Our worth the Grecian fages knew;
They gave our fires the honour due ;
They weigh'd the dignity of fowls,
And pry'd into the depth of Owls.
Athens, the feat of learned fame,
With general voice rever'd our name;
On merit title was conferr'd,
And all ador'd th' Athenian bird."
"Brother, you reafon well, replies
The folemn mate, with half-fhut eyes.
Right. Athens was the feat of learning,
And truly wisdom is discerning.
Befides, on Pallas' helm we fit,
The type and ornament of wit:
But now, alas! we 're quite neglected,
And a pert Sparrow's more refpected."
A Sparrow, who was lodg'd befide,
O'erhears them footh each other's pride;
And thus he nimbly vents his heat :-
"Who mects a fool muft find conceit.
I grant you were at Athens grac❜d,
And on Minerva's helm were plac'd; ·
But every bird that wings the fky,
Except an Owl, cap tell you why:
From hence they taught their fchools to know
How falfe we judge by outward fhow;
That we should never look's efteem,
Since fools as wife as you might feem.
Would ye contempt and scorn avoid,
Let your vain-glory be destroy'd:
Humble your arrogance of thought,
Purfue the ways by Nature taught:
So shall you find delicious fare,
And grateful farmers praife your care;
So fhall fleek mice your chace reward,
And no keen cat find more regard."
HENE'ER a Courtier's out of place,
The country fhelters his disgrace;
Where, doom'd to exercife and health,
His house and gardens own his wealth.
He builds new fchemes, in hope to gain
The plunder of another reign;
Like Philip's fon, would fain be doing,
And fighs for other realms to ruin.
As one of these (without his wand)
Penfive along the winding ftrand
Employ'd the folitary hour,
In projects to regain his power,
The waves in fpreading circles ran,
Proteus arofe, and thus began.
"Came you from court for in
A felf-important air is feen."
He frankly own'd his friends had trick'd him, And how he fell his party's victim.
"Know, fays the God, by matchlefs skill
I change to every shape at will;
But yet, I'm told, at court you fee
Those who prefume to rival me."
Thus faid a Snake, with hideous trail,
Proteus extends his fcaly mail.
"Know, fays the Man, though proud in place, All Courtiers are of reptile race.
Like you, they take that dreadful form,
Bask in the fun, and fly the ftorm;
With malice hifs, with envy glote,
And for convenience change their coat ;
With new-got luftre rear their head,
Though on a dunghill born and bred."
Sudden the God a Lion ftands;
He shakes his mane, he fpurns the fands.
Now a fierce Lynx, with fiery glare;
A Wolf, an Afs, a Fox, a Bear.
"Had I ne'er liv'd at court, he cries,
Such transformation might furprize;
But there, in queft of daily game,
Each able Courtier acts the fame;
Wolves, Lions, Lynxes, while in place,
Their friends and fellows are their chace.
They play the Bear's and Fox's part,
Now rob by force, now steal with art.
They fometimes in the fenate bray,
Or, chang'd again to beafts of prey,
Down from the Lion to the Ape,
Practife the frauds of every fhape."
In cords the struggling captive ties.
Speak, and confess thy art excell'd.
So faid upon the god he flies,
"Now, Proteus! now (to truth compell'd)
Ufe ftrength, furprize, or what you will,
'The Courtier finds evafions ftill;
Not to be bound by any ties,
And never forc'd to leave his lyes.”
HOSE who in quarrels interpofe,
Muft often wipe a bloody nose.
A Mastiff, of true English blood,
Lov'd fighting better than his food.
When dogs were fnarling for a bone,
He long'd to make the war his own,
And often found (when two contend)
To interpofe obtain’d his end.
He glory'd in his limping pace;
The fears of honour feam'd his face,
In every limb a gafh appears,
And frequent fights retrench'd his ears.
As on a time he heard from far
Two dogs engag'd in noify war,
Away he fcours, and lays about him,
Refolv'd no fray fhould be without him.
Forth from his yard a tanner flies,
And to the bold intruder cries:
"A cudgel fhall correct your manners :
Whence fprung this curfed hate to tanners?
While on my dog you vent your spite,
Sirrah! 'tis me you dare not bite."
To fee the battle thus perplex'd,
With equal rage a butcher, vex'd,.
Hoarfe-fcreaming from the circled crowd,
To the curs'd Mastiff cries aloud :
"Both Hockleyhole and Marybone
The combats of my dog have known:
He ne'er, like bullies, coward-hearted,
Attacks in public, to be parted.
Think not, rafh fool, to fhare his fame;
Be his the honour, or the fhame."
Thus faid, they swore, and rav'd like thunder,
Then dragg'd their fasten'd dogs afunder;
While clubs and kicks from every fide
Rebounded from the Maftiff's hide.
All reeking now with sweat and blood,
A while the parted warriors ftood;
Then pour'd upon the meddling foe,
Who, worried, howl'd and sprawl'd belów.
He rofe; and, limping from the fray,
By both fides mangled, fneak'd away.
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