By dealing only one slight blow

I'll lay that saucy Magpie low."

"Laid low!-forbear the shocking sight! We meet to speak, and not to fight! And if thus noisy here you be,

I beg you'll leave our state-like tree."

"That's right, good Poll; pray drive him hence,

And aid poor Mag with your defence."

"Defence !-defend a bird like you!

A pretty thing for Poll to do.
But I care not, I'll have my say,

Let come what will-this very day

I'll tell my mind, and Mag shall hear
For I was never known to fear."

"You Pie!-I say you're quite a bore,
Fit only for an alehouse door!
A pretty bird, indeed, for law-
But one remove from a Jackdaw!
A stupid thing, for ever snarling,
Not half so clever as the Starling;
And then, in ev'ry one's belief
You're nothing but a common thief!
Remember poor Annette* of old:

The hours of misery she told,

* Alluding to Annette in the drama of the "Maid and the Magpie."

All through you and your purloining!

Deeds like yours are worse than coining;
And, without any reservation,

I vote you now for transportation.”

66

"Hold, hold! young Jay, for I assure ye, You take the place of judge and jury ;

And though friend Mag does sometimes steal,
And act against the common weal,

Twelve wise ones of our feather'd tribe
Must hear his cause, and then decide."

"O! say ye so!—and since ye do,
Miss Poll, I'll have a peck at you;
For by this light I plainly see
That you and Mag in all agree.
Proud upstart of a distant land,
Whose plumage should be contraband,
Contend no more, but dread my rage,
Nor think I heed your golden cage !
Begone! intruder-quit this tree,
And leave the bough of state to me!
For I should fill grave Wisdom's seat,
Whilst you should, kneeling, kiss my. feet."
"You pompous fool!" a voice exclaim'd;
"That seat as your's can ne'er be nam'd;
For mortals, one and all, agree,

Great wisdom's palm to yield to me!

And, though I shun the glare of day,

At night I chase dull sleep away,
And watch with a becoming grace,

The sportive young ones of our race.
Within the hollow of this tree,

I've heard your fulsome ribaldry ;
And never, sure, did silly goose,
Put forth such flagrant, vile abuse!
If you your hearers would convince
A tranquil mode you should evince.
Whilst thus you rave, and rage, and bawl,

Alike you'll be disdain'd by all!

To argue coolly is the plan,

Thus quietly each vice to scan;

For fault was ne'er by anger mended, Nor good achiev'd, though oft intended. Then heéd me well, you silly elf,

And first correct your brawling self."

Great talkers, when devoid of reason,
They utter nonsense out of season!
And he who seeks the path of strife
Is sure to lead a wretched life!

A GRASSHOPPER said to his ancient Grandame, "Dear Grandma, to roam will e'er be my aim. My heart it is light, and my spirits are gay,

And now I would frisk where they're making of hay." D 2

38

THE GRASSHOPPER AND ROSETTA.

}

"No, no! Grassy, no!" the Grandame replied, "That frolic, you dear one, it must be denied; And, as the plain truth should ever be told,

I remark, my dear Grassy, you've grown very bold—
Too forward by half for the years you have told.
Be discreet, my dear Grassy, whatever you do,

Or you'll first lose my love, and I shall lose you.
Go, go!-prithee go, to the briary brake,

And then you'll avoid both the fork and the rake.
Now, be a good pet, and take
my advice,
And you shall have, dearest, all that is nice."

Grassy hopp'd over hill, and hopp'd over dale,
But sought not his Grandmother's fav'rite vale :
To fields far and wide did the naughty thing stray,
Aye! e'en to the meadow o'er scatter'd with hay.
At first he enjoy'd the sweet-scented grass;
Then, delighted, beheld a rosy young lass
Toss, tumble, and play

With the new-mown hay.

Not contented was he

With what he did see,

Till he had hopp'd round
The whole of the ground;

And ah! I must tell

What too soon befell