XV.

"Fortune's gone forth; you seek a wand'ring dame;

"A settled residence the harlot scorns:

"Curse on such visitants! she never came
"But with a cruel hand she scatter'd thorns.

XVI.

"To the green vale yon shelt'ring hills suround "Go forward: you'll arrive at Wisdom's cell: "Would you be taught where Fortune may be found, "None can direct your anxious search so well."

XVII.

Forward they went o'er many a dreary spot,

(Rough was the road, as if untrod before) Till from the casement of a low-roof'd cot Wisdom perceiv'd them, and unbarr'd her door.

XVIII.

Wisdom (she knew of Fortune but the name)
Gave to their questions a serene reply:
"Hither," she said, "if e'er that goddess came
"I saw her not---she pass'd unnotic'd by.

XIX.

"Abroad with Contemplation oft I roam,
"And leave to Poverty my humble cell;
"She's my domestic, never stirs from home;
"If Fortune has been here it is she can tell.

XX.

The matron eyes us from yon mantling shade, "And see her sober footsteps this way bent!

Mark by her side a little rose-lipp'd maid;

"'Tis my young daughter, and her name's Content."

XXI.

As Poverty advanc'd with lenient grace,

"Fortune," she cry'd, "hath never yet been here; But Hope, a gentle neighbour of this place, "Tells me her Highnsss may in time appear.

XXII.

"Felicity no doubt adorns their lot

"On whom her golden bounty beams divine; "Yet, tho' she never reach our rustic cot, "Patience will visit us---We sha'n't repine."

XXIII.

After a vast but unavailing round,

The messengers returning in despair, On an high hill a Fairy mansion found,

And hop'd the goddess Fortune might be there.

XXIV.

The dome, so glitt'ring it amaz'd the sight,
('Twas adamant, with gems incrusted o'er)

Had not a casement to admit the light,

Nor could Jove's deputies descry the door:

XXV.

But eager to conclude a tedious chase,

And anxious to return from whence they came, Thrice they invok'd the Genius of the place,

Thrice utter'd awfully Jove's sacred name.

XXVI.

As Echo from the hill announc'd high Jove,
Illusion and her Fairy dome withdrew,
(Like the light mists by early sunbeams drove)
And Fortune stood reveal'd to public view.

XXVII.

Oft for that happiness high courts deny'd
To this receptacle Dame Fortune ran;
When harrass'd it was here she us'd to hide
From the wild suits of discontented man.

XXVIII.

Prostrate the delegates their charge declare; (Happy the courtier that salutes her feet!) Fortune receiv'd them with a flatt'ring air,

And join'd them till they reach'd Jove's judgment

XXIX.

Men of all ranks at that illustrious place

[seat.

Were gather'd, tho' from diff'rent motives keen; Many--to see Dame Fortune's radiant face, Many---by radiant Fortune to be seen.

XXX.

Jove smil'd, as on a fav'rite he esteems;
He gave her near his own a golden seat:
Fair Fortune's an adventurer, it seems,
The deities themselves are glad to greet.

XXXI.

Daughter," says Jupiter, "you're sore accuɔ'd; "Clamour incessantly reviles your name;

* İf by the rancour of that wretch abus'd "Be confident, and vindicate your fame.

XXXII.

"Tho' pester'd daily with complaints from man, "Thro' this conviction I record them not--"Let my kind providence do all it can, "None of that species ever lik'd his lot.

XXXIII.

"But the poor quadrupede that now appeals,
"Can wanton Cruelty the weak pursue!

"Large is the catalogue of woes he feels,
"And all his wretchedness he lays to you.”

XXXIV.

"Ask him, high Jupiter!" reply'd the Dame, "In what he has excell'd his long-ear'd class." "Is Fortune, a divinity, to blame

"That she descends not to regard---an ass?"

XXXV.

Fame enter'd in her rolls the sage reply;

The Dame defendant was discharg'd with grace. "Go," to the plaintiff, said the Sire," and try 66 By merit to surmount your low-born race.

XXXVI.

"Learn from the lion to be just and brave; "Take from the elephant instruction wise: "With gracious breeding like the horse behave; "Nor the sagacity of hounds despise.

D

XXXVII.

"These useful qualities with care imbibe,
"For which some quadrupedes are justly priz'd:
"Attain those talents that adorn each tribe,
"And you'll no longer be a wretch despis'd."

LOVE AND CHASTITY:

A CANTATA.

RECITATIVE.

FROM the high mount* whence sacred groves deDiana and her virgin-troop descend,

And while the buskin'd Maids with active care

The bus'ness of the daily chase prepare,

[pend,

A fav'rite nymph steps forward from the throng,
And thus exulting swells the jovial song.

AIR.

Jolly Health springs aloft at the loud sounding horn,
Unlock'd from soft Slumber's embrace,

And Joy sings an hymn to salute the sweet Morn
That smiles on the nymphs of the chase.

The rage of fell Cupid no bosom profanes,

No rancour disturbs our delight;

All the day with fresh Vigour we sweep o'er the plains, And sleep with Contentment all night.

BECITATIVE.

Their clamour rous'd the slighted god of Love;

He flies indignant to the sacred grove;

* Mount Latmos.