Tis certain that you'll be the jest

One morning when the daw appear'), Of every inseet, bird and beast,

The project was propos'd and heaid: When you lie batter'd by your fall

And though the bird was much surpris'd Just at the bottom of the wall.

To find friend Pug so ill advis'd, Be prudent then, improve the pow'rs

He rather chose that he shou'd try Which nature gives in place of ours.

At his own proper risk to fly, You'll find them readily conduce

Than hazard, in a case so nice, At once to plessure and to use.

To shock him by too free advice. But airy whims and crotchets lead

Quoth be, “I'm certain that you'll find To certain loss, and ne'er succeed:

The project answer to your inind; As folks, though inly vex'd and teas'd,

Without suspicion, dread or care, Will oft seeal satisfy'd and pleas'd.”

At once commit you w the air; The ape approvd of every word,

You'll soar aloft, or, if you please, At this time utter'd by the bird:

Proceed straight forwards at your ease: But nothing in opinion chang'd,

The whole depends on resolution, 'Thought only how to be reveng'd.

Which you possess from constitution ; It happend when t'ie dlay was fair,

And if you follow as I lead, That Poil was set to take the air,

'Tis past a doubt you must succeed." Just where the monkey oft sat poring

So saying, from the turret's height About experiments in soaring:

The Jack-daw shot with downward flight, Dissembling his contempt and rage,

And on the edge of a canal, He stept up softly to the cage,

Some fifty paces from the wall, And with a sly malicious grin,

'Lighted obsequious to attend Accosted thus the bird within.

The monkey when he sbould descend : You say, I am not form'd for fight;

But he, altho' he had believ'd In this you certainly are right;

The flatterer and was deceiv'd, 'Tis very plain upon reflection,

Felt some inisgivings at his heart But to yourself there's no objection,

lo vent'ring on so new an art : Since flying is the very trade

But yet at last, 'tween hope and fear, For which the winged race is made;

Himself he trusted to the air ; And therefore for our mutual sport,

But far'd like him whom puets mention, I'll make you fly, you can't be hurt.”

With Dedalus's old invention : With that he slyly slipt the string

Directly downwards on his head Which held the cage up by the ring.

He fell, and lay an hour for dead. In vain the parrot begg'd and pray'd,

The various creatures in the place, No word tas minded that she said ;

Ilad dift'rent thoughts upon the case, Down went the cage, and on the ground

From some bis fate compassion drew, Bruisd and half-dead poor Poll was found, But those I must confess were few ; Pug,who for some time had attended

The rest esteem'd him rightly serv'd, To that alone wiich now was ended,

And in the manner he deserv'd, Again bad leisure to pursue

For playing tricks beyond his sphere, The project he had first in view.

Nor thought the punishment severe. Qooth be,“ A person if he's wise

They gather'd round him as he lay, Will only with bis friends advise,

And jeerd him when he limp'd away. They know his temper and his parts,

Pug, disappointed thus and hurt, And have his interest near their hearts,

And grown besides the public sport,
In matters which he should forbear,

Found all his different passions change
They 'll hold him back with prudent care, At once to fury and revenge :
But never from an envious spirit

The daw 'twas useless to pursue ;
Forbid him to display his merit;

His helpless brood, as next in view, Or judging wrong, from spleen and hate With unrelenting paws he seiz'd, His talents slight or underrate:

One's neck he wrung, another squeez'd, I acted sure with small reflection

Till of the pumber four or five, In asking counsel and direction

No single bird was left alive. From a sly minion whom I know

Thus copinsellors, in all regards To be my rival and my foe:

Though different, meet with like rewards, Que who will constantly endeavour

The story shows the certain fate To burt mc in our lady's favour,

Of every mortal soon or late, And watch and plot to keep me down,

Whose evil genius for his crimes
From obvious interests of her own:

Connects with any fop that rhymes.
But on the top of that old tow'r
An honest daw has made his bow'r;
A faithful friend whom one may trust,

THE BOY AND THE RAINBOW My debtor too for many a crust;

Declare, ye sages,

if Which in the window oft I lay

find

ye For him to come and take away :

'Mongst animals of ev'ry kind, From gratitude no doubt he'll give

Of each condition, sort, and size, Buch counsel as I may receive;

From whales and elephants to flies, Well back'd with reasons strong and plain A creature that mistakes his plan, To push me forward or restraiu."

And errs so constantly as man

Each kind pursues his proper good,
And seeks tor pleasure, rest, and food,

And left him to compute his gains,
As nature points, and never errs

With nought bui labour for his pains.
In what it chooses and prefers;
Man only blenders, though possest
Of talents far above the rest.

CELIA AND HER MIRROR,
Descend to instances and try;
An ox will scarce attempt to fly,

As there are various sorts of minds,
Or leave his pasture in the wood,

So friendships are of dif'rent kinds :

Some, constant when the object’s near, With fishes to explore the food.

Soon vanish if it disappear. Man only acts, of every creature,

Another sort, with equal flame, In opposition to his nature.

In absence will be still the same : The bappiness of human kind,

Some folks a trifle will provoke, Consists in rectitude of mind,

Their weak attachment soon is broke; A will subdu'd to reason's sway,

Some great offences only move And passions practis'd to obey ;

To change in friendship or'in love. An open and a gen'rous heart,

Affection, when it has its source
Refin'd from selfishness and art;

In things that shift and change of course,
Patience which mocks at fortune's pow'r, As these diminish and decay,
And wisdom never sad por sour:

Must likewise fade and melt away.
In these consist our proper bliss;

But when 'tis of a nobler kind, Else Plato reasons much amiss:

Inspir'd by rectitude of mind, But foolish mortals still pursue

Whatever accident arrives, False happiness in place of true;

It lives, and death itself survives; Ambition serves us for a guide,

Those different kinds reduc'd to two, Or lust, or avarice, or pride;

False friendship may be call’d, and true. While reason no assent can gain,

In Celia's drawing-room of late

Some female friends were met to chat ;
And revelation warns in vain.
Hence through our lives, in cvery stage,

Where after much discourse had past,
Froin infancy itself to age,

A portrait grew the theme at last :

'Twas Celia's you must understand, Which still avoids us like the wind;

And by a celebrated hand. Ev'n when we think the prize our owy,

Says one, “That picture sure must strike, At once'tis ranish’d, lost, and gone.

In all respects it is so like;

Your very features, shape and air You'll ask me why I thus rehearse

Express'd, believe me, to a bair: All Epictetus in my verse,

The price I'm sure cou'd not be small, And if I fondly hope to please

“ Just fifty guineas frame and all.”With dry reflections such as these,

“ That mirror there is wond'rous fine."
" I own the bauble cost me nine;
I'm fairly cheated you may swear,

For never was a thing so dear.”-
His Rick attended on the plain,

“ Dear!”-quoth the looking-glassand spoke, The shining bow he chane'd to spy,

“ Madam, it wou'd a saint provoke: Which warns uis when a show'r is nigh;

Must that same gaudy thing be own'd With brightest rays it seem'd to glow,

A pennyworth at fitty pound; Its distance eighty yards or so.

While I at nine am reckon'd dear,

'Tis what I never thought to hear, The story of the cup of gold,

Let both our merits now be try'd, Which Fame reports is to be found

This fair assembly shall decide; Just wbere the rainbow meets the ground;

And I will prove it to your face, He therefore feit a sudden itch

That you are partial in the case.
To seize the gcblet and be rich;

I give a likeness far more true
Hoping, (yet hopes are oft but vain):
No more to toil through wind and rain,

Than any artist ever drew :
But sit indulging by the fire,

And what is vastly more, express Midst ease and plenty, like a 'squire:

Your whole variery of dress: He mark'd the very spot of land

From morn to noun, from noon to night, On which the rainbow secm'd to stand,

I watch each change and paint it right; And stepping forwards at his leisure

Besides I'm mistress of the art, Expected to have found the treasure.

Which conquers and secures a heart. But as be mov’d, the colour'd ray

I teach you how to use those arms, Still chang'd its place and slipt away,

1 bat vary and assist your charms, As seeming his approach to shun;

Aud in the triumphs of the fair, Fruin walking he began to run,

Claim half the merit for my share: But all in vain, it still wiihdrew

So when the truth is fairly told, As nimb y as he cou'd pursue;

I'm wori h at least my weight gold; At last through many a bog and lake,

But that vain thing of which you speak Rough craggy road and thorny brake,

Becomes quite useless in a week. It led the easy fool, till night

Por, though it had no other vice, Approach'd, then vanish'd in his sight,

'Tis out of fashion in a trice :

A happiness we toil to find,

So trite, so hackney'd, and so stale ?
I'll take the hint and tell a tale.

One ev’ning as a simple suain

This bumpkin had it seems been told

When

A tale an ancient bard has told
The cap is chang'd, the cloke, the gown;

Of two poor hishermen of old,
It must no longer stay in town;

Their names were (lest I should forget
But goes in course to hide a wall
With others in your country-hall."

And put the reader in a pet,
The mirror thus :-che nymph reply'd,

Lest critics too shou'd make a pother)
"Your merit cannot be deny’d:

The one Asphelio, Gripus t’uther.
The portrait too, I must contess,

The men were very poor, their trade
In some respects has vastly less.

Cou'd scarce afford them daily bread:
But
you yourself will treely grant

Though ply'd with industry and care
I'bat it has virtues which you want.

Through the whole season, foul and fair,
'Tis certain that you can express

Upon a rock their cottage stood,
My shape, my features, and my dress,

On all sides bounded by the tioud :
Not just as well, but better too

It was a miserable seat,
Than Kneller once or Ramsay now.

Like cold and hunger's worst retreat:
But that same image in your heart

And yet it serv'd them both for lite,
Which thus excels the painter's art,

As neither cou'd maintain a wile;
The shortest absence can deface,

Two walls were rock, and two were sand,
And put a monkey's in its place:

Ramm'd up with stakes and made to stando
That other which the canvas bears,

A roof hung threat'ning o'er tbeir heads luchangʻd and constant, lasts for years,

Of boards half-rotten, thatch'd with reeds.
Wou'd feep its lustre and its bloom

And as no thief e'er touch'd their store,
Though it were here and I at Rome.

A hurdle serv'd them for a dovr.
age
and sickness shall invade

Their beds were leaves ; against the wall
I huse youthful charms and make them fade, A sail hung drying, yard and all.
You'll soon perceive it, and reveal

On one side lay an old patch’d uherry
What partial friendship shou'd conceal:

Like Charon's on the Stygian ferry :
You'll tell me, in your usual way,

On t'other, baskets and a net,
Of furrow'd cheeks and locks grown gray ;

With sea-weed foul and always wet.
Your gen'rous rival, not so cold,

These sorry instruments of trade
Will ne'er suggest that I am uld;

Were all the furniture they had:
Nor mark when time and slow disease

For they had neither spil nor pot,
Have stol'n the graces wont to please ;

Unless my author has forgot.
But keep my image to be seen

Once, some few hours ele break of day,
In the full blossom of sixteen :

As in their hut our fishers lay,
Bestuwing freely all the praise

The one awak'd and wak'd his neighbour,
I merited in better days.

That both might ply their daily labour;
You will (when I am turn'd to dust,

For cold and hunger are contest
For beauties die, as all things must,

No friends to indolence or rest.
And you remember but by seeing)

“ Friend,” quoth the drowsy swain, and swore, Furget that e'er I had a being :

“What you have done bas hurt me more
But in that picture I shall live,

Than all your service can repay
Dly charms shall death itself survive,

For years to come by night and day;
Aud figurd by the pencil there

You've broke the thought on't makes me mad
Tell that your mistress once was fair.

The finest dream that e'er I had.” (prove Weigh each advantage and defect,

Quoth Gripus: “ Friend your speech wou'd
The portrait merits most respect :

You mad indeed, or else in love;
Your qualities would recommend

For dreams shou'd weigh but light with those
A servant rather than a friend;

Who feel the want of food and clothes :
in

I guess, though simple and untaught,
every case,
To friendship yields the higher place.”

You dream'd about a lucky draught,
Or money found by chance: they say,
That hungry foxes dream of prey."

“ You're wond'ruus sbrewd, upon my troth, THE FISHERMEN.

Asphelio cry'd, " and right iu bochin,

My dream had gold in't, as you said,
IMITATED FROM THEOCRITUS.

And tishing too, our constant trade;
By all the sages 'tis confest

And since your guess has hit so near',
That hope when moderate is best:

In short the whuleon't you shall hear.
But when indulg'd beyond due nieasure,

“ Upon the shore I seem'd to stand,
It yields a vain deceitful pleasure,

My rod and tackle in my hand;
Which cheats the simple, and betrays

The baited hook full oft I threw,
To mischiet in a thousand ways:

But still in vain, I nothing drew:
Just hope assists in all our toils,

A tish at last appear'd tu bite,
The wheels of industry it oils;

The cork divd quickly out of sight,
In great attempts the bosom fires,

And soon the dipping rud I tound
And zeal and cunstancy inspires.

With something weighty bent half round:

Quoth I, . Good luck has come at last,
False bope, like a deceitful dream,

I've surely made a happy cast:
Rests on some visionary scheme,

This fish, when in the market sold,
Aud keeps us idle to our loss,

In place of brass will sell for gold;"
Enchanted with our hands across,

But service sure,

TO THE POETS.

of These foes our weapons will defy;

" As black as ink!- if this be true, Immortal made, they never die;

To me 'tis wonderful and new,” But live to haunt me every where,

The sov’reign of the birds reply'd; While I remain within their sphere."

“ But soon the truth on't shall be try'd. “Sir," quoth the swain, “ might I advise, Sir, show your limbs, and for my sake, You straight shou'd get above the skies:

Confute at once this foul mistake, It seems indeed your only way,

For 'l'll maintain, and I am right, For nothing here is worth your stay:

That, like your feathers, they are white." Beside, when foes like these molest,

Sir," quoth the swan, “it wou be vain You'll find but little peace or rest.”

For me a falsehood to maintain;
My legs are black, and proof will show
Beyond dispute that they are so :

Put if I had not got a prize
THE SWAN AND OTHER BIRDS. Which glitters much in some folks eyes,

Not half the birds had ever known
Each candidate for public fame

What truth now forces me to own." Engages in a desp’rate game: His labour he will find but lost, Or less than half repaid at most : То prove this point I shall not choose

THE LOVER AND HIS FRIEND The arguments which Stoics use ; That buman life is but a dream, And few things in it what they seem: That praise is vain and little worth,

'Tis not the point in works of art
An empty bauble, and so forth.

With care to furnish every part,
I'll offer one, but of a kind

That each, to high perfection rais'd,
Not half so subtil and refin'd;

May draw attention and be' prais'd,
Which, when the rest are out of sight,

An object by itself respected,
May sometimes chance to have its weight,

Though all the others were neglected:
'The man who sets his merits high

Not masters only this can do,
To glitter in the public eye,
Shou'd have defects but very small,

But many a vulgar artist too :

We know distinguish'd merit most
Or strictly speaking, none at all:

When in the whole the parts are lost,
For that success which spreads his fame,

When nothing rises up to shine,
Prurokes each envious tongue to blame,

Or draw us from the chief design.
And makes his faults and failings known

When one united full effect
Where'er his better parts are shown.

Is felt before we can reflect,
Upon a time, as poets sing,

And mark the causes that conspire
The birds all waited on their king,

To charm, and force us to admire,
His hymeneal rites to
grace;

This is indeed a master's part,
A flow'ry meadow was the place ;

The very summit of his art,
They all were frolicsome and gay

And therefore when ye shall rehearse
Amidst the pleasures of the day,

To friends for trial of your verse,
And ere the festival was clos'd,

Mark their behaviour and their way,
A match at singing was propos'd ;

As much, at least, as what they say ;
queen herself a wreath prepar'd,

If they seem pleas'd, and yet are mute,
To be the conqueror's revard ;

The poem's good beyond dispute;
With store of pinks and daisies in it,

But when they babble all the while,
And many a songster try'd to win it,'

Now praise the sense, and now the style,
But all the judges soon confest

'Tis plain that something must be wroug, The swan superior to the rest,

This too weak or that too strong.
He got the garland from the bride,

The art is wanting which conveys
With honour and applause beside :

Impressions in mysterious ways,
A tattling goose, with envy stung,

And makes us from a whole receive
Although herself she neler had sung,

What no divided parts can give:
Took this occasion to reveal

Fine writing, therefore, seems of course
What swans seem studious to conceal,

Less fit to please at first than worse.
And, skill'd in satire's artful ways,

Alanguage fitted to the sense
Invective introduc'd with praise.

Will hardly pass for eloquence.
“The swan," quoth she, “ upon my word, One feels its force, before he sees
Deserves applause from ev'ry bird :

The charm which gives it pow'r to please,
By proof bis charming voice you know,

And ere instructed to admire,

Will read and read and never tire.
His feathers soft and white as snow ;
I

But when the style is of a kind
And if you saw him when he swims

Which soars and leaves the sense behind,
Majestic on the silver streams,

"Tis something by itself, and draws
He'd seem complete in all respects:

From vulgar julges dull applause;
But nothing is without defects;

They'll yawn, and tell you as you read,
For that is true, which few wou'd think,

“ Those lines are mighty fine indeed;" His legs and feet are black as ink

The