The Nymph, who dwells in every Tree,
(If all be true that Poets chant)
Condemn'd by Fate's fupreme Decree,
Muft die with her expiring Plant.
Thus, when the gentle Spina found
The Thorn committed to her Care, Receiv'd its laft and deadly Wound, She fled and vanish'd into Air.
But, from the Root, a difmal Groan
Firft iffuing, ftruck the Murd'rer's Ears;
And in a thrill revengeful Tone,
This Prophecy he trembling hears.
"Thou chief Contriver of my Fall,
"Relentless Dean! to Mischief born, "My Kindred oft thine Hide fhall gall; Thy Gown and Caffock oft be torn.
"And thy confed'rate Dame who brags "That the condemn'd me to the Fire, "Shall rent het Petticoats to Rags,
"And wound her Legs with ev'ry Bri'r.
"Nor thou, Lord * Arthur, fhalt escape,
"To thee I often call'd in vain,
"Against that Affaffin in Crape,
"Yet thou couldft tamely fee me flain.
"Nor, when I felt the dreadful Blow,
"Or chid the Dean, or pinch'd thy Spouse; "Since you could see me treated fo;
"An old Retainer to your House.
"May that fell Dean, by whofe Command
“Was form'd this Machi'villian Plot,
"Not leave a Thistle on thy Land;
"Then who will own thee for a Scot?
Pigs, and Fanaticks, Cows, and Teagues,
"Through all thy Empire I forefee,
"To tear thy Hedges join in Leagues,
"Sworn to revenge my Thorn and me.
"And thou, the Wretch ordain'd by Fate
"Neal Gaghagan, Hibernian Clown,
"With Hatchet blunter than thy Pate,
"To hack my hallow'd Timber down;
"When thou, fufpended high in Air,
"Dy'st on a more ignoble Tree,
"(For thou fhalt steal thy Landlord's Mare)
"Then, bloody Caitiff, think on me.
Written in the Year 1727.
IS ftrange, what diff'rent Thoughts inspire
In Man Poffeffion and Defire;
Think what they wish fo great a Bleffing,
So disappointed when poffeffing.
A MORALIST profoundly fage,
I know not in what Book or Page;
Or, whether o'er a Pot of Ale,
Related thus the following Talę.
POSSESSION, and DESIRE, his Brother,
But, ftill at Variance with each other,
Were seen contending in a Race;
And, kept at first an equal Pace:
'Tis faid, their Course continued long;
For this was active, that was strong:
Till Envy, Slander, Sloth, and Doubt,
Misled them many a League about.
Seduc'd by fome deceiving Light,
They take the wrong Way for the right.
Through flipp'ry By-roads dark and deep,
They often climb, and oft'ner creep:
DESIRE, the fwifter of the two,
Along the Plain like Lightning flew :
Till entring on a broad High-way,
Where Power and Titles fcatter'd lay,
He ftrove to pick up all he found,
And by Excurfions loft his Ground:
No fooner got, than with Difdain
He threw them on the Ground again;
And hafted forward to pursue
Fresh Objects fairer to his View;
In hope to fpring fome nobler Game:
But, all he took was juft the fame :
Too fcornful now to ftop his Pace,
He spurn'd them in his Rival's Face.
POSSESSION kept the beaten Road;
And, gather'd all his Brother ftrow'd;
But, overcharg'd, and out of Wind,
Though strong in Limbs, he lagg'd behind.
DESIRE had now the Goal in Sight:
It was a Tow'r of monftrous, Height,
Where, on the Summit Fortune stands;
A Crown and Sceptre in her Hands:
Beneath, a Chafm as deep as Hell,
Where many a bold Advent'rer fell.
Defire, in Rapture gaz'd a while,
And faw the treach'rous Goddess smile;
But, as he climb'd to grafp the Crown,
She knock'd him with the Sceptre down.
He tumbled in the Gulph profound;
There doom'd to whirl an endless Round,
POSSESSION'S Load was grown fo
He funk beneath the cumbrous Weight:
And, as he now expiring lay,
Flocks ev'ry ominous Bird of Prey:
The Raven, Vulture, Owl, and Kite,
At once upon his Carcase light;
And strip his Hide, and pick his Bones,
Regardless of his dying Groans.
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