Fable

The imitateing Animals

57

When heav'n of old what time this world began,
Sent forth her last best work her favorite man,
Each brat with care at once with dread and wonder saw,
A being formed to give creation law.

The shaggy lion with regret beheld
His own rude strength by manly sense excelled;
The fox life's strong the infinite in art,

Thought bulk and virtue man's superior part:

In short all creatures found in him alone
Some happier power that still surpass'd his own:
His form, his mind, as each stood fain to view,
Now here, now there, the growl of enemy drew.

Disgust so general different symptoms show'd,
In fiercer nature's scorn indignant glow'd,
These to wild woods with sullen rage retort'd,
Averse to see what seeing they admire'd.

While part more docile, mimic skill addreſs'd,
To catch the likenſe each imagin'd best.

Some habit one, some airs, another got,
Some beſut or excellence, no matter what,

The dog observed with what familiar grace,
The civil purpose mark'd the human ſaw:

"Was his the civil purpose to prefer,
And lo! a flatfer grafted on a cur."

The power of speech the parrot's wonder claim'd
With rival voice each object round he nam'd:

Sounds in his criminate, things right or wrong,
For ever vibrate on the blockhead's tongue:

Oh, grand distinction from the vulgar herd,
See man's worst part re-echoed by a bird.

The ape with wimsical ambition for'd,
Man's dextrous hand, and ready wit admire'd
So apt a mimic soon display'd his powders,

And apish parts were taught to rival ours.

The cat, from man, her grave demeanour look.
The measure'd stalk, fix'd eye, and selection look.

The sun saw from these far more the magnitude spread,
The saw — and thus with indignation said:

"Yes, servile throng, your purpose shall succeed,
"Ye vile apostates from the lat-decreed,

"The ill-judg'd likenſe you have sought to retain,

"But ye shall live a mean domestic train,

"The slave of him with whom your folly ly'd,

"Slaves of his wants, his pleasures and his pride"

Table
The Trooper
—

77

As a Trooper was dashing his horse, he noticed that one of the shoe-nails had dropped out, yet he postponed for the present striking in another nail. Soon after he was summoned by sound of trumpets to join his corps, who were commanded to advance rapidly and charge the enemy. In the heat of the action, the loose shoe fell off, his horse became lame, stumbled, and threw his rider to the ground; who was immediately slain by the enemy.

Application

A well known proverb warns us, never to leave that to be done
to-morrow, which may be done to-day: But the forgiving apologue
shows, that even an hour's delay of a business seemingly trivial
occasioned death.

J. Northcote

Table
The Bull Dogs

Two Bull-dogs once of British blood,
As ancient author's show,
Within a ring expectant stood,
Prepar'd to meet their foe.

No Bull appearing yet in view,
Each turned upon his brother

And having nothing else to do
lie growl'd at one another.

But when confest before their sight
Their ancient foe drew nigh

Uniting quick they flew to fight
The common enemy.

This fable has a moral; and no doubt
Each true-born Englishman can find it out.

86

Table
The Ape and the Bee

An ape who had a great desire to partake of the honny which was deposited in a rich bee hive, yet was intimidated from meditating with it by having felt the smart of the sting, when he made this reflection: "How is it possible that a Bee that can produce that which is so pious sweet and delicate should also carry with him a sting so dreadfully bitter. Yes answered the Bee equal in the degree of sweetness to my better work, is the bittership of my sting, when my anger is provoked."

Application

We often meet with characters whose powers of amusement are most excellent and whose company seems of all things most desirable from their wit, their gaiety and their genus. But such companions are always dangerous as at a moment of caprice their Jalousie may turn their powers against us and make us appear the object of laughter or of scorn. The first requisite in conversation is truth; the second, sense; the third good-humour; and the fourth, wit.

Fable
The Figures 123.

89

Since Beasts and Birds of small pretence,
Through Fables pour their eloquence
And ein from Snouts language flows,
So fine they all seem Ciceros:
May tuneful numbers not relate;
How numbers arithmetic prate ?
And so by fable, introduce.

Reflections which maybe of use?
Three Figures, one of gloomy jet,
Upon some spolto's paper met;
And thus in order, 1, 2, 3.

Express'd one hundred twenty-three
I prov'd the Chief of form and credit,
To whom the others bow'd respect:
Till, swoln with pride, the haughty he
Thus spoke his followers 2 and 3.

"By right divine to rule is ours
"And not to you We owe our powers,
"Our Empire, and inherent worth
"Reduce us from our Princely birth
"And, hence, whatever We do or say,
"Tis yours to reverence and obey,
"Led on by us the numbers see
"Denote an hundred twenty-three

The hundred We — the paltry rest
By you our subjects is express,
Hence, learn how much to us is due,
How Godlike We! how mortal you!
We formed dominion to attain,
And you to dull subjection torn.

To crouch beneath at our command
And at an awful distance stand."
When thus the 3 with native pride
Unto the haughtly I replied:

"All judging tyrant! vain of mind!
To rate yourself above your kind
To deem those powers in thee innale
That centre solely in thy state

"Compar'd with us, yourself you see
"A mighty hundred — me a 3.

"O'er weening 1! To me though low
"The essence of your power you owe:
"My aid withheld, how swiftly then

"You'd dwindle to a toffring Ten:
"By 2 described, fall undone

"An useless, helpless, worthless 1.

"The humblest of the unit-race,
"And next the cypher in disgrace

## Application

Some think the figures may denote
King, Lords and Commons — and why not?

And that the fable aptly shows
How much each to the other owes.

Their powers so balanc'd, that if one
Be crush'd, the others are undone

And that the throne which dares to think

It will the Law, must ruin sink
Unaided by the 2 and 3

Down to the gulph of unity.

105

109

Table
The Coal and the Diamond

A coal was hid beneath the grate
It is often modest merit's fate,
It was small, so perhaps forgotten;
Whilst in the room and near in size
In a fine casket-lind with cotton,
In pomp and state a diamond lies,
To, little gentleman in black,
The brilliant spark in anger cried
The hear in philosophic clack
Our families are close allied;
But know, the splendor of my hue,
Is excellent by nothing in existence
Should teach such little folks as you
To keep a more respectful distance.

At these reflections on his name
The coal soon reddened to a flame:
Of his own real use aware,
He only answered with a sneer,
'I sorn your taunts, good bishop, Blaze,
And envy not your charms divine,
For, know, I boast a double praise
As I can warm as well as shine.'

New Monthly Mag

few monthly Sep't

104

108

Table
Democritus and Darius

Democritus of Abdera, finding nothing he said could console Darius for the loss of a beautiful wife, promised to restore her to life, if the King would supply him with all things necessary for the purpose. Darius ordered him to spare no expense but to take whatever was requisite to keep him in form his promise. Soon after, Democritus to him that every thing was ready for the completion of the work, one only excepted, which he knew not how to procure: but that Darius as he was King of all Asia, would perhaps find no difficulty in providing it; On his asking what this important matter was, Democritus is said to have replied, "If you will infor me on the Tomb of your wife the names of Three who have never known affliction, she shall immediately return to life, this ceremony being irrefutable. Darius hesitating, and not being able to recollect any one who had not experienced some sorrow, Democritus laughed, as usual, and said to him. "And are you not the absurdest of Men, ashamed still to lament, as if you alone were involved in such distress when you cannot find one that ever lived exempt from some domestic misfortune."

## Application

That Darius, an illiterate Barbarian, a slave both to joy and grief, should be told this, was highly proper; but a Christian who should cultivate true knowledge from sacred example, should learn from himself to govern his passions. For it is shamefaced that reason should not anticipate the certain effects of June.

and in remembrance of him who, by his own hands, destroyed his own son.

Table

113

The Butterfly and the Ant

The sweetest flow'rs that scent the Sky
Are only born to flush and die!
And ev'ry blooming youth and maid
Shall shortly in the dust be laid.
Then let us now, in early youth,
With ardour climb the ascent of truth;
By treading which alone we rise,
And gain admittance to the skies.
The sun shone bright, and all was gay,
And men and maids were making hay;
I was on the twenty-first of June,
The time of day exactly noon.
A Butterfly, as gay with pride,
As on from flower to flower he hied,
With painted coat and spotted wing,
The brightest in the spring,
Addres'd a poor laborious Ant,
(Providing then for future want,
By lugging home a grain of wheat,
Which made the little insect sweat)
Why now how now nousions being say,
What makes you toil thus all the day
For that same carcafs which I see,
Devoid of birth of Pedigree?

Is it for that you sweat and moil
And all the genial season toil
Yes ma'am the honest Ant repaid,
"I must for wintry days provide;
For when't is biting frost and snow,
I cannot travel far you know"
"Oh stupid! stupid!" she rejoin'd;
"Oh what a grov'ling crawling mind
Then off, with proud disdain, she flew
To sip from flowers the balmy dew
Ere long, our Ant return'd again,
To fetch another golden grain,
And saw this very Butterfly
Perish in hope and poverty
And started back with much surprize
And hardly could believe her eyes
And ah! said she "my painted friend
You little thought of such an end,
Of such an end, I do suppose,
When basking on the fragrant rose
But insects all, however gay,
Must surely have a dying day:
Yet mortals in their pride forget
They have to pay this solemn debt.

Fable

123

Aurelia and the Spider

The mudlin torn, from tears of grief
In vain Aurelia sought relief;
In sighs and plaints she pats'd the day,
The tatter'd frock neglected lay
While busied at the weaving trade,
A Spider heard the sighing maid,
A kindly stopping in a trice,
Thus offer'd (gratis) her advice:
"Turn little Girl! behold in me
A stimulus to industry;
Compare your woes, my clear, with mine,
Then tell me who shouldst most repine:
This morning, ere you'd left your room
The Chamber maid's nemorseleps broom
In one sad moment that destroy'd,
To build which thousands were employ'd!
The shock was great; but as my life
I sav'd in the relentless shift,
I knew lamenting was in vain,
So smiling went to work again.
By constant work a day or more
My little mansion did restore;
And if each tear which you have shed
Had been a needle-full of thread;
If every sigh of sad despair
Had been a slitch of proper care;
Had been a luckles' rent
Nor thus the day have been mispent."

Table
The Decision

145

Clarifsa, sprightly once and gay,
Now sigh'd the teeming hours away:
She mewnd the kindest husband gone,
The husband much — but more the man.
Dark weeds conceal'd the fair from view,
Yet mightily became her too!
She veild her pretty blubber'd face,
And wept her dear with such a grace!
But lo! young Florimel appears
To dry the joyless widow's tears:
His suit she heard with warm disdain,
Protested all his hopes were vain;
Her hands she wrung, her robe she rent
And wept and 'wonder'd what he meant!
Yet though the drop that drown'd her eye,
His said, there shone a spark of joy;
And sage diviners could fortell,
That Florimel might yet do well.
A seruple now disturb'd her head.
Whether it were a sin to wed?
Queries and doubts her brain possest,
And busy conscience broke her rest.
So to resolve this knotty case,
She seeks the Curate of the place;
A cavish? — deep, of judgment? — found,
Yes, fam'd for parts — the parish round,
Clarifsa, with the rising sun,
Approach'd her friend, and thus begun:
Full sixty times hath yonder light
Arose, — as oft hath sunk in night,
Since the lamented hour that gave

My faithful consort to the grave:
And sure no second love shall ever
Efface that image, still so dear:
Clarifsa, to his memory just,
For ever shall revere his dust,
Yet cruel prudence may require
What else were foreign to desire;
And, midst a weight of cares, you know,
What can a helpless woman do?
My heedless servants slight my call,
My tenants break my houses fall;
And Florimel, with winning air,
Tells me they want a husband's care,
What does my learned Doctor say? —
"Why, marry surt, without delay"
But should the lovr prove unkind,
A tyrant o'er a tender mind,
How hard my lot, condemn'd to mingle
Tears with my Cup! — "Why then live single?"
Yet what if an obdurate fair,
Should drive a lover to despair?
You know the foolish freaks of men;
I dread the thought! — Nay, lake him then!
But should he squander my estate,
And pawn my jewels, rings and plate!
And will I, by folly led,
Be turn'd arift to beg my bread!
The Doctor, vers'd in woman kind,
Perceiv'd the working of her mind,
Madam, he cries, when truth we seek,
All argument is often weak;

146 When reasons weigh on either part
Opinion vainly tries her art;
So still descending truth prevails
She sits suspended o'er the scales.
A way more speedy shall we try'd;
A tongue shall speak that never said
Know, Madam, then my parish-bell
Is famous for advising well;
Whatever the point in question be,
It hits the matter to a T.
Thus as it dictates by its tone,
You sure must wed, or lie alone
Now low'd the church in hast they go,
The widow chearful? — but so, so —
Yet woe, what e'er the answer given,
The "piously will yield to Heaven"
The Doctor too exhorts the fair,
To listen, and decide with care.
And now the mystery to unfold,
He turn'd the key, the bell he toll'd.
The widow must and knit her brow,
'Well Madam, pray what think you now
(Here first she sobb'd, and wip'd her eye,
Then labour'd out a doleful sigh;)
"Think, Doctor? — Why the case is plain:—
Alas! I find resistance vain!
In heaven it is said our doom is sea'd:
Ah, Florumel! — and must I yield!
Yet not by choice — by fate I'm won,
The will of Heaven be ever done!
The bell orders thee to my bed;
For hark! it loudly bids me "wed"
Dear Doctor then (I speak with sorrow)
Be sure you be at home to-morrow."

Application

Think you the simplest state too long
Men hear the moral of my song
The moral to no sex confin'd
Regards alike all human kind.
My passion and distemper'd sense
Unsurs the form of evidence:
And truth or falsehood good or ill,
Receive their tincture from the will,
Man boasts his reasons power in vain
The pageant drags a hidden chain:
A varь'd shape each object wears,
Just as he wishes; hopes, or fears;
His deepest thought (his vauntable rule)
Is passion's slave, or folly's fool.
It hence we blindly can approve
The very faults of those we love:
It hence we blindly can debate.
The noblest deeds of those we hate,
Abroad thuo works perverted Will
At home our vœus are darker still;
And actions, deemed absurd in the
Are prudent, wise, and just in me.
By the vain colour of a name.
We sink at once the guilt and shame
The prodigal is generous, free;
The miser toasts economy:
Gay, the debauch'd; the proud is great;
The bold oppressor hates a cheat;
The fawning slave obliges all;
And mad revenge is honour's call.
Thus passion shoots through every part;
The brain is tainted by the heart;
Weak judgment falls before temptation
And reason is but inelation'

151

Fable
The judicious Elephant

A Wolf and a Leopard joined company on a hunting party, and mutually agreed that at the end of their tapacious chase, they would divide the spoil equally between them. They won made prize of a lamb, which they agreed to deliver into the possession of the Horse who it happened was under covert hand by. At this moment they were joined by the Fox, who thinking there was something to be got, accompanied them in his familiar way, as if he had been one of the hunting party, and officiously alsoisted in delivering the lamb to the horse, who was desired to keep it for them, till they should return from the chase and demand it of him again.

Soon after, the cunning Fox slyly quiting his companions to follow their sport, returned alone to the Horse, telling him that his companions were so much fatigued by their unsuccessful chase, that they had sent him for the Lamb, which they intended to make their repast upon, in order to refresh themselves the better to pursue their prey. The honest horse, made no scruple of delivering up to the Fox the Lamb which had been given into his charge, by him and his compatriots, when crafty Reynard with great alacrity carried it off, on his back, for his own sole use, and of course like a true rogue, returned no more to his former companions.

If the termination of their days sport, came the Leopard and the Wolf having had but little luck in their chase, and demanded from the Envious Horse, the property which they had left in his charge. It was in vain that the Horse told them his tale, and that he had honestly and honourably delivered the property to their companion, who together with them had left it in his charge, for this tale they would not listen to, but said the Fox, was a thief and a trayer, and had no right whatever to their goods, and that if the Horse was such a fool, as to be deluded by his false tale, that was not their business, but his, and that they would have justice and have their own property, which they had left with him. And thus emerging out for justice, the poor afrighted horse who knew not what to say for himself, in his intricate case, agreed to go with them to have the case tried.

168

The Snail and the Drone
A Fable

It chanced that a humming Drone observed a Snail labouring
his tedious journey with tardy pace. "I marvil said the
Drone how you have patience to drag on at that slow rate
Whilst I can pafs swiftly through the air and go miles to
your inches.

"It is very true," answered the Snail, "you certainly
do make a thousand times the speed that I can, but remember
that your swift journey leaves no mark or memorial behind
& show that you ever had existence. When I through slow
leave behind me a shining record of my path."

Apphreation

Few take care to live well, but many to live long; though
it is in every Body's power to do the former, but in no
Man's power to do the latter.

The Nurseryman and the Plantation

A careful Nurseryman observing the Fences surrounding a young Plantation to be much out of repair proposed to the Trees in it that a quantity of their branches should be assigned to him in order to put the fence in such a condition as should secure them from the invades of some cattle who were coming that way and would annoy or destroy them. This scheme seemed to meet with general approbation, when a large white Thorn who appeared a very sharp plant addressed them thus "Friends and fellow trees what are you about to do? What would you consent to give up your precious limbs to this tyrant in order that he may circumscribe and enclose you like prisoners. No let the world be open to us, and let us be open to the world. What is life without liberty and free air? This advice was unanimously approved and adopted, when the cattle quickly arrived and as there was no obstruction to their progress the defunct cattle plantation soon afterwards became a miserable spectacle exhibiting nothing but headless trunks and leafless limbs.

Fable

177

The Snow-drop and the Primrose

A Primrose ever sweet to view
Beside a lovely Snow-drop grew,
They were the boasted pride of Spring
Iam'd by the Zephyr's balmy wing;
Each thought itself the choice of flower
That ever drank the spangled shower;
And vied for beauty, sought for praise,
Beneath the sun's resplendent rays.
At length the Snow-drops, fraught with ice,
Began to vent its jealous fire.

"You, Primrose! are not blest as I,

"Who can delight each gazing eye;
Superior beauties I may claim,

But you were born to meet disdain
That yellow tinge which courts the air

"Is nothing but the type of care!

"Review my innocence and worth

"Know that I sprung from purer earth:

While you from war for mould arose—

"The truth your yellow visage shows;

"A grooving paltry flow'r, and pale,

"The jest of every nipping gale,

"I am the youthful Poet's theme,

"Of me the Bard delights to dream;

"In lofty verse he sings my praise,

"And paints me in his choicest lays;

"But you the early bud of care,

"Are never seen to flourish there!"

The Primrose heard with modest ear

"And "Flow'rn" it said "tho' sprung so near,

"I'll coeval praise may claim,

"Nor was I born to meet disdain!

"Know that we both, the' now so gay

"Shall soon be lost, and fade away;

"And if for beauty's meed you vie,

"What boots it? since next eve you die!

The Rose is lovely to behold,

"The Cowslip to which toasts of gold,

The Tulip and the Lilly fair,

"All yield their fragrance to the air,

"But soon their beauty fades away,

"And then proud Snow-drop, what are they?

Celia, be wise, from pride refrain

Nor of your matchless face be vain!

Beauty is short, and soon you'll find,

The greatest centers in the mind

Let virtue be your son'reign guide,

Make her your friend your boast and pride

Then will the brightest deed be done

And all the beauties shine in one.

178

The Parrot

A parrot brought from the Indies, the native of those birds, was made a great favorite of, had a cage of Ivory with silver ornaments, was fed with the choicest dainties and held in high esteem, When it was demanded of him what was the reason he was treated with so much more respect in this country than he was in his own native place, he answered, 'You are not to marvel at it as here I am a rarity and a wonder, there I am common and familiar therefore thought but of little value.'

Application

Nothing is truer than that proverb in the sacred writ, That a Prophet lacketh not honor save in his own country and from his own kindred.

Table
Luxury and Want

183

Aft on proud Christian columns rear'd
A sumptuous dome in ruin'd pomp appear'd
A baseless pillar here, with mosa'c'er grown
Press'd earth's green bosom with a length
there a tall portal, Sculptur'd once to gay
Records no story but its own decay.

Despair'd were enter'd crowds, who blush'd to be
arches glide

With famish'd looks, thro' mouldring
around

And midst the piteous sights that gleam'd
the wretched Hag ley stretch'd along the ground

Found either arm a latter'd wug she drew,
his

her shame conecall'd with rags of various
bare

Cloth her forhead bound, her legs were
held foul and clotted was her grizzled

That none to pitty is all help deney'd

Fart is my name in agony she cry'd

The work of Luxury, this lofty dome

to righteous Jove ordains is now my home

Time was, this roof return'd the dulcet voice

Music, blended with a critic's choice.

Dependent thence a thousand taper's glow'd
in vins' rich juice from silver fountains

A hundred daunties d'er the board were
and all. Arabia spicy fragrance shed.

The velvet couches and the cushion'd chair
will it high with clown as soft as Summer's

and female beauty, smiling d'er the scene
read joy around, of wry joy the queen!

Then at the doors, by hunger and by grief
Oppreſſ'd, with suppliant voice I sought relief

Relief I sought, alas! but sought in vain

With poignant taunt, rebuk'd, and sour disdain

The ball'ning priest, with supercilous face,

Infor'd from indigence the want of grace.

The Lawyer, in quaint terms; with look

gave hints of statutes against vagrant poor,
Unmov'd and cool the garter'd staleman cry'd

For me fit refuge colonies supply'd.

I sigh'd in secret, and to heav'n my heart
Aftending, heav'n in pity took my part.

Loud thunder roll'd—the fabrick from its
base, play'd

Shock'd; and proud Lux'ry vanish'd from the

Th'astonish'd crowd'd their patrons fall deplor'd

And pale and trembling ifue from the door

I enter'd, prompted by a voice divine,

Which thrice repeated "Want! this plan to
For know by Jove and fate it stands decreed,

Where Lux'ry riots thou shall still succeed,

there unmolested from that hour I reign,

And all the court of Lux'ry forms my train

There still receiv'd by me, as helther driven

By him neceffity the scourge of heaven;

These are the wretches which around me throng
Vot'rys to Luxury to me belong.

185

Table
The Hermit and the Devil

Once upon a time a pious and devout man in order to be the mone out of the way of temptation sequenced himself from the world and related to a lonely wildennel where his habitation was a little cell made in the hollow of a rock. Yet if he was excluded from the busy world he was not out of the reach of evil. For that arch enemy of mankind the Devil appeared him in a thousand shapes hidden under the most tempting alluring appearances with the malignant desire to triumph in his fall. Three deadly sins particularly were with indefatigable activity thrown in his way with great apparent advantages to be gained by committing them; these sins were of a most altruisous nature at which the pious Hermit started with horror from the thought, the thing was that of drunkennels which he could suffer himself to contemplate with left terror and being by his fatal enemy enticed at last to make a transient visit to the great city on some apparent pious office he artfully led him into intoxication and having caused him to commit this one sin which deprived him of his reason in this state he early prevailed on him to commit the other two.

Application

By this little story we are taught that the sin of Drunkennels although in itself not appearing like the worst of crimes yet is the most dangerous of all as by it we admit an enemy that has an absolute dominion over us who first having deprived us of our reason and reduced us to a state much below a brute beast throws open the door of our inmost sanctuary inviting every possible crime to make its entrance like the Trojan Horse which seemed to give pleasure when first received but contained within itself a ruinous power.

I might observe in addition that solitude is not the best situation for true piety as there are a thousand little duties which society have a claim upon us to perform. All our time cannot be spent in unceasing prayer; idleness will intrude and it has been will said in a Spanish proverb. That the divine Tempts every man but the idle Tempt the Devil.

The ancient Grecians used to punish with double severity crimes done in drunkennels; first, for debasing themselves below the brute creation; and secondly, for the crime committed.

Northest

194

Hable
The Two Thieves and the Bear

A couple of Thieves knowing of a Calf that was kept in an Ox's stall had determined to steal it away in the dark and accordingly appointed the hour of midnight to repare to the place to accomplish their evil design — on of them was to keep watch on the outside whilst the other was to go into the stall and lift the Calf out of the window.

On the night proposed they accordingly went to the place and one of them entered the window of the Ox's stall whilst he that remained on watch, not without much fear of detection desired his companion to make as much noise as possible, but he that was within answered that the animal was so heavy and unmanageable that he could not lift him from the ground much left to the window; the other impatience now increasing by the delay he began to fear at him for his slummy awkwardness and at last told him to give the business up if he could not accomplish it quickly and make the best of his way out of the stall, for if they remained in this manner till day light they should certainly be discovered. The other with many oaths repaid that he believed it was the Devil himself he had to deal with for said he "I cannot now even get out myself he has got such fast hold of me" — The companion no longer being able to stay with safety ran off and left him to his fate.

The fact was this the Calf had been removed from the stall soon after the Thieves had seen it there, to make room for a Bear that had been brought into the Town as a show and it was this great beast that the Thief had the misfortune to encounter and who kept hugging him till the morning when he was discovered by the master of the Bear and taken to prison.

### Application

The unmanageable dangers which attend the wicked are such as make an honest man shudder at the thought. There are not only those from the Law and the enmity of mankind towards them, but dangers surround them from every side from the perilous situations in which they are perpetually placed.

Strange! that men should give up safety, tranquility, and a good name, for danger, trouble and infamy; preferring idleness and dissipation for a short period, accompanied with shame and disease — to that wholesome fat food which brenngs forth its competence, health, and most commonly long life.

A Knave may gain more than an honest Man for a day, but the Hones! Man will gain more than the Knave in the year.

Northote.

Fable

205

The Farmer and the Rat

Be slow to censure; spare your blame
Caprice may wound the fairest name
Too prone is man to acts of spleen.
While in his breast what falls are seen
Andour will always claim applause,
And judge aright in ev'ry cause!
Within a barn, well filled with grain
A Rat enjoy'd delicious reign.

Each part with various kinds was stord
The choicest of the annual hoard,

With heart elate, at zesty morn
The Farmer view'd his heaps of corn,
"Why is it thus I feast my eyes?

What wealth my heavy crops supplies!
See for years past, what stock on hand,
The produce of my treming hand

But were it that I see with pain

Some cursed RAT destroy the grain
How blest my life! with treasure great
And plenty on a large estate!
Zounds! Had I but Gramalkins art

I'd search it well in ev'ry part;

My vengeance should be felt with speed,
And each rapaciousrobber bleed!"
Spare your enemy," a Rat replies;
How age and cunning made him wife
Are you exhaust your land'rous breath
And doom us to ignoble death,
Know that these heaps which glut your pride
And starve a multitude beside,
Are good for nought; laid long in store
And kept from the afflieted poor!

Had you, when harvest's yellow charm
Spread plenty d'er your fertile farm
Reliev'd the theories that pier'd the ear
And drew from pity's fount a tear!

Your treasure would have paid your toll
Nor hoarded in this barn to spoil!
You then had done a generous deed;
But vogues in grain deserve to bleed!

In such I never put my trust!
For villians always are unjust!

Remember, while you live in pride,
Your advice spreads a famine wide."

208

The load-stone and the Mirror

The load-stone and the Mirror

A Load-stone of peculiar taste
The inmate of a tweezer case
(This case the present of an Earl
Blaz'd bright with jewels, foil and pear!)
Exulting in his splendid station,
Broke forth into a grand oration;
Merit like mine is sure to find
The admiration of mankind;
My palace shines with gems and gold,
Like persian palaces of old;
Applauded by the pair and great
Environd with the pomp of state,

Like any prince I pass my days,
Turn'd with the flattery of praise,
My Lady comes; the bell she rings
Le Blois the silver platter brings
Needles of steel, in number plenty,
Are string thereon (from ten to twenty);
I make them caper dance the hays,
A thousand different freakish ways
If one is lost from mortal sight,
My genius brings it quick to light;
Thus oft is spent an idle hour,
In showing my attracting pow'r.

209

The greatest beauties in the land
Have held me in their snowy hand;
To all the earth my merits known
From the bold sailor to the throne;"
A mirror placed upon the lid,
His empty vauvillings quickly chid
Virtue is known from bosoms weeds
Not by her words but by her deeds
Virtue there none in idle weeds
Nor shown by words but proved by deed
If mid the leaves no fruit I see,
(However great your parts may be)
If still you prove an idle tool,
You only are the greater fool.
Go please the young make needles dance,
And sink in insignificance."
This speech awoke the Load-stone's pride
And thus indignantly he cry'd;
"Who does not know the magnet's force?
It guides the Seaman's dangerous course.
When ocean wide he dares explore,
It scers him to the wish'd for shore;
Ausonia, Tago, or the Nile.
To India's realms, Balavias'ole;
Or torn by storms, by tempest surl'd,
Directs him to the western world.
Wherever he go, or near or far,
The Magnet is his leading star;
To frozen climes, or realms of day
The faithful magnet points his way.
Then think not Wretch! reproach like him

Can injury merit great as mine
"It grives me much (the mirror erud)
To see such talents misapplied.
Such powers as yours I ne'er shall share
Yet what I have I use with care
Each form presented to my view,
I straight reflect in colours true;
Show Sin her stain, and Power his rod,
And war the thunder bolt of God.
The linaments of Truth I show,
And Charity's benignant glow;
Give Fraud his features of disgrau,
And mark the grin on Folly's face;
Show what his plumie, and like her fear
In short, reflect them as they are;
While you, with parts intrinsic blest,
Lie idly on the laps of rest.
The time's at hand when you will see
The good you now neglect to do;
For all the powers to thee asown'd,
Were meant as blessings to mankind."

Thus men of genius, parts, and sense,
Wrap in the cloak of indolence,
By sloth enslav'd, to duly blind,
Obscure the pleasure of the mind.
But know, O Man, it is deereed,
That he who sow'd shall reap the seed;
If great your boasted talents be,
Great your responsibility:
For genius is the gift of heaven
And much require'd where much is given

210

Fable

The Honest Horse

A story goes that Caligula, Emperor of Rome being one day on the bank of a favorite horse of his, with his whole court about him, these obsequious Gentlemen perceiving how awkwardly he managed the reins, took occasion from then to flatter him upon his being a most excellent Horseman, upon which the Horse immediately threw him— the Emperor perceiving that the Horse was the only one of his court that had any Truth in him, took a resolution to raise him to those high honours to which he afterwards arrived.

Application

Truth alone could she but once gain admittance at court would immediately be the introducer of both Wisdom and Virtue in her train

Princes are surrounded in those only who seek their own good which is clearly to be seen in their abject homage even by the Prince to whom it is paid therefore every feeling of real friendliness is excluded on either side of consequence. Princes can have no sincere attachments because they are sensible that none about them are deserving of them as they are acting solely for themselves. I should think it very natural that Princes would be much attached to animals as those are the only beings in whom they can discover with certainty the marks of sincerity, fidelity and disinterested attachment.

It is a common thing to imagine we love a man of great interest and fortune; with a view to increase his passion; but this is what we cannot be sure of till he be stripped of all the advantages of power and greatpowers: Then one quickly discovers what it was that engaged our affection: if Interest was at the bottom of it, honour may keep it up for some time, yet it quickly grows weary, and let's see it falls to the ground.

Northeast

217

Fable
Reputation

To travel, far as the wide world extends,
Seeking for objects that deserved their care
Virtue set forth with two selected friends,
Talent refined and reputation fair
As they went on in their projected round,
Talent spoke first: My gentle comrades say,
'Where each of ye may probably be found
Should accident divide us on the way.'

'If torn (she added) from my loyd allies,
A friendly patronage I hope to find,
Where the fine arts from cultivation rise,
And the sweet Muse hath harmoniz'd mankind.'

Says Virtue, Did Sincerity appear
'Dr meek-cy'd Charity, amongst the great;
Could I find Courtiers from corruption clear,
'Tis among these I'd seek for my retreat;
Could I find Patriots for the public ideal
'Assiduous, and without their selfish views;
Could I find Priests of undisembled zeal
'Tis among these my residence I'd choose.

'In glittering domes let Luxury reside,
'I must be found in some sequester'd cell
Far from the paths of Avarice and pride,
'Where home-bred Happiness delights to dwell
'If may be brae'd my gentle friends, 'tis true,
'But who (says Reputation) can explore
'My slippery steps? — keep, keep me in your views
'If I'm once lost, you'll never find me more.

Table

221

Reason taken Captive

From earliest times, if right I read,
Reason and love have disagreed;
In Reason something too austere
Prejud'd the heart she'd with fear;
The Saphian queen's unlucky Boy
Indulg'd to all unbounded joy,
A wanton Sov'reign, weakly kind,
No laws his laughing subjects bind.
Well might they jar— but love awhile
Took Friendship's name, with spurious guile,
Now Reason seem'd to share his throne,
And with his influence blend her own;
Yet truth to tell 'twas nought but show,
For native hate still lurk'd below:
And soon that hate with pain conceal'd,
Flam'd out in open war reveal'd,
Their force, at first in Skermish try'd,
The advantage fell to Reason's side,
For then the troops of Love were few,
And those light-arm'd, if fame say true:
But soon deserters round him crowd
Who once their faith to Reason vow'd,
By foreign troops thus potent grown,
Love knew to make those troops his own;
To battle now he prefs'd the foe,
And aim'd the last decisive blow:
Reason, der'match'd, collects her might,
Despair, but still sustains the fight
She flew where most the battle rag'd,
And hand to hand with Love engag'd:
In vain her skill and prowess prove
Desarm'd and captiv'd now by Love.
The God to reign without controul,
Reigns as his pris'ner on parole
Whose freedom this condition bore
She ne'er should serve against him more.

225

Table
The Lion and the Echo

A Lion, bravest of the wood,
Whose title undisputed stood,
As o'er his wide domains he growl'd,
And in pursuit of tooty growl'd,
An echo from a distant cave
Re-growld, articulately grave:
His majesty, surpriz'd, began
To think at first it was a man;
But on reflection sage, he found
It was too like a Lion's found.
Whole voice is that which growls at mine?
(His highness ask'd) says echo—mine!
Thine (says the lion) who art thou?
Echo as stern cry'd, Who art thou?
Know I'm a lion, hear and tremble!'
Reply'd the king—cry'd echo, tremble!
Come forth (says lion) show thy self;
Laconic echo answer'd—elf !
If durst thou call me, vile detender !
Echo as loud reply'd—pretender !
At this, as jealous of his reign,
He growld in rage—The growl'd again—
Incensed the more, he chaf'd and foam'd,
And round the spacious forest roam'd
To find the rival of his throne
Who durst with him dispute the crown.
A Fox, who holl'd all the while,
Addres'd the monarch with a smile:
My liege, most humbly I make bold,
"Thou' truth may not be always told,
"That this same phantom which you hear,
"That so alarms your royal ear,
"Is not a rival of your throne,
"The voice and fears are all your own,

Imaginary terrors scare
A timorous soul with real fear
Nay even the wise and brave are cow'd
By apprehensions from the fear'd
A frog a lion may disarm
And yet how causelesp the alarm.

226

Table

The Shepherd and his Lord

A Shepherd was entrusted by his Lord with the care of his flock, but being an idle and dissipated fellow he carelessly left his charge to the care of a Boy while he went to enjoy the company of such companions as himself. In the mean time came the Wolf and Carries off a Lamb; and when the Shepherd returned and was informed by the Boy of the disaster that had happened in his absence, he flew into a most violent rage and insisted on taking him before his Lord to answer for his misconduct, and neglect, for in truth the Boy had been sleeping. When they appeared at the castle the judicious Lord would admit of no blame being attached to the Boy, saying thus to the Shepherd. "As it was to you alone I entrusted the care of the flock from you alone. I shall require the reparation for you only are in fault by delivering your charge into feeble hands insufficient for its preservation."

Application

This fable is applicable to those who possessing high posts of important office and enjoying great revenues from them yet consign the labours to such as are frequently incapable of performing the duties and when muscarriage produces sad effects are weak enough to suppose that no blame is attached to themselves; but they ought always to remember that where much is given much is required. Even those whom providence has endowed with great abilities ought not to let them lie unemployed as they are in a certain degree the guardians and instructors of the public and therefore it is a duty on them by watchfulness, council, and admonition to administer af distance to all those who by any means are within the sphere of their influence.

Northweste

Table
The Rustic and Plutus

229

He who on Treasure builds his joy
May well ten thousand cares employ!

A Rustic, bird of homely care,
To Plutus thus address'd his pray'r:

O thou, whose treasures, yet untold,
Can blefs me with a world of gold;

Whose diamond throne, of lustre bright,
Outshines the sun's meridian light;

Attend my plaint, and grant me more.
Then millions, to increase my store!

Make me in treasure to abound,
Turn ev'ry shilling to a pound,
And God of Wealth! my hopes fulfilling
Turn ev'ry penny to a shilling."

The God attends—his pray'r he grants,
And straight devces him all he wants!

His coffers now with gold overflow,

He lives in splendour, pride, and show:
A Title, too, he can withstand,

And soon assumes the crimson hand!

Now all his friends around him throng,
The banquet lasts the whole day long;

His time in midnight orgies flies,

And sleep forwakes his anxious eyes,

For, lo! the Fates his riches marr'd,
And cros'd his fortune with a card!

His coffers now excusted lay,

And friends desert him ev'ry day;

Till sunk in grief and wild despair;
Again to Plutus flies his pray'r!

When thus the God, with just disdain:

"Dare you with fair pretence, complain
When late you bent the suppliant knee,

I granted all you crav'd of ME;

Nay, more! I gave you ev'ry charm

To keep life's hoary season warm;

The Swain who bears his humble lot
With resignation to his lot,

Wants nought of me—my aid he spurns;

His board is spread, his faggot burns;

He's free from care, for ev'ry day

His labours all his wants defray;

But you—whom Fortune would to blefs,
Now mock her charms in tallard dres

And stand with self convicted face,

The silly emblem of diograce."

Man lives for better or for worse;

His wishes off may prove his curse!.

Table

237

The Ant and the Bee

This life, it's said, is all a bubble
And Man is born to toil and trouble
I grant the fact — and likewise know
His bread is earned by sweat of brow;
So is ordain'd! But yet this creature
Is to preverse and strange in nature,
That all your favours, to conelude,
Meet with the worst ingratitude!

An Ant, remote from noise and strife
Each year regal'd her active life;

Her cell she form'd with busy art,
And lord'd it well in cov'ry part;
In summer months she toam'd abroad,
And cov'ry day increas'd her hoard;—
So, when stern winter zul'd the plains,
And found the streams with icy chains
Within her cell she plenty shard,

Nor cer the hand of famine fear'd.
If chanc'd, as loaded home one day
A Bee she met, in colours gay;

Intent the stranger stood awhile —
At length the Bee, with courteous smile,
The little Negro Queen addres'd: —

"Hey, Neighbour! why not yet at rest?

"My burthen can't with yours compare,

"I take it buzzing through the air,

"While you upon an uncouth road,

"Are doom'd to drag a cumbrous load!"

"It may be so the Ant reply'd,

"Is mine to toil in humble pride;

My wealth in winter proves a treat,
"And serves me with delicious meat;

"I then my labour much commend,
"For that will always yield a friend!

"In higher life you spend your hours,
"And blefs'd with all the choicest flow'r's,

"You fill each sweet, and soon contrive
"To wing it to your straw built hive;

"With loaded thighs, of colours bright,
"To give that creature Man delight!

"Your honey'd comb he takes away,
"Your wax, the work of many a day,

"With cruel hands in plunder warm
"He claims as his and burns the swarm

"And thus his gratitude is plain,

"He kills you for the sake of gain!"

"True, said the Bee, with savage ire,
"And unprovok'd, he lights the pyre;

"But view him to his fellow creature,
"He's just as savage in his nature;

"And all the favours you extend,
"Are thus requited in the end!"

But good conferr'd in cov'ry stage
To oft is left to passion's rage;
Which uncontrol'd, the stronger grows,

And brings us to the brink of woes.
Ingratitude, of crimes the worst,

Is Man's! Yet held by Men accurate!

Table

241

## Truth and the Hypocrite

Chill was the air, and wide around
Descenting snows had cloath'd the ground
When, shivring at the Richmans gate

In totter'd weeds a Begger sat

The Man of wealth, with fluent tongue,
Could season well of right and wrong;
He lo'd his friend, his glass, his joke,
But w'd Religeon as a cloak;

With Faith and Hope he still was free,
But never practis'd Charity,

To him the wretch her tale addreſs'd

And thus in pileous strain, expreſſ'd:
For Heav'n sweet sake, kind Sir! O spare

One farthing to a widow's pray'r;

Hard are the times, and little know

The rich of poverty and woc.

At home for bread my infants pine,
And ev'ry racking care is mine!

"Vagrant, begone!" the rich man cried—
And haste thy loathsome form to hide;

To honest labour turn thine hand;

Forbear thy plaints, and understand
That, tho' thou darst at Heav'n repine

To sloth and indolence, like thine
With other crimes combin'd, that call

The chast'ning rod of heav'n on all:

Hence fruitles'se seasons, harvests drear
And all the plagues that blot the year!

He spoke—when lo! before his eyes—

As flames thro' should'ring smoke arise
The Suppliant'sوز, transporm'd and bright,

A native of the realms of light—!

A sun of splendor grac'd her breast
A zealous rage her eye confers'd,

As thus with action dignified,

And awe commanding voice, she cried—
"Detested wretch! immer's in gain

And harden'd to another pain,
Thou dost the attributes abuse

Of him whose name thou darst to use;

And, whilot thou pleadest virtue's cause,
Liv'st the transgresor of her laws!

No fault is there in Providence,
On which you found your stale pretence;

Nor are your fellow-creatures crimes
Sole causes of unhappy times—

Deep in your breast the evil dwells

There Aurie's lurks in hidden cells;
And there the Sorcerers plies her art

Which turns to adamint the heart.

In me behold thy deadliest foe—

My name is TRUTH; and, demon know
The slumberer Conscience I can wake,

And bid her guilty victims quake.—

Unleſs Repentance sure thy soul,
And make thy wounded spirit whole

Her vengeance shall purue thee down

To endleſs pangs in shades unknown.—

242

Table

The Magpie and the Cuckoo

A foolish Cuckoo and a cunning Magpie were confined in the same
cage together and had their food given them in common from the same
platter. The artful Magpie took care of all the choice bits of flesh,
for himself, whilst the stupid Cuckoo gaping to be fed by his compa-
ny. The Magpie quickly stuffs his open mouth with scraps
of cabbage of his leaves, having swallowed the best to his own share.

Application

There are some most pitiable mortals born into this tempestuous world
unfurnished with sufficient soil or running even to affect their just rights,
and thus unable to cope with the numerous evils and dangers which sur-
round them they soon become the prey of rogues and craft. — Their
situation is as forlorn as his would be who should be launched on the
main ocean in a skiff unprovided with either sails or compass
when having no means by which to steer his course or power to evade
the tempest he must soon fall a victim to the merciless elements.

Those of an open and honest disposition are the most easily seen
through and known which is a means of giving the artful and
desiring an ascendancy over them. For the man that is thoroughly
known is subject in some degree to the person that knows him.

Northwesta

248

The Rat turned Traveller

Within a dark and lonely wood,
An old deserted building stood;
Beneath its roof the vermin train
Enjoy'd a free and happy reign:
There, far removed from noisy strife,
A Rat long led an easy life;
And, blest with mean and scanty stone,
Knew not a want, nor wish'd for more;
Where roll'd the gently-gurgling rill,

To slake his thirst he drank his fill;
The filbert-trees, which grew beside,
A moderate heard of nuts supplied;
And, when a daintier meal would fail,
On neighbouring acorns he'd regale.
A life of such serene repose.
Who but the humble rustic, knows?
On ex, as through the sylvan ground
He took his lone sequester'd round!

249

Or walk'd the dreary desert o'er,
Or trus'd along the sea-girt shore;
Lo! gloomy night usurp'd the glade,
And spread around her elan shade.
In vain he sought the guiding flood,
To lead him to his native wood;
In vain, for wide in error tost
Poor Nibble midst the gloom was lost!

A length his cager prying sight-
Spires a glimmering distant light;
And pleas'd with beams so sparkling gay
Thither he bonds his cautious way:

'Till with a timid hopeful pace
He gains, fatigued, the unwonted place.
Where numerous lamps their light display'd
And truus'd o'er the night's dull shade.
There grand and lofty domes arise,
And turrets of stupendous size.
He star'd about him—stood amaz'd—
As at the steeple-spires he gav'd;
Then, happy, ere the dawn of day,
In a large mansion made his way;
Where, such a clatter rang below,
He deem'd it higher best to go:
'Till garrel safe retreat afforded,
Where numerous heaps of goods were howarded.

Aurova now severely bright,
Broke through the East with heavenly light;
Mild Cynthia from the sky look'd pale,
Wilst gently blew the morning gale,
Reus'd from a lary, deep repose
The pestering city-vernmin rose;
Mar'd at cur Rat, with saucy look,

And into frequent laughter broke,
To have we known, from distant climes
Strangers receiv'd in recent times,
Nibble, although a simple clown,
Sons caught the manners of the town:
Roam'd the vast garrel with an air
Return'd each rude unmeaning stare,
Could every other fool despise,
And think himself amazing wise.

One night, however, as with the brain,
He pilfering sought to share the grain,
And idly in the garrel strayed,
Where, pilled in heape, the corn was laid:
A Cat the silent thief deserv'd;
And all his careleso motions ey'd;
Then sudden from her now, ere long,
Grimalkin on poor Nibble sprung
Who all in vain for mercy calls—
Beneath her cruel gripe he falls!

Thus when the simpler huma, Cleun
Adventures to our polish'd town;
Schoof'd in the manners of the place,
Deek'd, as he deems, with every grace,
With foppish emulation fior'd,
He Struts—where not?—to be admir'd
But soon with crafty knaves link'd in,
He treads the dangerous paths of sin.
His country's laws at length defied.
Before the solemn bench he tried:
Suppliant in vain, he legs he sighs:
Condemn'd—and at the gallows dies.

250

Fable
The Old Woman and the Mirror

It happened that a faded beauty now grown old and her lovers all withdrawn and with nothing but her vamely remaining, was one day viewing herself in the looking glass on her toilet when starting back she cried out with surprise and identification "What is this I see surely this cannot be the true representative of my self? This horrid and malicious glass shall never more offend my sight-or-front me by showing wrinkles in my face". So saying she in a rage struck it to the ground when it immediately broke into a hundred pieces."Good heaven! said the perlem Lady looking at the fragments what have I got by this revengeful blow my deformities are multiplied and I now view an hundred wrinkles where before I saw but one

Application

When our hatred is too fierce it subjects us to the persons we hate some
men are slaves to revenge and at times so angry with others as to hurt themselves.

Nothing is more despicable or more miserable than the old age of those vain
and passionate persons whose youth has been spent solely in the contemplation of
their external beauty and who have laid up no mental treasures in provision
for that period of life when little else will be left them to enjoy. When the charms
of youth fail them and all amusements fall by frequent repudiation, the world
falls off from around them and consequent peevishness soon becomes habitual
which still renders them left and left agreeable. Thus they are left a prey
to discontent and melaneholy and vent their ill humours on every thing
around them not once suspecting that all their pain is from the defect within
themselves.

Chloe now faded, once by all admir'd
Still from her glafs there fleeting charms require'd
The just reflector gave alas, too true
The fatal wreck of beauty to her view;
Quick from the sight she turn'd her wither'd face
And cried what jealous rival has displaced
My faithful morn er, down the glafs she threw
Broke on the floor the seater'd fragments flew
Chloe the ruin saw with wild afright-
Wrinkles encas'd now tenfold in her sight
Good Heaven she cried by this revengeful blow
What have I done but multiplied my Toe.

Northolt

258

## Fable
### Jupiter and the Lion

The Kingly Lion although he was of ill repute in his dominions on account of his brutal cruelty, yet had the confidence to present himself to Jupiter com-
plaining grievously of the leechenfalls of his subjects. He said that
leechenfalls and bloodshed raged among them above measure together
with such implacable hatred and barbarity, that they make the forest
run with each others blood: that punishments which in other places
were wont to deter from crimes proved of no force in his states therefore
he besought Jupiter to prescribe him some effectual remedy against
so dangerous a disease. Jupiter answered that since it could not
be otherwise but that Servants would copy after their masters whom
they commonly look up to as their patterns, the only expedient he could
furnish him with was to amend his own bad life, and when he himself
had abandoned that habit of bloodshed and cruelty, to which he was so
much addicted, he might hope to obtain his desires: for the true
method of cure is to begin at the source of the infection; for as long
as the world lasts that master who is bad himself will have none
but those who are bad for his servants.

## Application

The case of the Lion in the fable is an evident display of that state
of total blindfalls which is often seen in men to their own imperfections
and who yet can discover most minutely those of their neighbours
and dependants and with great rigour demand that propriety of
conduct from their servants the reverse of which is shown in their
own examples. It is curious to observe the conceit and selfishness
of mankind and of those in particular who are the most apt to do
wrang and yet at the same moment are so prone to censure others
with the utmost bitterness. It is natural to suppose that those
who err notoriously and frequently themselves should rather be
tender in concealing than forward in exposing the faults of their
companions in sin as feeling in themselves a proneness to be
misled by their papsions and appetites and therefore we should
conceive them would be the first to curtail and pardon.

Northweste

266

Fable
The Venal judge

One of the judges in the dominions of an Indian sovereign being convicted of having made a sale of justice to the highest bidder was sentenced to be strangled. The Mutes had bound him and were conducting him to the dreadful execution when with a deep groan he cried out "Unfortunate wretch that I am! Oh my money!" he said, "I'llallow money which I might have kept to have maintained me happily at home in all manner of pleasures; how hast thou through thy masterfully purchased him an opprobrious and cruel death." These words made a sensible imputation on a sage Brahmin who happened to be present at the time of his conviction and being struck with this curious exclamation of the criminal he asked him the meaning of it, and whether he had not more reason to complain of his ill-gotten, than of his ill-spent money. The Prisoner replied: "The office in the execution of which I have so highly offended was not conferred on me for my wisdom or merit, but for Sixty thousand unlikey crowns which I paid for it two years ago to the Grand Vizier. So that I have sufficient reason to think to bemoan my fate in having given my money for this dreadful misfortune." The Philosopher hearing this ordered the criminal to be resorted to when representing the matter in a favourable light to the Emperor he obtained his pardon and dismissed him from his calamity with these words: "I said he return immediately to thy office to the disgrace of those who sold it to thee and continue to carry on thy scandalous traffic; for his impolite to keep a man from selling what he has fairly bought."

Application

By this fable we are taught the pernicious effects of bribery and also of holding out a bad example to such as are dependent upon us, for nothing can appear more abhorrent in the eyes of the world than to require from others the practice of those virtues which we show no power in ourselves to performing.

Instruction or reproach can have but a weak effect when we receive it from those who do not show in their own conduct the virtues which they require us to practise for certain it-is that we are but too prone to follow those examples which are convenient to our intentions- or our passions and are commonly on the which for any pretence by which we may excuse to ourselves and to the world those selfish and vicious gratifications which are disagreeable to us.

Advise the ever so wise not to attend to and even discounts when we detect the character of him who gives it; therefore we ought to remember that the first lessons of virtue much be practised by those who give them and that he can never well instruct others who has not first been taught himself.

Northost

269

Table

The Lark and the Red-Breast-

At dawn of day the farmer rose
The deadly skears were set

A lark, with piercing cries and throes,
Was struggling in the net

The trembling prisoner begg'd his life
O pitty me, he said;

'I would kill my children, and my wife
To here that I was dead.

I hurt no creature; I, the whole
Wood round would vouch for me;

I, nor the gold nor silver stole;
Let innocence be free.

One grain, indeed, this fatal morn
I took; —'twas all I did:

- To die for one poor grain of corn!
Alas! kind heav'n forbid!

A red-breast from a neighboring tree
Beheld his hapless mate
Ah! cease thy piteous plants, said she,
Nor think to shun thy fate.

Poor bird! be sure thy death's decreed
No eloquence will do;

Since he, the wretch to whom you please,
Is judge and party too.

a

273

Fable
The imprisoned Hare

Long time a Hare had rangled the plains
In spight of hostile curs and swains,
Rejoicing, so she might be free to live free
In ajarie rescued liberty
And thought her labours well repaid,
At night beneath an humble shade;
In sweet oblivion slept away
The well run courses of the day;
With caution crept, by morning's dawn,
To sip the dew and crop the lawn;
And stole, thro' life for, many a year,
With doubtful hope, and gilllements fear.
But time at length unpitying brought
The hour in which she should be caught.
Ah! sad reverse of former days!
Within the net's entangling maze,
And to a paddock close confined,
With walls right, left, before, behind.
When ev'ry shift she found in vain,
Her well known pastures to regain,
Siodaining to prolong her fate
Beyond her much preferred freedom's date,
Strengthened on the graph the diging pug,
Breath'd out her life, and sorrows thus:
In vain, alas! these verdures rise
To tempt my taste alluring my eyes.
On mountains let me rather bear
Extremes of hunger, cold, and air;
Than gormandize to gratify
The squeamish pride of gluttony!
How far from truth! that innocence
Is the best weapon of defence!
My brethren, tho' of morals pure,
A harmless life could not secure.
One had a miserable lot,
By Reynard spy'd, when once a-iquat,
The next a famish'd kite did bear
A trembling captive thro' the air.
And last to left my anguish higher,
A greyhound caught my aged dog.
These crops ne'er subdue my mind
For hope as yet was left behind,
For this I bore my vital span,
But what can guard itself from man?
From jealous man, who lives in pain
Unless all creatures wear his chain
And now, ye stalling hopes, adieu;
My brethren, let me follow you
I could outlive your fates— but see
I can't survive my liberty.

from a fact

282

Table
Minerva and the Owl

My most solemn and wise Bird said Minerva one day to her Owl having
hitherto admired you for your profound laclurnity. I have now a mind
for variety to hear you display your parts in discourse, for silence is
only ad minable in one who can when he pleases triumph by his clo-
quence, and charm with his wise conversation. The Owl returned by
solemn grimace, and made dumb signs. Minerva bid him lay aside
that affectation, and begin: but he only shook hisوز head and remained
silent. Whenupon Minerva provoked with this mimickry of wisdom,
commanded him to speak immediately on pain of her displeasure.
When the Owl seeing no remedy, drew up close to Minerva and whispers
her very softly in the ear this sage remark: That since the world
was grown so depraved they ought to be esteemed most wise who
had eyes to see, and wit to hold their Tongues.

Application

That the Owl speaks like a politician cannot be denied for those who
too publicly trillize the conduct of their neighbours will be sure to
get their hatred. All men revenge themselves of an evil speaker by
speaking against him and as those are rather numerous of whom he
will find occasion to speak ill he will be soon overwrought by the numbers
who aisd him. He ractors are universally hated, and if
sometimes great men converse with them it is more out of pleasure to
hear their salaries than for any coteem they have of them.

The proverb says A busy tongue makes the mind repent at leisure;
and that silence is a gift without peril, and a treasure without enmies.

It has been observed that in the ordinary conversation of
the world, those who speak are not serious enough, and those that
hear are too serious. Therefore what we may consider as only idle
talk when we speak, may be received by our hearer as of serious
importance. Words are like arrows and should not be shot at Random.

288

Fable
The Eagle and the Jackdaw

A stately eagle, the desolate sovereign of the feathered race,
was frequently annoyed by a perl Jackdaw who endeavoured
to ingratiate himself in regard by the most absurd
and gross flattery. One time in particular he ran on in his
usual fulsome manner praising the Eagle for every per-
fection of which he was not so pious concluding this to be
the way to gain his favour when the royal Bird whose
heavn perception was not thus to be deceived by a fawning
secrophant surveyed him with a mixture of rage and
contempt saying "Are there no valuable qualities
you could find in me to praise with truth, but are you
so hard put to it that you must perform hence on me all
those virtues which you know I am without. Fly from my
sight or I shall instantly be your destruction."

Application

There is nothing so disconcerting to a man as some so high
florish pambigryll, and a fulsome dedication to the most
scandalous of all libels. It does not only pronounce a man to
be a fool to his fate but publishes him for a cœxcomb to the world
also, and he signs and seals the certificate in the very sufferance
of it.

293

Fable

The proud Lady and the Caterpillar

"Thou Caterpillar, that devours
"The trees, the fruits, the shrubs, and flowers
"Begone! nor more ingest this grove
"Sacred to pleasure and to love!"
This Celia said, with angry frown
And shook the reptile from her gown;
Who calmly said, Insulting dame
Thy glorious pride from insects came.
I'm in my dishabille, 'tis true
But soon shall take a nobler hue:
When I commence a butterfly
My colour'd plumes with thine shall vie.
Then cease us insects to perplex,
The perfect emblems of your sex:
You're caterpillars when you rise
But when you're drest you're butterflyes.

Table
The Gardener and the Rose

Once on a time the choicest flowers
Were summoned to a meeting
And all the gardener's stones fragrant stores
Obeyd him as was fitting.
To furnish out a nosegay they
At call came crowding in;
Arunculas, carnations gay,
The pink and jespamine.
A thousand more you may suppose,
Too tedious here to name
Among the rest the loyal Rose
With profus'd service came:
Tho' valued higher than the rest-
For her sometimes neglected,

Too late she came, and was, bright guest,
For want of room, rejected.
Displeas'd at this, she sighing said
While for herself she pleaded,
Since she **alone** a nosegay made
It was hard to pass unheeded.
This led the gardener well to weigh
Her excellence confes'd,
And from the nosegay forced away,
The sight he thus redres'd:
He order'd her to stand alone
Their yet univail'd queen
In whom, what charms her subjects own
Combust, improv'd are seen.

300

Table
The Rose and the Snail

A snail thus once addressed the Rose
"O fairest thou, and sweetest flower,
Which Glora bids her charms disclose,
And shed her sweetness through the bow'r

"Pardon, I pray, your humble slave,
Sung the Snail with great respect
One only little fault you have,
Which you might easily correct.

"I mean those sharp and ugly thorns
Which wound who'er approaches near;
Mar every beauty that adorns,
And each admirer field with fear.

"Lophyr himself your faithful lover.—
How new, how cruel is his case! —
Dares only round your beauties hover
And fears to meet your fond embrace."

Appellation

My Fair whom snail-like flatbors due
Mark what the awful moral shows!
Virtue is beauties thorn in you—
But, O! be wiser than the Rose.

The poison caught!—the rose consented
And stripped herself of every thorn;
But O! how soon must be repented
The error of that cruel morn!

The guardian thorn no sooner gone
The Snail became from humble free;
Easy and impudent came on,
And mounted the depeneleus tree.

There quickly cankiring every leaf,
Each flower and opening bud he ate;
And now the Rose perceived with grief
Her error—but perceived too late!

Her fragrance gone, her beauty blasted,
And fled her young and vigin pride—
Her life was bitter while it lasted,
But soon she fadè dropped—and died!

306

Fable

The Vain Glow-worm

A certain Glow-worm had long been the object of admiration amongst his humble associates; the insects of the hedge where he cut a figure and every night would descend to illuminate them with the splendor of his lustre; and in return received the homage of his reptile inferiors with a most gracious air of affeited condescension. When one of his smallISTIC flatterers on a time addressing him observed to him that his humility was wonderful and advised him by all means to make himself more public and to shine in a more exalted circle; that the great world might become the witnesses of such excellence.—"No, no replied the gravelingSPIRITED Glow-worm that is not to my taste for between ourselves my great delight is to be in company where I can preside and be admiral as a wonder no matter if it be from their inferiority or ignorance. Whereas if I assemble with those of higher endowments, I shall feel my pride mortified and appear even to myself to be no better than a poor worm."

## Application

There are certain dispositions in some men that incline them to a base and low ambition; a desire of shinning at any rate and therefore they seek out for such associates only as are confessedly their inferiors; where no improvement can be gained, where flattery and admiration is received by them with pleasure although offered by the meanest of mortals and preferred before the council of the wise or the admonition of the good. But such men must ever remain in all their errors. Instruction gives them pain because it compensates their self importance nor can they bear the shock of feeling themselves to be inferior and from that mean motive shun such companions as might render them fit for the highest society for he who would become a master must first submit to the humble station of a pupil.

None are so empty as those who are full of themselves.

The Scar Crow

Table
- The Scar Crow

317

The Scar Crow

A farmer long had kept in pay
A man to drive the birds away;
To keep his fields from insects clear,
And save the produce of the year:
The man's own hands were clean-but still
He suffer'd others to do ill;
And what avail'd that he was just,
When all were careles of their trust?
No scheme was thought of, none pursu'd,
Against the hawth that ensu'd,
The birds grew bold, and hover'd wold;
The insects swarm'd, and clear'd the ground
Much they eat, and more they spoid;
And all the farmer's hopes were forlorn,
His tenants did at last complain,

For they too lost, their choicest grain:
Their general clamours round his gall;
He chang'd his servants one and all.
New brooms, the proverb says, sweep clean,
So these new men were very keen;
They still upon their past stood watch,
The birds to kill, or else to catch:
They spread their nets and springes round,
Sripp'd the hedges, clear'd the ground.
The birds becam to disappear;
The insects shrunk away for fear.
Now, (says the master) I may sing;
Autumn shall realize the spring!
But since the danger all is past,
And peace and plenty come at last,

318 | May with these new men dispense;

Why should he at this expence?

The people pray'd him, but in vain

To keep his min to save his grain:

The birds and insects were not fled;

Frighten'd they were but not yet dead—

Sooh! pooh! (says he) they'll ne'er return,

A Scare-crow now will serve my turn;

Which will, all weathers, keep its place,

And fright them with its horrid face.

A scare-crow now was all the ton,

A scare-crow still to wing its tongue;

Upon a pivot made to stand,

And turn about to every hand:

Still to battle, still to flutter

And keep an worlasing spurnter,

The figure made, completely drest,

In party-colour'd coal and vest;

And 'tis polite in all it does,

Nor still with every wind it goes.

Ribbungs over its breast are spread;

And still it lows, and nods its head;

Never sure was scare-crow made

More fit in visage, for its trade;

And much fine promise did it give.

For what could see its face and live?

The Scare-crow, tho' in looks so civil,

Seem'd to the birds a very devil;

Like old king log preserved to its sway.

And kept them for a time away.

But soon they saw for all it lowr,

The creature had not any pow'r

It made indeed a deal of din:

But still there wanted that within,

Which birds like mortals, truly know

Surprises outside grim and show,

It held a parchment in its hand,

The emblem of supreme command:

This it were brandish'd high;

And from the pent-house of its eye,

Shel darls of murd'rous hate, or guile

On those who did not heed its smile.

All these contortions, this grimace,

And all this happy pow'r of fate,

Nature to man could ne'er impart;

Its was mechanism all, and art.

To have we seen, in Fashion's school,

A creater bred to be a tool,

And train'd to scrape and smile by me

Behind a counter, taught to prate,

To deal in lace, or rule a state,

The Birds and insects soon perceived

From danger they were now relieved;

Soon their hawke they resumed,

And half the harvest they consumed.

The Scare-crow made a sufs in vain,

They peck'd away the choicest grain

The rice, the wheat, the sugar yeilds

They stripp'd not less than thirty fields.

I'm punished now, (the farmer cries)

For being ungrateful and unwise;

Had I my former serjeants kept,

My meadows had not there been stript;

But down with this vile Scare-crow swift

And let us keep that little's left.

331

Fable
The Toasts of Pandemonium

Satan one day (one night. I mean
For days in Hell are seldom seen)
At Pandemonium in state
Among his peers carousing sal,
To celebrate our parents fall
In draughts of liquid fire and gall;
The toasts in bumpers flew around,
The palace roofs the toasts resound
And all was now, yet all unite
To pell Heav'n with their blunted spites;
Beelzebul gave his hartot Pride,
To match whose charms he Hell defy'd
Envy by Baal then was given,
For to herself, to earth, and Heav'n
It'll be a Mammon's toast, a vice
Would make a Hell of Paradise:—
My toast, tries Afteroth, shall be
That Janus-pride, Hypocrysy;
And mine, quo' Belial—Idleness, fops,
Whose charms both funds and Mnton-
Dear Idleness! to whom we owe
Myriads on myriads here below;—
Dagon gave Falohord, a mean jest,
Still mask'd, and cloth'd in rainbow—vest;
A well o' th' wisp, that leads astray,
A coward dame that dreads the dry;
Molock gave blood-stain'd Cruelly
And Thammus, Infidelity;
But to the least-they all devoted
As one no friend there recollected,

For, tho' such weeds on earth may grow
There are no infidels below):
Thammus on this,—since change I must—
Gave that sweet creature; madam LUZ;
In short, each demon, in his toast,
Should' which fair he honoured most;
The turn at length to Satan came
To bumper round his darling flame;
"I own that all your toasts, he cried,
Are beauties long approv'd and try'd;
But I'll give one, in whom alone
The quintessential of Hell is shown,
Ingratititude! — of vices first,
Most infamous and most accurate,
That friend in grain! that hydra-pest!
(Behold her image on my breast)
To her Hell's empire owes its birth,
To her I owe those swarms from earth;
When other vices rule the mind,
Virgule, by fits, may entrance find,
Put let Ingratititude hear sway,
Not Virgule's shade dare crop her way;
'En Hell itself, when she appears,
It more than double darknep wears:—
Then in a bumper least the belle,
As premier beauty here in Hell"
The friends I cloud the least-proclaim
And Hell rethunders with her name;
Ingratititude! of vices first,
Most infamous and most accurate.

23

The Oyster and Drop of Water

As fables say a drop of rain
fell from a cloud into the main
"Amid these waves how small am I!
"There for ever lost shall lie;"
It said; an oyster, opening wide
Her mouth, imbib'd it with the tide,
Condensing there for many a year,
It grew into a pearly sphere.
Then by a skilful diver caught,
To Pervia's King the pearl was brought;
And now, exalted to a gem,
This drop adorns his diadem;
Thus by its full an envied height
It gained, and rose from darkness into light

24

The Moth and the Taper
Too curious, forlorn, Moth forbear:
Approach not this alluring light;
Back to thy dark abode repair,
And ever be content with night

More of this worldly-state of things
Was ne'er design'd for thee to know;
That which to find thou ply'st thy wings
Will prove a Phaetonick woe.

Proud man, like thee, ne'er satisfied
With science his allotted share,
Makes each false glimm'ring ray his guide,
And erring meets destruction there.

86

Fable
The Ape and the Bee

An ape who had a great desire to partake of the honey which was
depicted in a rich bee hive yet was intimidated from meddling with
it by having felt the smart of the sting. When he made this reflection
"How is it possible that a Bee that can produce that which is so
passing sweet and delicate should also eat away with him a sting so
dreadfully bitter. Yes answered the Bee equal in the degree of sweet-
ness to my better work is the bitterness of my sting when my anger
is provoked.

Application

We often meet with characters whose powers of amusement
are most excellent and whose company seems of all things most
desirable from their wit, their gaiety and their geneus. But such
companions are always dangerous as at a moment of caprice their
Jalibre may turn their powers against us and make us appear
the object of laughter or of scorn. The first requisite in conversation
is truth; the second, sense; the third good-humour; and the
fourth, wit.