips with silver all the walls;
Palladian walls, Venetian doors,
Grotesco roofs, and stucco floors :
But let it (in a word) be said,
The moon was up, and men a-bed;
The napkins white, the carpet red :
The guests withdrawn had left the treat,
And down the mice sat tête-à-tête.
Our courtier walks from dish to dish,
Tastes for his friend of fowl and fish;
Tells all their names, lays down the law,
"Que ça est bon! Ah gouter ça!
"That jelly's rich, this Malmsey healing;
"Pray, dip your whiskers and your tail in.”
Was ever such a happy swain!
He stuffs and swills, and stuffs again.
"I'm quite asham'd-'tis mighty rude
"To eat so much-but all's so good!
"I have a thousand thanks to give-
"My Lord alone knows how to live."
No sooner said, but from the hall
Rush chaplain, butler, dogs, and all:
“A rat, a rat! clap to the door”-
The cat comes bouncing on the floor.
O for the heart of Homer's mice,
Or gods to save them in a trice!
(It was by Providence they think,
For your damn'd stucco has no chink.)
"An't please your Honour," quoth the peasant,
"This same desert is not so pleasant:
"Give me again my holly tree,
"A crust of bread and liberty!
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