A book his curious eye detains,
Where, with exactest care and pains,
Were every bealt and bird pourtray'd,
That e'er the search of man furvey'd ;
Their natures and their powers were writ
With all the pride of human wit :
The
page
he with attention spread, And thus remark'd on what he read :
“ Man with strong reason is endow'd ;
A beast scarce instinct is allow'd ;
But, let this author's worth be try'd,
'Tis plain that neither was his guide.
Can he discern the different natures,
And weigh the power of other creatures,
Who by the partial work hath shewn
He knows so little of his own ?
How falsely is the Spaniel drawn!
Did man from him first learn to faun?
A Dog proficient in the trade!
He the chief flatterer Nature made !
Go, Man! the ways of courts discern,
You 'll find a Spaniel Nill might learn,
How can the Fox's theft and plunder
Provoke his censure or his wonder?
From Courtiers' tricks and Lawyers' arts,
The Fox might well improve his parts,
The Lion, Wolf, and Tiger's brood,
He curses, for their thirst of blood.
But is not Man to Man a prey ?
Will for hunger, Men for pay.”
The Bookseller, who heard him speak,
And saw him turn a page of Greek,
Thought, what a genius have I found !
Then thus, address’d with bow profound : 60
Są Learn'd Sir, if
you
'd employ your pen
Against the senseless sons of men,
Or write the history of Siam;
"No man:is better pay than: I am.
Or, fince you 're learn'd in Greek, let's fee
Something against the Trinity."
When wrink ling with a sneer his trunk,
“ Friend, quoth the Elephant, you're drunk:
E’en keep your money, and be wise ;
Leave man on man to criticise :
For that you ne'er can want a pen
Among the senseless sons of men.
They unprovok'd will court the fray-;
Envy's a sharper spur than pay.
No author ever spar'd a brother ;
75 Wits are gamecocks to one another."
THE PEACOCK, THE TURKEY, AND THE GOOSE.
IN
N beauty,faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.
As near a barn, by hunger led,
A Peacock with the poultry fed,
All view'd him with an envious eye,
And mock'd his gaudy pageantry.
Hc, conscious of superior merit,
Contemns their base reviling spirit;
His state and dignity assumes,
And to the sun displays his plumes,
Which, like the Heavens' o'er-arching skies,
Are spangled with a thousand eyes.
The circling rays, and varied light,
At once confound their dazzled fight;
On every tongue detraction burns,
15 And malice prompts their fpleen by turns.
“ Mark with what infolence and pride
The creature takes his haughty ftride,
The Turkey cries. Can spleen contain ?
Sure never bird was half so vain!
But, were intrinsic merit feen,
We Turkeys have the whiter skin.”
From tongue to tongue they caught abuse ;
And next was heard the hilling Goose :
« What hideous legs! what filthy claws ! 25
I scorn to cenfure little flaws.
Then what a horrid squalling throat !
Ev'n owls are frighted at the note.”
“ True. Those are faults, the Peacock crics; My scream, my fhanks, you may despise ; But such blind critics rail in vain. What! overlook my radiant train ! Know, did my legs (your fcorn and sport) The Turkey or the Goose support, And did ye scream with harsher found,
35 "hose faults in you had ne'er been found :
To all apparent beauties blind,
Each blemish strikes an envious mind.
Thus in assemblies have I seen
A nymph of brightest charms and mien
Wake envy in each ugly face,
And buzzing scandal fills the place.
AS
S Cupid in Cythera's grove
Employ’d'the lesser powers of Love,
Some shape the bow, or fit the string,
Some give the taper shaft its wing,
Or tum 'the polish'd quiver's mould,
Or head the darts with temper'd gold.
Amidst eleir toil and various care,
Thu: Hymen, with affurning air,
Address'd the God : “ Thou purblind chit,
Of aukward and ill-judging wit,
If matches are not better made,
At once I must forfwear
my trade.
You send me such ill-coupled folks,
That 'tis a theme to sell them yokes.
"They squabble for a pin, a feather,
And wonder how they came togethor.
The husband 's sullen, dogged, fny,
The wife grows flippant in reply:
He loves command and due restriction;
And she as well likes contradi&tion :
Vol. II.
E
She never slavishly submits ;
She 'll have her will, or have her firs.
He this way tugs, she thother draws;
The man grows jealous, and with caufc.
Nothing can save him but divorce ;
And here the wife complies of course.”
“When, fays the boy, had I to do
With either your affairs or you?
I never idly spend iny darts ;
You trade in mercenary
hearts.
For fettlements the lawyer's fee'd ;
Is my hand witnefs to the deed ?
If they like cat and dog agree,
Go rail at Plutus, not at me.”
Plutus appear’d, and said, “ 'Tis true,
In marriage, gold is all their view;
They seek not beauty, wit, or Tense,
And love is seldom the pretence.
All offer incenfe at my shrine,
And I alone the bargain'fign.
How can Belinda blame her fate ?
She only ask'd a great estate.
Doris was rich enough, 'tis true;
»Her lord must give her title too :
And every man, or rich or poor,
A fortune asks, and alks no more.”
Avarice, whatever shape it bears,
Must Nill be coupled with its cares.
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