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diff --git a/.gitattributes b/.gitattributes new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6833f05 --- /dev/null +++ b/.gitattributes @@ -0,0 +1,3 @@ +* text=auto +*.txt text +*.md text diff --git a/39499-8.txt b/39499-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e6f989a --- /dev/null +++ b/39499-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3342 @@ +Project Gutenberg's Moores Fables for the Female Sex, by Edward Moore + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: Moores Fables for the Female Sex + +Author: Edward Moore + +Illustrator: Henry Brooke + +Release Date: April 22, 2012 [EBook #39499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOORES FABLES FOR THE FEMALE SEX *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + Moores Fables + for + _The Female Sex_ + Embellished with Engravings + + + [Illustration: "_Ye wretches, hence the Eagle cries,_ + _Page 5._] + + London, + + _Printed for Scatchard & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane; + Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme, + and H.D. Symonds, Paternoster Row. + 1806._ + + (Printed by C. Whittingham) + + + + +FABLES FOR _THE FEMALE SEX_. + + + + +FABLE I. + +THE EAGLE AND THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDS. + +To her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. + + + The moral lay, to beauty due, + I write, FAIR EXCELLENCE, to you; + Well pleas'd to hope my vacant hours + Have been employ'd to sweeten your's. + Truth under fiction I impart, + To weed out folly from the heart, + And shew the paths that lead astray + The wand'ring nymph from wisdom's way. + + I flatter none. The great and good + Are by their actions understood; + Your monument if actions raise, + Shall I deface by idle praise? + I echo not the voice of Fame; + That dwells delighted on your name: + Her friendly tale, however true, + Were flatt'ry, if I told it you. + + The proud, the envious, and the vain, + The jilt, the prude, demand my strain; + To these, detesting praise, I write, + And vent in charity my spite: + With friendly hand I hold the glass + To all, promiscuous, as they pass: + Should folly there her likeness view, + I fret not that the mirror's true; + If the fantastic form offend, + I made it not, but would amend. + + +[Illustration: + + _With friendly hand I hold the glass + To all promiscuous, as they pass;_ + +_Page 2._ + +_London: Published May 1st 1799 by T. Heptinstall. No. 304 High Holborn._] + + + Virtue, in ev'ry clime and age, + Spurns at the folly-soothing page; + While satire, that offends the ear + Of vice and passion, pleases her. + + Premising this, your anger spare; + And claim the fable you who dare. + + The BIRDS in place, by faction press'd, + To JUPITER their pray'rs address'd; + By specious lies the state was vex'd, + Their counsels libellers perplex'd; + They begg'd (to stop seditious tongues) + A gracious hearing of their wrongs. + JOVE grants their suit. The EAGLE sate, + Decider of the grand debate. + + The PYE, to trust and pow'r preferr'd, + Demands permission to be heard. + Says he, 'Prolixity of phrase + You know I hate. This libel says, + "Some birds there are, who, prone to noise, + Are hir'd to silence WISDOM'S voice; + And, skill'd to chatter out the hour, + Rise by their emptiness to pow'r." + That this is aim'd direct at me, + No doubt, you'll readily agree: + Yet well this sage assembly knows, + By parts to government I rose; + My prudent counsels prop the state; + MAGPIES were never known to prate.' + + The KITE rose up. His honest heart + In VIRTUE'S suff'rings bore a part. + That there were birds of prey he knew; + So far the libeller said true, + "Voracious, bold, to rapine prone, + Who knew no int'rest but their own; + Who, hov'ring o'er the farmer's yard, + Nor pigeon, chick, nor duckling spar'd." + This might be true--but if apply'd + To him, in troth, the sland'rer ly'd. + Since IGN'RANCE then might be misled, + Such things, he thought, were best unsaid. + + The CROW was vext. As yester-morn + He flew across the new-sown corn, + A screaming boy was set for pay, + He knew, to drive the CROWS away: + SCANDAL had found him out in turn, + And buzz'd abroad--that CROWS love corn. + + The OWL arose, with solemn face, + And thus harangu'd upon the case: + 'That MAGPIES prate, it may be true; + A KITE may be voracious too; + CROWS sometimes deal in new-sown pease; + He libels not, who strikes at these; + The slander's here--"But there are birds, + Whose wisdom lies in looks, not words; + Blund'rers who level in the dark, + And always shoot beside the mark." + He names not me; but these are hints + Which manifest at whom he squints; + I were indeed that blund'ring fowl, + To question if he meant an OWL.' + "Ye wretches, hence!" the EAGLE cries, + "'Tis conscience, conscience that applies; + The virtuous mind takes no alarm, + Secur'd by innocence from harm; + While GUILT, and his associate, FEAR, + Are startled at the passing air." + + + + +FABLE II. + +THE PANTHER, HORSE, AND OTHER BEASTS. + + + The man who seeks to win the fair, + (So custom says) must truth forbear; + Must fawn and flatter, cringe and lie, + And raise the goddess to the sky; + For truth is hateful to her ear, + A rudeness which she cannot bear-- + A rudeness?--Yes,--I speak my thoughts, + For truth upbraids her with her faults. + + How wretched, CHLOE, then am I, + Who love you, and yet cannot lie; + And still, to make you less my friend, + I strive your errors to amend! + But shall the senseless fop impart + The softest passion to your heart, + While he who tells you honest truth, + And points to happiness your youth, + Determines, by his cares, his lot, + And lives neglected and forgot? + + Trust me, my dear, with greater ease, + Your taste for flatt'ry I could please. + And similes in each dull line, + Like glow-worms in the dark, should shine. + What if I say your lips disclose + The freshness of the op'ning rose? + Or that your cheeks are beds of flow'rs, + Enripen'd by refreshing show'rs? + Yet certain as these flow'rs shall fade, + Time ev'ry beauty will invade. + The BUTTERFLY of various hue, + More than the flow'r, resembles you: + Fair, flutt'ring, fickle, busy thing, + To pleasure ever on the wing, + Gayly coquetting for an hour, + To die, and ne'er be thought of more. + + Would you the bloom of youth should last? + 'Tis virtue that must bind it fast; + An easy carriage, wholly free + From sour reserve, or levity; + Good-natur'd mirth, an open heart, + And looks unskill'd in any art; + Humility, enough to own + The frailties which a friend makes known; + And decent pride, enough to know + The worth that virtue can bestow. + + These are the charms which ne'er decay, + Tho' youth and beauty fade away; + And time, which all things else removes, + Still heightens virtue and improves. + + You'll frown, and ask to what intent + This blunt address to you is sent; + I'll spare the question, and confess + I'd praise you, if I lov'd you less; + But rail, be angry, or complain, + I will be rude, while you are vain. + + Beneath a LION'S peaceful reign, + When beasts met friendly on the plain, + A PANTHER, of majestic port, + (The vainest female of the court) + With spotted skin, and eyes of fire, + Fill'd ev'ry bosom with desire; + Where'er she mov'd, a servile crowd + Of fawning creatures cring'd and bow'd; + Assemblies ev'ry week she held, + (Like modern belles) with coxcombs fill'd, + Where noise and nonsense, and grimace, + And lies and scandal, fill'd the place. + + Behold the gay, fantastic thing, + Encircled by the spacious ring; + Low-bowing, with important look, + As first in rank, the MONKEY spoke: + + "Gad take me, madam! but I swear + No angel ever look'd so fair---- + Forgive my rudeness, but, I vow, + You were not quite divine till now; + Those limbs! that shape! and then those eyes, + O close them, or the gazer dies!" + + 'Nay, gentle PUG, for goodness hush, + I vow and swear you make me blush; + I shall be angry at this rate---- + 'Tis so like flatt'ry, which I hate.' + + The FOX, in deeper cunning vers'd, + The beauties of her mind rehears'd, + And talk'd of knowledge, taste, and sense, + To which the fair have most pretence; + Yet well he knew them always vain + Of what they strive not to attain, + And play'd so cunningly his part, + That PUG was rival'd in his art. + + The GOAT avow'd his am'rous flame, + And burnt--for what he durst not name; + Yet hop'd a meeting in the wood + Might make his meaning understood. + Half angry at the bold address, + She frown'd; but yet she must confess, + Such beauties might inflame his blood; + But still his phrase was somewhat rude. + + The HOG her neatness much admir'd; + The formal ASS her swiftness fir'd; + While all to feed her folly strove, + And by their praises shar'd her love. + + The HORSE, whose gen'rous heart disdain'd + Applause by servile flatt'ry gain'd, + With graceful courage silence broke, + And thus with indignation spoke: + + +[Illustration: + + _From public view her charms will screen + And rarely in the crowd be seen_ + +_Page 12._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + "When flatt'ring MONKEYS fawn and prate, + They justly raise contempt, or hate; + For merit's turn'd to ridicule, + Applauded by the grinning fool. + The artful FOX your wit commends, + To lure you to his selfish ends; + From the vile flatt'rer turn away, + For knaves make friendship to betray. + Dismiss the train of fops and fools, + And learn to live by wisdom's rules. + Such beauties might the LION warm, + Did not your folly break the charm; + For who would court that lovely shape, + To be the rival of an APE?" + He said; and snorting in disdain, + Spurn'd at the crowd, and sought the plain. + + + + +FABLE III. + +THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. + + + The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose + The lily and the blushing rose, + From public view her charms will skreen, + And rarely in the crowd be seen: + This simple truth shall keep her wise, + "The fairest fruits attract the flies." + + One night a GLOW-WORM, proud and vain, + Contemplating her glitt'ring train, + Cry'd sure there never was in nature, + So elegant, so fine a creature; + All other insects that I see, + The frugal ANT, industrious BEE, + Or SILK-WORM, with contempt I view; + With all that low, mechanic crew, + Who servilely their lives employ + In business, enemy to joy. + Mean, vulgar herd! ye are my scorn, + For grandeur only I was born; + Or sure am sprung from race divine, + And plac'd on earth to live and shine. + Those lights, that sparkle so on high, + Are but the GLOW-WORMS of the sky; + And kings on earth their gems admire, + Because they imitate my fire. + + She spoke. Attentive on a spray, + A NIGHTINGALE forbore his lay; + He saw the shining morsel near, + And flew, directed by the glare; + Awhile he gaz'd with sober look, + And thus the trembling prey bespoke: + + Deluded fool, with pride elate, + Know, 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate; + Less dazzling, long thou might'st have lain, + Unheeded on the velvet plain; + Pride, soon or late, degraded mourns, + And beauty wrecks whom she adorns. + + + + +FABLE IV. + +HYMEN AND DEATH. + + + Sixteen, d'ye say? Nay, then 'tis time; + Another year destroys your prime. + But stay--The settlement? "That's made?" + Why then's my simple girl afraid? + Yet hold a moment, if you can, + And heedfully the fable scan. + + The shades were fled, the morning blush'd, + The winds were in their caverns hush'd, + When HYMEN, pensive and sedate, + Held o'er the fields his musing gait, + Behind him, thro' the green-wood shade, + DEATH'S meagre form the GOD survey'd, + Who quickly with gigantic stride, + Out-went his pace, and join'd his side. + The chat on various subjects ran, + Till angry HYMEN thus began: + + "Relentless DEATH, whose iron sway + Mortals reluctant must obey, + Still of thy pow'r shall I complain, + And thy too partial hand arraign? + When CUPID brings a pair of hearts, + All over struck with equal darts, + Thy cruel shafts my hopes deride, + And cut the knot that HYMEN ty'd. + + "Shall not the bloody, and the bold, + The miser, hoarding up his gold, + The harlot, reeking from the stew, + Alone thy fell revenge pursue? + But must the gentle, and the kind, + Thy fury, undistinguish'd find?" + + The monarch calmly thus reply'd: + 'Weigh well the cause, and then decide. + That friend of your's, you lately nam'd, + CUPID, alone, is to be blam'd; + Then let the charge be justly laid; + That idle boy neglects his trade, + And hardly once in twenty years + A couple to your temple bears. + The wretches, whom your office blends, + SILENUS now, or PLUTUS sends; + Hence care, and bitterness, and strife, + Are common to the nuptial life. + + 'Believe me; more than all mankind, + Your vot'ries my compassion find. + Yet cruel am I call'd, and base, + Who seek the wretched to release; + The captive from his bonds to free, + Indissoluble, but for me. + + ''Tis I entice him to the yoke; + By me your crowded altars smoke; + For mortals boldly dare the noose, + Secure, that DEATH will set them loose.' + + + + +FABLE V. + +THE POET AND HIS PATRON. + + + Why, CELIA, is your spreading waist + So loose, so negligently lac'd? + Why must the wrapping bed-gown hide + Your snowy bosom's swelling pride? + How ill that dress adorns your head, + Disdain'd and rumpled from the bed! + Those clouds, that shade your blooming face, + A little water might displace, + As NATURE every morn bestows + The crystal dew to cleanse the rose. + Those tresses, as the raven black, + That wav'd in ringlets down your back, + Uncomb'd, and injur'd by neglect, + Destroy the face which once they deck'd. + + Whence this forgetfulness of dress! + Pray, madam, are you married? Yes. + Nay! then indeed the wonder ceases, + No matter now how loose your dress is; + The end is won, your fortune's made, + Your sister now may take the trade. + + Alas! what pity 'tis to find + This fault in half the female kind! + From hence proceed aversion, strife, + And all that sours the wedded life. + BEAUTY can only point the dart, + 'Tis NEATNESS guides it to the heart; + Let NEATNESS then, and BEAUTY strive + To keep a wav'ring flame alive. + + 'Tis harder far (you'll find it true) + To keep the conquest than subdue; + Admit us once behind the screen, + What is there farther to be seen? + A newer face may raise the flame, + But ev'ry woman is the same. + + Then study chiefly to improve + The charm that fix'd your husband's love; + Weigh well his humour. Was it dress + That gave your beauty pow'r to bless? + Pursue it still; be neater seen, + 'Tis always frugal to be clean; + So shall you keep alive desire, + And TIME'S swift wing shall fan the fire. + + In garret high (as stories say) + A POET sung his tuneful lay; + So soft, so smooth his verse, you'd swear + APOLLO and the MUSES there; + Through all the town his praises rung, + His sonnets at the playhouse sung; + High waving o'er his lab'ring head, + The goddess WANT her pinions spread, + And with poetic fury fir'd, + What PHOEBUS faintly had inspir'd. + + A noble youth, of taste and wit, + Approv'd the sprightly things he writ, + And sought him in his cobweb dome, + Discharg'd his rent, and brought him home. + + Behold him at the stately board, + Who but the POET and my LORD! + Each day deliciously he dines, + And greedy quaffs the gen'rous wines; + His sides were plump, his skin was sleek, + And PLENTY wanton'd on his cheek; + Astonish'd at the change so new, + Away th' inspiring goddess flew. + + Now, dropt for politics and news, + Neglected lay the drooping MUSE, + Unmindful whence his fortune came, + He stifled the poetic flame; + Nor tale nor sonnet, for my lady, + Lampoon, nor epigram was ready. + + With just contempt his PATRON saw, + (Resolv'd his bounty to withdraw) + And thus, with anger in his look, + The late-repenting fool bespoke:-- + + "Blind to the good that courts thee grown, + Whence has the sun of favour shone? + Delighted with thy tuneful art, + Esteem was growing in my heart, + But idly thou reject'st the charm + That gave it birth, and kept it warm. + Unthinking fools alone despise + The arts that taught them first to rise." + + + + +FABLE VI. + +THE WOLF, THE SHEEP, AND THE LAMB. + + + Duty demands the parent's voice + Should sanctify the daughter's choice; + In that is due obedience shewn; + To choose belongs to her alone. + + May horror seize his midnight hour + Who builds upon a parent's pow'r, + And claims, by purchase vile and base, + The loathing maid for his embrace; + Hence virtue sickens, and the breast, + Where peace had built her downy nest, + Becomes the troubled seat of care, + And pines with anguish and despair. + + A WOLF, rapacious, rough, and bold, + Whose nightly plunders thinn'd the fold, + Contemplating his ill-spent life, + And cloy'd with thefts, would take a wife. + His purpose known, the savage race + In num'rous crouds attend the place; + For why, a mighty WOLF he was, + And held dominion in his jaws. + Her fav'rite whelp each mother brought, + And humbly his alliance sought; + But cold by age, or else too nice, + None found acceptance in his eyes. + + It happen'd, as at early dawn, + He, solitary, cross'd the lawn, + Stray'd from the fold, a sportive LAMB + Skip'd wanton by her fleecy DAM; + When CUPID, foe to man and beast, + Discharg'd an arrow at his breast. + The tim'rous breed the robber knew, + And trembling o'er the meadow flew; + Their nimblest speed the WOLF o'ertook, + And, courteous, thus the DAM bespoke: + Stay, fairest, and suspend your fear, + Trust me, no enemy is near; + These jaws, in slaughter oft imbru'd, + At length have known enough of blood, + And kinder business brings me now, + Vanquish'd, at beauty's feet to bow. + You have a daughter--Sweet, forgive + A WOLF'S address--In her I live; + Love from her eye like lightning came, + And set my marrow all on flame; + Let your consent confirm my choice, + And ratify our nuptial joys. + Me ample wealth and pow'r attend, + Wide o'er the plains my realms extend; + What midnight robber dare invade + The fold, if I the guard am made? + At home the shepherd's cur may sleep, + While I secure his master's sheep. + Discourse like his attention claim'd; + Grandeur the MOTHER'S breast inflam'd; + Now fearless by his side she walk'd, + Of settlements and jointures talk'd; + Propos'd and doubled her demands, + Of flow'ry fields and turnip lands. + The WOLF agrees.--Her bosom swells; + To MISS her happy fate she tells; + And, of the grand alliance vain, + Contemns her kindred of the plain. + + The loathing LAMB with horror hears, + And wearies out her DAM with pray'rs, + But all in vain; mamma best knew + What unexperienc'd girls should do: + So, to a neighb'ring meadow carry'd, + A formal ass the couple marry'd. + + Torn from the tyrant-mother's side, + The trembler goes, a victim-bride; + Reluctant meets the rude embrace, + And bleats among the howling race. + With horror oft her eyes behold + Her murder'd kindred of the fold; + Each day a sister-lamb is serv'd, + And at the glutton's table carv'd; + The crashing bones he grinds for food, + And slakes his thirst with streaming blood. + + Love, who the cruel mind detests, + And lodges but in gentle breasts, + Was now no more.--Enjoyment past, + The savage hunger'd for the feast; + But (as we find in human race, + A mask conceals the villain's face) + Justice must authorize the treat: + Till then he long'd, but durst not eat. + + As forth he walk'd, in quest of prey, + The hunters met him on the way; + Fear wings his flight; the marsh he sought, + The snuffing dogs are set at fault. + His stomach baulk'd, now hunger gnaws, + Howling he grinds his empty jaws; + Food must be had--and lamb is nigh; + His maw invokes the fraudful lie. + Is this, dissembling rage, he cry'd, + The gentle virtue of a bride? + That, leagu'd with man's destroying race, + She sets her husband for the chase? + By treach'ry prompts the noisy hound + To scent his footsteps o'er the ground? + Thou trait'ress vile, for this thy blood + Shall glut my rage, and dye the wood! + + So saying, on the LAMB he flies: + Beneath his jaws the victim dies. + + + + +FABLE VII. + +THE GOOSE AND THE SWANS. + + + I hate the face, however fair, + That carries an affected air; + The lisping tone, the shape constrain'd, + The study'd look, the passion feign'd, + Are fopperies, which only tend + To injure what they strive to mend. + With what superior grace enchants + The face which NATURE'S pencil paints! + Where eyes, unexercis'd in art, + Glow with the meaning of the heart! + Where FREEDOM and GOOD-HUMOUR sit, + And easy GAIETY and WIT! + Though perfect BEAUTY be not there, + The master lines, the finish'd air, + We catch from every look delight, + And grow enamour'd at the sight; + For beauty, though we all approve, + Excites our wonder more than love; + While the agreeable strikes sure, + And gives the wounds we cannot cure. + + Why then, my AMORET, this care, + That forms you, in effect, less fair? + If NATURE on your cheek bestows + A bloom that emulates the rose, + Or from some heav'nly image drew + A form APELLES never knew, + Your ill-judg'd aid will you impart, + And spoil by meretricious art? + Or had you, NATURE'S error, come + Abortive from the mother's womb, + Your forming care she still rejects, + Which only heightens her defects. + When such, of glitt'ring jewels proud, + Still press the foremost in the crowd, + At every public shew are seen, + With look awry, and aukward mien, + The gaudy dress attracts the eye, + And magnifies deformity. + + +[Illustration: + + _The wretch with thrilling horror shook, + Loose ev'ry joint, and pale his look._ + +_Page 39._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + NATURE may underdo her part, + But seldom wants the help of ART; + Trust her, she is your surest friend, + Nor made your form for you to mend. + + A GOOSE, affected, empty, vain, + The shrillest of the cackling train, + With proud and elevated crest, + Precedence claim'd above the rest. + Says she, I laugh at human race, + Who say, geese hobble in their pace; + Look here!--the sland'rous lie detect; + Not haughty man is so erect. + That PEACOCK yonder, lord, how vain + The creature's of his gaudy train! + If both were stript, I'd pawn my word, + A GOOSE would be the finer bird. + NATURE, to hide her own defects, + Her bungled work with fin'ry decks; + Were GEESE set off with half that show, + Would men admire the PEACOCK? No. + + Thus vaunting, 'cross the mead she stalks, + The cackling breed attend her walks. + The SUN shot down his noontide beams, + The SWANS were sporting in the streams; + Their snowy plumes, and stately pride, + Provoke her spleen. Why, there, she cry'd, + Again what arrogance we see! + Those creatures! how they mimic me! + Shall ev'ry fowl the waters skim, + Because we GEESE are known to swim? + Humility they soon shall learn, + And their own emptiness discern. + + So saying, with extended wings, + Lightly upon the wave she springs; + Her bosom swells, she spreads her plumes, + And the SWAN'S stately crest assumes. + Contempt and mockery ensu'd, + And bursts of laughter shook the flood. + + A SWAN, superior to the rest, + Sprung forth, and thus the fool address'd: + Conceited thing! elate with pride, + Thy affectation all deride; + These airs thy aukwardness impart, + And shew thee plainly as thou art. + Among thy equals of the flock, + Thou hadst escap'd the public mock. + And, as thy parts to good conduce, + Been deem'd an honest hobbling GOOSE. + + Learn hence to study WISDOM'S rules; + Know, foppery's the pride of fools; + And striving NATURE to conceal, + You only her defects reveal. + + + + +FABLE VIII. + +THE LAWYER AND JUSTICE. + + + Love; thou divinest good below, + Thy pure delights few mortals know: + Our rebel hearts thy sway disown, + While tyrant LUST usurps thy throne! + The bounteous GOD OF NATURE made + The sexes for each other's aid, + Their mutual talents to employ, + To lessen ills, and heighten joy. + To weaker woman he assign'd + That soft'ning gentleness of mind, + That can by sympathy impart + Its likeness to the roughest heart. + Her eyes with magic pow'r endu'd, + To fire the dull, and awe the rude. + His rosy fingers on her face + Shed lavish ev'ry blooming grace, + And stamp'd (perfection to display) + His mildest image on her clay. + + Man, active, resolute, and bold, + He fashion'd in a diff'rent mould; + With useful arts his mind inform'd, + His breast with nobler passions warm'd; + He gave him knowledge, taste, and sense, + And courage for the fair's defence. + Her frame, resistless to each wrong, + Demands protection from the strong; + To man she flies, when fear alarms, + And claims the temple of his arms. + + By nature's author thus declar'd + The woman's sov'reign and her guard: + Shall man, by treach'rous wiles invade + The weakness he was meant to aid? + While beauty, given to inspire + Protecting love and soft desire, + Lights up a wild-fire in the heart, + And to its own breast points the dart, + Becomes the spoiler's base pretence + To triumph over innocence! + + The wolf, that tears the tim'rous sheep, + Was never set the fold to keep; + Nor was the tiger, or the pard, + Meant the benighted trav'ller's guard: + But man, the wildest beast of prey, + Wears friendship's semblance to betray; + His strength against the weak employs, + And where he should protect, destroys. + + Past twelve o'clock, the watchman cry'd, + His brief the studious LAWYER ply'd; + The all-prevailing fee lay nigh, + The earnest of to-morrow's lie; + Sudden the furious winds arise, + The jarring casement shatter'd flies; + The doors admit a hollow sound, + And rattling from their hinges bound; + When JUSTICE, in a blaze of light, + Reveal'd her radiant form to sight. + + The wretch with thrilling horror shook, + Loose ev'ry joint, and pale his look, + Not having seen her in the courts, + Or found her mentioned in reports, + He ask'd, with falt'ring tongue, her name, + Her errand there, and whence she came? + + Sternly the white-rob'd shade reply'd, + (A crimson glow her visage dy'd) + Canst thou be doubtful who I am? + Is JUSTICE grown so strange a name? + Were not your courts for JUSTICE rais'd? + 'Twas there of old my altars blaz'd. + My guardian thee did I elect, + My sacred temple to protect; + That thou, and all thy venal tribe, + Should spurn the goddess for a bribe! + Aloud the ruin'd client cries, + JUSTICE has neither ears nor eyes! + In foul alliance with the bar, + 'Gainst me the judge denounces war, + And rarely issues his decree, + But with intent to baffle me. + + She paus'd. Her breast with fury burn'd; + The trembling LAWYER thus return'd: + I own the charge is justly laid, + And weak th' excuse that can be made; + Yet search the spacious globe, and see + If all mankind are not like me. + The GOWN-MAN, skill'd in ROMISH lies, + By FAITH'S false glass deludes our eyes; + O'er conscience rides without controul, + And robs the man, to save his soul. + + The DOCTOR, with important face, + By sly design mistakes the case; + Prescribes, and spins out the disease, + To trick the patient of his fees.-- + The SOLDIER, rough with many a scar, + And red with slaughter, leads the war; + If he a nation's trust betray, + The foe has offer'd double pay. + + +[Illustration: + + _The maid she modestly conceals + Her beauties, while she hides, reveals;_ + +_Page 41._ + +_London Published June 24th 1799 by T. Heptinstall Holborn._] + + + When vice o'er all mankind prevails, + And weighty int'rest turns the scales, + Must I be better than the rest, + And harbour JUSTICE in my breast? + On one side only take the fee, + Content with poverty and thee? + + Thou blind to sense, and vile of mind, + Th' exasperated shade rejoin'd, + If virtue from the world is flown, + Will others faults excuse thy own? + For sickly souls the priest was made; + PHYSICIANS for the body's aid; + The SOLDIER guarded liberty; + Man, woman, and the LAWYER me: + If all are faithless to their trust, + They leave not thee the less unjust. + Henceforth your pleadings I disclaim, + And bar the sanction of my name; + Within your courts it shall be read, + That JUSTICE from the law is fled. + + She spoke; and hid in shades her face, + 'Till HARDWICK sooth'd her into grace. + + + + +FABLE IX. + +THE FARMER, THE SPANIEL, AND THE CAT. + + + Why knits my dear her angry brow? + What rude offence alarms you now? + I said, that DELIA'S fair; 'tis true, + But did I say she equall'd you? + Can't I another's face commend, + Or to her virtues be a friend, + But instantly your forehead lours, + As if her merit lessen'd your's? + From female envy never free, + All must be blind, because you see. + + Survey the gardens, fields, and bow'rs, + The buds, the blossoms, and the flow'rs, + Then tell me where the woodbine grows + That vies in sweetness with the rose? + Or where the lily's snowy white, + That throws such beauties on the sight? + Yet folly is it to declare, + That these are neither sweet nor fair. + The crystal shines with fainter rays + Before the di'mond's brighter blaze; + And fops will say, the di'mond dies + Before the lustre of your eyes: + But I, who deal in truth, deny + That neither shine when you are by. + + When zephyrs o'er the blossoms stray, + And sweets along the air convey, + Shan't I the fragrant breeze inhale, + Because you breathe a sweeter gale? + + Sweet are the flow'rs that deck the field, + Sweet is the smell the blossoms yield; + Sweet is the summer gale that blows, + And sweet (though sweeter you) the rose. + + Shall envy then torment your breast, + If you are lovelier than the rest? + For while I give to each her due, + By praising them I flatter you; + And praising most, I still declare + You fairest, where the rest are fair. + + As at his board a FARMER sate, + Replenish'd by his homely treat, + His fav'rite SPANIEL near him stood, + And with his master shar'd the food; + The crackling bones his jaws devour'd, + His lapping tongue the trenchers scour'd; + Till, sated now, supine he lay, + And snor'd the rising fumes away. + + The hungry CAT, in turn, drew near, + And humbly crav'd a servant's share; + Her modest worth the master knew, + And straight the fatt'ning morsel threw; + Enrag'd, the snarling cur awoke, + And thus, with spiteful envy, spoke: + + They only claim a right to eat, + Who earn by services their meat; + Me, zeal and industry inflame, + To scour the fields, and spring the game; + Or, plunged in the wat'ry wave, + For man the wounded bird to save. + With watchful diligence I keep, + From prowling wolves, his fleecy sheep; + At home, his midnight hours secure, + And drive the robber from the door. + For this his breast with kindness glows; + For this his hand the food bestows; + And shall thy indolence impart + A warmer friendship to his heart; + That thus he robs me of my due, + To pamper such vile things as you? + + I own (with meekness, PUSS reply'd) + Superior merit on your side; + Nor does my breast with envy swell, + To find it recompens'd so well; + Yet I, in what my nature can, + Contribute to the good of man. + Whose claws destroy the pilf'ring mouse? + Who drives the vermin from the house? + Or, watchful for the lab'ring swain, + From lurking rats secure the grain? + From hence, if he rewards bestow, + Why should your heart with gall o'erflow? + Why pine my happiness to see, + Since there's enough for you and me? + + Thy words are just, the FARMER cry'd, + And spurn'd the snarler from his side. + + + + +FABLE X. + +THE SPIDER AND THE BEE. + + + The nymph who walks the public streets, + And sets her cap at all she meets, + May catch the fool who turns to stare; + But men of sense avoid the snare. + + As on the margin of the flood, + With silken line, my LYDIA stood, + I smil'd to see the pains you took, + To cover o'er the fraudful hook. + Along the forest as we stray'd, + You saw the boy his lime-twigs spread; + Guess'd you the reason of his fear, + Lest, heedless, we approach'd too near? + For as behind the bush we lay, + The linnet flutter'd on the spray. + + Needs there such caution to delude + The scaly fry, and feather'd brood? + And think you, with inferior art, + To captivate the human heart? + The maid who modestly conceals + Her beauties, while she hides, reveals; + Give but a glimpse, and FANCY draws + Whate'er the GRECIAN VENUS was. + From EVE'S first fig-leaf to brocade, + All dress was meant for FANCY'S aid, + Which evermore delighted dwells + On what the bashful nymph conceals. + + When CELIA struts in man's attire, + She shews too much to raise desire; + But from the hoop's bewitching round, + Her very shoe has power to wound. + The roving eye, the bosom bare, + The forward laugh, the wanton air, + May catch the fop, for gudgeons strike + At the bare hook, and bait, alike; + While SALMON play regardless by, + Till ART, like NATURE, forms the fly. + + Beneath a PEASANT'S homely thatch, + A SPIDER long had held her watch; + From morn to night, with restless care, + She spun her web, and wove her snare. + Within the limits of her reign + Lay many a hidden captive, slain; + Or, flutt'ring, struggled in the toils + To burst the chains, and shun her wiles. + A straying BEE, that perch'd hard by, + Beheld her with disdainful eye; + And thus began:--Mean thing! give o'er, + And lay thy slender threads no more; + A thoughtless FLY or two, at most, + Is all the conquest thou canst boast; + For BEES of sense thy arts evade, + We see so plain the nets are laid. + + The gaudy TULIP, that displays + Her spreading foliage to the gaze, + That points her charms at all she sees, + And yields to ev'ry wanton BREEZE, + Attracts not me. Where blushing grows, + Guarded with thorns, the modest ROSE, + Enamour'd round and round I fly, + Or on her fragrant bosom lie; + Reluctant, she my ardour meets, + And, bashful, renders up her sweets. + + To wiser heads attention lend, + And learn this lesson from a friend: + She, who with modesty retires, + Adds fuel to her lover's fires; + While such incautious jilts as you, + By folly your own schemes undo. + + + + +FABLE XI. + +THE YOUNG LION AND THE APE. + + + 'Tis true, I blame your lover's choice, + Tho' flatter'd by the public voice, + And peevish grow, and sick, to hear + His exclamations, O how fair! + I listen not to wild delights, + And transports of expected nights; + What is to me your hoard of charms, + The whiteness of your neck and arms? + Needs there no acquisition more, + To keep contention from the door? + Yes! pass a fortnight, and you'll find + All beauty cloys but of the mind. + + Sense and good humour ever prove + The surest cords to fasten love. + Yet, PHILLIS, simplest of your sex, + You never think, but to perplex; + Coquetting it with ev'ry APE, + That struts abroad in human shape; + Not that the coxcomb is your taste, + But that it stings your lover's breast. + To-morrow you resign the sway, + Prepar'd to honour and obey; + The tyrant-mistress chang'd for life + To the submission of a wife. + Your follies, if you can, suspend, + And learn instructions from a friend. + Reluctant hear the first address, + Think often, ere you answer, yes; + But once resolv'd, throw off disguise, + And wear your wishes in your eyes. + With caution ev'ry look forbear, + That might create one jealous fear, + A lover's rip'ning hopes confound, + Or give the gen'rous breast a wound; + Contemn the girlish arts to teaze, + Nor use your pow'r unless to please; + For fools alone with rigour sway, + When, soon or late, they must obey. + + The KING OF BRUTES, in life's decline, + Resolv'd dominion to resign; + The beasts were summon'd to appear, + And bend before the royal heir. + They came; a day was fix'd; the crowd + Before their future monarch bow'd. + + A dapper MONKEY, pert and vain, + Step'd forth, and thus address'd the train: + + Why cringe, my friends, with slavish awe, + Before this pageant king of straw? + Shall we anticipate the hour, + And, ere we feel it, own his pow'r? + The counsels of experience prize, + I know the maxims of the wise; + Subjection let us cast away, + And live the monarchs of to-day; + 'Tis ours the vacant hand to spurn, + And play the tyrant each in turn; + So shall he right from wrong discern, + And mercy, from oppression, learn; + At others woes be taught to melt, + And loath the ills himself has felt. + + He spoke; his bosom swell'd with pride, + The youthful LION thus reply'd: + + What madness prompts thee to provoke + My wrath, and dare th' impending stroke? + Thou wretched fool! can wrongs impart + Compassion to the feeling heart? + Or teach the grateful breast to glow, + The hand to give, or eye to flow? + Learn'd in the practice of their schools, + From woman thou hast drawn thy rules; + To them return, in such a cause, + From only such expect applause; + The partial sex I don't condemn, + For liking those who copy them. + + Would'st thou the gen'rous LION bind, + By kindness bribe him to be kind; + Good offices their likeness get, + And payment lessens not the debt: + With multiplying hand he gives + The good from others he receives; + Or for the bad makes fair return, + And pays, with int'rest, scorn for scorn. + + + + +FABLE XII. + +THE COLT AND THE FARMER. + + + Tell me, CORINNA, if you can, + Why so averse, so coy, to man? + Did NATURE, lavish of her care, + From her best pattern form you fair, + That you, ungrateful to her cause, + Should mock her gifts, and spurn her laws? + And, miser-like, withhold that store, + Which, by imparting, blesses more? + Beauty's a gift, by heav'n assign'd, + The portion of the female kind; + For this the yielding maid demands + Protection at her lover's hands; + And though, by wasting years, it fade, + Remembrance tells him, once 'twas paid. + + And will you then this wealth conceal, + For AGE to rust, or TIME to steal? + The summer of your youth to rove, + A stranger to the joys of love? + Then, when LIFE'S winter hastens on, + And YOUTH'S fair heritage is gone, + Dow'rless to court some peasant's arms, + To guard your wither'd age from harms! + No gratitude to warm his breast, + For blooming beauty once possess'd; + How will you curse that stubborn pride, + Which drove your bark across the tide; + And, sailing before FOLLY'S wind, + Left sense and happiness behind! + + CORINNA, lest these whims prevail, + To such as you I write my tale. + + A COLT, for blood and mettled speed, + The choicest of the running breed, + Of youthful strength and beauty vain, + Refus'd subjection to the rein; + In vain the groom's officious skill + Oppos'd his pride, and check'd his will; + In vain the master's forming care, + Restrain'd with threats, or sooth'd with pray'r; + Of freedom proud, and scorning man, + Wide o'er the spacious plains he ran. + Where'er luxuriant NATURE spread + Her flow'ry carpet o'er the mead, + Or bubbling streams, soft gliding, pass + To cool and freshen up the grass; + Disdaining bounds, he cropp'd the blade, + And wanton'd in the spoil he made. + + In plenty thus the summer pass'd, + Revolving winter came at last; + The trees no more a shelter yield; + The verdure withers from the field; + Perpetual snows invest the ground, + In icy chains the streams are bound, + Cold nipping winds, and rattling hail, + His lank, unshelter'd sides assail. + + As round he cast his rueful eyes, + He saw the thatch-roof'd cottage rise; + The prospect touch'd his heart with cheer, + And promis'd kind deliv'rance near. + A stable, erst his scorn and hate, + Was now become his wish'd retreat; + His passion cool, his pride forgot, + A FARMER'S welcome yard he sought. + + The master saw his woeful plight, + His limbs, that totter'd with his weight, + And friendly to the stable led, + And saw him litter'd, dress'd, and fed. + In slothful ease all night he lay; + The servants rose at break of day; + The market calls.--Along the road + His back must bear the pond'rous load; + In vain he struggles, or complains-- + Incessant blows reward his pains. + To-morrow varies but his toil; + Chain'd to the plough he breaks the soil: + While scanty meals at night repay + The painful labours of the day. + + Subdu'd by toil, with anguish rent, + His self-upbraidings found a vent. + Wretch that I am! he sighing said, + By arrogance and folly led; + Had but my restive youth been brought + To learn the lesson NATURE taught, + Then had I, like my sires of yore, + The prize from ev'ry courser bore; + While man bestow'd rewards and praise, + And females crown'd my latter days. + Now lasting servitude's my lot, + My birth contemn'd, my speed forgot; + Doom'd am I, for my pride, to bear + A living death from year to year. + + + + +FABLE XIII. + +THE OWL AND THE NIGHTINGALE. + + + To know the MISTRESS'S humour right, + See if her maids are clean and tight, + If BETTY waits without her stays, + She copies but her LADY'S ways; + When MISS comes in with boist'rous shout, + And drops no court'sey going out, + Depend upon't, MAMMA is one + Who reads, or drinks, too much alone. + + If bottled beer her thirst assuage, + She feels enthusiastic rage, + And burns with ardour to inherit + The gifts and workings of the spirit. + If learning crack her giddy brains, + No remedy but death remains. + Sum up the various ills of life, + And all are sweet to such a wife. + At home, superior wit she vaunts, + And twits her husband with his wants; + Her ragged offspring all around, + Like pigs, are wallowing on the ground. + Impatient ever of controul, + And knows no order but of soul; + With books her litter'd floor is spread, + With nameless authors never read; + Foul linen, petticoats, and lace, + Fill up the intermediate space. + Abroad, at visitings, her tongue + Is never still, and always wrong; + All meanings she defines away, + And stands with truth and sense at bay. + + If e'er she meets a gentle heart, + Skill'd in the housewife's useful art; + Who makes her family her care, + And builds contentment's temple there; + She starts at such mistakes in nature, + And cries, LORD help us! what a creature! + + Melissa, if the moral strike, + You'll find the fable not unlike. + + An OWL, puff'd up with self-conceit, + Lov'd learning better than his meat; + Old manuscripts he treasur'd up, + And rummag'd ev'ry grocer's shop; + At pastry-cooks was known to ply, + And strip, for science, ev'ry pie. + For modern poetry and wit, + He had read all that BLACKMORE writ. + So intimate with CURL was grown, + His learned treasures were his own; + To all his authors had access, + And sometimes would correct the press. + In logic he acquir'd such knowledge, + You'd swear him fellow of a college. + Alike to ev'ry art and science, + His daring genius bid defiance, + And swallow'd wisdom with that haste + That cits do custards at a feast. + + Within the shelter of a wood, + One evening, as he musing stood, + Hard by, upon a leafy spray, + A NIGHTINGALE began his lay; + Sudden he starts, with anger stung, + And, screeching, interrupts the song. + + Pert, busy thing! thy airs give o'er, + And let my contemplation soar-- + What is the music of thy voice, + But jarring dissonance and noise? + Be wise--True harmony thou'lt find + Not in the throat, but in the mind; + By empty chirping not attain'd, + But by laborious study gain'd. + Go, read the authors POPE explodes, + Fathom the depth of CIBBER'S odes; + With modern plays improve thy wit, + Read all the learning HENLEY writ, + And if thou needs must sing, sing then, + And emulate the ways of men: + So shalt thou grow, like me, refin'd, + And bring improvement to thy kind. + + Thou wretch! the little warbler cry'd, + Made up of ignorance and pride; + Ask all the birds, and they'll declare + A greater blockhead wings not air. + Read o'er thyself, thy talents scan, + Science was only meant for man. + No senseless authors me molest, + I mind the duties of my nest; + With careful wing protect my young, + And cheer their ev'nings with a song; + Make short the weary trav'ller's way, + And warble in the poet's lay. + + Thus, following nature, and her laws, + From men and birds I claim applause, + While, nurs'd in pedantry and sloth, + An OWL is scorn'd alike by both. + + + + +FABLE XIV. + +THE SPARROW AND THE DOVE. + + + It was, as learn'd traditions say, + Upon an APRIL'S blithsome day, + When PLEASURE, ever on the wing, + Return'd, companion of the SPRING, + And cheer'd the birds with am'rous heat, + Instructing little hearts to beat; + A SPARROW, frolic, gay, and young, + Of bold address, and flippant tongue, + Just left his lady of a night, + Like him, to follow new delight. + + The youth, of many a conquest vain, + Flew off to seek the chirping train; + The chirping train he quickly found, + And with a saucy ease bow'd round. + + For every she his bosom burns, + And this, and that, he woos by turns; + And here a sigh, and there a bill, + And here--those eyes! so form'd to kill! + And now, with ready tongue, he strings + Unmeaning, soft, resistless things; + With vows, and dem-me's, skill'd to woo, + As other pretty fellows do. + Not that he thought this short essay + A prologue needful to his play; + No, trust me, says our learned letter, + He knew the virtuous sex much better; + But these he held as specious arts, + To shew his own superior parts, + The form of decency to shield, + And give a just pretence to yield. + + Thus finishing his courtly play, + He mark'd the fav'rite of a day; + With careless impudence drew near, + And whisper'd HEBREW in her ear: + A hint which, like the MASON'S sign, + The conscience can alone divine. + + The flutt'ring nymph, expert at feigning, + Cry'd, "Sir, pray sir, explain your meaning! + Go prate to those that may endure ye-- + To me this rudeness! I'll assure ye!" + Then off she glided like a swallow, + As saying--you guess where to follow. + + To such as know the party set, + 'Tis needless to say where they met; + The PARSON'S barn, as authors mention, + Confess'd the fair had apprehension. + Her honour there, secure from stain, + She held all farther trifling vain; + No more affected to be coy, + But rush'd, licentious, on the joy. + + 'Hist, love!' the male companion cry'd, + 'Retire awhile, I fear we're 'spy'd:' + Nor was the caution vain; he saw + A TURTLE rustling in the straw, + While o'er her callow brood she hung, + And fondly thus address'd her young: + + "Ye tender objects of my care! + Peace, peace, ye little helpless pair; + Anon he comes, your gentle sire, + And brings you all your hearts require. + For us, his infants and his bride, + For us, with only love to guide, + Our lord assumes an EAGLE'S speed, + And, like a LION, dares to bleed. + Nor yet by wintry skies confin'd, + He mounts upon the rudest wind, + From danger tears the vital spoil, + And with affection sweetens toil. + Ah! cease, too vent'rous--cease to dare, + In thine, our dearer safety spare! + From him, ye cruel FALCONS, stray; + And turn, ye FOWLERS, far away. + + "Should I survive to see the day, + That tears me from myself away; + That cancels all that heav'n could give, + The life, by which alone I live; + Alas! how more than lost were I, + Who in the thought already die! + + "Ye pow'rs, who men and birds obey, + Great rulers of your creatures, say, + Why mourning comes, by bliss convey'd, + And ev'n the sweets of love allay'd? + Where grows enjoyment, tall and fair, + Around it twines entangling care; + While fear, for what our souls possess, + Enervates ev'ry pow'r to bless; + Yet FRIENDSHIP forms the bliss above, + And LIFE, what art thou, without LOVE?"-- + + Our HERO, who had heard apart, + Felt something moving in his heart; + But quickly, with disdain, suppress'd + The virtue rising in his breast; + And, first, he feign'd to laugh aloud, + And next, approaching, smil'd and bow'd. + + 'MADAM, you must not think me rude, + Good manners never can intrude; + I vow I came through pure good-nature; + (Upon my soul a charming creature!) + Are these the comforts of a wife? + This careful, cloister'd, moping life? + No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty, + Is a sweet province for a beauty. + Thou pretty ignorance! thy will + Is measur'd to thy want of skill; + That good old-fashion'd dame, thy mother, + Has taught thy infant years no other. + The greatest ill in the creation + Is, sure, the want of education! + + 'But think ye (tell me without feigning) + Have all these charms no farther meaning? + Dame NATURE, if you don't forget her, + Might teach your ladyship much better. + For shame, reject this mean employment, + Enter the world, and taste enjoyment; + Where time, by circling bliss we measure, + Beauty was form'd alone for pleasure; + Come, prove the blessing, follow me; + Be wise, be happy, and be free.' + + "Kind sir," reply'd our MATRON chaste, + "Your zeal seems pretty much in haste; + I own the fondness to be blest, + Is a deep thirst in every breast; + Of blessings too I have my store, + Yet quarrel not, should heav'n give more; + Then prove the change to be expedient, + And think me, sir, your most obedient." + Here turning, as to one inferior, + Our gallant spoke, and smil'd superior: + 'Methinks, to quit your boasted station + Requires a world of hesitation; + Where brats and bonds are held a blessing, + The case, I doubt, is past redressing: + Why, child, suppose the joys I mention + Were the mere fruits of my invention, + You've cause sufficient for your carriage, + In flying from the curse of marriage; + That sly decoy, with vary'd snares, + That takes your widgeons in by pairs; + Alike to husband, and to wife, + The cure of love, and bane of life; + The only method of forecasting + To make misfortune firm and lasting; + The sin, by heav'n's peculiar sentence, + Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance. + It is the double snake, that weds + A common tail to diff'rent heads; + That leads the carcase still astray, + By dragging each a diff'rent way. + Of all the ills that may attend me, + From marriage, mighty GODS, defend me! + + 'Give me frank NATURE'S wild demesne, + And boundless tract of air serene, + Where FANCY, ever wing'd for change, + Delights to sport, delights to range! + There, LIBERTY! to thee is owing + Whate'er of bliss is worth bestowing; + Delights, still vary'd, and divine, + Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine. + + 'What say you now, you pretty pink, you? + Have I, for once, spoke reason, think you? + You take me now for no romancer-- + Come, never study for an answer; + Away, cast ev'ry care behind ye, + And fly where joy alone shall find ye.' + + "Soft yet," return'd our female fencer, + "A question more, or so--and then, sir. + You've rallied me with sense exceeding, + With much fine wit, and better breeding; + But pray, sir, how do you contrive it? + Do those of your world never wive it?" + 'No, no,' "How then?" 'Why dare I tell + What does the business full as well.' + "Do you ne'er love?" 'An hour at leisure.' + "Have you no friendship?" 'Yes, for pleasure.' + "No care for little ones?" 'We get 'em; + The rest the mothers mind, and let 'em.' + + "Thou wretch!" rejoin'd the kindling DOVE, + "Quite lost to life, as lost to love! + Whene'er misfortunes come, how just! + And come, misfortune surely must; + In the dread season of dismay, + In that your hour of trial, say, + Who then shall prop your sinking heart? + Who bear AFFLICTION'S weightier part? + + "Say, when the black-brow'd welkin bends, + And WINTER'S gloomy form impends, + To mourning turns all transient cheer, + And blasts the melancholy year; + For times at no persuasion stay, + Nor vice can find perpetual MAY; + Then where's that tongue, by FOLLY fed, + That soul of pertness, whither fled? + All shrunk within thy lonely nest, + Forlorn, abandon'd, and unbless'd; + No friends, by cordial bonds ally'd, + Shall seek thy cold unsocial side; + No chirping prattlers to delight, + Shall turn the long-enduring night; + No bride her words of balm impart, + And warm thee at her constant heart. + + "FREEDOM, restrain'd by REASON'S force, + Is as the sun's unvarying course, + Benignly active, sweetly bright, + Affording warmth, affording light; + But torn from VIRTUE'S sacred rules, + Becomes a comet, gaz'd by fools, + Foreboding cares, and storms, and strife, + And fraught with all the plagues of life. + + "Thou fool! by union every creature + Subsists, through universal nature; + And this, to beings void of mind, + Is wedlock of a meaner kind. + + "While womb'd in space, primeval clay + A yet unfashion'd embryo lay; + The source of endless good above + Shot down his spark of kindling love; + Touch'd by the all-enliv'ning flame, + Then motion first exulting came, + Each atom sought its sep'rate class, + Through many a fair enamour'd mass; + Love cast the central charm around, + And with eternal nuptials bound. + Then FORM and ORDER, o'er the sky + First train'd their bridal pomp on high; + The SUN display'd his orb to sight, + And burn'd with HYMENEAL light. + + "Hence NATURE'S virgin womb conceiv'd, + And with the genial burthen heav'd; + Forth came the oak, her first born heir, + And scal'd the breathing steep of air; + Then infant stems, of various use, + Imbib'd her soft maternal juice. + The flow'rs, in early bloom disclos'd, + Upon her fragrant breast repos'd; + Within her warm embraces grew + A race, of endless form and hue; + Then pour'd her lesser offspring round, + And fondly cloth'd their parent ground. + + "Nor here alone the virtue reign'd, + By matter's cumb'rous form detain'd, + But thence, subliming, and refin'd, + Aspir'd, and reach'd its kindred mind. + Caught in the fond celestial fire, + The mind perceiv'd unknown desire; + And now with kind effusion flow'd, + And now with cordial ardours glow'd, + Beheld the sympathetic fair, + And lov'd its own resemblance there; + On all, with circling radiance, shone, + But, cent'ring, fix'd on one alone; + There clasp'd the heav'n-appointed wife, + And doubled every joy of life. + + "Here, ever blessing, ever blest, + Resides this beauty of the breast; + As from his palace here the god + Still beams effulgent bliss abroad; + Here gems his own eternal round + The ring by which the world is bound; + Here bids his seat of empire grow, + And builds his little heav'n below. + + "The bridal partners thus ally'd, + And thus in sweet accordance tied, + One body, heart, and spirit live, + Enrich'd by ev'ry joy they give; + Like ECHO, from her vocal hold, + Return'd in music twenty-fold. + Their union firm, and undecay'd, + Nor TIME can shake, nor POW'R invade; + But, as the stem and scion stand + Ingrafted by a skilful hand, + They check the TEMPEST'S wintry rage, + And bloom and strengthen into age. + A thousand amities unknown, + And pow'rs, perceiv'd by LOVE alone; + Endearing looks, and chaste desire, + Fan and support the mutual fire, + Whose flame, perpetual as refin'd, + Is fed by an immortal MIND. + + "Nor yet the nuptial sanction ends, + Like NILE, it opens and descends, + Which, by apparent windings led, + We trace to its celestial head. + The sire, first springing from above, + Becomes the source of life and love, + And gives his filial heir to flow, + In fondness down on sons below; + Thus roll'd in one continu'd tide, + To TIME'S extremest verge they glide; + While kindred streams, on either hand, + Branch forth in blessings o'er the land. + Thee, wretch! no lisping babe shall name, + No late-returning brother claim; + No kinsman on thy road rejoice, + No sister greet thy ent'ring voice; + With partial eyes no parent see, + And bless their years restor'd in thee. + + "In age rejected, or declin'd, + An ALIEN ev'n among thy kind, + The partner of thy scorn'd embrace + Shall play the wanton in thy face; + Each spark unplume thy little pride, + All friendship fly thy faithless side; + Thy name shall, like thy carcase, rot, + In sickness spurn'd, in death forgot. + + "All-giving POW'R! great source of life! + O hear the parent! hear the wife! + That life thou lendest from above, + Though little, make it large in love; + O bid my feeling heart expand + To ev'ry claim, on ev'ry hand; + To those, from whom my days I drew, + To these in whom those days renew; + To all my kin, however wide, + In cordial warmth, as blood ally'd, + To friends with steely fetters twin'd, + And to the cruel, not unkind! + But chief, the lord of my desire, + My life, myself, my soul, my sire; + Friends, children, all that wish can claim, + Chaste passion clasp, and rapture name! + O spare him, spare him, GRACIOUS POW'R! + O give him to my latest hour! + Let me my length of life employ, + To give my sole enjoyment joy; + His love, let mutual love excite, + Turn all my cares to his delight, + And ev'ry needless blessing spare, + Wherein my darling wants a share. + When he with graceful action woos, + And sweetly bills and fondly coos, + Ah! deck me to his eyes alone, + With charms attractive as his own, + And in my circling wings caress'd, + Give all the lover to my breast. + Then in our chaste, connubial bed, + My bosom pillow'd for his head, + His eyes with blissful slumbers close, + And watch, with me, my lord's repose; + Your peace around his temples twine, + And love him with a love like mine. + + "And, for I know his gen'rous flame, + Beyond whate'er my sex can claim, + Me, too, to your protection take, + And spare me for my husband's sake; + Let one unruffled calm delight + The loving and belov'd unite; + One pure desire our bosoms warm, + One will direct, one wish inform; + Through life one mutual aid sustain, + In death one peaceful grave contain." + + While, swelling with the darling theme, + Her accents pour'd an endless stream, + The well-known wings a sound impart, + That reach'd her ear, and touch'd her heart; + Quick dropp'd the music of her tongue, + And forth, with eager joy, she sprung; + As swift her ent'ring consort flew, + And plum'd and kindled at the view; + Their wings, their souls, embracing meet, + Their hearts with answ'ring measure beat; + Half lost in sacred sweets, and bless'd + With raptures felt, but ne'er express'd. + + Straight to her humble roof she led + The partner of her spotless bed; + Her young, a flutt'ring pair, arise, + Their welcome sparkling in their eyes, + Transported, to their sire they bound, + And hang with speechless action round. + In pleasure wrapt, the parents stand, + And see their little wings expand; + The sire, his life-sustaining prize + To each expecting bill applies; + There fondly pours the wheaten spoil, + With transport giv'n, though won with toil; + While all collected at the sight, + And silent, through supreme delight, + The FAIR high heav'n of bliss beguiles, + And on her lord and infants smiles. + + The SPARROW, whose attention hung + Upon the DOVE'S enchanting tongue, + Of all his little slights disarm'd, + And from himself by VIRTUE charm'd, + When now he saw, what only seem'd, + A fact, so late a fable deem'd; + His soul to envy he resign'd, + His hours of folly to the wind; + In secret wish'd a TURTLE too, + And, sighing to himself, withdrew. + + + + +FABLE XV. + +THE FEMALE SEDUCERS. + + + 'Tis said of WIDOW, MAID, and WIFE, + That honour is a WOMAN'S life; + Unhappy sex! who only claim + A being in the breath of fame, + Which, tainted, not the quick'ning gales + That sweep SABÆA'S spicy vales, + Nor all the healing sweets restore, + That breathe along ARABIA'S shore. + + The trav'ller, if he chance to stray, + May turn uncensur'd to his way; + Polluted streams again are pure, + And deepest wounds admit a cure; + But WOMAN! no redemption knows, + The wounds of honour never close. + + Tho' distant ev'ry hand to guide, + Nor skill'd on life's tempestuous tide, + If once her feeble bark recede, + Or deviate from the course decreed, + In vain she seeks the friendly shore, + Her swifter folly flies before; + The circling ports against her close, + And shut the wand'rer from repose, + Till by conflicting waves opprest, + Her found'ring pinnace sinks to rest. + + Are there no off'rings to atone + For but a single error?--None! + Tho' WOMAN is avow'd of old + No daughter of celestial mould; + Her temp'ring not without allay, + And form'd but of the finer clay; + We challenge from the mortal dame, + The strength angelic natures claim; + Nay more--for sacred stories tell + That ev'n immortal angels fell. + + Whatever fills the teeming sphere + Of humid earth, and ambient air, + With varying elements endu'd, + Was form'd to fall, and rise renew'd. + + The stars no fix'd duration know; + Wide oceans ebb, again to flow; + The moon repletes her waning face, + All-beauteous, from her late disgrace; + And suns, that mourn approaching night, + Refulgent rise, with new-born light. + + In vain may death and time subdue, + While nature mints her race anew, + And holds some vital spark apart, + Like virtue, hid in ev'ry heart; + 'Tis hence, reviving warmth is seen, + To clothe a naked world in green; + No longer bared by winter's cold, + Again the gates of life unfold; + Again each insect tries his wing, + And lifts fresh pinions on the spring; + Again from ev'ry latent root + The bladed stem and tendril shoot, + Exhaling incense to the skies, + Again to perish, and to rise. + + And must weak WOMAN then disown + The change to which a world is prone? + In one meridian brightness shine, + And ne'er like ev'ning suns decline? + Resolv'd and firm alone?--Is this + What we demand of WOMAN?--Yes! + + But should the spark of vestal fire, + In some unguarded hour expire; + Or should the nightly thief invade + HESPERIA'S chaste and sacred shade, + Of all the blooming spoils possess'd, + The dragon, honour, charm'd to rest, + Shall VIRTUE'S flame no more return? + No more with virgin splendour burn? + No more the ravag'd garden blow + With spring's succeeding blossom?--No! + Pity may mourn, but not restore, + And WOMAN falls--to rise no more. + + +[Illustration: + + _Lovely Penitent, arise, + Come, and claim thy kindred skies;_ + +_Page 92._ + +_London Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + Within this sublunary sphere, + A country lies--no matter where; + The clime may readily be found, + By all who tread poetic ground; + A stream, call'd LIFE, across it glides, + And equally the land divides; + And here, of VICE the province lies, + And there, the hills of VIRTUE rise. + + Upon a mountain's airy stand, + Whose summit look'd to either land, + An ancient pair their dwelling chose, + As well for prospect as repose; + For mutual faith they long were fam'd, + And TEMP'RANCE, and RELIGION, nam'd. + + A num'rous progeny divine + Confess'd the honours of their line; + But in a little daughter fair + Was center'd more than half their care; + For heav'n, to gratulate her birth, + Gave signs of future joy to earth. + White was the robe this infant wore, + And CHASTITY the name she bore. + + As now the maid in stature grew, + (A flow'r just op'ning to the view) + Oft thro' her native lawns she stray'd, + And wrestling with the lambkins play'd; + Her looks diffusive sweets bequeath'd, + The breeze grew purer as she breath'd, + The morn her radiant blush assum'd, + The spring with earlier fragrance bloom'd, + And NATURE yearly took delight, + Like her, to dress the world in white. + + But when her rising form was seen + To reach the crisis of fifteen; + Her parents up the mountain's head, + With anxious step, their darling led; + By turns they snatch'd her to their breast, + And thus the fears of age express'd: + + "O joyful cause of many a care! + O daughter, too divinely fair! + Yon world, on this important day, + Demands thee to a dang'rous way; + A painful journey all must go, + Whose doubtful period none can know; + Whose due direction who can find, + Where REASON'S mute, and SENSE is blind! + Ah! what unequal leaders these, + Thro' such a wide perplexing maze! + Then mark the warnings of the wise, + And learn what love and years advise. + + "Far to the right thy prospect bend, + Where yonder tow'ring hills ascend; + Lo! there the arduous path's in view, + Which VIRTUE, and her sons, pursue; + With toil, o'er less'ning earth they rise, + And gain, and gain upon the skies.-- + Narrow's the way her children tread, + No walk for pleasure smoothly spread; + But rough, and difficult, and steep, + Painful to climb, and hard to keep. + + "Fruits immature those lands dispense, + A food indelicate to sense, + Of taste unpleasant, yet from those + Pure HEALTH, with cheerful VIGOUR flows; + And strength unfeeling of decay, + Throughout the long laborious way. + + "Hence, as they scale that heav'nly road, + Each limb is lighten'd of its load: + From earth refining still they go, + And leave the mortal weight below; + Then spreads the strait, the doubtful clears, + And smooth the rugged path appears; + For custom turns fatigue to ease, + And, taught by VIRTUE, PAIN can please. + + "At length, the toilsome journey o'er, + And near the bright celestial shore, + A gulf, black, fearful, and profound, + Appears, of either world the bound. + Thro' darkness, leading up to light, + Sense backward shrinks, and shuns the sight; + For there the transitory train, + Of time, and form, and care, and pain, + And matter's gross incumb'ring mass, + Man's late associates, cannot pass, + But sinking, quit th' immortal charge, + And leave the wond'ring soul at large; + Lightly she wings her obvious way, + And mingles with eternal day. + + "Thither, O thither, wing thy speed, + Tho' PLEASURE charm, or PAIN impede; + To such th' all-bounteous pow'r has giv'n, + For present earth, a future heav'n; + For trivial loss, unmeasur'd gain, + And endless bliss, for transient pain. + Then fear, ah! fear, to turn thy sight, + Where yonder flow'ry fields invite; + Wide on the left the path-way bends, + And with pernicious ease descends; + There, sweet to sense, and fair to show, + New-planted EDEN seems to blow; + Trees that delicious poison bear, + For DEATH is vegetable there. + + "Hence is the frame of health unbrac'd, + Each sinew slack'ning at the taste; + The soul to passion yields her throne, + And sees with organs not her own; + While, like the slumb'rer in the night, + Pleas'd with the shadowy dream of light, + Before her alienated eyes + The scenes of fairy-land arise; + The puppet-world's amusing show, + Dipt in the gaily colour'd bow; + Sceptres, and wreaths, and glitt'ring things, + The toys of infants and of kings, + That tempt along the baneful plain, + The idly wise, and lightly vain; + Till verging on the gully shore, + Sudden they sink, to rise no more. + + "But list to what thy FATES declare, + Tho' thou art WOMAN, frail as fair, + If once thy sliding foot should stray, + Once quit yon heav'n-appointed way, + For thee, lost maid, for thee alone, + Nor pray'rs shall plead, nor tears atone; + Reproach, scorn, infamy, and hate, + On thy returning steps shall wait.-- + Thy form be loath'd by ev'ry eye, + And ev'ry foot thy presence fly." + + Thus arm'd with words of potent sound, + Like guardian-angels plac'd around; + A charm, by truth divinely cast, + Forward our young advent'rer pass'd. + Forth from her sacred eye-lids sent, + Like morn, fore-running, radiance went, + While HONOUR, hand-maid, late assign'd, + Upheld her lucid train behind. + + Awe-struck, the much-admiring crowd + Before the virgin-vision bow'd; + Gaz'd with an ever-new delight, + And caught fresh virtues at the sight; + For not of earth's unequal frame + They deem'd the heav'n-compounded dame, + If matter, sure the most refin'd, + High-wrought, and temper'd into mind, + Some darling daughter of the day, + And body'd by her native ray. + + Where'er she passes, thousands bend, + And thousands, where she moves, attend; + Her ways observant eyes confess, + Her steps pursuing praises bless; + While to the elevated maid + Oblations, as to HEAV'N, are paid. + + 'Twas on an ever-blithsome day, + The jovial birth of rosy MAY, + When genial warmth, no more suppress'd, + New melts the frost in every breast; + The cheek with secret flushing dies, + And looks kind things from chastest eyes; + The SUN with healthier visage glows, + Aside his clouded kerchief throws, + And dances up th' ethereal plain, + Where late he us'd to climb with pain; + While NATURE, as from bonds set free, + Springs out, and gives a loose to glee. + + And now for momentary rest, + The nymph her travell'd step repress'd, + Just turn'd to view the stage attain'd, + And glory'd in the height she gain'd. + + Out-stretch'd before her wide survey, + The realms of sweet PERDITION lay, + And pity touch'd her soul with woe, + To see a world so lost below; + When straight the breeze began to breathe + Airs, gently wafted from beneath, + That bore commission'd witchcraft thence, + And reach'd her sympathy of sense; + No sounds of discord, that disclose + A people sunk, and lost in woes; + But as of present good possess'd, + The very triumph of the bless'd; + The maid in wrapt attention hung, + While thus approaching SIRENS sung. + + 'Hither, fairest, hither haste, + Brightest beauty, come and taste + What the pow'rs of bliss unfold; + Joys too mighty to be told; + Taste what ecstasies they give, + Dying raptures taste, and live. + + 'In thy lap, disdaining measure, + NATURE empties all her treasure; + Soft desires, that sweetly languish, + Fierce delights, that rise to anguish: + Fairest, dost thou yet delay? + Brightest beauty, come away! + + 'List not, when the froward chide, + Sons of pedantry and pride; + Snarlers, to whose feeble sense + APRIL sun-shine is offence; + Age and envy will advise, + Ev'n against the joys they prize. + Come, in PLEASURE'S balmy bowl + Slake the thirstings of thy soul, + 'Till thy raptur'd pow'rs are fainting + With enjoyment, past the painting: + Fairest, dost thou yet delay? + Brightest beauty, come away!' + + So sung the SIRENS, as of yore, + Upon the false AUSONIAN shore; + And, O! for that preventing chain, + That bound ULYSSES on the main, + That so our FAIR ONE might withstand + The covert ruin now at hand. + + The song her charm'd attention drew, + When now the tempters stood in view; + CURIOSITY with prying eyes, + And hand of busy, bold emprize; + Like HERMES, feather'd were her feet, + And like fore-running fancy fleet; + By search untaught, by toil untir'd, + To novelty she still aspir'd, + Tasteless of ev'ry good possess'd, + And but in expectation bless'd. + + With her, associate, PLEASURE came, + Gay PLEASURE, frolic-loving dame! + Her mien, all swimming in delight, + Her beauties, half reveal'd to sight; + Loose flow'd her garments from the ground + And caught the kissing winds around. + As erst MEDUSA'S looks were known + To turn beholders into stone, + A dire reversion here they felt, + And in the eye of pleasure melt. + Her glance of sweet persuasion charm'd, + Unnerv'd the strong, the steel'd disarm'd; + No safety, ev'n the flying find, + Who, vent'rous, looks not once behind. + + Thus was the much-admiring maid, + While distant, more than half betray'd. + With smiles, and adulation bland, + They join'd her side, and seiz'd her hand; + Their touch envenom'd sweets instill'd, + Her frame with new pulsations thrill'd, + While half consenting, half denying, + Reluctant now, and now complying, + Amidst a war of hopes and fears, + Of trembling wishes, smiling tears, + Still down, and down, the winning pair + Compell'd the struggling, yielding fair. + + As when some stately vessel, bound + To blest ARABIA'S distant ground, + Borne from her courses, haply lights + Where BARCA'S flow'ry clime invites; + Conceal'd around whose treach'rous land, + Lurks the dire rock, and dang'rous sand; + The pilot warns, with sail and oar, + To shun the much-suspected shore + In vain: the tide too subtly strong, + Still bears the wrestling bark along, + Till found'ring, she resigns to fate, + And sinks, o'erwhelmn'd, with all her freight. + + So baffling ev'ry bar to sin, + And heav'n's own pilot plac'd within, + Along the devious smooth descent, + With pow'rs increasing as they went, + The DAMES, accustom'd to subdue, + As with a rapid current drew; + And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd + The lost, the long-reluctant maid. + + Here stop, ye fair ones, and beware, + Nor send your fond affections there; + Yet, yet your darling, now deplor'd, + May turn, to you and HEAV'N restor'd; + Till then, with weeping HONOUR, wait + The servant of her better fate, + With HONOUR left upon the shore, + Her friend and handmaid now no more; + Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid + The fortunes of a wretch betray'd; + But o'er her failing cast a veil, + Rememb'ring you, yourselves, are frail. + And now, from all-enquiring light, + Fast fled the conscious shades of night; + The damsel, from a short repose, + Confounded at her plight, arose. + + As when with slumb'rous weight opprest, + Some wealthy miser sinks to rest, + Where felons eye the glitt'ring prey, + And steal his hoard of joys away: + He, borne where golden INDUS streams, + Of pearl and quarry'd di'mond dreams, + Like MIDAS, turns the glebe to ore, + And stands all wrapt amidst his store; + But wakens, naked, and despoil'd + Of that for which his years had toil'd. + + So far'd the NYMPH, her treasure flown, + And turn'd, like NIOBE, to stone; + Within, without, obscure and void, + She felt all ravag'd, all destroy'd. + And, O! thou curs'd insidious coast, + Are these the blessings thou canst boast? + These, VIRTUE! these the joys they find, + Who leave thy heav'n-topt hills behind! + Shade me, ye pines, ye caverns hide, + Ye mountains cover me! she cry'd. + + Her trumpet SLANDER rais'd on high, + And told the tidings to the sky; + CONTEMPT discharg'd a living dart, + A side-long viper to her heart; + REPROACH breath'd poisons o'er her face, + And soil'd, and blasted ev'ry grace; + Officious SHAME, her handmaid new, + Still turn'd the mirror to her view; + While those in crimes the deepest dy'd, + Approach'd to whiten at her side; + And ev'ry lewd insulting dame + Upon her folly rose to fame. + + What should she do; attempt once more + To gain the late-deserted shore? + So trusting, back the mourner flew, + As fast the train of fiends pursue. + + Again the farther shore's attain'd, + Again the land of VIRTUE gain'd; + But ECHO gathers in the wind, + And shows her instant foes behind. + Amaz'd! with headlong speed she tends, + Where late she left an host of friends; + Alas! those shrinking friends decline, + Nor longer own that form divine; + With fear they mark the following cry, + And from the lonely trembler fly; + Or backward drive her on the coast + Where PEACE was wreck'd, and HONOUR lost. + + From earth thus hoping aid in vain; + To HEAV'N, not daring to complain; + No truce, by hostile CLAMOUR giv'n, + And from the face of FRIENDSHIP driv'n; + The NYMPH sunk prostrate on the ground, + With all her weight of woes around. + + Enthron'd within a circling sky, + Upon a mount, o'er mountains high, + All radiant sat, as in a shrine, + VIRTUE, first effluence divine; + Far, far above the scenes of woe, + That shut this cloud-wrapt world below: + Superior goddess! essence bright! + Beauty of uncreated light, + Whom should mortality survey, + As doom'd upon a certain day; + The breath of frailty must expire, + The world dissolve in living fire; + The gems of heav'n and solar flame, + Be quench'd by her eternal beam, + And nature, quick'ning in her eye, + To raise a new-born phoenix, die. + + +[Illustration: _Vanity_ + + _Thus far extends my friendly pow'r, + Nor quits her in her latest hour;_ + +_Page 108._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + Hence, unreveal'd to mortal view, + A veil around her form she threw, + Which three sad sisters of the shade, + PAIN, CARE, and MELANCHOLY, made. + + Thro' this her all-inquiring eye, + Attentive from her station high, + Beheld, abandon'd to despair, + The ruins of her fav'rite fair; + And with a voice, whose awful sound + Appall'd the guilty world around, + Bid the tumultuous winds be still; + To numbers bow'd each list'ning hill; + Uncurl'd the surging of the main, + And smooth'd the thorny bed of pain; + The golden harp of heav'n she strung, + And thus the tuneful goddess sung: + + "Lovely PENITENT, arise, + Come, and claim thy kindred skies; + Come, thy sister angels say, + Thou hast wept thy stains away. + + "Let experience now decide, + 'Twixt the good and evil, try'd, + In the smooth enchanted ground, + Say, unfold the treasures found. + + "Structures, rais'd by morning dreams, + Sands that trip the flitting streams, + Down that anchors on the air, + Clouds that paint their changes there. + + "Seas that smoothly dimpling lie, + While the storm impends on high, + Showing in an obvious glass, + Joys that in possession pass. + + "Transient, fickle, light, and gay, + Flatt'ring, only to betray; + What, alas! can life contain? + Life, like all its circles, vain. + + "Will the STORK, intending rest, + On the billow build her nest? + Will the BEE demand his store + From the bleak and bladeless shore! + + "MAN alone, intent to stray, + Ever turns from WISDOM'S way; + Lays up wealth in foreign land, + Sows the sea, and plows the sand. + + "Soon this elemental mass, + Soon th' encumb'ring world shall pass; + Form be wrapt in wasting fire, + TIME be spent, and LIFE expire. + + "Then, ye boasted works of men! + Where is your asylum then? + Sons of PLEASURE, sons of CARE, + Tell me, mortals, tell me where? + + "Gone, like traces on the deep, + Like a sceptre grasp'd in sleep; + Dews exhal'd from morning glades, + Melting snows, and gliding shades. + + "Pass the world, and what's behind? + Virtue's gold, by fire refin'd; + From an universe deprav'd, + From the wreck of nature sav'd. + + "Like the life-supporting grain, + Fruit of patience and of pain, + On the swain's autumnal day, + Winnow'd from the chaff away. + + "Little TREMBLER, fear no more, + Thou hast plenteous crops in store; + Seeds, by genial sorrows sown, + More than all thy scorners own. + + "What, tho' hostile earth despise, + Heaven beholds with gentler eyes; + Heav'n thy friendless steps shall guide, + Cheer thy hours, and guard thy side. + + "When the fatal trump shall sound, + When th' immortals pour around, + Heav'n shall thy return attest, + Hail'd by myriads of the bless'd. + + "Little native of the skies, + Lovely PENITENT, arise, + Calm thy bosom, clear thy brow, + VIRTUE is thy sister now. + + "More delightful are my woes + Than the rapture PLEASURE knows; + Richer far the weeds I bring + Than the robes that grace a king. + + "On my wars of shortest date, + Crowns of endless triumph wait; + On my cares a period bless'd, + On my toils, eternal rest. + + "Come, with VIRTUE at thy side, + Come, be ev'ry bar defy'd, + Till we gain our native shore; + Sister, come, and turn no more." + + + + +FABLE XVI. + +LOVE AND VANITY. + + + The breezy morning breath'd perfume, + The wak'ning flow'rs unveil'd their bloom; + Up with the sun, from short repose, + Gay HEALTH, and lusty LABOUR, rose; + The milk-maid carol'd at her pail, + And shepherds whistled o'er the dale; + When LOVE, who led a rural life, + Remote from bustle, state, and strife, + Forth from his thatch-roof'd cottage stray'd, + And stroll'd along the dewy glade. + + A nymph, who lightly tripp'd it by, + To quick attention turn'd his eye; + He mark'd the gesture of the fair, + Her self-sufficient grace and air; + Her steps that mincing meant to please, + Her study'd negligence and ease; + And curious to inquire what meant + This thing of prettiness and paint, + Approaching spoke, and bow'd observant: + The lady, slightly--"Sir, your servant." + + 'Such beauty in so rude a place! + Fair one, you do the country grace; + At court, no doubt, the public care, + But LOVE has small acquaintance there.' + + "Yes, sir," reply'd the flutt'ring dame, + "This form confesses whence it came; + But dear VARIETY, you know, + Can make us pride and pomp forego; + My name is VANITY: I sway + The utmost islands of the sea; + Within my court all honour centers, + I raise the meanest soul that enters, + Endow with latent gifts and graces, + And model fools for posts and places. + + "As VANITY appoints at pleasure, + The world receives its weight and measure; + Hence all the grand concerns of life, + Joys, cares, plagues, passion, peace, and strife. + + "Reflect how far my pow'r prevails, + When I step in where NATURE fails: + And ev'ry breach of sense repairing, + Am bounteous still, where heav'n is sparing. + + "But chief, in all their arts and airs, + Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray'rs, + Their various habits and complexions, + Fits, frolics, foibles, and perfections, + Their robing, curling, and adorning, + From noon to night, from night to morning, + From six to sixty, sick or sound, + I rule the female world around."-- + + 'Hold there a moment,' CUPID cry'd, + 'Nor boast dominion quite so wide; + Was there no province to invade, + But that by love and meekness sway'd; + All other empire I resign, + But be the sphere of beauty mine. + + 'For in the downy lawn of rest, + That opens on a woman's breast, + Attended by my peaceful train, + I choose to live, and choose to reign. + + 'Far-sighted FAITH I bring along, + And TRUTH, above an army strong, + And CHASTITY, of icy mould, + Within the burning tropics cold; + And LOWLINESS, to whose mild brow + The pow'r and pride of nations bow; + And MODESTY, with down-cast eye, + That lends the morn her virgin dye; + And INNOCENCE, array'd in light, + And HONOUR, as a tow'r upright; + With sweetly winning graces, more + Than poets ever dreamt of yore; + In unaffected conduct free, + All smiling sisters, three times three; + And rosy PEACE, the cherub bless'd, + That nightly sings us all to rest. + + 'Hence, from the bud of NATURE'S prime, + From the first step of infant time, + Woman, the world's appointed light, + Has skirted ev'ry shade with white; + Has stood for imitation high, + To ev'ry heart, and ev'ry eye; + From ancient deeds of fair renown, + Has brought her bright memorials down; + To time affix'd perpetual youth, + And form'd each tale of love and truth. + + 'Upon a new PROMETHEAN plan, + She moulds the essence of a man, + Tempers his mass, his genius fires, + And as a better soul inspires. + + 'The rude she softens, warms the cold, + Exalts the meek, and checks the bold; + Calls SLOTH from his supine repose, + Within the coward's bosom glows; + Of pride unplumes the lofty crest, + Bids bashful merit stand confess'd; + And like coarse metal from the mines, + Collects, irradiates, and refines; + The gentle science she imparts, + All manners smooths, informs all hearts; + From her sweet influence are felt, + Passions that please, and thoughts that melt. + To stormy rage she bids controul, + And sinks serenely on the soul; + Softens DUCALION'S flinty race, + And tunes the warring world to peace. + + 'Thus arm'd to all that's light and vain, + And freed from thy fantastic chain, + She fills the sphere, by heav'n assign'd, + And, rul'd by me, o'er-rules mankind.' + + He spoke.--The nymph impatient stood, + And, laughing, thus her speech renew'd: + + "And pray, sir, may I be so bold, + To hope your pretty tale is told; + And next demand without a cavil, + What new UTOPIA do you travel? + Upon my word, these high-flown fancies + Shew depth of learning in romances. + Why, what unfashion'd stuff you tell us, + Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows! + Go, child, and when you're grown maturer, + You'll shoot your next opinion surer. + + "O, such a pretty knack at painting, + And all for soft'ning, and for sainting! + Guess now, who can, a single feature, + Thro' the whole piece of female nature: + Then, mark! my looser hand may fit + The lines too coarse for love to hit. + + "'Tis said, that woman prone to changing, + Thro' all the rounds of folly ranging, + On life's uncertain ocean riding, + No reason, rule, nor rudder guiding, + Is like the comet's wand'ring light, + Eccentric, ominous, and bright; + Tractless and shifting as the wind, + A sea whose fathom none can find; + A moon, still changing and revolving, + A riddle, past all human solving; + A bliss, a plague, a heav'n, a hell, + A----something, that no man can tell. + + "Now learn a secret from a friend, + But keep your counsel and attend: + + "Tho' in their tempers thought so distant, + Nor with their sex, nor selves consistent, + 'Tis but the diff'rence of a name, + And ev'ry woman is the same. + For as the world, however vary'd, + And thro' unnumber'd changes carry'd, + Of elemental modes and forms, + Clouds, meteors, colours, calms, and storms; + Tho' in a thousand suits array'd, + Is of one subject matter made; + So, sir, a woman's constitution, + The world's enigma, finds solution. + And let her form be what you will, + I am the subject essence still. + + "With the first spark of female sense, + The speck of being, I commence; + Within the womb make fresh advances, + And dictate future qualms and fancies; + Thence in the growing form expand, + With childhood travel hand in hand, + And give a taste of all their joys, + In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and noise. + + "And now, familiar and unaw'd, + I send the flutt'ring soul abroad; + Prais'd for her shape, her air, her mien, + The little goddess, and the queen, + Takes at her infant shrine oblation, + And drinks sweet draughts of adulation. + + "Now, blooming, tall, erect, and fair, + To dress becomes her darling care; + The realms of beauty then I bound, + I swell the hoop's enchanted round; + Shrink in the waist's descending size, + Heav'd in the snowy bosom rise, + High on the floating lappet sail, + Or curl'd in tresses kiss the gale. + Then to her glass I lead the fair, + And shew the lovely idol there, + Where, struck as by divine emotion, + She bows with most sincere devotion; + And numb'ring ev'ry beauty o'er, + In secret bids the world adore. + + "Then all for parking and parading, + Coqueting, dancing, masquerading; + For balls, plays, courts, and crowds, what passion! + And churches, sometimes, if the fashion: + For woman's sense of right and wrong + Is rul'd by the almighty throng; + Still turns to each meander tame, + And swims the straw of ev'ry stream. + Her soul intrinsic worth rejects, + Accomplish'd only in defects, + Such excellence is her ambition, + Folly her wisest acquisition; + And ev'n from pity and disdain, + She'll cull some reason to be vain. + + "Thus, sir, from ev'ry form and feature, + The wealth and wants of female nature, + And ev'n from vice, which you'd admire, + I gather fuel to my fire, + And on the very base of shame, + Erect my monument of fame. + + "Let me another truth attempt, + Of which your godship has not dreamt: + Those shining virtues which you muster, + Whence think you they derive their lustre? + From native honour and devotion! + O yes! a mighty likely notion! + Trust me, from titled dames to spinners, + 'Tis I make saints, whoe'er make sinners; + 'Tis I instruct them to withdraw, + And hold presumptuous man in awe; + For female worth as I inspire, + In just degrees, still mounts the higher, + And VIRTUE so extremely nice, + Demands long toil and mighty price; + Like SAMPSON'S pillars, fix'd elate, + I bear the sex's tott'ring state; + Sap these, and in a moment's space, + Down sinks the fabric to its base. + + "Alike from titles, and from toys, + I spring, the fount of female joys; + In ev'ry widow, wife, and miss, + The sole artificer of bliss. + For them each tropic I explore; + I cleave the sand of ev'ry shore; + To them uniting INDIA'S sail, + SABÆA breathes her farthest gale; + For them the bullion I refine, + Dig sense and virtue from the mine; + And from the bowels of invention, + Spin out the various arts you mention. + + "Nor bliss alone my pow'rs bestow, + They hold the sov'reign balm of woe; + Beyond the stoic's boasted art, + I soothe the heavings of the heart; + To pain give splendor, and relief, + And gild the pallid face of grief. + + "Alike the palace and the plain, + Admit the glories of my reign; + Thro' ev'ry age, in ev'ry nation, + Taste, talents, tempers, state, and station, + Whate'er a woman says, I say; + Whate'er a woman spends, I pay; + Alike I fill and empty bags, + Flutter in finery and rags; + With light coquets thro' folly range, + And with the prude disdain to change. + + "And now, you'd think, 'twixt you and I, + That things were ripe for a reply-- + But soft--and while I'm in the mood, + Kindly permit me to conclude; + Their utmost mazes to unravel, + And touch the farthest step they travel: + + "When ev'ry pleasure's run a-ground, + And folly tir'd thro' many a round; + The nymph, conceiving discontent hence, + May ripen to an hour's repentance, + And vapours shed in pious moisture, + Dismiss her to a church or cloister; + Then on I lead her, with devotion + Conspicuous in her dress and motion; + Inspire the heav'nly-breathing air, + Roll up the lucid eye in pray'r, + Soften the voice, and in the face + Look melting harmony and grace. + + "Thus far extends my friendly pow'r, + Nor quits her in her latest hour; + The couch of decent pain I spread, + In form recline her languid head; + Her thoughts I methodize in death, + And part not with her parting breath; + Then do I set, in order bright, + A length of fun'ral pomp to sight; + The glitt'ring tapers, and attire, + The plumes that whiten o'er her bier; + And last, presenting to her eye + Angelic fineries on high, + To scenes of painted bliss I waft her, + And form the heav'n she hopes hereafter." + + 'In truth,' rejoin'd LOVE'S gentle god, + 'You've gone a tedious length of road; + And, strange! in all the toilsome way + No house of kind refreshment lay; + No nymph, whose virtues might have tempted + To hold her from her sex exempted.' + + "For one, we'll never quarrel, man, + Take her, and keep her, if you can; + And pleas'd I yield to your petition, + Since every fair, by such permission, + Will hold herself the one selected, + And so my system stands protected." + + 'O deaf to VIRTUE, deaf to GLORY, + To truths divinely vouch'd in story!' + The godhead, in his zeal return'd, + And kindling at her malice burn'd. + Then sweetly rais'd his voice, and told + Of heav'nly nymphs, rever'd of old; + HYPSIPYLE, who sav'd her sire; + And PORTIA'S love, approv'd by fire; + Alike PENELOPE was quoted, + Nor laurel'd DAPHNE pass'd unnoted, + Nor LAODAMIA'S fatal garter, + Nor fam'd LUCRETIA, honour's martyr, + ALCESTE'S voluntary steel, + And CATHERINE smiling on the wheel. + + But who can hope to plant conviction, + Where cavil grows on contradiction! + Some she evades, or disavows, + Demurs to all, and none allows; + A kind of ancient things, call'd fables! + And thus the goddess turn'd the tables. + + Now both in argument grew high, + And choler flash'd from either eye; + Nor wonder each refus'd to yield + The conquest of so fair a field. + + When happily arriv'd in view + A goddess, whom our grandames knew, + Of aspect grave, and sober gait, + Majestic, awful, and sedate, + As heav'n's autumnal eve serene, + Where not a cloud o'ercasts the scene, + Once PRUDENCE call'd, a matron fam'd, + And in old ROME CORNELIA nam'd. + Quick, at a venture, both agree + To leave their strife to her decree. + + And now by each the facts were stated, + In form and manner as related; + The case was short--They crav'd opinion, + Which held o'er females chief dominion? + When thus the goddess, answering mild, + First shook her gracious head, and smil'd: + + "Alas! how willing to comply, + Yet how unfit a judge am I! + In times of golden date, 'tis true, + I shar'd the fickle sex with you; + But from their presence long precluded, + Or held as one whose form intruded, + Full fifty annual suns can tell, + Prudence has bid the sex farewell." + + In this dilemma, what to do, + Or who to think of, neither knew; + For both, still bias'd in opinion, + And arrogant of sole dominion, + Were forc'd to hold the case compounded, + Or leave the quarrel where they found it. + + When in the nick, a rural fair, + Of inexperienc'd gait and air, + Who ne'er had cross'd the neighb'ring lake, + Nor seen the world beyond a wake; + With cambric coif, and kerchief clean, + Trip'd lightly by them o'er the green. + + 'Now, now!' cry'd LOVE'S triumphant child, + And at approaching conquest smil'd; + 'If VANITY will once be guided, + Our diff'rence soon may be decided: + Behold you wench, a fit occasion, + To try your force of gay persuasion.-- + Go you, while I retire aloof, + Go, put those boasted pow'rs to proof; + And if your prevalence of art + Transcends my yet unerring dart, + I give the fav'rite contest o'er, + And ne'er will boast my empire more.' + + At once, so said and so consented, + And well our goddess seem'd contented, + Nor pausing, made a moment's stand, + But tript, and took the girl in hand. + + Meanwhile the GODHEAD, unalarm'd, + As one to each occasion arm'd, + Forth from his quiver cull'd a dart, + That erst had wounded many a heart; + Then bending, drew it to the head, + The bowstring twang'd, the arrow fled, + And to her secret soul address'd, + Transfix'd the whiteness of her breast. + + But here the DAME, whose guardian care + Had to a moment watch'd the fair, + At once her pocket mirror drew, + And held the wonder full in view; + As quickly, rang'd in order bright, + A thousand beauties rush'd to sight, + A world of charms, till now unknown, + A world revealed to her alone; + Enraptur'd stands the love-sick maid, + Suspended o'er the darling shade; + Here only fixes to admire, + And centres every fond desire. + + +_FINIS._ + + +Printed by C. 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Thus, we do not necessarily +keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. + + +Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: + + http://www.gutenberg.org + +This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, +including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary +Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to +subscribe to our email newsletter to hear about new eBooks. diff --git a/39499-8.zip b/39499-8.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..2f14ee8 --- /dev/null +++ b/39499-8.zip diff --git a/39499-h.zip b/39499-h.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..689364e --- /dev/null +++ b/39499-h.zip diff --git a/39499-h/39499-h.htm b/39499-h/39499-h.htm new file mode 100644 index 0000000..2d42e2f --- /dev/null +++ b/39499-h/39499-h.htm @@ -0,0 +1,3444 @@ +<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" + "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> + +<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"> + <head> + <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=iso-8859-1" /> + <title> + Moore's Fables for the Female Sex, by Edward Moore—A Project Gutenberg eBook + </title> + + <style type="text/css"> + + p {margin-top: .75em; text-align: justify; margin-bottom: .75em;} + + body {margin-left: 12%; margin-right: 12%;} + + .pagenum {position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right; font-style: normal;} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 {text-align: center; clear: both;} + + hr {width: 33%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 2em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; clear: both;} + + table {margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;} + + .giant {font-size: 200%} + .huge {font-size: 150%} + .large {font-size: 125%} + + .title {text-align: center; font-size: 150%;} + + .right {text-align: right;} + .center {text-align: center;} + .hang {margin-left: 2em; text-indent: -2em;} + + .smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + .smcaplc {text-transform: lowercase; font-variant: small-caps;} + + .figcenter {margin: auto; text-align: center;} + + .verts {margin-left: 20%; margin-right: 20%;} + + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +Project Gutenberg's Moores Fables for the Female Sex, by Edward Moore + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: Moores Fables for the Female Sex + +Author: Edward Moore + +Illustrator: Henry Brooke + +Release Date: April 22, 2012 [EBook #39499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOORES FABLES FOR THE FEMALE SEX *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + + +<h1><small>Moores Fables<br /> +for<br /> +<i>The Female Sex</i><br /> +Embellished with Engravings</small></h1> + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/title.jpg" alt="Ye wretches, hence the Eagle cries," /></div> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>Printed for Scatchard & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane;<br /> +Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme,<br /> +and H.D. Symonds, Paternoster Row.<br /> +1806.</i></p> +<p> </p> +<p class="center">(Printed by C. Whittingham)</p> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_1" id="Page_1">[Pg 1]</a></span></p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/border.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><span class="giant">FABLES</span></p> +<p class="center"><small>FOR</small></p> +<p class="center"><span class="huge"><i>THE FEMALE SEX</i>.</span></p> + +<p> </p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_I" id="FABLE_I"></a>FABLE I.</h2> +<p class="title">THE EAGLE AND THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDS.</p> +<p class="center"><span class="large">To her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales.</span></p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>The moral lay, to beauty due,<br /> +I write, <span class="smcaplc">FAIR EXCELLENCE</span>, to you;<br /> +Well pleas’d to hope my vacant hours<br /> +Have been employ’d to sweeten your’s.<br /> +Truth under fiction I impart,<br /> +To weed out folly from the heart,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_2" id="Page_2">[Pg 2]</a></span>And shew the paths that lead astray<br /> +The wand’ring nymph from wisdom’s way.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I flatter none. The great and good</span><br /> +Are by their actions understood;<br /> +Your monument if actions raise,<br /> +Shall I deface by idle praise?<br /> +I echo not the voice of Fame;<br /> +That dwells delighted on your name:<br /> +Her friendly tale, however true,<br /> +Were flatt’ry, if I told it you.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The proud, the envious, and the vain,</span><br /> +The jilt, the prude, demand my strain;<br /> +To these, detesting praise, I write,<br /> +And vent in charity my spite:<br /> +With friendly hand I hold the glass<br /> +To all, promiscuous, as they pass:<br /> +Should folly there her likeness view,<br /> +I fret not that the mirror’s true;<br /> +If the fantastic form offend,<br /> +I made it not, but would amend.</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img01.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>With friendly hand I hold the glass<br /> +To all promiscuous, as they pass;</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 2.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London: Published May 1st 1799 by T. Heptinstall. No. 304 High Holborn.</i></p> + +<p> <span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_3" id="Page_3">[Pg 3]</a></span></p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Virtue, in ev’ry clime and age,</span><br /> +Spurns at the folly-soothing page;<br /> +While satire, that offends the ear<br /> +Of vice and passion, pleases her.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Premising this, your anger spare;</span><br /> +And claim the fable you who dare.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">BIRDS</span> in place, by faction press’d,</span><br /> +To <span class="smcaplc">JUPITER</span> their pray’rs address’d;<br /> +By specious lies the state was vex’d,<br /> +Their counsels libellers perplex’d;<br /> +They begg’d (to stop seditious tongues)<br /> +A gracious hearing of their wrongs.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Jove</span> grants their suit. The <span class="smcaplc">EAGLE</span> sate,<br /> +Decider of the grand debate.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">PYE</span>, to trust and pow’r preferr’d,</span><br /> +Demands permission to be heard.<br /> +Says he, ‘Prolixity of phrase<br /> +You know I hate. This libel says,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_4" id="Page_4">[Pg 4]</a></span>“Some birds there are, who, prone to noise,<br /> +Are hir’d to silence <span class="smcaplc">WISDOM’S</span> voice;<br /> +And, skill’d to chatter out the hour,<br /> +Rise by their emptiness to pow’r.”<br /> +That this is aim’d direct at me,<br /> +No doubt, you’ll readily agree:<br /> +Yet well this sage assembly knows,<br /> +By parts to government I rose;<br /> +My prudent counsels prop the state;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Magpies</span> were never known to prate.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">KITE</span> rose up. His honest heart</span><br /> +In <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE’S</span> suff’rings bore a part.<br /> +That there were birds of prey he knew;<br /> +So far the libeller said true,<br /> +“Voracious, bold, to rapine prone,<br /> +Who knew no int’rest but their own;<br /> +Who, hov’ring o’er the farmer’s yard,<br /> +Nor pigeon, chick, nor duckling spar’d.”<br /> +This might be true—but if apply’d<br /> +To him, in troth, the sland’rer ly’d.<br /> +Since <span class="smcaplc">IGN’RANCE</span> then might be misled,<br /> +Such things, he thought, were best unsaid.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">CROW</span> was vext. As yester-morn</span><br /> +He flew across the new-sown corn,<br /> +A screaming boy was set for pay,<br /> +He knew, to drive the <span class="smcaplc">CROWS</span> away:<br /> +<span class="smcap">Scandal</span> had found him out in turn,<br /> +And buzz’d abroad—that <span class="smcaplc">CROWS</span> love corn.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">OWL</span> arose, with solemn face,</span><br /> +And thus harangu’d upon the case:<br /> +‘That <span class="smcaplc">MAGPIES</span> prate, it may be true;<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">KITE</span> may be voracious too;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Crows</span> sometimes deal in new-sown pease;<br /> +He libels not, who strikes at these;<br /> +The slander’s here—“But there are birds,<br /> +Whose wisdom lies in looks, not words;<br /> +Blund’rers who level in the dark,<br /> +And always shoot beside the mark.”<br /> +He names not me; but these are hints<br /> +Which manifest at whom he squints;<br /> +I were indeed that blund’ring fowl,<br /> +To question if he meant an <span class="smcaplc">OWL</span>.’<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>“Ye wretches, hence!” the <span class="smcaplc">EAGLE</span> cries,<br /> +“’Tis conscience, conscience that applies;<br /> +The virtuous mind takes no alarm,<br /> +Secur’d by innocence from harm;<br /> +While <span class="smcaplc">GUILT</span>, and his associate, <span class="smcaplc">FEAR</span>,<br /> +Are startled at the passing air.”</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_II" id="FABLE_II"></a>FABLE II.</h2> +<p class="title">THE PANTHER, HORSE, AND OTHER BEASTS.</p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>The man who seeks to win the fair,<br /> +(So custom says) must truth forbear;<br /> +Must fawn and flatter, cringe and lie,<br /> +And raise the goddess to the sky;<br /> +For truth is hateful to her ear,<br /> +A rudeness which she cannot bear—<br /> +A rudeness?—Yes,—I speak my thoughts,<br /> +For truth upbraids her with her faults.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">How wretched, <span class="smcaplc">CHLOE</span>, then am I,</span><br /> +Who love you, and yet cannot lie;<br /> +And still, to make you less my friend,<br /> +I strive your errors to amend!<br /> +But shall the senseless fop impart<br /> +The softest passion to your heart,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span>While he who tells you honest truth,<br /> +And points to happiness your youth,<br /> +Determines, by his cares, his lot,<br /> +And lives neglected and forgot?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Trust me, my dear, with greater ease,</span><br /> +Your taste for flatt’ry I could please.<br /> +And similes in each dull line,<br /> +Like glow-worms in the dark, should shine.<br /> +What if I say your lips disclose<br /> +The freshness of the op’ning rose?<br /> +Or that your cheeks are beds of flow’rs,<br /> +Enripen’d by refreshing show’rs?<br /> +Yet certain as these flow’rs shall fade,<br /> +Time ev’ry beauty will invade.<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">BUTTERFLY</span> of various hue,<br /> +More than the flow’r, resembles you:<br /> +Fair, flutt’ring, fickle, busy thing,<br /> +To pleasure ever on the wing,<br /> +Gayly coquetting for an hour,<br /> +To die, and ne’er be thought of more.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would you the bloom of youth should last?</span><br /> +’Tis virtue that must bind it fast;<br /> +An easy carriage, wholly free<br /> +From sour reserve, or levity;<br /> +Good-natur’d mirth, an open heart,<br /> +And looks unskill’d in any art;<br /> +Humility, enough to own<br /> +The frailties which a friend makes known;<br /> +And decent pride, enough to know<br /> +The worth that virtue can bestow.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">These are the charms which ne’er decay,</span><br /> +Tho’ youth and beauty fade away;<br /> +And time, which all things else removes,<br /> +Still heightens virtue and improves.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">You’ll frown, and ask to what intent</span><br /> +This blunt address to you is sent;<br /> +I’ll spare the question, and confess<br /> +I’d praise you, if I lov’d you less;<br /> +But rail, be angry, or complain,<br /> +I will be rude, while you are vain.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath a <span class="smcaplc">LION’S</span> peaceful reign,</span><br /> +When beasts met friendly on the plain,<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">PANTHER</span>, of majestic port,<br /> +(The vainest female of the court)<br /> +With spotted skin, and eyes of fire,<br /> +Fill’d ev’ry bosom with desire;<br /> +Where’er she mov’d, a servile crowd<br /> +Of fawning creatures cring’d and bow’d;<br /> +Assemblies ev’ry week she held,<br /> +(Like modern belles) with coxcombs fill’d,<br /> +Where noise and nonsense, and grimace,<br /> +And lies and scandal, fill’d the place.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Behold the gay, fantastic thing,</span><br /> +Encircled by the spacious ring;<br /> +Low-bowing, with important look,<br /> +As first in rank, the <span class="smcaplc">MONKEY</span> spoke:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Gad take me, madam! but I swear</span><br /> +No angel ever look’d so fair——<br /> +Forgive my rudeness, but, I vow,<br /> +You were not quite divine till now;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>Those limbs! that shape! and then those eyes,<br /> +O close them, or the gazer dies!”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Nay, gentle <span class="smcaplc">PUG</span>, for goodness hush,</span><br /> +I vow and swear you make me blush;<br /> +I shall be angry at this rate——<br /> +’Tis so like flatt’ry, which I hate.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">FOX</span>, in deeper cunning vers’d,</span><br /> +The beauties of her mind rehears’d,<br /> +And talk’d of knowledge, taste, and sense,<br /> +To which the fair have most pretence;<br /> +Yet well he knew them always vain<br /> +Of what they strive not to attain,<br /> +And play’d so cunningly his part,<br /> +That <span class="smcaplc">PUG</span> was rival’d in his art.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">GOAT</span> avow’d his am’rous flame,</span><br /> +And burnt—for what he durst not name;<br /> +Yet hop’d a meeting in the wood<br /> +Might make his meaning understood.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>Half angry at the bold address,<br /> +She frown’d; but yet she must confess,<br /> +Such beauties might inflame his blood;<br /> +But still his phrase was somewhat rude.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">HOG</span> her neatness much admir’d;</span><br /> +The formal <span class="smcaplc">ASS</span> her swiftness fir’d;<br /> +While all to feed her folly strove,<br /> +And by their praises shar’d her love.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">HORSE</span>, whose gen’rous heart disdain’d</span><br /> +Applause by servile flatt’ry gain’d,<br /> +With graceful courage silence broke,<br /> +And thus with indignation spoke:</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img02.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>From public view her charms will screen<br /> +And rarely in the crowd be seen</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 12.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane.</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">“When flatt’ring <span class="smcaplc">MONKEYS</span> fawn and prate,</span><br /> +They justly raise contempt, or hate;<br /> +For merit’s turn’d to ridicule,<br /> +Applauded by the grinning fool.<br /> +The artful <span class="smcaplc">FOX</span> your wit commends,<br /> +To lure you to his selfish ends;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span>From the vile flatt’rer turn away,<br /> +For knaves make friendship to betray.<br /> +Dismiss the train of fops and fools,<br /> +And learn to live by wisdom’s rules.<br /> +Such beauties might the <span class="smcaplc">LION</span> warm,<br /> +Did not your folly break the charm;<br /> +For who would court that lovely shape,<br /> +To be the rival of an <span class="smcaplc">APE</span>?”<br /> +He said; and snorting in disdain,<br /> +Spurn’d at the crowd, and sought the plain.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_III" id="FABLE_III"></a>FABLE III.</h2> +<p class="title">THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose<br /> +The lily and the blushing rose,<br /> +From public view her charms will skreen,<br /> +And rarely in the crowd be seen:<br /> +This simple truth shall keep her wise,<br /> +“The fairest fruits attract the flies.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">One night a <span class="smcaplc">GLOW-WORM</span>, proud and vain,</span><br /> +Contemplating her glitt’ring train,<br /> +Cry’d sure there never was in nature,<br /> +So elegant, so fine a creature;<br /> +All other insects that I see,<br /> +The frugal <span class="smcaplc">ANT</span>, industrious <span class="smcaplc">BEE</span>,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>Or <span class="smcaplc">SILK-WORM</span>, with contempt I view;<br /> +With all that low, mechanic crew,<br /> +Who servilely their lives employ<br /> +In business, enemy to joy.<br /> +Mean, vulgar herd! ye are my scorn,<br /> +For grandeur only I was born;<br /> +Or sure am sprung from race divine,<br /> +And plac’d on earth to live and shine.<br /> +Those lights, that sparkle so on high,<br /> +Are but the <span class="smcaplc">GLOW-WORMS</span> of the sky;<br /> +And kings on earth their gems admire,<br /> +Because they imitate my fire.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She spoke. Attentive on a spray,</span><br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">NIGHTINGALE</span> forbore his lay;<br /> +He saw the shining morsel near,<br /> +And flew, directed by the glare;<br /> +Awhile he gaz’d with sober look,<br /> +And thus the trembling prey bespoke:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Deluded fool, with pride elate,</span><br /> +Know, ’tis thy beauty brings thy fate;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span>Less dazzling, long thou might’st have lain,<br /> +Unheeded on the velvet plain;<br /> +Pride, soon or late, degraded mourns,<br /> +And beauty wrecks whom she adorns.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_IV" id="FABLE_IV"></a>FABLE IV.</h2> +<p class="title">HYMEN AND DEATH.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Sixteen, d’ye say? Nay, then ’tis time;<br /> +Another year destroys your prime.<br /> +But stay—The settlement? “That’s made?”<br /> +Why then’s my simple girl afraid?<br /> +Yet hold a moment, if you can,<br /> +And heedfully the fable scan.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The shades were fled, the morning blush’d,</span><br /> +The winds were in their caverns hush’d,<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">HYMEN</span>, pensive and sedate,<br /> +Held o’er the fields his musing gait,<br /> +Behind him, thro’ the green-wood shade,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Death’s</span> meagre form the <span class="smcaplc">GOD</span> survey’d,<br /> +Who quickly with gigantic stride,<br /> +Out-went his pace, and join’d his side.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>The chat on various subjects ran,<br /> +Till angry <span class="smcaplc">HYMEN</span> thus began:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Relentless <span class="smcaplc">DEATH</span>, whose iron sway</span><br /> +Mortals reluctant must obey,<br /> +Still of thy pow’r shall I complain,<br /> +And thy too partial hand arraign?<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">CUPID</span> brings a pair of hearts,<br /> +All over struck with equal darts,<br /> +Thy cruel shafts my hopes deride,<br /> +And cut the knot that <span class="smcaplc">HYMEN</span> ty’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Shall not the bloody, and the bold,</span><br /> +The miser, hoarding up his gold,<br /> +The harlot, reeking from the stew,<br /> +Alone thy fell revenge pursue?<br /> +But must the gentle, and the kind,<br /> +Thy fury, undistinguish’d find?”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The monarch calmly thus reply’d:</span><br /> +‘Weigh well the cause, and then decide.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span>That friend of your’s, you lately nam’d,<br /> +<span class="smcaplc">CUPID</span>, alone, is to be blam’d;<br /> +Then let the charge be justly laid;<br /> +That idle boy neglects his trade,<br /> +And hardly once in twenty years<br /> +A couple to your temple bears.<br /> +The wretches, whom your office blends,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Silenus</span> now, or <span class="smcaplc">PLUTUS</span> sends;<br /> +Hence care, and bitterness, and strife,<br /> +Are common to the nuptial life.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Believe me; more than all mankind,</span><br /> +Your vot’ries my compassion find.<br /> +Yet cruel am I call’d, and base,<br /> +Who seek the wretched to release;<br /> +The captive from his bonds to free,<br /> +Indissoluble, but for me.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘’Tis I entice him to the yoke;</span><br /> +By me your crowded altars smoke;<br /> +For mortals boldly dare the noose,<br /> +Secure, that <span class="smcaplc">DEATH</span> will set them loose.’</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_V" id="FABLE_V"></a>FABLE V.</h2> +<p class="title">THE POET AND HIS PATRON.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Why, <span class="smcaplc">CELIA</span>, is your spreading waist<br /> +So loose, so negligently lac’d?<br /> +Why must the wrapping bed-gown hide<br /> +Your snowy bosom’s swelling pride?<br /> +How ill that dress adorns your head,<br /> +Disdain’d and rumpled from the bed!<br /> +Those clouds, that shade your blooming face,<br /> +A little water might displace,<br /> +As <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> every morn bestows<br /> +The crystal dew to cleanse the rose.<br /> +Those tresses, as the raven black,<br /> +That wav’d in ringlets down your back,<br /> +Uncomb’d, and injur’d by neglect,<br /> +Destroy the face which once they deck’d.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whence this forgetfulness of dress!</span><br /> +Pray, madam, are you married? Yes.<br /> +Nay! then indeed the wonder ceases,<br /> +No matter now how loose your dress is;<br /> +The end is won, your fortune’s made,<br /> +Your sister now may take the trade.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Alas! what pity ’tis to find</span><br /> +This fault in half the female kind!<br /> +From hence proceed aversion, strife,<br /> +And all that sours the wedded life.<br /> +<span class="smcap">Beauty</span> can only point the dart,<br /> +’Tis <span class="smcaplc">NEATNESS</span> guides it to the heart;<br /> +Let <span class="smcaplc">NEATNESS</span> then, and <span class="smcaplc">BEAUTY</span> strive<br /> +To keep a wav’ring flame alive.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Tis harder far (you’ll find it true)</span><br /> +To keep the conquest than subdue;<br /> +Admit us once behind the screen,<br /> +What is there farther to be seen?<br /> +A newer face may raise the flame,<br /> +But ev’ry woman is the same.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Then study chiefly to improve</span><br /> +The charm that fix’d your husband’s love;<br /> +Weigh well his humour. Was it dress<br /> +That gave your beauty pow’r to bless?<br /> +Pursue it still; be neater seen,<br /> +’Tis always frugal to be clean;<br /> +So shall you keep alive desire,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">TIME’S</span> swift wing shall fan the fire.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In garret high (as stories say)</span><br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">POET</span> sung his tuneful lay;<br /> +So soft, so smooth his verse, you’d swear<br /> +<span class="smcap">Apollo</span> and the <span class="smcaplc">MUSES</span> there;<br /> +Through all the town his praises rung,<br /> +His sonnets at the playhouse sung;<br /> +High waving o’er his lab’ring head,<br /> +The goddess <span class="smcaplc">WANT</span> her pinions spread,<br /> +And with poetic fury fir’d,<br /> +What <span class="smcaplc">PHŒBUS</span> faintly had inspir’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A noble youth, of taste and wit,</span><br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>Approv’d the sprightly things he writ,<br /> +And sought him in his cobweb dome,<br /> +Discharg’d his rent, and brought him home.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Behold him at the stately board,</span><br /> +Who but the <span class="smcaplc">POET</span> and my <span class="smcaplc">LORD</span>!<br /> +Each day deliciously he dines,<br /> +And greedy quaffs the gen’rous wines;<br /> +His sides were plump, his skin was sleek,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">PLENTY</span> wanton’d on his cheek;<br /> +Astonish’d at the change so new,<br /> +Away th’ inspiring goddess flew.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now, dropt for politics and news,</span><br /> +Neglected lay the drooping <span class="smcaplc">MUSE</span>,<br /> +Unmindful whence his fortune came,<br /> +He stifled the poetic flame;<br /> +Nor tale nor sonnet, for my lady,<br /> +Lampoon, nor epigram was ready.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With just contempt his <span class="smcaplc">PATRON</span> saw,</span><br /> +(Resolv’d his bounty to withdraw)<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>And thus, with anger in his look,<br /> +The late-repenting fool bespoke:—<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Blind to the good that courts thee grown,</span><br /> +Whence has the sun of favour shone?<br /> +Delighted with thy tuneful art,<br /> +Esteem was growing in my heart,<br /> +But idly thou reject’st the charm<br /> +That gave it birth, and kept it warm.<br /> +Unthinking fools alone despise<br /> +The arts that taught them first to rise.”</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_VI" id="FABLE_VI"></a>FABLE VI.</h2> +<p class="title">THE WOLF, THE SHEEP, AND THE LAMB.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Duty demands the parent’s voice<br /> +Should sanctify the daughter’s choice;<br /> +In that is due obedience shewn;<br /> +To choose belongs to her alone.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">May horror seize his midnight hour</span><br /> +Who builds upon a parent’s pow’r,<br /> +And claims, by purchase vile and base,<br /> +The loathing maid for his embrace;<br /> +Hence virtue sickens, and the breast,<br /> +Where peace had built her downy nest,<br /> +Becomes the troubled seat of care,<br /> +And pines with anguish and despair.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A <span class="smcaplc">WOLF</span>, rapacious, rough, and bold,</span><br /> +Whose nightly plunders thinn’d the fold,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>Contemplating his ill-spent life,<br /> +And cloy’d with thefts, would take a wife.<br /> +His purpose known, the savage race<br /> +In num’rous crouds attend the place;<br /> +For why, a mighty <span class="smcaplc">WOLF</span> he was,<br /> +And held dominion in his jaws.<br /> +Her fav’rite whelp each mother brought,<br /> +And humbly his alliance sought;<br /> +But cold by age, or else too nice,<br /> +None found acceptance in his eyes.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">It happen’d, as at early dawn,</span><br /> +He, solitary, cross’d the lawn,<br /> +Stray’d from the fold, a sportive <span class="smcaplc">LAMB</span><br /> +Skip’d wanton by her fleecy <span class="smcaplc">DAM</span>;<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">CUPID</span>, foe to man and beast,<br /> +Discharg’d an arrow at his breast.<br /> +The tim’rous breed the robber knew,<br /> +And trembling o’er the meadow flew;<br /> +Their nimblest speed the <span class="smcaplc">WOLF</span> o’ertook,<br /> +And, courteous, thus the <span class="smcaplc">DAM</span> bespoke:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>Stay, fairest, and suspend your fear,<br /> +Trust me, no enemy is near;<br /> +These jaws, in slaughter oft imbru’d,<br /> +At length have known enough of blood,<br /> +And kinder business brings me now,<br /> +Vanquish’d, at beauty’s feet to bow.<br /> +You have a daughter—Sweet, forgive<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">WOLF’S</span> address—In her I live;<br /> +Love from her eye like lightning came,<br /> +And set my marrow all on flame;<br /> +Let your consent confirm my choice,<br /> +And ratify our nuptial joys.<br /> +Me ample wealth and pow’r attend,<br /> +Wide o’er the plains my realms extend;<br /> +What midnight robber dare invade<br /> +The fold, if I the guard am made?<br /> +At home the shepherd’s cur may sleep,<br /> +While I secure his master’s sheep.<br /> +Discourse like his attention claim’d;<br /> +Grandeur the <span class="smcaplc">MOTHER’S</span> breast inflam’d;<br /> +Now fearless by his side she walk’d,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span>Of settlements and jointures talk’d;<br /> +Propos’d and doubled her demands,<br /> +Of flow’ry fields and turnip lands.<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">WOLF</span> agrees.—Her bosom swells;<br /> +To <span class="smcaplc">MISS</span> her happy fate she tells;<br /> +And, of the grand alliance vain,<br /> +Contemns her kindred of the plain.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The loathing <span class="smcaplc">LAMB</span> with horror hears,</span><br /> +And wearies out her <span class="smcaplc">DAM</span> with pray’rs,<br /> +But all in vain; mamma best knew<br /> +What unexperienc’d girls should do:<br /> +So, to a neighb’ring meadow carry’d,<br /> +A formal ass the couple marry’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Torn from the tyrant-mother’s side,</span><br /> +The trembler goes, a victim-bride;<br /> +Reluctant meets the rude embrace,<br /> +And bleats among the howling race.<br /> +With horror oft her eyes behold<br /> +Her murder’d kindred of the fold;<br /> +Each day a sister-lamb is serv’d,<br /> +And at the glutton’s table carv’d;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span>The crashing bones he grinds for food,<br /> +And slakes his thirst with streaming blood.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Love, who the cruel mind detests,</span><br /> +And lodges but in gentle breasts,<br /> +Was now no more.—Enjoyment past,<br /> +The savage hunger’d for the feast;<br /> +But (as we find in human race,<br /> +A mask conceals the villain’s face)<br /> +Justice must authorize the treat:<br /> +Till then he long’d, but durst not eat.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As forth he walk’d, in quest of prey,</span><br /> +The hunters met him on the way;<br /> +Fear wings his flight; the marsh he sought,<br /> +The snuffing dogs are set at fault.<br /> +His stomach baulk’d, now hunger gnaws,<br /> +Howling he grinds his empty jaws;<br /> +Food must be had—and lamb is nigh;<br /> +His maw invokes the fraudful lie.<br /> +Is this, dissembling rage, he cry’d,<br /> +The gentle virtue of a bride?<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>That, leagu’d with man’s destroying race,<br /> +She sets her husband for the chase?<br /> +By treach’ry prompts the noisy hound<br /> +To scent his footsteps o’er the ground?<br /> +Thou trait’ress vile, for this thy blood<br /> +Shall glut my rage, and dye the wood!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So saying, on the <span class="smcaplc">LAMB</span> he flies:</span><br /> +Beneath his jaws the victim dies.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_VII" id="FABLE_VII"></a>FABLE VII.</h2> +<p class="title">THE GOOSE AND THE SWANS.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>I hate the face, however fair,<br /> +That carries an affected air;<br /> +The lisping tone, the shape constrain’d,<br /> +The study’d look, the passion feign’d,<br /> +Are fopperies, which only tend<br /> +To injure what they strive to mend.<br /> +With what superior grace enchants<br /> +The face which <span class="smcaplc">NATURE’S</span> pencil paints!<br /> +Where eyes, unexercis’d in art,<br /> +Glow with the meaning of the heart!<br /> +Where <span class="smcaplc">FREEDOM</span> and <span class="smcaplc">GOOD-HUMOUR</span> sit,<br /> +And easy <span class="smcaplc">GAIETY</span> and <span class="smcaplc">WIT</span>!<br /> +Though perfect <span class="smcaplc">BEAUTY</span> be not there,<br /> +The master lines, the finish’d air,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span>We catch from every look delight,<br /> +And grow enamour’d at the sight;<br /> +For beauty, though we all approve,<br /> +Excites our wonder more than love;<br /> +While the agreeable strikes sure,<br /> +And gives the wounds we cannot cure.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why then, my <span class="smcaplc">AMORET</span>, this care,</span><br /> +That forms you, in effect, less fair?<br /> +If <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> on your cheek bestows<br /> +A bloom that emulates the rose,<br /> +Or from some heav’nly image drew<br /> +A form <span class="smcaplc">APELLES</span> never knew,<br /> +Your ill-judg’d aid will you impart,<br /> +And spoil by meretricious art?<br /> +Or had you, <span class="smcaplc">NATURE’S</span> error, come<br /> +Abortive from the mother’s womb,<br /> +Your forming care she still rejects,<br /> +Which only heightens her defects.<br /> +When such, of glitt’ring jewels proud,<br /> +Still press the foremost in the crowd,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>At every public shew are seen,<br /> +With look awry, and aukward mien,<br /> +The gaudy dress attracts the eye,<br /> +And magnifies deformity.</td></tr></table> + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img03.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>The wretch with thrilling horror shook,<br /> +Loose ev’ry joint, and pale his look.</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 39.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane.</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Nature</span> may underdo her part,</span><br /> +But seldom wants the help of <span class="smcaplc">ART</span>;<br /> +Trust her, she is your surest friend,<br /> +Nor made your form for you to mend.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A <span class="smcaplc">GOOSE</span>, affected, empty, vain,</span><br /> +The shrillest of the cackling train,<br /> +With proud and elevated crest,<br /> +Precedence claim’d above the rest.<br /> +Says she, I laugh at human race,<br /> +Who say, geese hobble in their pace;<br /> +Look here!—the sland’rous lie detect;<br /> +Not haughty man is so erect.<br /> +That <span class="smcaplc">PEACOCK</span> yonder, lord, how vain<br /> +The creature’s of his gaudy train!<br /> +If both were stript, I’d pawn my word,<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">GOOSE</span> would be the finer bird.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span><span class="smcap">Nature</span>, to hide her own defects,<br /> +Her bungled work with fin’ry decks;<br /> +Were <span class="smcaplc">GEESE</span> set off with half that show,<br /> +Would men admire the <span class="smcaplc">PEACOCK</span>? No.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus vaunting, ’cross the mead she stalks,</span><br /> +The cackling breed attend her walks.<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SUN</span> shot down his noontide beams,<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SWANS</span> were sporting in the streams;<br /> +Their snowy plumes, and stately pride,<br /> +Provoke her spleen. Why, there, she cry’d,<br /> +Again what arrogance we see!<br /> +Those creatures! how they mimic me!<br /> +Shall ev’ry fowl the waters skim,<br /> +Because we <span class="smcaplc">GEESE</span> are known to swim?<br /> +Humility they soon shall learn,<br /> +And their own emptiness discern.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So saying, with extended wings,</span><br /> +Lightly upon the wave she springs;<br /> +Her bosom swells, she spreads her plumes,<br /> +And the <span class="smcaplc">SWAN’S</span> stately crest assumes.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>Contempt and mockery ensu’d,<br /> +And bursts of laughter shook the flood.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A <span class="smcaplc">SWAN</span>, superior to the rest,</span><br /> +Sprung forth, and thus the fool address’d:<br /> +Conceited thing! elate with pride,<br /> +Thy affectation all deride;<br /> +These airs thy aukwardness impart,<br /> +And shew thee plainly as thou art.<br /> +Among thy equals of the flock,<br /> +Thou hadst escap’d the public mock.<br /> +And, as thy parts to good conduce,<br /> +Been deem’d an honest hobbling <span class="smcaplc">GOOSE</span>.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Learn hence to study <span class="smcaplc">WISDOM’S</span> rules;</span><br /> +Know, foppery’s the pride of fools;<br /> +And striving <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> to conceal,<br /> +You only her defects reveal.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_VIII" id="FABLE_VIII"></a>FABLE VIII.</h2> +<p class="title">THE LAWYER AND JUSTICE.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Love; thou divinest good below,<br /> +Thy pure delights few mortals know:<br /> +Our rebel hearts thy sway disown,<br /> +While tyrant <span class="smcaplc">LUST</span> usurps thy throne!<br /> +The bounteous <span class="smcaplc">GOD OF NATURE</span> made<br /> +The sexes for each other’s aid,<br /> +Their mutual talents to employ,<br /> +To lessen ills, and heighten joy.<br /> +To weaker woman he assign’d<br /> +That soft’ning gentleness of mind,<br /> +That can by sympathy impart<br /> +Its likeness to the roughest heart.<br /> +Her eyes with magic pow’r endu’d,<br /> +To fire the dull, and awe the rude.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span>His rosy fingers on her face<br /> +Shed lavish ev’ry blooming grace,<br /> +And stamp’d (perfection to display)<br /> +His mildest image on her clay.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Man, active, resolute, and bold,</span><br /> +He fashion’d in a diff’rent mould;<br /> +With useful arts his mind inform’d,<br /> +His breast with nobler passions warm’d;<br /> +He gave him knowledge, taste, and sense,<br /> +And courage for the fair’s defence.<br /> +Her frame, resistless to each wrong,<br /> +Demands protection from the strong;<br /> +To man she flies, when fear alarms,<br /> +And claims the temple of his arms.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">By nature’s author thus declar’d</span><br /> +The woman’s sov’reign and her guard:<br /> +Shall man, by treach’rous wiles invade<br /> +The weakness he was meant to aid?<br /> +While beauty, given to inspire<br /> +Protecting love and soft desire,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>Lights up a wild-fire in the heart,<br /> +And to its own breast points the dart,<br /> +Becomes the spoiler’s base pretence<br /> +To triumph over innocence!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wolf, that tears the tim’rous sheep,</span><br /> +Was never set the fold to keep;<br /> +Nor was the tiger, or the pard,<br /> +Meant the benighted trav’ller’s guard:<br /> +But man, the wildest beast of prey,<br /> +Wears friendship’s semblance to betray;<br /> +His strength against the weak employs,<br /> +And where he should protect, destroys.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Past twelve o’clock, the watchman cry’d,</span><br /> +His brief the studious <span class="smcaplc">LAWYER</span> ply’d;<br /> +The all-prevailing fee lay nigh,<br /> +The earnest of to-morrow’s lie;<br /> +Sudden the furious winds arise,<br /> +The jarring casement shatter’d flies;<br /> +The doors admit a hollow sound,<br /> +And rattling from their hinges bound;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span>When <span class="smcaplc">JUSTICE</span>, in a blaze of light,<br /> +Reveal’d her radiant form to sight.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The wretch with thrilling horror shook,</span><br /> +Loose ev’ry joint, and pale his look,<br /> +Not having seen her in the courts,<br /> +Or found her mentioned in reports,<br /> +He ask’d, with falt’ring tongue, her name,<br /> +Her errand there, and whence she came?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sternly the white-rob’d shade reply’d,</span><br /> +(A crimson glow her visage dy’d)<br /> +Canst thou be doubtful who I am?<br /> +Is <span class="smcaplc">JUSTICE</span> grown so strange a name?<br /> +Were not your courts for <span class="smcaplc">JUSTICE</span> rais’d?<br /> +’Twas there of old my altars blaz’d.<br /> +My guardian thee did I elect,<br /> +My sacred temple to protect;<br /> +That thou, and all thy venal tribe,<br /> +Should spurn the goddess for a bribe!<br /> +Aloud the ruin’d client cries,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Justice</span> has neither ears nor eyes!<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>In foul alliance with the bar,<br /> +’Gainst me the judge denounces war,<br /> +And rarely issues his decree,<br /> +But with intent to baffle me.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She paus’d. Her breast with fury burn’d;</span><br /> +The trembling <span class="smcaplc">LAWYER</span> thus return’d:<br /> +I own the charge is justly laid,<br /> +And weak th’ excuse that can be made;<br /> +Yet search the spacious globe, and see<br /> +If all mankind are not like me.<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">GOWN-MAN</span>, skill’d in <span class="smcaplc">ROMISH</span> lies,<br /> +By <span class="smcaplc">FAITH’S</span> false glass deludes our eyes;<br /> +O’er conscience rides without controul,<br /> +And robs the man, to save his soul.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">DOCTOR</span>, with important face,</span><br /> +By sly design mistakes the case;<br /> +Prescribes, and spins out the disease,<br /> +To trick the patient of his fees.—<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SOLDIER</span>, rough with many a scar,<br /> +And red with slaughter, leads the war;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>If he a nation’s trust betray,<br /> +The foe has offer’d double pay.</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img04.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>The maid she modestly conceals<br /> +Her beauties, while she hides, reveals;</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 41.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London Published June 24th 1799 by T. Heptinstall Holborn.</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">When vice o’er all mankind prevails,</span><br /> +And weighty int’rest turns the scales,<br /> +Must I be better than the rest,<br /> +And harbour <span class="smcaplc">JUSTICE</span> in my breast?<br /> +On one side only take the fee,<br /> +Content with poverty and thee?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou blind to sense, and vile of mind,</span><br /> +Th’ exasperated shade rejoin’d,<br /> +If virtue from the world is flown,<br /> +Will others faults excuse thy own?<br /> +For sickly souls the priest was made;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Physicians</span> for the body’s aid;<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SOLDIER</span> guarded liberty;<br /> +Man, woman, and the <span class="smcaplc">LAWYER</span> me:<br /> +If all are faithless to their trust,<br /> +They leave not thee the less unjust.<br /> +Henceforth your pleadings I disclaim,<br /> +And bar the sanction of my name;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>Within your courts it shall be read,<br /> +That <span class="smcaplc">JUSTICE</span> from the law is fled.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">She spoke; and hid in shades her face,</span><br /> +’Till <span class="smcaplc">HARDWICK</span> sooth’d her into grace.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_IX" id="FABLE_IX"></a>FABLE IX.</h2> +<p class="title">THE FARMER, THE SPANIEL, AND THE CAT.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Why knits my dear her angry brow?<br /> +What rude offence alarms you now?<br /> +I said, that <span class="smcaplc">DELIA’S</span> fair; ’tis true,<br /> +But did I say she equall’d you?<br /> +Can’t I another’s face commend,<br /> +Or to her virtues be a friend,<br /> +But instantly your forehead lours,<br /> +As if her merit lessen’d your’s?<br /> +From female envy never free,<br /> +All must be blind, because you see.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Survey the gardens, fields, and bow’rs,</span><br /> +The buds, the blossoms, and the flow’rs,<br /> +Then tell me where the woodbine grows<br /> +That vies in sweetness with the rose?<br /> +Or where the lily’s snowy white,<br /> +That throws such beauties on the sight?<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>Yet folly is it to declare,<br /> +That these are neither sweet nor fair.<br /> +The crystal shines with fainter rays<br /> +Before the di’mond’s brighter blaze;<br /> +And fops will say, the di’mond dies<br /> +Before the lustre of your eyes:<br /> +But I, who deal in truth, deny<br /> +That neither shine when you are by.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When zephyrs o’er the blossoms stray,</span><br /> +And sweets along the air convey,<br /> +Shan’t I the fragrant breeze inhale,<br /> +Because you breathe a sweeter gale?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sweet are the flow’rs that deck the field,</span><br /> +Sweet is the smell the blossoms yield;<br /> +Sweet is the summer gale that blows,<br /> +And sweet (though sweeter you) the rose.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Shall envy then torment your breast,</span><br /> +If you are lovelier than the rest?<br /> +For while I give to each her due,<br /> +By praising them I flatter you;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>And praising most, I still declare<br /> +You fairest, where the rest are fair.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As at his board a <span class="smcaplc">FARMER</span> sate,</span><br /> +Replenish’d by his homely treat,<br /> +His fav’rite <span class="smcaplc">SPANIEL</span> near him stood,<br /> +And with his master shar’d the food;<br /> +The crackling bones his jaws devour’d,<br /> +His lapping tongue the trenchers scour’d;<br /> +Till, sated now, supine he lay,<br /> +And snor’d the rising fumes away.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The hungry <span class="smcaplc">CAT</span>, in turn, drew near,</span><br /> +And humbly crav’d a servant’s share;<br /> +Her modest worth the master knew,<br /> +And straight the fatt’ning morsel threw;<br /> +Enrag’d, the snarling cur awoke,<br /> +And thus, with spiteful envy, spoke:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">They only claim a right to eat,</span><br /> +Who earn by services their meat;<br /> +Me, zeal and industry inflame,<br /> +To scour the fields, and spring the game;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>Or, plunged in the wat’ry wave,<br /> +For man the wounded bird to save.<br /> +With watchful diligence I keep,<br /> +From prowling wolves, his fleecy sheep;<br /> +At home, his midnight hours secure,<br /> +And drive the robber from the door.<br /> +For this his breast with kindness glows;<br /> +For this his hand the food bestows;<br /> +And shall thy indolence impart<br /> +A warmer friendship to his heart;<br /> +That thus he robs me of my due,<br /> +To pamper such vile things as you?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">I own (with meekness, <span class="smcaplc">PUSS</span> reply’d)</span><br /> +Superior merit on your side;<br /> +Nor does my breast with envy swell,<br /> +To find it recompens’d so well;<br /> +Yet I, in what my nature can,<br /> +Contribute to the good of man.<br /> +Whose claws destroy the pilf’ring mouse?<br /> +Who drives the vermin from the house?<br /> +Or, watchful for the lab’ring swain,<br /> +From lurking rats secure the grain?<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>From hence, if he rewards bestow,<br /> +Why should your heart with gall o’erflow?<br /> +Why pine my happiness to see,<br /> +Since there’s enough for you and me?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thy words are just, the <span class="smcaplc">FARMER</span> cry’d,</span><br /> +And spurn’d the snarler from his side.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_X" id="FABLE_X"></a>FABLE X.</h2> +<p class="title">THE SPIDER AND THE BEE.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>The nymph who walks the public streets,<br /> +And sets her cap at all she meets,<br /> +May catch the fool who turns to stare;<br /> +But men of sense avoid the snare.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As on the margin of the flood,</span><br /> +With silken line, my <span class="smcaplc">LYDIA</span> stood,<br /> +I smil’d to see the pains you took,<br /> +To cover o’er the fraudful hook.<br /> +Along the forest as we stray’d,<br /> +You saw the boy his lime-twigs spread;<br /> +Guess’d you the reason of his fear,<br /> +Lest, heedless, we approach’d too near?<br /> +For as behind the bush we lay,<br /> +The linnet flutter’d on the spray.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Needs there such caution to delude</span><br /> +The scaly fry, and feather’d brood?<br /> +And think you, with inferior art,<br /> +To captivate the human heart?<br /> +The maid who modestly conceals<br /> +Her beauties, while she hides, reveals;<br /> +Give but a glimpse, and <span class="smcaplc">FANCY</span> draws<br /> +Whate’er the <span class="smcaplc">GRECIAN VENUS</span> was.<br /> +From <span class="smcaplc">EVE’S</span> first fig-leaf to brocade,<br /> +All dress was meant for <span class="smcaplc">FANCY’S</span> aid,<br /> +Which evermore delighted dwells<br /> +On what the bashful nymph conceals.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When <span class="smcaplc">CELIA</span> struts in man’s attire,</span><br /> +She shews too much to raise desire;<br /> +But from the hoop’s bewitching round,<br /> +Her very shoe has power to wound.<br /> +The roving eye, the bosom bare,<br /> +The forward laugh, the wanton air,<br /> +May catch the fop, for gudgeons strike<br /> +At the bare hook, and bait, alike;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>While <span class="smcaplc">SALMON</span> play regardless by,<br /> +Till <span class="smcaplc">ART</span>, like <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span>, forms the fly.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Beneath a <span class="smcaplc">PEASANT’S</span> homely thatch,</span><br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">SPIDER</span> long had held her watch;<br /> +From morn to night, with restless care,<br /> +She spun her web, and wove her snare.<br /> +Within the limits of her reign<br /> +Lay many a hidden captive, slain;<br /> +Or, flutt’ring, struggled in the toils<br /> +To burst the chains, and shun her wiles.<br /> +A straying <span class="smcaplc">BEE</span>, that perch’d hard by,<br /> +Beheld her with disdainful eye;<br /> +And thus began:—Mean thing! give o’er,<br /> +And lay thy slender threads no more;<br /> +A thoughtless <span class="smcaplc">FLY</span> or two, at most,<br /> +Is all the conquest thou canst boast;<br /> +For <span class="smcaplc">BEES</span> of sense thy arts evade,<br /> +We see so plain the nets are laid.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The gaudy <span class="smcaplc">TULIP</span>, that displays</span><br /> +Her spreading foliage to the gaze,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span>That points her charms at all she sees,<br /> +And yields to ev’ry wanton <span class="smcaplc">BREEZE</span>,<br /> +Attracts not me. Where blushing grows,<br /> +Guarded with thorns, the modest <span class="smcaplc">ROSE</span>,<br /> +Enamour’d round and round I fly,<br /> +Or on her fragrant bosom lie;<br /> +Reluctant, she my ardour meets,<br /> +And, bashful, renders up her sweets.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To wiser heads attention lend,</span><br /> +And learn this lesson from a friend:<br /> +She, who with modesty retires,<br /> +Adds fuel to her lover’s fires;<br /> +While such incautious jilts as you,<br /> +By folly your own schemes undo.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XI" id="FABLE_XI"></a>FABLE XI.</h2> +<p class="title">THE YOUNG LION AND THE APE.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>’Tis true, I blame your lover’s choice,<br /> +Tho’ flatter’d by the public voice,<br /> +And peevish grow, and sick, to hear<br /> +His exclamations, O how fair!<br /> +I listen not to wild delights,<br /> +And transports of expected nights;<br /> +What is to me your hoard of charms,<br /> +The whiteness of your neck and arms?<br /> +Needs there no acquisition more,<br /> +To keep contention from the door?<br /> +Yes! pass a fortnight, and you’ll find<br /> +All beauty cloys but of the mind.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Sense and good humour ever prove</span><br /> +The surest cords to fasten love.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>Yet, <span class="smcaplc">PHILLIS</span>, simplest of your sex,<br /> +You never think, but to perplex;<br /> +Coquetting it with ev’ry <span class="smcaplc">APE</span>,<br /> +That struts abroad in human shape;<br /> +Not that the coxcomb is your taste,<br /> +But that it stings your lover’s breast.<br /> +To-morrow you resign the sway,<br /> +Prepar’d to honour and obey;<br /> +The tyrant-mistress chang’d for life<br /> +To the submission of a wife.<br /> +Your follies, if you can, suspend,<br /> +And learn instructions from a friend.<br /> +Reluctant hear the first address,<br /> +Think often, ere you answer, yes;<br /> +But once resolv’d, throw off disguise,<br /> +And wear your wishes in your eyes.<br /> +With caution ev’ry look forbear,<br /> +That might create one jealous fear,<br /> +A lover’s rip’ning hopes confound,<br /> +Or give the gen’rous breast a wound;<br /> +Contemn the girlish arts to teaze,<br /> +Nor use your pow’r unless to please;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>For fools alone with rigour sway,<br /> +When, soon or late, they must obey.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">KING OF BRUTES</span>, in life’s decline,</span><br /> +Resolv’d dominion to resign;<br /> +The beasts were summon’d to appear,<br /> +And bend before the royal heir.<br /> +They came; a day was fix’d; the crowd<br /> +Before their future monarch bow’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A dapper <span class="smcaplc">MONKEY</span>, pert and vain,</span><br /> +Step’d forth, and thus address’d the train:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Why cringe, my friends, with slavish awe,</span><br /> +Before this pageant king of straw?<br /> +Shall we anticipate the hour,<br /> +And, ere we feel it, own his pow’r?<br /> +The counsels of experience prize,<br /> +I know the maxims of the wise;<br /> +Subjection let us cast away,<br /> +And live the monarchs of to-day;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>’Tis ours the vacant hand to spurn,<br /> +And play the tyrant each in turn;<br /> +So shall he right from wrong discern,<br /> +And mercy, from oppression, learn;<br /> +At others woes be taught to melt,<br /> +And loath the ills himself has felt.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He spoke; his bosom swell’d with pride,</span><br /> +The youthful <span class="smcaplc">LION</span> thus reply’d:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What madness prompts thee to provoke</span><br /> +My wrath, and dare th’ impending stroke?<br /> +Thou wretched fool! can wrongs impart<br /> +Compassion to the feeling heart?<br /> +Or teach the grateful breast to glow,<br /> +The hand to give, or eye to flow?<br /> +Learn’d in the practice of their schools,<br /> +From woman thou hast drawn thy rules;<br /> +To them return, in such a cause,<br /> +From only such expect applause;<br /> +The partial sex I don’t condemn,<br /> +For liking those who copy them.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Would’st thou the gen’rous <span class="smcaplc">LION</span> bind,</span><br /> +By kindness bribe him to be kind;<br /> +Good offices their likeness get,<br /> +And payment lessens not the debt:<br /> +With multiplying hand he gives<br /> +The good from others he receives;<br /> +Or for the bad makes fair return,<br /> +And pays, with int’rest, scorn for scorn.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XII" id="FABLE_XII"></a>FABLE XII.</h2> +<p class="title">THE COLT AND THE FARMER.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>Tell me, <span class="smcaplc">CORINNA</span>, if you can,<br /> +Why so averse, so coy, to man?<br /> +Did <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span>, lavish of her care,<br /> +From her best pattern form you fair,<br /> +That you, ungrateful to her cause,<br /> +Should mock her gifts, and spurn her laws?<br /> +And, miser-like, withhold that store,<br /> +Which, by imparting, blesses more?<br /> +Beauty’s a gift, by heav’n assign’d,<br /> +The portion of the female kind;<br /> +For this the yielding maid demands<br /> +Protection at her lover’s hands;<br /> +And though, by wasting years, it fade,<br /> +Remembrance tells him, once ’twas paid.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And will you then this wealth conceal,</span><br /> +For <span class="smcaplc">AGE</span> to rust, or <span class="smcaplc">TIME</span> to steal?<br /> +The summer of your youth to rove,<br /> +A stranger to the joys of love?<br /> +Then, when <span class="smcaplc">LIFE’S</span> winter hastens on,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">YOUTH’S</span> fair heritage is gone,<br /> +Dow’rless to court some peasant’s arms,<br /> +To guard your wither’d age from harms!<br /> +No gratitude to warm his breast,<br /> +For blooming beauty once possess’d;<br /> +How will you curse that stubborn pride,<br /> +Which drove your bark across the tide;<br /> +And, sailing before <span class="smcaplc">FOLLY’S</span> wind,<br /> +Left sense and happiness behind!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;"><span class="smcap">Corinna</span>, lest these whims prevail,</span><br /> +To such as you I write my tale.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A <span class="smcaplc">COLT</span>, for blood and mettled speed,</span><br /> +The choicest of the running breed,<br /> +Of youthful strength and beauty vain,<br /> +Refus’d subjection to the rein;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>In vain the groom’s officious skill<br /> +Oppos’d his pride, and check’d his will;<br /> +In vain the master’s forming care,<br /> +Restrain’d with threats, or sooth’d with pray’r;<br /> +Of freedom proud, and scorning man,<br /> +Wide o’er the spacious plains he ran.<br /> +Where’er luxuriant <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> spread<br /> +Her flow’ry carpet o’er the mead,<br /> +Or bubbling streams, soft gliding, pass<br /> +To cool and freshen up the grass;<br /> +Disdaining bounds, he cropp’d the blade,<br /> +And wanton’d in the spoil he made.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In plenty thus the summer pass’d,</span><br /> +Revolving winter came at last;<br /> +The trees no more a shelter yield;<br /> +The verdure withers from the field;<br /> +Perpetual snows invest the ground,<br /> +In icy chains the streams are bound,<br /> +Cold nipping winds, and rattling hail,<br /> +His lank, unshelter’d sides assail.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As round he cast his rueful eyes,</span><br /> +He saw the thatch-roof’d cottage rise;<br /> +The prospect touch’d his heart with cheer,<br /> +And promis’d kind deliv’rance near.<br /> +A stable, erst his scorn and hate,<br /> +Was now become his wish’d retreat;<br /> +His passion cool, his pride forgot,<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">FARMER’S</span> welcome yard he sought.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The master saw his woeful plight,</span><br /> +His limbs, that totter’d with his weight,<br /> +And friendly to the stable led,<br /> +And saw him litter’d, dress’d, and fed.<br /> +In slothful ease all night he lay;<br /> +The servants rose at break of day;<br /> +The market calls.—Along the road<br /> +His back must bear the pond’rous load;<br /> +In vain he struggles, or complains—<br /> +Incessant blows reward his pains.<br /> +To-morrow varies but his toil;<br /> +Chain’d to the plough he breaks the soil:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>While scanty meals at night repay<br /> +The painful labours of the day.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Subdu’d by toil, with anguish rent,</span><br /> +His self-upbraidings found a vent.<br /> +Wretch that I am! he sighing said,<br /> +By arrogance and folly led;<br /> +Had but my restive youth been brought<br /> +To learn the lesson <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> taught,<br /> +Then had I, like my sires of yore,<br /> +The prize from ev’ry courser bore;<br /> +While man bestow’d rewards and praise,<br /> +And females crown’d my latter days.<br /> +Now lasting servitude’s my lot,<br /> +My birth contemn’d, my speed forgot;<br /> +Doom’d am I, for my pride, to bear<br /> +A living death from year to year.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XIII" id="FABLE_XIII"></a>FABLE XIII.</h2> +<p class="title">THE OWL AND THE NIGHTINGALE.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>To know the <span class="smcaplc">MISTRESS’S</span> humour right,<br /> +See if her maids are clean and tight,<br /> +If <span class="smcaplc">BETTY</span> waits without her stays,<br /> +She copies but her <span class="smcaplc">LADY’S</span> ways;<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">MISS</span> comes in with boist’rous shout,<br /> +And drops no court’sey going out,<br /> +Depend upon’t, <span class="smcaplc">MAMMA</span> is one<br /> +Who reads, or drinks, too much alone.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If bottled beer her thirst assuage,</span><br /> +She feels enthusiastic rage,<br /> +And burns with ardour to inherit<br /> +The gifts and workings of the spirit.<br /> +If learning crack her giddy brains,<br /> +No remedy but death remains.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span>Sum up the various ills of life,<br /> +And all are sweet to such a wife.<br /> +At home, superior wit she vaunts,<br /> +And twits her husband with his wants;<br /> +Her ragged offspring all around,<br /> +Like pigs, are wallowing on the ground.<br /> +Impatient ever of controul,<br /> +And knows no order but of soul;<br /> +With books her litter’d floor is spread,<br /> +With nameless authors never read;<br /> +Foul linen, petticoats, and lace,<br /> +Fill up the intermediate space.<br /> +Abroad, at visitings, her tongue<br /> +Is never still, and always wrong;<br /> +All meanings she defines away,<br /> +And stands with truth and sense at bay.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">If e’er she meets a gentle heart,</span><br /> +Skill’d in the housewife’s useful art;<br /> +Who makes her family her care,<br /> +And builds contentment’s temple there;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>She starts at such mistakes in nature,<br /> +And cries, <span class="smcaplc">LORD</span> help us! what a creature!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Melissa, if the moral strike,</span><br /> +You’ll find the fable not unlike.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">An <span class="smcaplc">OWL</span>, puff’d up with self-conceit,</span><br /> +Lov’d learning better than his meat;<br /> +Old manuscripts he treasur’d up,<br /> +And rummag’d ev’ry grocer’s shop;<br /> +At pastry-cooks was known to ply,<br /> +And strip, for science, ev’ry pie.<br /> +For modern poetry and wit,<br /> +He had read all that <span class="smcaplc">BLACKMORE</span> writ.<br /> +So intimate with <span class="smcaplc">CURL</span> was grown,<br /> +His learned treasures were his own;<br /> +To all his authors had access,<br /> +And sometimes would correct the press.<br /> +In logic he acquir’d such knowledge,<br /> +You’d swear him fellow of a college.<br /> +Alike to ev’ry art and science,<br /> +His daring genius bid defiance,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>And swallow’d wisdom with that haste<br /> +That cits do custards at a feast.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Within the shelter of a wood,</span><br /> +One evening, as he musing stood,<br /> +Hard by, upon a leafy spray,<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">NIGHTINGALE</span> began his lay;<br /> +Sudden he starts, with anger stung,<br /> +And, screeching, interrupts the song.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Pert, busy thing! thy airs give o’er,</span><br /> +And let my contemplation soar—<br /> +What is the music of thy voice,<br /> +But jarring dissonance and noise?<br /> +Be wise—True harmony thou’lt find<br /> +Not in the throat, but in the mind;<br /> +By empty chirping not attain’d,<br /> +But by laborious study gain’d.<br /> +Go, read the authors <span class="smcaplc">POPE</span> explodes,<br /> +Fathom the depth of <span class="smcaplc">CIBBER’S</span> odes;<br /> +With modern plays improve thy wit,<br /> +Read all the learning <span class="smcaplc">HENLEY</span> writ,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>And if thou needs must sing, sing then,<br /> +And emulate the ways of men:<br /> +So shalt thou grow, like me, refin’d,<br /> +And bring improvement to thy kind.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thou wretch! the little warbler cry’d,</span><br /> +Made up of ignorance and pride;<br /> +Ask all the birds, and they’ll declare<br /> +A greater blockhead wings not air.<br /> +Read o’er thyself, thy talents scan,<br /> +Science was only meant for man.<br /> +No senseless authors me molest,<br /> +I mind the duties of my nest;<br /> +With careful wing protect my young,<br /> +And cheer their ev’nings with a song;<br /> +Make short the weary trav’ller’s way,<br /> +And warble in the poet’s lay.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus, following nature, and her laws,</span><br /> +From men and birds I claim applause,<br /> +While, nurs’d in pedantry and sloth,<br /> +An <span class="smcaplc">OWL</span> is scorn’d alike by both.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XIV" id="FABLE_XIV"></a>FABLE XIV.</h2> +<p class="title">THE SPARROW AND THE DOVE.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>It was, as learn’d traditions say,<br /> +Upon an <span class="smcaplc">APRIL’S</span> blithsome day,<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span>, ever on the wing,<br /> +Return’d, companion of the <span class="smcaplc">SPRING</span>,<br /> +And cheer’d the birds with am’rous heat,<br /> +Instructing little hearts to beat;<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">SPARROW</span>, frolic, gay, and young,<br /> +Of bold address, and flippant tongue,<br /> +Just left his lady of a night,<br /> +Like him, to follow new delight.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The youth, of many a conquest vain,</span><br /> +Flew off to seek the chirping train;<br /> +The chirping train he quickly found,<br /> +And with a saucy ease bow’d round.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">For every she his bosom burns,</span><br /> +And this, and that, he woos by turns;<br /> +And here a sigh, and there a bill,<br /> +And here—those eyes! so form’d to kill!<br /> +And now, with ready tongue, he strings<br /> +Unmeaning, soft, resistless things;<br /> +With vows, and dem-me’s, skill’d to woo,<br /> +As other pretty fellows do.<br /> +Not that he thought this short essay<br /> +A prologue needful to his play;<br /> +No, trust me, says our learned letter,<br /> +He knew the virtuous sex much better;<br /> +But these he held as specious arts,<br /> +To shew his own superior parts,<br /> +The form of decency to shield,<br /> +And give a just pretence to yield.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus finishing his courtly play,</span><br /> +He mark’d the fav’rite of a day;<br /> +With careless impudence drew near,<br /> +And whisper’d <span class="smcaplc">HEBREW</span> in her ear:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>A hint which, like the <span class="smcaplc">MASON’S</span> sign,<br /> +The conscience can alone divine.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The flutt’ring nymph, expert at feigning,</span><br /> +Cry’d, “Sir, pray sir, explain your meaning!<br /> +Go prate to those that may endure ye—<br /> +To me this rudeness! I’ll assure ye!”<br /> +Then off she glided like a swallow,<br /> +As saying—you guess where to follow.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">To such as know the party set,</span><br /> +’Tis needless to say where they met;<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">PARSON’S</span> barn, as authors mention,<br /> +Confess’d the fair had apprehension.<br /> +Her honour there, secure from stain,<br /> +She held all farther trifling vain;<br /> +No more affected to be coy,<br /> +But rush’d, licentious, on the joy.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Hist, love!’ the male companion cry’d,</span><br /> +‘Retire awhile, I fear we’re ’spy’d:’<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>Nor was the caution vain; he saw<br /> +A <span class="smcaplc">TURTLE</span> rustling in the straw,<br /> +While o’er her callow brood she hung,<br /> +And fondly thus address’d her young:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Ye tender objects of my care!</span><br /> +Peace, peace, ye little helpless pair;<br /> +Anon he comes, your gentle sire,<br /> +And brings you all your hearts require.<br /> +For us, his infants and his bride,<br /> +For us, with only love to guide,<br /> +Our lord assumes an <span class="smcaplc">EAGLE’S</span> speed,<br /> +And, like a <span class="smcaplc">LION</span>, dares to bleed.<br /> +Nor yet by wintry skies confin’d,<br /> +He mounts upon the rudest wind,<br /> +From danger tears the vital spoil,<br /> +And with affection sweetens toil.<br /> +Ah! cease, too vent’rous—cease to dare,<br /> +In thine, our dearer safety spare!<br /> +From him, ye cruel <span class="smcaplc">FALCONS</span>, stray;<br /> +And turn, ye <span class="smcaplc">FOWLERS</span>, far away.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Should I survive to see the day,</span><br /> +That tears me from myself away;<br /> +That cancels all that heav’n could give,<br /> +The life, by which alone I live;<br /> +Alas! how more than lost were I,<br /> +Who in the thought already die!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Ye pow’rs, who men and birds obey,</span><br /> +Great rulers of your creatures, say,<br /> +Why mourning comes, by bliss convey’d,<br /> +And ev’n the sweets of love allay’d?<br /> +Where grows enjoyment, tall and fair,<br /> +Around it twines entangling care;<br /> +While fear, for what our souls possess,<br /> +Enervates ev’ry pow’r to bless;<br /> +Yet <span class="smcaplc">FRIENDSHIP</span> forms the bliss above,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">LIFE</span>, what art thou, without <span class="smcaplc">LOVE</span>?”—<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Our <span class="smcaplc">HERO</span>, who had heard apart,</span><br /> +Felt something moving in his heart;<br /> +But quickly, with disdain, suppress’d<br /> +The virtue rising in his breast;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>And, first, he feign’d to laugh aloud,<br /> +And next, approaching, smil’d and bow’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘<span class="smcap">Madam</span>, you must not think me rude,</span><br /> +Good manners never can intrude;<br /> +I vow I came through pure good-nature;<br /> +(Upon my soul a charming creature!)<br /> +Are these the comforts of a wife?<br /> +This careful, cloister’d, moping life?<br /> +No doubt, that odious thing, call’d duty,<br /> +Is a sweet province for a beauty.<br /> +Thou pretty ignorance! thy will<br /> +Is measur’d to thy want of skill;<br /> +That good old-fashion’d dame, thy mother,<br /> +Has taught thy infant years no other.<br /> +The greatest ill in the creation<br /> +Is, sure, the want of education!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘But think ye (tell me without feigning)</span><br /> +Have all these charms no farther meaning?<br /> +Dame <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span>, if you don’t forget her,<br /> +Might teach your ladyship much better.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>For shame, reject this mean employment,<br /> +Enter the world, and taste enjoyment;<br /> +Where time, by circling bliss we measure,<br /> +Beauty was form’d alone for pleasure;<br /> +Come, prove the blessing, follow me;<br /> +Be wise, be happy, and be free.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Kind sir,” reply’d our <span class="smcaplc">MATRON</span> chaste,</span><br /> +“Your zeal seems pretty much in haste;<br /> +I own the fondness to be blest,<br /> +Is a deep thirst in every breast;<br /> +Of blessings too I have my store,<br /> +Yet quarrel not, should heav’n give more;<br /> +Then prove the change to be expedient,<br /> +And think me, sir, your most obedient.”<br /> +Here turning, as to one inferior,<br /> +Our gallant spoke, and smil’d superior:<br /> +‘Methinks, to quit your boasted station<br /> +Requires a world of hesitation;<br /> +Where brats and bonds are held a blessing,<br /> +The case, I doubt, is past redressing:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>Why, child, suppose the joys I mention<br /> +Were the mere fruits of my invention,<br /> +You’ve cause sufficient for your carriage,<br /> +In flying from the curse of marriage;<br /> +That sly decoy, with vary’d snares,<br /> +That takes your widgeons in by pairs;<br /> +Alike to husband, and to wife,<br /> +The cure of love, and bane of life;<br /> +The only method of forecasting<br /> +To make misfortune firm and lasting;<br /> +The sin, by heav’n’s peculiar sentence,<br /> +Unpardon’d, through a life’s repentance.<br /> +It is the double snake, that weds<br /> +A common tail to diff’rent heads;<br /> +That leads the carcase still astray,<br /> +By dragging each a diff’rent way.<br /> +Of all the ills that may attend me,<br /> +From marriage, mighty <span class="smcaplc">GODS</span>, defend me!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Give me frank <span class="smcaplc">NATURE’S</span> wild demesne,</span><br /> +And boundless tract of air serene,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>Where <span class="smcaplc">FANCY</span>, ever wing’d for change,<br /> +Delights to sport, delights to range!<br /> +There, <span class="smcaplc">LIBERTY</span>! to thee is owing<br /> +Whate’er of bliss is worth bestowing;<br /> +Delights, still vary’d, and divine,<br /> +Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘What say you now, you pretty pink, you?</span><br /> +Have I, for once, spoke reason, think you?<br /> +You take me now for no romancer—<br /> +Come, never study for an answer;<br /> +Away, cast ev’ry care behind ye,<br /> +And fly where joy alone shall find ye.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Soft yet,” return’d our female fencer,</span><br /> +“A question more, or so—and then, sir.<br /> +You’ve rallied me with sense exceeding,<br /> +With much fine wit, and better breeding;<br /> +But pray, sir, how do you contrive it?<br /> +Do those of your world never wive it?”<br /> +‘No, no,’ “How then?” ‘Why dare I tell<br /> +What does the business full as well.’<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>“Do you ne’er love?” ‘An hour at leisure.’<br /> +“Have you no friendship?” ‘Yes, for pleasure.’<br /> +“No care for little ones?” ‘We get ’em;<br /> +The rest the mothers mind, and let ’em.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Thou wretch!” rejoin’d the kindling <span class="smcaplc">DOVE</span>,</span><br /> +“Quite lost to life, as lost to love!<br /> +Whene’er misfortunes come, how just!<br /> +And come, misfortune surely must;<br /> +In the dread season of dismay,<br /> +In that your hour of trial, say,<br /> +Who then shall prop your sinking heart?<br /> +Who bear <span class="smcaplc">AFFLICTION’S</span> weightier part?<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Say, when the black-brow’d welkin bends,</span><br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">WINTER’S</span> gloomy form impends,<br /> +To mourning turns all transient cheer,<br /> +And blasts the melancholy year;<br /> +For times at no persuasion stay,<br /> +Nor vice can find perpetual <span class="smcaplc">MAY</span>;<br /> +Then where’s that tongue, by <span class="smcaplc">FOLLY</span> fed,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>That soul of pertness, whither fled?<br /> +All shrunk within thy lonely nest,<br /> +Forlorn, abandon’d, and unbless’d;<br /> +No friends, by cordial bonds ally’d,<br /> +Shall seek thy cold unsocial side;<br /> +No chirping prattlers to delight,<br /> +Shall turn the long-enduring night;<br /> +No bride her words of balm impart,<br /> +And warm thee at her constant heart.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“<span class="smcap">Freedom</span>, restrain’d by <span class="smcaplc">REASON’S</span> force,</span><br /> +Is as the sun’s unvarying course,<br /> +Benignly active, sweetly bright,<br /> +Affording warmth, affording light;<br /> +But torn from <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE’S</span> sacred rules,<br /> +Becomes a comet, gaz’d by fools,<br /> +Foreboding cares, and storms, and strife,<br /> +And fraught with all the plagues of life.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Thou fool! by union every creature</span><br /> +Subsists, through universal nature;<br /> +And this, to beings void of mind,<br /> +Is wedlock of a meaner kind.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“While womb’d in space, primeval clay</span><br /> +A yet unfashion’d embryo lay;<br /> +The source of endless good above<br /> +Shot down his spark of kindling love;<br /> +Touch’d by the all-enliv’ning flame,<br /> +Then motion first exulting came,<br /> +Each atom sought its sep’rate class,<br /> +Through many a fair enamour’d mass;<br /> +Love cast the central charm around,<br /> +And with eternal nuptials bound.<br /> +Then <span class="smcaplc">FORM</span> and <span class="smcaplc">ORDER</span>, o’er the sky<br /> +First train’d their bridal pomp on high;<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SUN</span> display’d his orb to sight,<br /> +And burn’d with <span class="smcaplc">HYMENEAL</span> light.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Hence <span class="smcaplc">NATURE’S</span> virgin womb conceiv’d,</span><br /> +And with the genial burthen heav’d;<br /> +Forth came the oak, her first born heir,<br /> +And scal’d the breathing steep of air;<br /> +Then infant stems, of various use,<br /> +Imbib’d her soft maternal juice.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span>The flow’rs, in early bloom disclos’d,<br /> +Upon her fragrant breast repos’d;<br /> +Within her warm embraces grew<br /> +A race, of endless form and hue;<br /> +Then pour’d her lesser offspring round,<br /> +And fondly cloth’d their parent ground.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Nor here alone the virtue reign’d,</span><br /> +By matter’s cumb’rous form detain’d,<br /> +But thence, subliming, and refin’d,<br /> +Aspir’d, and reach’d its kindred mind.<br /> +Caught in the fond celestial fire,<br /> +The mind perceiv’d unknown desire;<br /> +And now with kind effusion flow’d,<br /> +And now with cordial ardours glow’d,<br /> +Beheld the sympathetic fair,<br /> +And lov’d its own resemblance there;<br /> +On all, with circling radiance, shone,<br /> +But, cent’ring, fix’d on one alone;<br /> +There clasp’d the heav’n-appointed wife,<br /> +And doubled every joy of life.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Here, ever blessing, ever blest,</span><br /> +Resides this beauty of the breast;<br /> +As from his palace here the god<br /> +Still beams effulgent bliss abroad;<br /> +Here gems his own eternal round<br /> +The ring by which the world is bound;<br /> +Here bids his seat of empire grow,<br /> +And builds his little heav’n below.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“The bridal partners thus ally’d,</span><br /> +And thus in sweet accordance tied,<br /> +One body, heart, and spirit live,<br /> +Enrich’d by ev’ry joy they give;<br /> +Like <span class="smcaplc">ECHO</span>, from her vocal hold,<br /> +Return’d in music twenty-fold.<br /> +Their union firm, and undecay’d,<br /> +Nor <span class="smcaplc">TIME</span> can shake, nor <span class="smcaplc">POW’R</span> invade;<br /> +But, as the stem and scion stand<br /> +Ingrafted by a skilful hand,<br /> +They check the <span class="smcaplc">TEMPEST’S</span> wintry rage,<br /> +And bloom and strengthen into age.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span>A thousand amities unknown,<br /> +And pow’rs, perceiv’d by <span class="smcaplc">LOVE</span> alone;<br /> +Endearing looks, and chaste desire,<br /> +Fan and support the mutual fire,<br /> +Whose flame, perpetual as refin’d,<br /> +Is fed by an immortal <span class="smcaplc">MIND</span>.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Nor yet the nuptial sanction ends,</span><br /> +Like <span class="smcaplc">NILE</span>, it opens and descends,<br /> +Which, by apparent windings led,<br /> +We trace to its celestial head.<br /> +The sire, first springing from above,<br /> +Becomes the source of life and love,<br /> +And gives his filial heir to flow,<br /> +In fondness down on sons below;<br /> +Thus roll’d in one continu’d tide,<br /> +To <span class="smcaplc">TIME’S</span> extremest verge they glide;<br /> +While kindred streams, on either hand,<br /> +Branch forth in blessings o’er the land.<br /> +Thee, wretch! no lisping babe shall name,<br /> +No late-returning brother claim;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>No kinsman on thy road rejoice,<br /> +No sister greet thy ent’ring voice;<br /> +With partial eyes no parent see,<br /> +And bless their years restor’d in thee.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“In age rejected, or declin’d,</span><br /> +An <span class="smcaplc">ALIEN</span> ev’n among thy kind,<br /> +The partner of thy scorn’d embrace<br /> +Shall play the wanton in thy face;<br /> +Each spark unplume thy little pride,<br /> +All friendship fly thy faithless side;<br /> +Thy name shall, like thy carcase, rot,<br /> +In sickness spurn’d, in death forgot.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“All-giving <span class="smcaplc">POW’R</span>! great source of life!</span><br /> +O hear the parent! hear the wife!<br /> +That life thou lendest from above,<br /> +Though little, make it large in love;<br /> +O bid my feeling heart expand<br /> +To ev’ry claim, on ev’ry hand;<br /> +To those, from whom my days I drew,<br /> +To these in whom those days renew;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>To all my kin, however wide,<br /> +In cordial warmth, as blood ally’d,<br /> +To friends with steely fetters twin’d,<br /> +And to the cruel, not unkind!<br /> +But chief, the lord of my desire,<br /> +My life, myself, my soul, my sire;<br /> +Friends, children, all that wish can claim,<br /> +Chaste passion clasp, and rapture name!<br /> +O spare him, spare him, <span class="smcaplc">GRACIOUS POW’R</span>!<br /> +O give him to my latest hour!<br /> +Let me my length of life employ,<br /> +To give my sole enjoyment joy;<br /> +His love, let mutual love excite,<br /> +Turn all my cares to his delight,<br /> +And ev’ry needless blessing spare,<br /> +Wherein my darling wants a share.<br /> +When he with graceful action woos,<br /> +And sweetly bills and fondly coos,<br /> +Ah! deck me to his eyes alone,<br /> +With charms attractive as his own,<br /> +And in my circling wings caress’d,<br /> +Give all the lover to my breast.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span>Then in our chaste, connubial bed,<br /> +My bosom pillow’d for his head,<br /> +His eyes with blissful slumbers close,<br /> +And watch, with me, my lord’s repose;<br /> +Your peace around his temples twine,<br /> +And love him with a love like mine.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“And, for I know his gen’rous flame,</span><br /> +Beyond whate’er my sex can claim,<br /> +Me, too, to your protection take,<br /> +And spare me for my husband’s sake;<br /> +Let one unruffled calm delight<br /> +The loving and belov’d unite;<br /> +One pure desire our bosoms warm,<br /> +One will direct, one wish inform;<br /> +Through life one mutual aid sustain,<br /> +In death one peaceful grave contain.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">While, swelling with the darling theme,</span><br /> +Her accents pour’d an endless stream,<br /> +The well-known wings a sound impart,<br /> +That reach’d her ear, and touch’d her heart;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>Quick dropp’d the music of her tongue,<br /> +And forth, with eager joy, she sprung;<br /> +As swift her ent’ring consort flew,<br /> +And plum’d and kindled at the view;<br /> +Their wings, their souls, embracing meet,<br /> +Their hearts with answ’ring measure beat;<br /> +Half lost in sacred sweets, and bless’d<br /> +With raptures felt, but ne’er express’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Straight to her humble roof she led</span><br /> +The partner of her spotless bed;<br /> +Her young, a flutt’ring pair, arise,<br /> +Their welcome sparkling in their eyes,<br /> +Transported, to their sire they bound,<br /> +And hang with speechless action round.<br /> +In pleasure wrapt, the parents stand,<br /> +And see their little wings expand;<br /> +The sire, his life-sustaining prize<br /> +To each expecting bill applies;<br /> +There fondly pours the wheaten spoil,<br /> +With transport giv’n, though won with toil;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>While all collected at the sight,<br /> +And silent, through supreme delight,<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">FAIR</span> high heav’n of bliss beguiles,<br /> +And on her lord and infants smiles.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The <span class="smcaplc">SPARROW</span>, whose attention hung</span><br /> +Upon the <span class="smcaplc">DOVE’S</span> enchanting tongue,<br /> +Of all his little slights disarm’d,<br /> +And from himself by <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span> charm’d,<br /> +When now he saw, what only seem’d,<br /> +A fact, so late a fable deem’d;<br /> +His soul to envy he resign’d,<br /> +His hours of folly to the wind;<br /> +In secret wish’d a <span class="smcaplc">TURTLE</span> too,<br /> +And, sighing to himself, withdrew.</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XV" id="FABLE_XV"></a>FABLE XV.</h2> +<p class="title">THE FEMALE SEDUCERS.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>’Tis said of <span class="smcaplc">WIDOW</span>, <span class="smcaplc">MAID</span>, and <span class="smcaplc">WIFE</span>,<br /> +That honour is a <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN’S</span> life;<br /> +Unhappy sex! who only claim<br /> +A being in the breath of fame,<br /> +Which, tainted, not the quick’ning gales<br /> +That sweep <span class="smcaplc">SABÆA’S</span> spicy vales,<br /> +Nor all the healing sweets restore,<br /> +That breathe along <span class="smcaplc">ARABIA’S</span> shore.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The trav’ller, if he chance to stray,</span><br /> +May turn uncensur’d to his way;<br /> +Polluted streams again are pure,<br /> +And deepest wounds admit a cure;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>But <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span>! no redemption knows,<br /> +The wounds of honour never close.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Tho’ distant ev’ry hand to guide,</span><br /> +Nor skill’d on life’s tempestuous tide,<br /> +If once her feeble bark recede,<br /> +Or deviate from the course decreed,<br /> +In vain she seeks the friendly shore,<br /> +Her swifter folly flies before;<br /> +The circling ports against her close,<br /> +And shut the wand’rer from repose,<br /> +Till by conflicting waves opprest,<br /> +Her found’ring pinnace sinks to rest.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Are there no off’rings to atone</span><br /> +For but a single error?—None!<br /> +Tho’ <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span> is avow’d of old<br /> +No daughter of celestial mould;<br /> +Her temp’ring not without allay,<br /> +And form’d but of the finer clay;<br /> +We challenge from the mortal dame,<br /> +The strength angelic natures claim;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>Nay more—for sacred stories tell<br /> +That ev’n immortal angels fell.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Whatever fills the teeming sphere</span><br /> +Of humid earth, and ambient air,<br /> +With varying elements endu’d,<br /> +Was form’d to fall, and rise renew’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The stars no fix’d duration know;</span><br /> +Wide oceans ebb, again to flow;<br /> +The moon repletes her waning face,<br /> +All-beauteous, from her late disgrace;<br /> +And suns, that mourn approaching night,<br /> +Refulgent rise, with new-born light.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In vain may death and time subdue,</span><br /> +While nature mints her race anew,<br /> +And holds some vital spark apart,<br /> +Like virtue, hid in ev’ry heart;<br /> +’Tis hence, reviving warmth is seen,<br /> +To clothe a naked world in green;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>No longer bared by winter’s cold,<br /> +Again the gates of life unfold;<br /> +Again each insect tries his wing,<br /> +And lifts fresh pinions on the spring;<br /> +Again from ev’ry latent root<br /> +The bladed stem and tendril shoot,<br /> +Exhaling incense to the skies,<br /> +Again to perish, and to rise.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And must weak <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span> then disown</span><br /> +The change to which a world is prone?<br /> +In one meridian brightness shine,<br /> +And ne’er like ev’ning suns decline?<br /> +Resolv’d and firm alone?—Is this<br /> +What we demand of <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span>?—Yes!<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But should the spark of vestal fire,</span><br /> +In some unguarded hour expire;<br /> +Or should the nightly thief invade<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hesperia’s</span> chaste and sacred shade,<br /> +Of all the blooming spoils possess’d,<br /> +The dragon, honour, charm’d to rest,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>Shall <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE’S</span> flame no more return?<br /> +No more with virgin splendour burn?<br /> +No more the ravag’d garden blow<br /> +With spring’s succeeding blossom?—No!<br /> +Pity may mourn, but not restore,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span> falls—to rise no more.</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img05.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>Lovely Penitent, arise,<br /> +Come, and claim thy kindred skies;</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 92.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane.</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Within this sublunary sphere,</span><br /> +A country lies—no matter where;<br /> +The clime may readily be found,<br /> +By all who tread poetic ground;<br /> +A stream, call’d <span class="smcaplc">LIFE</span>, across it glides,<br /> +And equally the land divides;<br /> +And here, of <span class="smcaplc">VICE</span> the province lies,<br /> +And there, the hills of <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span> rise.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Upon a mountain’s airy stand,</span><br /> +Whose summit look’d to either land,<br /> +An ancient pair their dwelling chose,<br /> +As well for prospect as repose;<br /> +For mutual faith they long were fam’d,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">TEMP’RANCE</span>, and <span class="smcaplc">RELIGION</span>, nam’d.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A num’rous progeny divine</span><br /> +Confess’d the honours of their line;<br /> +But in a little daughter fair<br /> +Was center’d more than half their care;<br /> +For heav’n, to gratulate her birth,<br /> +Gave signs of future joy to earth.<br /> +White was the robe this infant wore,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">CHASTITY</span> the name she bore.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As now the maid in stature grew,</span><br /> +(A flow’r just op’ning to the view)<br /> +Oft thro’ her native lawns she stray’d,<br /> +And wrestling with the lambkins play’d;<br /> +Her looks diffusive sweets bequeath’d,<br /> +The breeze grew purer as she breath’d,<br /> +The morn her radiant blush assum’d,<br /> +The spring with earlier fragrance bloom’d,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> yearly took delight,<br /> +Like her, to dress the world in white.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But when her rising form was seen</span><br /> +To reach the crisis of fifteen;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>Her parents up the mountain’s head,<br /> +With anxious step, their darling led;<br /> +By turns they snatch’d her to their breast,<br /> +And thus the fears of age express’d:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“O joyful cause of many a care!</span><br /> +O daughter, too divinely fair!<br /> +Yon world, on this important day,<br /> +Demands thee to a dang’rous way;<br /> +A painful journey all must go,<br /> +Whose doubtful period none can know;<br /> +Whose due direction who can find,<br /> +Where <span class="smcaplc">REASON’S</span> mute, and <span class="smcaplc">SENSE</span> is blind!<br /> +Ah! what unequal leaders these,<br /> +Thro’ such a wide perplexing maze!<br /> +Then mark the warnings of the wise,<br /> +And learn what love and years advise.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Far to the right thy prospect bend,</span><br /> +Where yonder tow’ring hills ascend;<br /> +Lo! there the arduous path’s in view,<br /> +Which <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span>, and her sons, pursue;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>With toil, o’er less’ning earth they rise,<br /> +And gain, and gain upon the skies.—<br /> +Narrow’s the way her children tread,<br /> +No walk for pleasure smoothly spread;<br /> +But rough, and difficult, and steep,<br /> +Painful to climb, and hard to keep.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Fruits immature those lands dispense,</span><br /> +A food indelicate to sense,<br /> +Of taste unpleasant, yet from those<br /> +Pure <span class="smcaplc">HEALTH</span>, with cheerful <span class="smcaplc">VIGOUR</span> flows;<br /> +And strength unfeeling of decay,<br /> +Throughout the long laborious way.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Hence, as they scale that heav’nly road,</span><br /> +Each limb is lighten’d of its load:<br /> +From earth refining still they go,<br /> +And leave the mortal weight below;<br /> +Then spreads the strait, the doubtful clears,<br /> +And smooth the rugged path appears;<br /> +For custom turns fatigue to ease,<br /> +And, taught by <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span>, <span class="smcaplc">PAIN</span> can please.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“At length, the toilsome journey o’er,</span><br /> +And near the bright celestial shore,<br /> +A gulf, black, fearful, and profound,<br /> +Appears, of either world the bound.<br /> +Thro’ darkness, leading up to light,<br /> +Sense backward shrinks, and shuns the sight;<br /> +For there the transitory train,<br /> +Of time, and form, and care, and pain,<br /> +And matter’s gross incumb’ring mass,<br /> +Man’s late associates, cannot pass,<br /> +But sinking, quit th’ immortal charge,<br /> +And leave the wond’ring soul at large;<br /> +Lightly she wings her obvious way,<br /> +And mingles with eternal day.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Thither, O thither, wing thy speed,</span><br /> +Tho’ <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span> charm, or <span class="smcaplc">PAIN</span> impede;<br /> +To such th’ all-bounteous pow’r has giv’n,<br /> +For present earth, a future heav’n;<br /> +For trivial loss, unmeasur’d gain,<br /> +And endless bliss, for transient pain.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span>Then fear, ah! fear, to turn thy sight,<br /> +Where yonder flow’ry fields invite;<br /> +Wide on the left the path-way bends,<br /> +And with pernicious ease descends;<br /> +There, sweet to sense, and fair to show,<br /> +New-planted <span class="smcaplc">EDEN</span> seems to blow;<br /> +Trees that delicious poison bear,<br /> +For <span class="smcaplc">DEATH</span> is vegetable there.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Hence is the frame of health unbrac’d,</span><br /> +Each sinew slack’ning at the taste;<br /> +The soul to passion yields her throne,<br /> +And sees with organs not her own;<br /> +While, like the slumb’rer in the night,<br /> +Pleas’d with the shadowy dream of light,<br /> +Before her alienated eyes<br /> +The scenes of fairy-land arise;<br /> +The puppet-world’s amusing show,<br /> +Dipt in the gaily colour’d bow;<br /> +Sceptres, and wreaths, and glitt’ring things,<br /> +The toys of infants and of kings,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>That tempt along the baneful plain,<br /> +The idly wise, and lightly vain;<br /> +Till verging on the gully shore,<br /> +Sudden they sink, to rise no more.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“But list to what thy <span class="smcaplc">FATES</span> declare,</span><br /> +Tho’ thou art <span class="smcaplc">WOMAN</span>, frail as fair,<br /> +If once thy sliding foot should stray,<br /> +Once quit yon heav’n-appointed way,<br /> +For thee, lost maid, for thee alone,<br /> +Nor pray’rs shall plead, nor tears atone;<br /> +Reproach, scorn, infamy, and hate,<br /> +On thy returning steps shall wait.—<br /> +Thy form be loath’d by ev’ry eye,<br /> +And ev’ry foot thy presence fly.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus arm’d with words of potent sound,</span><br /> +Like guardian-angels plac’d around;<br /> +A charm, by truth divinely cast,<br /> +Forward our young advent’rer pass’d.<br /> +Forth from her sacred eye-lids sent,<br /> +Like morn, fore-running, radiance went,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>While <span class="smcaplc">HONOUR</span>, hand-maid, late assign’d,<br /> +Upheld her lucid train behind.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Awe-struck, the much-admiring crowd</span><br /> +Before the virgin-vision bow’d;<br /> +Gaz’d with an ever-new delight,<br /> +And caught fresh virtues at the sight;<br /> +For not of earth’s unequal frame<br /> +They deem’d the heav’n-compounded dame,<br /> +If matter, sure the most refin’d,<br /> +High-wrought, and temper’d into mind,<br /> +Some darling daughter of the day,<br /> +And body’d by her native ray.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Where’er she passes, thousands bend,</span><br /> +And thousands, where she moves, attend;<br /> +Her ways observant eyes confess,<br /> +Her steps pursuing praises bless;<br /> +While to the elevated maid<br /> +Oblations, as to <span class="smcaplc">HEAV’N</span>, are paid.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">’Twas on an ever-blithsome day,</span><br /> +The jovial birth of rosy <span class="smcaplc">MAY</span>,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span>When genial warmth, no more suppress’d,<br /> +New melts the frost in every breast;<br /> +The cheek with secret flushing dies,<br /> +And looks kind things from chastest eyes;<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">SUN</span> with healthier visage glows,<br /> +Aside his clouded kerchief throws,<br /> +And dances up th’ ethereal plain,<br /> +Where late he us’d to climb with pain;<br /> +While <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span>, as from bonds set free,<br /> +Springs out, and gives a loose to glee.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now for momentary rest,</span><br /> +The nymph her travell’d step repress’d,<br /> +Just turn’d to view the stage attain’d,<br /> +And glory’d in the height she gain’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Out-stretch’d before her wide survey,</span><br /> +The realms of sweet <span class="smcaplc">PERDITION</span> lay,<br /> +And pity touch’d her soul with woe,<br /> +To see a world so lost below;<br /> +When straight the breeze began to breathe<br /> +Airs, gently wafted from beneath,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>That bore commission’d witchcraft thence,<br /> +And reach’d her sympathy of sense;<br /> +No sounds of discord, that disclose<br /> +A people sunk, and lost in woes;<br /> +But as of present good possess’d,<br /> +The very triumph of the bless’d;<br /> +The maid in wrapt attention hung,<br /> +While thus approaching <span class="smcaplc">SIRENS</span> sung.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Hither, fairest, hither haste,</span><br /> +Brightest beauty, come and taste<br /> +What the pow’rs of bliss unfold;<br /> +Joys too mighty to be told;<br /> +Taste what ecstasies they give,<br /> +Dying raptures taste, and live.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘In thy lap, disdaining measure,</span><br /> +<span class="smcap">Nature</span> empties all her treasure;<br /> +Soft desires, that sweetly languish,<br /> +Fierce delights, that rise to anguish:<br /> +Fairest, dost thou yet delay?<br /> +Brightest beauty, come away!<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘List not, when the froward chide,</span><br /> +Sons of pedantry and pride;<br /> +Snarlers, to whose feeble sense<br /> +<span class="smcap">April</span> sun-shine is offence;<br /> +Age and envy will advise,<br /> +Ev’n against the joys they prize.<br /> +Come, in <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE’S</span> balmy bowl<br /> +Slake the thirstings of thy soul,<br /> +’Till thy raptur’d pow’rs are fainting<br /> +With enjoyment, past the painting:<br /> +Fairest, dost thou yet delay?<br /> +Brightest beauty, come away!’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So sung the <span class="smcaplc">SIRENS</span>, as of yore,</span><br /> +Upon the false <span class="smcaplc">AUSONIAN</span> shore;<br /> +And, O! for that preventing chain,<br /> +That bound <span class="smcaplc">ULYSSES</span> on the main,<br /> +That so our <span class="smcaplc">FAIR ONE</span> might withstand<br /> +The covert ruin now at hand.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">The song her charm’d attention drew,</span><br /> +When now the tempters stood in view;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span><span class="smcap">Curiosity</span> with prying eyes,<br /> +And hand of busy, bold emprize;<br /> +Like <span class="smcaplc">HERMES</span>, feather’d were her feet,<br /> +And like fore-running fancy fleet;<br /> +By search untaught, by toil untir’d,<br /> +To novelty she still aspir’d,<br /> +Tasteless of ev’ry good possess’d,<br /> +And but in expectation bless’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">With her, associate, <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span> came,</span><br /> +Gay <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span>, frolic-loving dame!<br /> +Her mien, all swimming in delight,<br /> +Her beauties, half reveal’d to sight;<br /> +Loose flow’d her garments from the ground<br /> +And caught the kissing winds around.<br /> +As erst <span class="smcaplc">MEDUSA’S</span> looks were known<br /> +To turn beholders into stone,<br /> +A dire reversion here they felt,<br /> +And in the eye of pleasure melt.<br /> +Her glance of sweet persuasion charm’d,<br /> +Unnerv’d the strong, the steel’d disarm’d;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>No safety, ev’n the flying find,<br /> +Who, vent’rous, looks not once behind.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thus was the much-admiring maid,</span><br /> +While distant, more than half betray’d.<br /> +With smiles, and adulation bland,<br /> +They join’d her side, and seiz’d her hand;<br /> +Their touch envenom’d sweets instill’d,<br /> +Her frame with new pulsations thrill’d,<br /> +While half consenting, half denying,<br /> +Reluctant now, and now complying,<br /> +Amidst a war of hopes and fears,<br /> +Of trembling wishes, smiling tears,<br /> +Still down, and down, the winning pair<br /> +Compell’d the struggling, yielding fair.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As when some stately vessel, bound</span><br /> +To blest <span class="smcaplc">ARABIA’S</span> distant ground,<br /> +Borne from her courses, haply lights<br /> +Where <span class="smcaplc">BARCA’S</span> flow’ry clime invites;<br /> +Conceal’d around whose treach’rous land,<br /> +Lurks the dire rock, and dang’rous sand;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span>The pilot warns, with sail and oar,<br /> +To shun the much-suspected shore<br /> +In vain: the tide too subtly strong,<br /> +Still bears the wrestling bark along,<br /> +Till found’ring, she resigns to fate,<br /> +And sinks, o’erwhelmn’d, with all her freight.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So baffling ev’ry bar to sin,</span><br /> +And heav’n’s own pilot plac’d within,<br /> +Along the devious smooth descent,<br /> +With pow’rs increasing as they went,<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">DAMES</span>, accustom’d to subdue,<br /> +As with a rapid current drew;<br /> +And o’er the fatal bounds convey’d<br /> +The lost, the long-reluctant maid.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Here stop, ye fair ones, and beware,</span><br /> +Nor send your fond affections there;<br /> +Yet, yet your darling, now deplor’d,<br /> +May turn, to you and <span class="smcaplc">HEAV’N</span> restor’d;<br /> +Till then, with weeping <span class="smcaplc">HONOUR</span>, wait<br /> +The servant of her better fate,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span>With <span class="smcaplc">HONOUR</span> left upon the shore,<br /> +Her friend and handmaid now no more;<br /> +Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid<br /> +The fortunes of a wretch betray’d;<br /> +But o’er her failing cast a veil,<br /> +Rememb’ring you, yourselves, are frail.<br /> +And now, from all-enquiring light,<br /> +Fast fled the conscious shades of night;<br /> +The damsel, from a short repose,<br /> +Confounded at her plight, arose.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">As when with slumb’rous weight opprest,</span><br /> +Some wealthy miser sinks to rest,<br /> +Where felons eye the glitt’ring prey,<br /> +And steal his hoard of joys away:<br /> +He, borne where golden <span class="smcaplc">INDUS</span> streams,<br /> +Of pearl and quarry’d di’mond dreams,<br /> +Like <span class="smcaplc">MIDAS</span>, turns the glebe to ore,<br /> +And stands all wrapt amidst his store;<br /> +But wakens, naked, and despoil’d<br /> +Of that for which his years had toil’d.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">So far’d the <span class="smcaplc">NYMPH</span>, her treasure flown,</span><br /> +And turn’d, like <span class="smcaplc">NIOBE</span>, to stone;<br /> +Within, without, obscure and void,<br /> +She felt all ravag’d, all destroy’d.<br /> +And, O! thou curs’d insidious coast,<br /> +Are these the blessings thou canst boast?<br /> +These, <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span>! these the joys they find,<br /> +Who leave thy heav’n-topt hills behind!<br /> +Shade me, ye pines, ye caverns hide,<br /> +Ye mountains cover me! she cry’d.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Her trumpet <span class="smcaplc">SLANDER</span> rais’d on high,</span><br /> +And told the tidings to the sky;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Contempt</span> discharg’d a living dart,<br /> +A side-long viper to her heart;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Reproach</span> breath’d poisons o’er her face,<br /> +And soil’d, and blasted ev’ry grace;<br /> +Officious <span class="smcaplc">SHAME</span>, her handmaid new,<br /> +Still turn’d the mirror to her view;<br /> +While those in crimes the deepest dy’d,<br /> +Approach’d to whiten at her side;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span>And ev’ry lewd insulting dame<br /> +Upon her folly rose to fame.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">What should she do; attempt once more</span><br /> +To gain the late-deserted shore?<br /> +So trusting, back the mourner flew,<br /> +As fast the train of fiends pursue.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Again the farther shore’s attain’d,</span><br /> +Again the land of <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span> gain’d;<br /> +But <span class="smcaplc">ECHO</span> gathers in the wind,<br /> +And shows her instant foes behind.<br /> +Amaz’d! with headlong speed she tends,<br /> +Where late she left an host of friends;<br /> +Alas! those shrinking friends decline,<br /> +Nor longer own that form divine;<br /> +With fear they mark the following cry,<br /> +And from the lonely trembler fly;<br /> +Or backward drive her on the coast<br /> +Where <span class="smcaplc">PEACE</span> was wreck’d, and <span class="smcaplc">HONOUR</span> lost.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">From earth thus hoping aid in vain;</span><br /> +To <span class="smcaplc">HEAV’N</span>, not daring to complain;<br /> +No truce, by hostile <span class="smcaplc">CLAMOUR</span> giv’n,<br /> +And from the face of <span class="smcaplc">FRIENDSHIP</span> driv’n;<br /> +The <span class="smcaplc">NYMPH</span> sunk prostrate on the ground,<br /> +With all her weight of woes around.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Enthron’d within a circling sky,</span><br /> +Upon a mount, o’er mountains high,<br /> +All radiant sat, as in a shrine,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Virtue</span>, first effluence divine;<br /> +Far, far above the scenes of woe,<br /> +That shut this cloud-wrapt world below:<br /> +Superior goddess! essence bright!<br /> +Beauty of uncreated light,<br /> +Whom should mortality survey,<br /> +As doom’d upon a certain day;<br /> +The breath of frailty must expire,<br /> +The world dissolve in living fire;<br /> +The gems of heav’n and solar flame,<br /> +Be quench’d by her eternal beam,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>And nature, quick’ning in her eye,<br /> +To raise a new-born phœnix, die.</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p> +<div class="figcenter"><img src="images/img06.jpg" alt="" /></div> +<p class="center"><i>Vanity</i></p> +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><i>Thus far extends my friendly pow’r,<br /> +Nor quits her in her latest hour;</i></td></tr> +<tr><td align="right"><i>Page 108.</i></td></tr></table> +<p class="center"><i>London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane.</i></p> +<p> </p> + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td><span style="margin-left: 1em;">Hence, unreveal’d to mortal view,</span><br /> +A veil around her form she threw,<br /> +Which three sad sisters of the shade,<br /> +<span class="smcaplc">PAIN</span>, <span class="smcaplc">CARE</span>, and <span class="smcaplc">MELANCHOLY</span>, made.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Thro’ this her all-inquiring eye,</span><br /> +Attentive from her station high,<br /> +Beheld, abandon’d to despair,<br /> +The ruins of her fav’rite fair;<br /> +And with a voice, whose awful sound<br /> +Appall’d the guilty world around,<br /> +Bid the tumultuous winds be still;<br /> +To numbers bow’d each list’ning hill;<br /> +Uncurl’d the surging of the main,<br /> +And smooth’d the thorny bed of pain;<br /> +The golden harp of heav’n she strung,<br /> +And thus the tuneful goddess sung:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span><br /> +“Lovely <span class="smcaplc">PENITENT</span>, arise,<br /> +Come, and claim thy kindred skies;<br /> +Come, thy sister angels say,<br /> +Thou hast wept thy stains away.<br /> +<br /> +“Let experience now decide,<br /> +’Twixt the good and evil, try’d,<br /> +In the smooth enchanted ground,<br /> +Say, unfold the treasures found.<br /> +<br /> +“Structures, rais’d by morning dreams,<br /> +Sands that trip the flitting streams,<br /> +Down that anchors on the air,<br /> +Clouds that paint their changes there.<br /> +<br /> +“Seas that smoothly dimpling lie,<br /> +While the storm impends on high,<br /> +Showing in an obvious glass,<br /> +Joys that in possession pass.<br /> +<br /> +“Transient, fickle, light, and gay,<br /> +Flatt’ring, only to betray;<br /> +What, alas! can life contain?<br /> +Life, like all its circles, vain.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span><br /> +“Will the <span class="smcaplc">STORK</span>, intending rest,<br /> +On the billow build her nest?<br /> +Will the <span class="smcaplc">BEE</span> demand his store<br /> +From the bleak and bladeless shore!<br /> +<br /> +“<span class="smcap">Man</span> alone, intent to stray,<br /> +Ever turns from <span class="smcaplc">WISDOM’S</span> way;<br /> +Lays up wealth in foreign land,<br /> +Sows the sea, and plows the sand.<br /> +<br /> +“Soon this elemental mass,<br /> +Soon th’ encumb’ring world shall pass;<br /> +Form be wrapt in wasting fire,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Time</span> be spent, and <span class="smcaplc">LIFE</span> expire.<br /> +<br /> +“Then, ye boasted works of men!<br /> +Where is your asylum then?<br /> +Sons of <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span>, sons of <span class="smcaplc">CARE</span>,<br /> +Tell me, mortals, tell me where?<br /> +<br /> +“Gone, like traces on the deep,<br /> +Like a sceptre grasp’d in sleep;<br /> +Dews exhal’d from morning glades,<br /> +Melting snows, and gliding shades.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span><br /> +“Pass the world, and what’s behind?<br /> +Virtue’s gold, by fire refin’d;<br /> +From an universe deprav’d,<br /> +From the wreck of nature sav’d.<br /> +<br /> +“Like the life-supporting grain,<br /> +Fruit of patience and of pain,<br /> +On the swain’s autumnal day,<br /> +Winnow’d from the chaff away.<br /> +<br /> +“Little <span class="smcaplc">TREMBLER</span>, fear no more,<br /> +Thou hast plenteous crops in store;<br /> +Seeds, by genial sorrows sown,<br /> +More than all thy scorners own.<br /> +<br /> +“What, tho’ hostile earth despise,<br /> +Heaven beholds with gentler eyes;<br /> +Heav’n thy friendless steps shall guide,<br /> +Cheer thy hours, and guard thy side.<br /> +<br /> +“When the fatal trump shall sound,<br /> +When th’ immortals pour around,<br /> +Heav’n shall thy return attest,<br /> +Hail’d by myriads of the bless’d.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span><br /> +“Little native of the skies,<br /> +Lovely <span class="smcaplc">PENITENT</span>, arise,<br /> +Calm thy bosom, clear thy brow,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Virtue</span> is thy sister now.<br /> +<br /> +“More delightful are my woes<br /> +Than the rapture <span class="smcaplc">PLEASURE</span> knows;<br /> +Richer far the weeds I bring<br /> +Than the robes that grace a king.<br /> +<br /> +“On my wars of shortest date,<br /> +Crowns of endless triumph wait;<br /> +On my cares a period bless’d,<br /> +On my toils, eternal rest.<br /> +<br /> +“Come, with <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span> at thy side,<br /> +Come, be ev’ry bar defy’d,<br /> +Till we gain our native shore;<br /> +Sister, come, and turn no more.”</td></tr></table> + + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<hr style="width: 50%;" /> +<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="FABLE_XVI" id="FABLE_XVI"></a>FABLE XVI.</h2> +<p class="title">LOVE AND VANITY.</p> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" summary="table"> +<tr><td>The breezy morning breath’d perfume,<br /> +The wak’ning flow’rs unveil’d their bloom;<br /> +Up with the sun, from short repose,<br /> +Gay <span class="smcaplc">HEALTH</span>, and lusty <span class="smcaplc">LABOUR</span>, rose;<br /> +The milk-maid carol’d at her pail,<br /> +And shepherds whistled o’er the dale;<br /> +When <span class="smcaplc">LOVE</span>, who led a rural life,<br /> +Remote from bustle, state, and strife,<br /> +Forth from his thatch-roof’d cottage stray’d,<br /> +And stroll’d along the dewy glade.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">A nymph, who lightly tripp’d it by,</span><br /> +To quick attention turn’d his eye;<br /> +He mark’d the gesture of the fair,<br /> +Her self-sufficient grace and air;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>Her steps that mincing meant to please,<br /> +Her study’d negligence and ease;<br /> +And curious to inquire what meant<br /> +This thing of prettiness and paint,<br /> +Approaching spoke, and bow’d observant:<br /> +The lady, slightly—“Sir, your servant.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Such beauty in so rude a place!</span><br /> +Fair one, you do the country grace;<br /> +At court, no doubt, the public care,<br /> +But <span class="smcaplc">LOVE</span> has small acquaintance there.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Yes, sir,” reply’d the flutt’ring dame,</span><br /> +“This form confesses whence it came;<br /> +But dear <span class="smcaplc">VARIETY</span>, you know,<br /> +Can make us pride and pomp forego;<br /> +My name is <span class="smcaplc">VANITY</span>: I sway<br /> +The utmost islands of the sea;<br /> +Within my court all honour centers,<br /> +I raise the meanest soul that enters,<br /> +Endow with latent gifts and graces,<br /> +And model fools for posts and places.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“As <span class="smcaplc">VANITY</span> appoints at pleasure,</span><br /> +The world receives its weight and measure;<br /> +Hence all the grand concerns of life,<br /> +Joys, cares, plagues, passion, peace, and strife.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Reflect how far my pow’r prevails,</span><br /> +When I step in where <span class="smcaplc">NATURE</span> fails:<br /> +And ev’ry breach of sense repairing,<br /> +Am bounteous still, where heav’n is sparing.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“But chief, in all their arts and airs,</span><br /> +Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray’rs,<br /> +Their various habits and complexions,<br /> +Fits, frolics, foibles, and perfections,<br /> +Their robing, curling, and adorning,<br /> +From noon to night, from night to morning,<br /> +From six to sixty, sick or sound,<br /> +I rule the female world around.”—<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Hold there a moment,’ <span class="smcaplc">CUPID</span> cry’d,</span><br /> +‘Nor boast dominion quite so wide;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>Was there no province to invade,<br /> +But that by love and meekness sway’d;<br /> +All other empire I resign,<br /> +But be the sphere of beauty mine.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘For in the downy lawn of rest,</span><br /> +That opens on a woman’s breast,<br /> +Attended by my peaceful train,<br /> +I choose to live, and choose to reign.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Far-sighted <span class="smcaplc">FAITH</span> I bring along,</span><br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">TRUTH</span>, above an army strong,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">CHASTITY</span>, of icy mould,<br /> +Within the burning tropics cold;<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">LOWLINESS</span>, to whose mild brow<br /> +The pow’r and pride of nations bow;<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">MODESTY</span>, with down-cast eye,<br /> +That lends the morn her virgin dye;<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">INNOCENCE</span>, array’d in light,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">HONOUR</span>, as a tow’r upright;<br /> +With sweetly winning graces, more<br /> +Than poets ever dreamt of yore;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>In unaffected conduct free,<br /> +All smiling sisters, three times three;<br /> +And rosy <span class="smcaplc">PEACE</span>, the cherub bless’d,<br /> +That nightly sings us all to rest.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Hence, from the bud of <span class="smcaplc">NATURE’S</span> prime,</span><br /> +From the first step of infant time,<br /> +Woman, the world’s appointed light,<br /> +Has skirted ev’ry shade with white;<br /> +Has stood for imitation high,<br /> +To ev’ry heart, and ev’ry eye;<br /> +From ancient deeds of fair renown,<br /> +Has brought her bright memorials down;<br /> +To time affix’d perpetual youth,<br /> +And form’d each tale of love and truth.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Upon a new <span class="smcaplc">PROMETHEAN</span> plan,</span><br /> +She moulds the essence of a man,<br /> +Tempers his mass, his genius fires,<br /> +And as a better soul inspires.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘The rude she softens, warms the cold,</span><br /> +Exalts the meek, and checks the bold;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span>Calls <span class="smcaplc">SLOTH</span> from his supine repose,<br /> +Within the coward’s bosom glows;<br /> +Of pride unplumes the lofty crest,<br /> +Bids bashful merit stand confess’d;<br /> +And like coarse metal from the mines,<br /> +Collects, irradiates, and refines;<br /> +The gentle science she imparts,<br /> +All manners smooths, informs all hearts;<br /> +From her sweet influence are felt,<br /> +Passions that please, and thoughts that melt.<br /> +To stormy rage she bids controul,<br /> +And sinks serenely on the soul;<br /> +Softens <span class="smcaplc">DUCALION’S</span> flinty race,<br /> +And tunes the warring world to peace.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Thus arm’d to all that’s light and vain,</span><br /> +And freed from thy fantastic chain,<br /> +She fills the sphere, by heav’n assign’d,<br /> +And, rul’d by me, o’er-rules mankind.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">He spoke.—The nymph impatient stood,</span><br /> +And, laughing, thus her speech renew’d:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“And pray, sir, may I be so bold,</span><br /> +To hope your pretty tale is told;<br /> +And next demand without a cavil,<br /> +What new <span class="smcaplc">UTOPIA</span> do you travel?<br /> +Upon my word, these high-flown fancies<br /> +Shew depth of learning in romances.<br /> +Why, what unfashion’d stuff you tell us,<br /> +Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows!<br /> +Go, child, and when you’re grown maturer,<br /> +You’ll shoot your next opinion surer.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“O, such a pretty knack at painting,</span><br /> +And all for soft’ning, and for sainting!<br /> +Guess now, who can, a single feature,<br /> +Thro’ the whole piece of female nature:<br /> +Then, mark! my looser hand may fit<br /> +The lines too coarse for love to hit.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“’Tis said, that woman prone to changing,</span><br /> +Thro’ all the rounds of folly ranging,<br /> +On life’s uncertain ocean riding,<br /> +No reason, rule, nor rudder guiding,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span>Is like the comet’s wand’ring light,<br /> +Eccentric, ominous, and bright;<br /> +Tractless and shifting as the wind,<br /> +A sea whose fathom none can find;<br /> +A moon, still changing and revolving,<br /> +A riddle, past all human solving;<br /> +A bliss, a plague, a heav’n, a hell,<br /> +A——something, that no man can tell.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Now learn a secret from a friend,</span><br /> +But keep your counsel and attend:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Tho’ in their tempers thought so distant,</span><br /> +Nor with their sex, nor selves consistent,<br /> +’Tis but the diff’rence of a name,<br /> +And ev’ry woman is the same.<br /> +For as the world, however vary’d,<br /> +And thro’ unnumber’d changes carry’d,<br /> +Of elemental modes and forms,<br /> +Clouds, meteors, colours, calms, and storms;<br /> +Tho’ in a thousand suits array’d,<br /> +Is of one subject matter made;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span>So, sir, a woman’s constitution,<br /> +The world’s enigma, finds solution.<br /> +And let her form be what you will,<br /> +I am the subject essence still.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“With the first spark of female sense,</span><br /> +The speck of being, I commence;<br /> +Within the womb make fresh advances,<br /> +And dictate future qualms and fancies;<br /> +Thence in the growing form expand,<br /> +With childhood travel hand in hand,<br /> +And give a taste of all their joys,<br /> +In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and noise.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“And now, familiar and unaw’d,</span><br /> +I send the flutt’ring soul abroad;<br /> +Prais’d for her shape, her air, her mien,<br /> +The little goddess, and the queen,<br /> +Takes at her infant shrine oblation,<br /> +And drinks sweet draughts of adulation.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Now, blooming, tall, erect, and fair,</span><br /> +To dress becomes her darling care;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>The realms of beauty then I bound,<br /> +I swell the hoop’s enchanted round;<br /> +Shrink in the waist’s descending size,<br /> +Heav’d in the snowy bosom rise,<br /> +High on the floating lappet sail,<br /> +Or curl’d in tresses kiss the gale.<br /> +Then to her glass I lead the fair,<br /> +And shew the lovely idol there,<br /> +Where, struck as by divine emotion,<br /> +She bows with most sincere devotion;<br /> +And numb’ring ev’ry beauty o’er,<br /> +In secret bids the world adore.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Then all for parking and parading,</span><br /> +Coqueting, dancing, masquerading;<br /> +For balls, plays, courts, and crowds, what passion!<br /> +And churches, sometimes, if the fashion:<br /> +For woman’s sense of right and wrong<br /> +Is rul’d by the almighty throng;<br /> +Still turns to each meander tame,<br /> +And swims the straw of ev’ry stream.<br /> +Her soul intrinsic worth rejects,<br /> +Accomplish’d only in defects,<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>Such excellence is her ambition,<br /> +Folly her wisest acquisition;<br /> +And ev’n from pity and disdain,<br /> +She’ll cull some reason to be vain.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Thus, sir, from ev’ry form and feature,</span><br /> +The wealth and wants of female nature,<br /> +And ev’n from vice, which you’d admire,<br /> +I gather fuel to my fire,<br /> +And on the very base of shame,<br /> +Erect my monument of fame.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Let me another truth attempt,</span><br /> +Of which your godship has not dreamt:<br /> +Those shining virtues which you muster,<br /> +Whence think you they derive their lustre?<br /> +From native honour and devotion!<br /> +O yes! a mighty likely notion!<br /> +Trust me, from titled dames to spinners,<br /> +’Tis I make saints, whoe’er make sinners;<br /> +’Tis I instruct them to withdraw,<br /> +And hold presumptuous man in awe;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>For female worth as I inspire,<br /> +In just degrees, still mounts the higher,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span> so extremely nice,<br /> +Demands long toil and mighty price;<br /> +Like <span class="smcaplc">SAMPSON’S</span> pillars, fix’d elate,<br /> +I bear the sex’s tott’ring state;<br /> +Sap these, and in a moment’s space,<br /> +Down sinks the fabric to its base.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Alike from titles, and from toys,</span><br /> +I spring, the fount of female joys;<br /> +In ev’ry widow, wife, and miss,<br /> +The sole artificer of bliss.<br /> +For them each tropic I explore;<br /> +I cleave the sand of ev’ry shore;<br /> +To them uniting <span class="smcaplc">INDIA’S</span> sail,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Sabæa</span> breathes her farthest gale;<br /> +For them the bullion I refine,<br /> +Dig sense and virtue from the mine;<br /> +And from the bowels of invention,<br /> +Spin out the various arts you mention.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Nor bliss alone my pow’rs bestow,</span><br /> +They hold the sov’reign balm of woe;<br /> +Beyond the stoic’s boasted art,<br /> +I soothe the heavings of the heart;<br /> +To pain give splendor, and relief,<br /> +And gild the pallid face of grief.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Alike the palace and the plain,</span><br /> +Admit the glories of my reign;<br /> +Thro’ ev’ry age, in ev’ry nation,<br /> +Taste, talents, tempers, state, and station,<br /> +Whate’er a woman says, I say;<br /> +Whate’er a woman spends, I pay;<br /> +Alike I fill and empty bags,<br /> +Flutter in finery and rags;<br /> +With light coquets thro’ folly range,<br /> +And with the prude disdain to change.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“And now, you’d think, ’twixt you and I,</span><br /> +That things were ripe for a reply—<br /> +But soft—and while I’m in the mood,<br /> +Kindly permit me to conclude;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span>Their utmost mazes to unravel,<br /> +And touch the farthest step they travel:<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“When ev’ry pleasure’s run a-ground,</span><br /> +And folly tir’d thro’ many a round;<br /> +The nymph, conceiving discontent hence,<br /> +May ripen to an hour’s repentance,<br /> +And vapours shed in pious moisture,<br /> +Dismiss her to a church or cloister;<br /> +Then on I lead her, with devotion<br /> +Conspicuous in her dress and motion;<br /> +Inspire the heav’nly-breathing air,<br /> +Roll up the lucid eye in pray’r,<br /> +Soften the voice, and in the face<br /> +Look melting harmony and grace.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Thus far extends my friendly pow’r,</span><br /> +Nor quits her in her latest hour;<br /> +The couch of decent pain I spread,<br /> +In form recline her languid head;<br /> +Her thoughts I methodize in death,<br /> +And part not with her parting breath;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>Then do I set, in order bright,<br /> +A length of fun’ral pomp to sight;<br /> +The glitt’ring tapers, and attire,<br /> +The plumes that whiten o’er her bier;<br /> +And last, presenting to her eye<br /> +Angelic fineries on high,<br /> +To scenes of painted bliss I waft her,<br /> +And form the heav’n she hopes hereafter.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘In truth,’ rejoin’d <span class="smcaplc">LOVE’S</span> gentle god,</span><br /> +‘You’ve gone a tedious length of road;<br /> +And, strange! in all the toilsome way<br /> +No house of kind refreshment lay;<br /> +No nymph, whose virtues might have tempted<br /> +To hold her from her sex exempted.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“For one, we’ll never quarrel, man,</span><br /> +Take her, and keep her, if you can;<br /> +And pleas’d I yield to your petition,<br /> +Since every fair, by such permission,<br /> +Will hold herself the one selected,<br /> +And so my system stands protected.”<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘O deaf to <span class="smcaplc">VIRTUE</span>, deaf to <span class="smcaplc">GLORY</span>,</span><br /> +To truths divinely vouch’d in story!’<br /> +The godhead, in his zeal return’d,<br /> +And kindling at her malice burn’d.<br /> +Then sweetly rais’d his voice, and told<br /> +Of heav’nly nymphs, rever’d of old;<br /> +<span class="smcap">Hypsipyle</span>, who sav’d her sire;<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">PORTIA’S</span> love, approv’d by fire;<br /> +Alike <span class="smcaplc">PENELOPE</span> was quoted,<br /> +Nor laurel’d <span class="smcaplc">DAPHNE</span> pass’d unnoted,<br /> +Nor <span class="smcaplc">LAODAMIA’S</span> fatal garter,<br /> +Nor fam’d <span class="smcaplc">LUCRETIA</span>, honour’s martyr,<br /> +<span class="smcap">Alceste’s</span> voluntary steel,<br /> +And <span class="smcaplc">CATHERINE</span> smiling on the wheel.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But who can hope to plant conviction,</span><br /> +Where cavil grows on contradiction!<br /> +Some she evades, or disavows,<br /> +Demurs to all, and none allows;<br /> +A kind of ancient things, call’d fables!<br /> +And thus the goddess turn’d the tables.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Now both in argument grew high,</span><br /> +And choler flash’d from either eye;<br /> +Nor wonder each refus’d to yield<br /> +The conquest of so fair a field.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When happily arriv’d in view</span><br /> +A goddess, whom our grandames knew,<br /> +Of aspect grave, and sober gait,<br /> +Majestic, awful, and sedate,<br /> +As heav’n’s autumnal eve serene,<br /> +Where not a cloud o’ercasts the scene,<br /> +Once <span class="smcaplc">PRUDENCE</span> call’d, a matron fam’d,<br /> +And in old <span class="smcaplc">ROME CORNELIA</span> nam’d.<br /> +Quick, at a venture, both agree<br /> +To leave their strife to her decree.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">And now by each the facts were stated,</span><br /> +In form and manner as related;<br /> +The case was short—They crav’d opinion,<br /> +Which held o’er females chief dominion?<br /> +When thus the goddess, answering mild,<br /> +First shook her gracious head, and smil’d:<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">“Alas! how willing to comply,</span><br /> +Yet how unfit a judge am I!<br /> +In times of golden date, ’tis true,<br /> +I shar’d the fickle sex with you;<br /> +But from their presence long precluded,<br /> +Or held as one whose form intruded,<br /> +Full fifty annual suns can tell,<br /> +Prudence has bid the sex farewell.”<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">In this dilemma, what to do,</span><br /> +Or who to think of, neither knew;<br /> +For both, still bias’d in opinion,<br /> +And arrogant of sole dominion,<br /> +Were forc’d to hold the case compounded,<br /> +Or leave the quarrel where they found it.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">When in the nick, a rural fair,</span><br /> +Of inexperienc’d gait and air,<br /> +Who ne’er had cross’d the neighb’ring lake,<br /> +Nor seen the world beyond a wake;<br /> +With cambric coif, and kerchief clean,<br /> +Trip’d lightly by them o’er the green.<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">‘Now, now!’ cry’d <span class="smcaplc">LOVE’S</span> triumphant child,</span><br /> +And at approaching conquest smil’d;<br /> +‘If <span class="smcaplc">VANITY</span> will once be guided,<br /> +Our diff’rence soon may be decided:<br /> +Behold you wench, a fit occasion,<br /> +To try your force of gay persuasion.—<br /> +Go you, while I retire aloof,<br /> +Go, put those boasted pow’rs to proof;<br /> +And if your prevalence of art<br /> +Transcends my yet unerring dart,<br /> +I give the fav’rite contest o’er,<br /> +And ne’er will boast my empire more.’<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">At once, so said and so consented,</span><br /> +And well our goddess seem’d contented,<br /> +Nor pausing, made a moment’s stand,<br /> +But tript, and took the girl in hand.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">Meanwhile the <span class="smcaplc">GODHEAD</span>, unalarm’d,</span><br /> +As one to each occasion arm’d,<br /> +Forth from his quiver cull’d a dart,<br /> +That erst had wounded many a heart;<br /> +<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>Then bending, drew it to the head,<br /> +The bowstring twang’d, the arrow fled,<br /> +And to her secret soul address’d,<br /> +Transfix’d the whiteness of her breast.<br /> +<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 1em;">But here the <span class="smcaplc">DAME</span>, whose guardian care</span><br /> +Had to a moment watch’d the fair,<br /> +At once her pocket mirror drew,<br /> +And held the wonder full in view;<br /> +As quickly, rang’d in order bright,<br /> +A thousand beauties rush’d to sight,<br /> +A world of charms, till now unknown,<br /> +A world revealed to her alone;<br /> +Enraptur’d stands the love-sick maid,<br /> +Suspended o’er the darling shade;<br /> +Here only fixes to admire,<br /> +And centres every fond desire.</td></tr></table> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>FINIS.</i></p> + + +<p> </p><p> </p> +<p class="center">Printed by C. 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All the personages, whether divinities or +heroes, that swell the pages of ancient poetry and mythology, are here +described in a very ample and correct manner. To boys who are studying the +Latin and Greek authors, these volumes will be a most acceptable present.”</p> + +<p class="right"><i>Critical Review, July 1804.</i></p> + +<p class="hang">⁂ <i>A few Copies are printed on a fine large yellow wove Paper, +hot-pressed, with Proof Impressions of the Plates. Price One Guinea in +Boards.</i></p> + +<p> </p> +<p class="center"><i>In a neat Pocket Volume, Price 5s. bound</i>,</p> + +<p class="title">A NEW BIOGRAPHICAL DICTIONARY;</p> + +<p>Containing a brief Account of the Lives and Writings of the most eminent +Persons and remarkable Characters in every Age and Nation. A New Edition, +brought down to the present time. 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You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license + + +Title: Moores Fables for the Female Sex + +Author: Edward Moore + +Illustrator: Henry Brooke + +Release Date: April 22, 2012 [EBook #39499] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MOORES FABLES FOR THE FEMALE SEX *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness and the Online Distributed +Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was +produced from images generously made available by The +Internet Archive.) + + + + + + + + + + Moores Fables + for + _The Female Sex_ + Embellished with Engravings + + + [Illustration: "_Ye wretches, hence the Eagle cries,_ + _Page 5._] + + London, + + _Printed for Scatchard & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane; + Longman, Hurst, Rees & Orme, + and H.D. Symonds, Paternoster Row. + 1806._ + + (Printed by C. Whittingham) + + + + +FABLES FOR _THE FEMALE SEX_. + + + + +FABLE I. + +THE EAGLE AND THE ASSEMBLY OF BIRDS. + +To her Royal Highness the Princess of Wales. + + + The moral lay, to beauty due, + I write, FAIR EXCELLENCE, to you; + Well pleas'd to hope my vacant hours + Have been employ'd to sweeten your's. + Truth under fiction I impart, + To weed out folly from the heart, + And shew the paths that lead astray + The wand'ring nymph from wisdom's way. + + I flatter none. The great and good + Are by their actions understood; + Your monument if actions raise, + Shall I deface by idle praise? + I echo not the voice of Fame; + That dwells delighted on your name: + Her friendly tale, however true, + Were flatt'ry, if I told it you. + + The proud, the envious, and the vain, + The jilt, the prude, demand my strain; + To these, detesting praise, I write, + And vent in charity my spite: + With friendly hand I hold the glass + To all, promiscuous, as they pass: + Should folly there her likeness view, + I fret not that the mirror's true; + If the fantastic form offend, + I made it not, but would amend. + + +[Illustration: + + _With friendly hand I hold the glass + To all promiscuous, as they pass;_ + +_Page 2._ + +_London: Published May 1st 1799 by T. Heptinstall. No. 304 High Holborn._] + + + Virtue, in ev'ry clime and age, + Spurns at the folly-soothing page; + While satire, that offends the ear + Of vice and passion, pleases her. + + Premising this, your anger spare; + And claim the fable you who dare. + + The BIRDS in place, by faction press'd, + To JUPITER their pray'rs address'd; + By specious lies the state was vex'd, + Their counsels libellers perplex'd; + They begg'd (to stop seditious tongues) + A gracious hearing of their wrongs. + JOVE grants their suit. The EAGLE sate, + Decider of the grand debate. + + The PYE, to trust and pow'r preferr'd, + Demands permission to be heard. + Says he, 'Prolixity of phrase + You know I hate. This libel says, + "Some birds there are, who, prone to noise, + Are hir'd to silence WISDOM'S voice; + And, skill'd to chatter out the hour, + Rise by their emptiness to pow'r." + That this is aim'd direct at me, + No doubt, you'll readily agree: + Yet well this sage assembly knows, + By parts to government I rose; + My prudent counsels prop the state; + MAGPIES were never known to prate.' + + The KITE rose up. His honest heart + In VIRTUE'S suff'rings bore a part. + That there were birds of prey he knew; + So far the libeller said true, + "Voracious, bold, to rapine prone, + Who knew no int'rest but their own; + Who, hov'ring o'er the farmer's yard, + Nor pigeon, chick, nor duckling spar'd." + This might be true--but if apply'd + To him, in troth, the sland'rer ly'd. + Since IGN'RANCE then might be misled, + Such things, he thought, were best unsaid. + + The CROW was vext. As yester-morn + He flew across the new-sown corn, + A screaming boy was set for pay, + He knew, to drive the CROWS away: + SCANDAL had found him out in turn, + And buzz'd abroad--that CROWS love corn. + + The OWL arose, with solemn face, + And thus harangu'd upon the case: + 'That MAGPIES prate, it may be true; + A KITE may be voracious too; + CROWS sometimes deal in new-sown pease; + He libels not, who strikes at these; + The slander's here--"But there are birds, + Whose wisdom lies in looks, not words; + Blund'rers who level in the dark, + And always shoot beside the mark." + He names not me; but these are hints + Which manifest at whom he squints; + I were indeed that blund'ring fowl, + To question if he meant an OWL.' + "Ye wretches, hence!" the EAGLE cries, + "'Tis conscience, conscience that applies; + The virtuous mind takes no alarm, + Secur'd by innocence from harm; + While GUILT, and his associate, FEAR, + Are startled at the passing air." + + + + +FABLE II. + +THE PANTHER, HORSE, AND OTHER BEASTS. + + + The man who seeks to win the fair, + (So custom says) must truth forbear; + Must fawn and flatter, cringe and lie, + And raise the goddess to the sky; + For truth is hateful to her ear, + A rudeness which she cannot bear-- + A rudeness?--Yes,--I speak my thoughts, + For truth upbraids her with her faults. + + How wretched, CHLOE, then am I, + Who love you, and yet cannot lie; + And still, to make you less my friend, + I strive your errors to amend! + But shall the senseless fop impart + The softest passion to your heart, + While he who tells you honest truth, + And points to happiness your youth, + Determines, by his cares, his lot, + And lives neglected and forgot? + + Trust me, my dear, with greater ease, + Your taste for flatt'ry I could please. + And similes in each dull line, + Like glow-worms in the dark, should shine. + What if I say your lips disclose + The freshness of the op'ning rose? + Or that your cheeks are beds of flow'rs, + Enripen'd by refreshing show'rs? + Yet certain as these flow'rs shall fade, + Time ev'ry beauty will invade. + The BUTTERFLY of various hue, + More than the flow'r, resembles you: + Fair, flutt'ring, fickle, busy thing, + To pleasure ever on the wing, + Gayly coquetting for an hour, + To die, and ne'er be thought of more. + + Would you the bloom of youth should last? + 'Tis virtue that must bind it fast; + An easy carriage, wholly free + From sour reserve, or levity; + Good-natur'd mirth, an open heart, + And looks unskill'd in any art; + Humility, enough to own + The frailties which a friend makes known; + And decent pride, enough to know + The worth that virtue can bestow. + + These are the charms which ne'er decay, + Tho' youth and beauty fade away; + And time, which all things else removes, + Still heightens virtue and improves. + + You'll frown, and ask to what intent + This blunt address to you is sent; + I'll spare the question, and confess + I'd praise you, if I lov'd you less; + But rail, be angry, or complain, + I will be rude, while you are vain. + + Beneath a LION'S peaceful reign, + When beasts met friendly on the plain, + A PANTHER, of majestic port, + (The vainest female of the court) + With spotted skin, and eyes of fire, + Fill'd ev'ry bosom with desire; + Where'er she mov'd, a servile crowd + Of fawning creatures cring'd and bow'd; + Assemblies ev'ry week she held, + (Like modern belles) with coxcombs fill'd, + Where noise and nonsense, and grimace, + And lies and scandal, fill'd the place. + + Behold the gay, fantastic thing, + Encircled by the spacious ring; + Low-bowing, with important look, + As first in rank, the MONKEY spoke: + + "Gad take me, madam! but I swear + No angel ever look'd so fair---- + Forgive my rudeness, but, I vow, + You were not quite divine till now; + Those limbs! that shape! and then those eyes, + O close them, or the gazer dies!" + + 'Nay, gentle PUG, for goodness hush, + I vow and swear you make me blush; + I shall be angry at this rate---- + 'Tis so like flatt'ry, which I hate.' + + The FOX, in deeper cunning vers'd, + The beauties of her mind rehears'd, + And talk'd of knowledge, taste, and sense, + To which the fair have most pretence; + Yet well he knew them always vain + Of what they strive not to attain, + And play'd so cunningly his part, + That PUG was rival'd in his art. + + The GOAT avow'd his am'rous flame, + And burnt--for what he durst not name; + Yet hop'd a meeting in the wood + Might make his meaning understood. + Half angry at the bold address, + She frown'd; but yet she must confess, + Such beauties might inflame his blood; + But still his phrase was somewhat rude. + + The HOG her neatness much admir'd; + The formal ASS her swiftness fir'd; + While all to feed her folly strove, + And by their praises shar'd her love. + + The HORSE, whose gen'rous heart disdain'd + Applause by servile flatt'ry gain'd, + With graceful courage silence broke, + And thus with indignation spoke: + + +[Illustration: + + _From public view her charms will screen + And rarely in the crowd be seen_ + +_Page 12._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + "When flatt'ring MONKEYS fawn and prate, + They justly raise contempt, or hate; + For merit's turn'd to ridicule, + Applauded by the grinning fool. + The artful FOX your wit commends, + To lure you to his selfish ends; + From the vile flatt'rer turn away, + For knaves make friendship to betray. + Dismiss the train of fops and fools, + And learn to live by wisdom's rules. + Such beauties might the LION warm, + Did not your folly break the charm; + For who would court that lovely shape, + To be the rival of an APE?" + He said; and snorting in disdain, + Spurn'd at the crowd, and sought the plain. + + + + +FABLE III. + +THE NIGHTINGALE AND GLOW-WORM. + + + The prudent nymph, whose cheeks disclose + The lily and the blushing rose, + From public view her charms will skreen, + And rarely in the crowd be seen: + This simple truth shall keep her wise, + "The fairest fruits attract the flies." + + One night a GLOW-WORM, proud and vain, + Contemplating her glitt'ring train, + Cry'd sure there never was in nature, + So elegant, so fine a creature; + All other insects that I see, + The frugal ANT, industrious BEE, + Or SILK-WORM, with contempt I view; + With all that low, mechanic crew, + Who servilely their lives employ + In business, enemy to joy. + Mean, vulgar herd! ye are my scorn, + For grandeur only I was born; + Or sure am sprung from race divine, + And plac'd on earth to live and shine. + Those lights, that sparkle so on high, + Are but the GLOW-WORMS of the sky; + And kings on earth their gems admire, + Because they imitate my fire. + + She spoke. Attentive on a spray, + A NIGHTINGALE forbore his lay; + He saw the shining morsel near, + And flew, directed by the glare; + Awhile he gaz'd with sober look, + And thus the trembling prey bespoke: + + Deluded fool, with pride elate, + Know, 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate; + Less dazzling, long thou might'st have lain, + Unheeded on the velvet plain; + Pride, soon or late, degraded mourns, + And beauty wrecks whom she adorns. + + + + +FABLE IV. + +HYMEN AND DEATH. + + + Sixteen, d'ye say? Nay, then 'tis time; + Another year destroys your prime. + But stay--The settlement? "That's made?" + Why then's my simple girl afraid? + Yet hold a moment, if you can, + And heedfully the fable scan. + + The shades were fled, the morning blush'd, + The winds were in their caverns hush'd, + When HYMEN, pensive and sedate, + Held o'er the fields his musing gait, + Behind him, thro' the green-wood shade, + DEATH'S meagre form the GOD survey'd, + Who quickly with gigantic stride, + Out-went his pace, and join'd his side. + The chat on various subjects ran, + Till angry HYMEN thus began: + + "Relentless DEATH, whose iron sway + Mortals reluctant must obey, + Still of thy pow'r shall I complain, + And thy too partial hand arraign? + When CUPID brings a pair of hearts, + All over struck with equal darts, + Thy cruel shafts my hopes deride, + And cut the knot that HYMEN ty'd. + + "Shall not the bloody, and the bold, + The miser, hoarding up his gold, + The harlot, reeking from the stew, + Alone thy fell revenge pursue? + But must the gentle, and the kind, + Thy fury, undistinguish'd find?" + + The monarch calmly thus reply'd: + 'Weigh well the cause, and then decide. + That friend of your's, you lately nam'd, + CUPID, alone, is to be blam'd; + Then let the charge be justly laid; + That idle boy neglects his trade, + And hardly once in twenty years + A couple to your temple bears. + The wretches, whom your office blends, + SILENUS now, or PLUTUS sends; + Hence care, and bitterness, and strife, + Are common to the nuptial life. + + 'Believe me; more than all mankind, + Your vot'ries my compassion find. + Yet cruel am I call'd, and base, + Who seek the wretched to release; + The captive from his bonds to free, + Indissoluble, but for me. + + ''Tis I entice him to the yoke; + By me your crowded altars smoke; + For mortals boldly dare the noose, + Secure, that DEATH will set them loose.' + + + + +FABLE V. + +THE POET AND HIS PATRON. + + + Why, CELIA, is your spreading waist + So loose, so negligently lac'd? + Why must the wrapping bed-gown hide + Your snowy bosom's swelling pride? + How ill that dress adorns your head, + Disdain'd and rumpled from the bed! + Those clouds, that shade your blooming face, + A little water might displace, + As NATURE every morn bestows + The crystal dew to cleanse the rose. + Those tresses, as the raven black, + That wav'd in ringlets down your back, + Uncomb'd, and injur'd by neglect, + Destroy the face which once they deck'd. + + Whence this forgetfulness of dress! + Pray, madam, are you married? Yes. + Nay! then indeed the wonder ceases, + No matter now how loose your dress is; + The end is won, your fortune's made, + Your sister now may take the trade. + + Alas! what pity 'tis to find + This fault in half the female kind! + From hence proceed aversion, strife, + And all that sours the wedded life. + BEAUTY can only point the dart, + 'Tis NEATNESS guides it to the heart; + Let NEATNESS then, and BEAUTY strive + To keep a wav'ring flame alive. + + 'Tis harder far (you'll find it true) + To keep the conquest than subdue; + Admit us once behind the screen, + What is there farther to be seen? + A newer face may raise the flame, + But ev'ry woman is the same. + + Then study chiefly to improve + The charm that fix'd your husband's love; + Weigh well his humour. Was it dress + That gave your beauty pow'r to bless? + Pursue it still; be neater seen, + 'Tis always frugal to be clean; + So shall you keep alive desire, + And TIME'S swift wing shall fan the fire. + + In garret high (as stories say) + A POET sung his tuneful lay; + So soft, so smooth his verse, you'd swear + APOLLO and the MUSES there; + Through all the town his praises rung, + His sonnets at the playhouse sung; + High waving o'er his lab'ring head, + The goddess WANT her pinions spread, + And with poetic fury fir'd, + What PHOEBUS faintly had inspir'd. + + A noble youth, of taste and wit, + Approv'd the sprightly things he writ, + And sought him in his cobweb dome, + Discharg'd his rent, and brought him home. + + Behold him at the stately board, + Who but the POET and my LORD! + Each day deliciously he dines, + And greedy quaffs the gen'rous wines; + His sides were plump, his skin was sleek, + And PLENTY wanton'd on his cheek; + Astonish'd at the change so new, + Away th' inspiring goddess flew. + + Now, dropt for politics and news, + Neglected lay the drooping MUSE, + Unmindful whence his fortune came, + He stifled the poetic flame; + Nor tale nor sonnet, for my lady, + Lampoon, nor epigram was ready. + + With just contempt his PATRON saw, + (Resolv'd his bounty to withdraw) + And thus, with anger in his look, + The late-repenting fool bespoke:-- + + "Blind to the good that courts thee grown, + Whence has the sun of favour shone? + Delighted with thy tuneful art, + Esteem was growing in my heart, + But idly thou reject'st the charm + That gave it birth, and kept it warm. + Unthinking fools alone despise + The arts that taught them first to rise." + + + + +FABLE VI. + +THE WOLF, THE SHEEP, AND THE LAMB. + + + Duty demands the parent's voice + Should sanctify the daughter's choice; + In that is due obedience shewn; + To choose belongs to her alone. + + May horror seize his midnight hour + Who builds upon a parent's pow'r, + And claims, by purchase vile and base, + The loathing maid for his embrace; + Hence virtue sickens, and the breast, + Where peace had built her downy nest, + Becomes the troubled seat of care, + And pines with anguish and despair. + + A WOLF, rapacious, rough, and bold, + Whose nightly plunders thinn'd the fold, + Contemplating his ill-spent life, + And cloy'd with thefts, would take a wife. + His purpose known, the savage race + In num'rous crouds attend the place; + For why, a mighty WOLF he was, + And held dominion in his jaws. + Her fav'rite whelp each mother brought, + And humbly his alliance sought; + But cold by age, or else too nice, + None found acceptance in his eyes. + + It happen'd, as at early dawn, + He, solitary, cross'd the lawn, + Stray'd from the fold, a sportive LAMB + Skip'd wanton by her fleecy DAM; + When CUPID, foe to man and beast, + Discharg'd an arrow at his breast. + The tim'rous breed the robber knew, + And trembling o'er the meadow flew; + Their nimblest speed the WOLF o'ertook, + And, courteous, thus the DAM bespoke: + Stay, fairest, and suspend your fear, + Trust me, no enemy is near; + These jaws, in slaughter oft imbru'd, + At length have known enough of blood, + And kinder business brings me now, + Vanquish'd, at beauty's feet to bow. + You have a daughter--Sweet, forgive + A WOLF'S address--In her I live; + Love from her eye like lightning came, + And set my marrow all on flame; + Let your consent confirm my choice, + And ratify our nuptial joys. + Me ample wealth and pow'r attend, + Wide o'er the plains my realms extend; + What midnight robber dare invade + The fold, if I the guard am made? + At home the shepherd's cur may sleep, + While I secure his master's sheep. + Discourse like his attention claim'd; + Grandeur the MOTHER'S breast inflam'd; + Now fearless by his side she walk'd, + Of settlements and jointures talk'd; + Propos'd and doubled her demands, + Of flow'ry fields and turnip lands. + The WOLF agrees.--Her bosom swells; + To MISS her happy fate she tells; + And, of the grand alliance vain, + Contemns her kindred of the plain. + + The loathing LAMB with horror hears, + And wearies out her DAM with pray'rs, + But all in vain; mamma best knew + What unexperienc'd girls should do: + So, to a neighb'ring meadow carry'd, + A formal ass the couple marry'd. + + Torn from the tyrant-mother's side, + The trembler goes, a victim-bride; + Reluctant meets the rude embrace, + And bleats among the howling race. + With horror oft her eyes behold + Her murder'd kindred of the fold; + Each day a sister-lamb is serv'd, + And at the glutton's table carv'd; + The crashing bones he grinds for food, + And slakes his thirst with streaming blood. + + Love, who the cruel mind detests, + And lodges but in gentle breasts, + Was now no more.--Enjoyment past, + The savage hunger'd for the feast; + But (as we find in human race, + A mask conceals the villain's face) + Justice must authorize the treat: + Till then he long'd, but durst not eat. + + As forth he walk'd, in quest of prey, + The hunters met him on the way; + Fear wings his flight; the marsh he sought, + The snuffing dogs are set at fault. + His stomach baulk'd, now hunger gnaws, + Howling he grinds his empty jaws; + Food must be had--and lamb is nigh; + His maw invokes the fraudful lie. + Is this, dissembling rage, he cry'd, + The gentle virtue of a bride? + That, leagu'd with man's destroying race, + She sets her husband for the chase? + By treach'ry prompts the noisy hound + To scent his footsteps o'er the ground? + Thou trait'ress vile, for this thy blood + Shall glut my rage, and dye the wood! + + So saying, on the LAMB he flies: + Beneath his jaws the victim dies. + + + + +FABLE VII. + +THE GOOSE AND THE SWANS. + + + I hate the face, however fair, + That carries an affected air; + The lisping tone, the shape constrain'd, + The study'd look, the passion feign'd, + Are fopperies, which only tend + To injure what they strive to mend. + With what superior grace enchants + The face which NATURE'S pencil paints! + Where eyes, unexercis'd in art, + Glow with the meaning of the heart! + Where FREEDOM and GOOD-HUMOUR sit, + And easy GAIETY and WIT! + Though perfect BEAUTY be not there, + The master lines, the finish'd air, + We catch from every look delight, + And grow enamour'd at the sight; + For beauty, though we all approve, + Excites our wonder more than love; + While the agreeable strikes sure, + And gives the wounds we cannot cure. + + Why then, my AMORET, this care, + That forms you, in effect, less fair? + If NATURE on your cheek bestows + A bloom that emulates the rose, + Or from some heav'nly image drew + A form APELLES never knew, + Your ill-judg'd aid will you impart, + And spoil by meretricious art? + Or had you, NATURE'S error, come + Abortive from the mother's womb, + Your forming care she still rejects, + Which only heightens her defects. + When such, of glitt'ring jewels proud, + Still press the foremost in the crowd, + At every public shew are seen, + With look awry, and aukward mien, + The gaudy dress attracts the eye, + And magnifies deformity. + + +[Illustration: + + _The wretch with thrilling horror shook, + Loose ev'ry joint, and pale his look._ + +_Page 39._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + NATURE may underdo her part, + But seldom wants the help of ART; + Trust her, she is your surest friend, + Nor made your form for you to mend. + + A GOOSE, affected, empty, vain, + The shrillest of the cackling train, + With proud and elevated crest, + Precedence claim'd above the rest. + Says she, I laugh at human race, + Who say, geese hobble in their pace; + Look here!--the sland'rous lie detect; + Not haughty man is so erect. + That PEACOCK yonder, lord, how vain + The creature's of his gaudy train! + If both were stript, I'd pawn my word, + A GOOSE would be the finer bird. + NATURE, to hide her own defects, + Her bungled work with fin'ry decks; + Were GEESE set off with half that show, + Would men admire the PEACOCK? No. + + Thus vaunting, 'cross the mead she stalks, + The cackling breed attend her walks. + The SUN shot down his noontide beams, + The SWANS were sporting in the streams; + Their snowy plumes, and stately pride, + Provoke her spleen. Why, there, she cry'd, + Again what arrogance we see! + Those creatures! how they mimic me! + Shall ev'ry fowl the waters skim, + Because we GEESE are known to swim? + Humility they soon shall learn, + And their own emptiness discern. + + So saying, with extended wings, + Lightly upon the wave she springs; + Her bosom swells, she spreads her plumes, + And the SWAN'S stately crest assumes. + Contempt and mockery ensu'd, + And bursts of laughter shook the flood. + + A SWAN, superior to the rest, + Sprung forth, and thus the fool address'd: + Conceited thing! elate with pride, + Thy affectation all deride; + These airs thy aukwardness impart, + And shew thee plainly as thou art. + Among thy equals of the flock, + Thou hadst escap'd the public mock. + And, as thy parts to good conduce, + Been deem'd an honest hobbling GOOSE. + + Learn hence to study WISDOM'S rules; + Know, foppery's the pride of fools; + And striving NATURE to conceal, + You only her defects reveal. + + + + +FABLE VIII. + +THE LAWYER AND JUSTICE. + + + Love; thou divinest good below, + Thy pure delights few mortals know: + Our rebel hearts thy sway disown, + While tyrant LUST usurps thy throne! + The bounteous GOD OF NATURE made + The sexes for each other's aid, + Their mutual talents to employ, + To lessen ills, and heighten joy. + To weaker woman he assign'd + That soft'ning gentleness of mind, + That can by sympathy impart + Its likeness to the roughest heart. + Her eyes with magic pow'r endu'd, + To fire the dull, and awe the rude. + His rosy fingers on her face + Shed lavish ev'ry blooming grace, + And stamp'd (perfection to display) + His mildest image on her clay. + + Man, active, resolute, and bold, + He fashion'd in a diff'rent mould; + With useful arts his mind inform'd, + His breast with nobler passions warm'd; + He gave him knowledge, taste, and sense, + And courage for the fair's defence. + Her frame, resistless to each wrong, + Demands protection from the strong; + To man she flies, when fear alarms, + And claims the temple of his arms. + + By nature's author thus declar'd + The woman's sov'reign and her guard: + Shall man, by treach'rous wiles invade + The weakness he was meant to aid? + While beauty, given to inspire + Protecting love and soft desire, + Lights up a wild-fire in the heart, + And to its own breast points the dart, + Becomes the spoiler's base pretence + To triumph over innocence! + + The wolf, that tears the tim'rous sheep, + Was never set the fold to keep; + Nor was the tiger, or the pard, + Meant the benighted trav'ller's guard: + But man, the wildest beast of prey, + Wears friendship's semblance to betray; + His strength against the weak employs, + And where he should protect, destroys. + + Past twelve o'clock, the watchman cry'd, + His brief the studious LAWYER ply'd; + The all-prevailing fee lay nigh, + The earnest of to-morrow's lie; + Sudden the furious winds arise, + The jarring casement shatter'd flies; + The doors admit a hollow sound, + And rattling from their hinges bound; + When JUSTICE, in a blaze of light, + Reveal'd her radiant form to sight. + + The wretch with thrilling horror shook, + Loose ev'ry joint, and pale his look, + Not having seen her in the courts, + Or found her mentioned in reports, + He ask'd, with falt'ring tongue, her name, + Her errand there, and whence she came? + + Sternly the white-rob'd shade reply'd, + (A crimson glow her visage dy'd) + Canst thou be doubtful who I am? + Is JUSTICE grown so strange a name? + Were not your courts for JUSTICE rais'd? + 'Twas there of old my altars blaz'd. + My guardian thee did I elect, + My sacred temple to protect; + That thou, and all thy venal tribe, + Should spurn the goddess for a bribe! + Aloud the ruin'd client cries, + JUSTICE has neither ears nor eyes! + In foul alliance with the bar, + 'Gainst me the judge denounces war, + And rarely issues his decree, + But with intent to baffle me. + + She paus'd. Her breast with fury burn'd; + The trembling LAWYER thus return'd: + I own the charge is justly laid, + And weak th' excuse that can be made; + Yet search the spacious globe, and see + If all mankind are not like me. + The GOWN-MAN, skill'd in ROMISH lies, + By FAITH'S false glass deludes our eyes; + O'er conscience rides without controul, + And robs the man, to save his soul. + + The DOCTOR, with important face, + By sly design mistakes the case; + Prescribes, and spins out the disease, + To trick the patient of his fees.-- + The SOLDIER, rough with many a scar, + And red with slaughter, leads the war; + If he a nation's trust betray, + The foe has offer'd double pay. + + +[Illustration: + + _The maid she modestly conceals + Her beauties, while she hides, reveals;_ + +_Page 41._ + +_London Published June 24th 1799 by T. Heptinstall Holborn._] + + + When vice o'er all mankind prevails, + And weighty int'rest turns the scales, + Must I be better than the rest, + And harbour JUSTICE in my breast? + On one side only take the fee, + Content with poverty and thee? + + Thou blind to sense, and vile of mind, + Th' exasperated shade rejoin'd, + If virtue from the world is flown, + Will others faults excuse thy own? + For sickly souls the priest was made; + PHYSICIANS for the body's aid; + The SOLDIER guarded liberty; + Man, woman, and the LAWYER me: + If all are faithless to their trust, + They leave not thee the less unjust. + Henceforth your pleadings I disclaim, + And bar the sanction of my name; + Within your courts it shall be read, + That JUSTICE from the law is fled. + + She spoke; and hid in shades her face, + 'Till HARDWICK sooth'd her into grace. + + + + +FABLE IX. + +THE FARMER, THE SPANIEL, AND THE CAT. + + + Why knits my dear her angry brow? + What rude offence alarms you now? + I said, that DELIA'S fair; 'tis true, + But did I say she equall'd you? + Can't I another's face commend, + Or to her virtues be a friend, + But instantly your forehead lours, + As if her merit lessen'd your's? + From female envy never free, + All must be blind, because you see. + + Survey the gardens, fields, and bow'rs, + The buds, the blossoms, and the flow'rs, + Then tell me where the woodbine grows + That vies in sweetness with the rose? + Or where the lily's snowy white, + That throws such beauties on the sight? + Yet folly is it to declare, + That these are neither sweet nor fair. + The crystal shines with fainter rays + Before the di'mond's brighter blaze; + And fops will say, the di'mond dies + Before the lustre of your eyes: + But I, who deal in truth, deny + That neither shine when you are by. + + When zephyrs o'er the blossoms stray, + And sweets along the air convey, + Shan't I the fragrant breeze inhale, + Because you breathe a sweeter gale? + + Sweet are the flow'rs that deck the field, + Sweet is the smell the blossoms yield; + Sweet is the summer gale that blows, + And sweet (though sweeter you) the rose. + + Shall envy then torment your breast, + If you are lovelier than the rest? + For while I give to each her due, + By praising them I flatter you; + And praising most, I still declare + You fairest, where the rest are fair. + + As at his board a FARMER sate, + Replenish'd by his homely treat, + His fav'rite SPANIEL near him stood, + And with his master shar'd the food; + The crackling bones his jaws devour'd, + His lapping tongue the trenchers scour'd; + Till, sated now, supine he lay, + And snor'd the rising fumes away. + + The hungry CAT, in turn, drew near, + And humbly crav'd a servant's share; + Her modest worth the master knew, + And straight the fatt'ning morsel threw; + Enrag'd, the snarling cur awoke, + And thus, with spiteful envy, spoke: + + They only claim a right to eat, + Who earn by services their meat; + Me, zeal and industry inflame, + To scour the fields, and spring the game; + Or, plunged in the wat'ry wave, + For man the wounded bird to save. + With watchful diligence I keep, + From prowling wolves, his fleecy sheep; + At home, his midnight hours secure, + And drive the robber from the door. + For this his breast with kindness glows; + For this his hand the food bestows; + And shall thy indolence impart + A warmer friendship to his heart; + That thus he robs me of my due, + To pamper such vile things as you? + + I own (with meekness, PUSS reply'd) + Superior merit on your side; + Nor does my breast with envy swell, + To find it recompens'd so well; + Yet I, in what my nature can, + Contribute to the good of man. + Whose claws destroy the pilf'ring mouse? + Who drives the vermin from the house? + Or, watchful for the lab'ring swain, + From lurking rats secure the grain? + From hence, if he rewards bestow, + Why should your heart with gall o'erflow? + Why pine my happiness to see, + Since there's enough for you and me? + + Thy words are just, the FARMER cry'd, + And spurn'd the snarler from his side. + + + + +FABLE X. + +THE SPIDER AND THE BEE. + + + The nymph who walks the public streets, + And sets her cap at all she meets, + May catch the fool who turns to stare; + But men of sense avoid the snare. + + As on the margin of the flood, + With silken line, my LYDIA stood, + I smil'd to see the pains you took, + To cover o'er the fraudful hook. + Along the forest as we stray'd, + You saw the boy his lime-twigs spread; + Guess'd you the reason of his fear, + Lest, heedless, we approach'd too near? + For as behind the bush we lay, + The linnet flutter'd on the spray. + + Needs there such caution to delude + The scaly fry, and feather'd brood? + And think you, with inferior art, + To captivate the human heart? + The maid who modestly conceals + Her beauties, while she hides, reveals; + Give but a glimpse, and FANCY draws + Whate'er the GRECIAN VENUS was. + From EVE'S first fig-leaf to brocade, + All dress was meant for FANCY'S aid, + Which evermore delighted dwells + On what the bashful nymph conceals. + + When CELIA struts in man's attire, + She shews too much to raise desire; + But from the hoop's bewitching round, + Her very shoe has power to wound. + The roving eye, the bosom bare, + The forward laugh, the wanton air, + May catch the fop, for gudgeons strike + At the bare hook, and bait, alike; + While SALMON play regardless by, + Till ART, like NATURE, forms the fly. + + Beneath a PEASANT'S homely thatch, + A SPIDER long had held her watch; + From morn to night, with restless care, + She spun her web, and wove her snare. + Within the limits of her reign + Lay many a hidden captive, slain; + Or, flutt'ring, struggled in the toils + To burst the chains, and shun her wiles. + A straying BEE, that perch'd hard by, + Beheld her with disdainful eye; + And thus began:--Mean thing! give o'er, + And lay thy slender threads no more; + A thoughtless FLY or two, at most, + Is all the conquest thou canst boast; + For BEES of sense thy arts evade, + We see so plain the nets are laid. + + The gaudy TULIP, that displays + Her spreading foliage to the gaze, + That points her charms at all she sees, + And yields to ev'ry wanton BREEZE, + Attracts not me. Where blushing grows, + Guarded with thorns, the modest ROSE, + Enamour'd round and round I fly, + Or on her fragrant bosom lie; + Reluctant, she my ardour meets, + And, bashful, renders up her sweets. + + To wiser heads attention lend, + And learn this lesson from a friend: + She, who with modesty retires, + Adds fuel to her lover's fires; + While such incautious jilts as you, + By folly your own schemes undo. + + + + +FABLE XI. + +THE YOUNG LION AND THE APE. + + + 'Tis true, I blame your lover's choice, + Tho' flatter'd by the public voice, + And peevish grow, and sick, to hear + His exclamations, O how fair! + I listen not to wild delights, + And transports of expected nights; + What is to me your hoard of charms, + The whiteness of your neck and arms? + Needs there no acquisition more, + To keep contention from the door? + Yes! pass a fortnight, and you'll find + All beauty cloys but of the mind. + + Sense and good humour ever prove + The surest cords to fasten love. + Yet, PHILLIS, simplest of your sex, + You never think, but to perplex; + Coquetting it with ev'ry APE, + That struts abroad in human shape; + Not that the coxcomb is your taste, + But that it stings your lover's breast. + To-morrow you resign the sway, + Prepar'd to honour and obey; + The tyrant-mistress chang'd for life + To the submission of a wife. + Your follies, if you can, suspend, + And learn instructions from a friend. + Reluctant hear the first address, + Think often, ere you answer, yes; + But once resolv'd, throw off disguise, + And wear your wishes in your eyes. + With caution ev'ry look forbear, + That might create one jealous fear, + A lover's rip'ning hopes confound, + Or give the gen'rous breast a wound; + Contemn the girlish arts to teaze, + Nor use your pow'r unless to please; + For fools alone with rigour sway, + When, soon or late, they must obey. + + The KING OF BRUTES, in life's decline, + Resolv'd dominion to resign; + The beasts were summon'd to appear, + And bend before the royal heir. + They came; a day was fix'd; the crowd + Before their future monarch bow'd. + + A dapper MONKEY, pert and vain, + Step'd forth, and thus address'd the train: + + Why cringe, my friends, with slavish awe, + Before this pageant king of straw? + Shall we anticipate the hour, + And, ere we feel it, own his pow'r? + The counsels of experience prize, + I know the maxims of the wise; + Subjection let us cast away, + And live the monarchs of to-day; + 'Tis ours the vacant hand to spurn, + And play the tyrant each in turn; + So shall he right from wrong discern, + And mercy, from oppression, learn; + At others woes be taught to melt, + And loath the ills himself has felt. + + He spoke; his bosom swell'd with pride, + The youthful LION thus reply'd: + + What madness prompts thee to provoke + My wrath, and dare th' impending stroke? + Thou wretched fool! can wrongs impart + Compassion to the feeling heart? + Or teach the grateful breast to glow, + The hand to give, or eye to flow? + Learn'd in the practice of their schools, + From woman thou hast drawn thy rules; + To them return, in such a cause, + From only such expect applause; + The partial sex I don't condemn, + For liking those who copy them. + + Would'st thou the gen'rous LION bind, + By kindness bribe him to be kind; + Good offices their likeness get, + And payment lessens not the debt: + With multiplying hand he gives + The good from others he receives; + Or for the bad makes fair return, + And pays, with int'rest, scorn for scorn. + + + + +FABLE XII. + +THE COLT AND THE FARMER. + + + Tell me, CORINNA, if you can, + Why so averse, so coy, to man? + Did NATURE, lavish of her care, + From her best pattern form you fair, + That you, ungrateful to her cause, + Should mock her gifts, and spurn her laws? + And, miser-like, withhold that store, + Which, by imparting, blesses more? + Beauty's a gift, by heav'n assign'd, + The portion of the female kind; + For this the yielding maid demands + Protection at her lover's hands; + And though, by wasting years, it fade, + Remembrance tells him, once 'twas paid. + + And will you then this wealth conceal, + For AGE to rust, or TIME to steal? + The summer of your youth to rove, + A stranger to the joys of love? + Then, when LIFE'S winter hastens on, + And YOUTH'S fair heritage is gone, + Dow'rless to court some peasant's arms, + To guard your wither'd age from harms! + No gratitude to warm his breast, + For blooming beauty once possess'd; + How will you curse that stubborn pride, + Which drove your bark across the tide; + And, sailing before FOLLY'S wind, + Left sense and happiness behind! + + CORINNA, lest these whims prevail, + To such as you I write my tale. + + A COLT, for blood and mettled speed, + The choicest of the running breed, + Of youthful strength and beauty vain, + Refus'd subjection to the rein; + In vain the groom's officious skill + Oppos'd his pride, and check'd his will; + In vain the master's forming care, + Restrain'd with threats, or sooth'd with pray'r; + Of freedom proud, and scorning man, + Wide o'er the spacious plains he ran. + Where'er luxuriant NATURE spread + Her flow'ry carpet o'er the mead, + Or bubbling streams, soft gliding, pass + To cool and freshen up the grass; + Disdaining bounds, he cropp'd the blade, + And wanton'd in the spoil he made. + + In plenty thus the summer pass'd, + Revolving winter came at last; + The trees no more a shelter yield; + The verdure withers from the field; + Perpetual snows invest the ground, + In icy chains the streams are bound, + Cold nipping winds, and rattling hail, + His lank, unshelter'd sides assail. + + As round he cast his rueful eyes, + He saw the thatch-roof'd cottage rise; + The prospect touch'd his heart with cheer, + And promis'd kind deliv'rance near. + A stable, erst his scorn and hate, + Was now become his wish'd retreat; + His passion cool, his pride forgot, + A FARMER'S welcome yard he sought. + + The master saw his woeful plight, + His limbs, that totter'd with his weight, + And friendly to the stable led, + And saw him litter'd, dress'd, and fed. + In slothful ease all night he lay; + The servants rose at break of day; + The market calls.--Along the road + His back must bear the pond'rous load; + In vain he struggles, or complains-- + Incessant blows reward his pains. + To-morrow varies but his toil; + Chain'd to the plough he breaks the soil: + While scanty meals at night repay + The painful labours of the day. + + Subdu'd by toil, with anguish rent, + His self-upbraidings found a vent. + Wretch that I am! he sighing said, + By arrogance and folly led; + Had but my restive youth been brought + To learn the lesson NATURE taught, + Then had I, like my sires of yore, + The prize from ev'ry courser bore; + While man bestow'd rewards and praise, + And females crown'd my latter days. + Now lasting servitude's my lot, + My birth contemn'd, my speed forgot; + Doom'd am I, for my pride, to bear + A living death from year to year. + + + + +FABLE XIII. + +THE OWL AND THE NIGHTINGALE. + + + To know the MISTRESS'S humour right, + See if her maids are clean and tight, + If BETTY waits without her stays, + She copies but her LADY'S ways; + When MISS comes in with boist'rous shout, + And drops no court'sey going out, + Depend upon't, MAMMA is one + Who reads, or drinks, too much alone. + + If bottled beer her thirst assuage, + She feels enthusiastic rage, + And burns with ardour to inherit + The gifts and workings of the spirit. + If learning crack her giddy brains, + No remedy but death remains. + Sum up the various ills of life, + And all are sweet to such a wife. + At home, superior wit she vaunts, + And twits her husband with his wants; + Her ragged offspring all around, + Like pigs, are wallowing on the ground. + Impatient ever of controul, + And knows no order but of soul; + With books her litter'd floor is spread, + With nameless authors never read; + Foul linen, petticoats, and lace, + Fill up the intermediate space. + Abroad, at visitings, her tongue + Is never still, and always wrong; + All meanings she defines away, + And stands with truth and sense at bay. + + If e'er she meets a gentle heart, + Skill'd in the housewife's useful art; + Who makes her family her care, + And builds contentment's temple there; + She starts at such mistakes in nature, + And cries, LORD help us! what a creature! + + Melissa, if the moral strike, + You'll find the fable not unlike. + + An OWL, puff'd up with self-conceit, + Lov'd learning better than his meat; + Old manuscripts he treasur'd up, + And rummag'd ev'ry grocer's shop; + At pastry-cooks was known to ply, + And strip, for science, ev'ry pie. + For modern poetry and wit, + He had read all that BLACKMORE writ. + So intimate with CURL was grown, + His learned treasures were his own; + To all his authors had access, + And sometimes would correct the press. + In logic he acquir'd such knowledge, + You'd swear him fellow of a college. + Alike to ev'ry art and science, + His daring genius bid defiance, + And swallow'd wisdom with that haste + That cits do custards at a feast. + + Within the shelter of a wood, + One evening, as he musing stood, + Hard by, upon a leafy spray, + A NIGHTINGALE began his lay; + Sudden he starts, with anger stung, + And, screeching, interrupts the song. + + Pert, busy thing! thy airs give o'er, + And let my contemplation soar-- + What is the music of thy voice, + But jarring dissonance and noise? + Be wise--True harmony thou'lt find + Not in the throat, but in the mind; + By empty chirping not attain'd, + But by laborious study gain'd. + Go, read the authors POPE explodes, + Fathom the depth of CIBBER'S odes; + With modern plays improve thy wit, + Read all the learning HENLEY writ, + And if thou needs must sing, sing then, + And emulate the ways of men: + So shalt thou grow, like me, refin'd, + And bring improvement to thy kind. + + Thou wretch! the little warbler cry'd, + Made up of ignorance and pride; + Ask all the birds, and they'll declare + A greater blockhead wings not air. + Read o'er thyself, thy talents scan, + Science was only meant for man. + No senseless authors me molest, + I mind the duties of my nest; + With careful wing protect my young, + And cheer their ev'nings with a song; + Make short the weary trav'ller's way, + And warble in the poet's lay. + + Thus, following nature, and her laws, + From men and birds I claim applause, + While, nurs'd in pedantry and sloth, + An OWL is scorn'd alike by both. + + + + +FABLE XIV. + +THE SPARROW AND THE DOVE. + + + It was, as learn'd traditions say, + Upon an APRIL'S blithsome day, + When PLEASURE, ever on the wing, + Return'd, companion of the SPRING, + And cheer'd the birds with am'rous heat, + Instructing little hearts to beat; + A SPARROW, frolic, gay, and young, + Of bold address, and flippant tongue, + Just left his lady of a night, + Like him, to follow new delight. + + The youth, of many a conquest vain, + Flew off to seek the chirping train; + The chirping train he quickly found, + And with a saucy ease bow'd round. + + For every she his bosom burns, + And this, and that, he woos by turns; + And here a sigh, and there a bill, + And here--those eyes! so form'd to kill! + And now, with ready tongue, he strings + Unmeaning, soft, resistless things; + With vows, and dem-me's, skill'd to woo, + As other pretty fellows do. + Not that he thought this short essay + A prologue needful to his play; + No, trust me, says our learned letter, + He knew the virtuous sex much better; + But these he held as specious arts, + To shew his own superior parts, + The form of decency to shield, + And give a just pretence to yield. + + Thus finishing his courtly play, + He mark'd the fav'rite of a day; + With careless impudence drew near, + And whisper'd HEBREW in her ear: + A hint which, like the MASON'S sign, + The conscience can alone divine. + + The flutt'ring nymph, expert at feigning, + Cry'd, "Sir, pray sir, explain your meaning! + Go prate to those that may endure ye-- + To me this rudeness! I'll assure ye!" + Then off she glided like a swallow, + As saying--you guess where to follow. + + To such as know the party set, + 'Tis needless to say where they met; + The PARSON'S barn, as authors mention, + Confess'd the fair had apprehension. + Her honour there, secure from stain, + She held all farther trifling vain; + No more affected to be coy, + But rush'd, licentious, on the joy. + + 'Hist, love!' the male companion cry'd, + 'Retire awhile, I fear we're 'spy'd:' + Nor was the caution vain; he saw + A TURTLE rustling in the straw, + While o'er her callow brood she hung, + And fondly thus address'd her young: + + "Ye tender objects of my care! + Peace, peace, ye little helpless pair; + Anon he comes, your gentle sire, + And brings you all your hearts require. + For us, his infants and his bride, + For us, with only love to guide, + Our lord assumes an EAGLE'S speed, + And, like a LION, dares to bleed. + Nor yet by wintry skies confin'd, + He mounts upon the rudest wind, + From danger tears the vital spoil, + And with affection sweetens toil. + Ah! cease, too vent'rous--cease to dare, + In thine, our dearer safety spare! + From him, ye cruel FALCONS, stray; + And turn, ye FOWLERS, far away. + + "Should I survive to see the day, + That tears me from myself away; + That cancels all that heav'n could give, + The life, by which alone I live; + Alas! how more than lost were I, + Who in the thought already die! + + "Ye pow'rs, who men and birds obey, + Great rulers of your creatures, say, + Why mourning comes, by bliss convey'd, + And ev'n the sweets of love allay'd? + Where grows enjoyment, tall and fair, + Around it twines entangling care; + While fear, for what our souls possess, + Enervates ev'ry pow'r to bless; + Yet FRIENDSHIP forms the bliss above, + And LIFE, what art thou, without LOVE?"-- + + Our HERO, who had heard apart, + Felt something moving in his heart; + But quickly, with disdain, suppress'd + The virtue rising in his breast; + And, first, he feign'd to laugh aloud, + And next, approaching, smil'd and bow'd. + + 'MADAM, you must not think me rude, + Good manners never can intrude; + I vow I came through pure good-nature; + (Upon my soul a charming creature!) + Are these the comforts of a wife? + This careful, cloister'd, moping life? + No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty, + Is a sweet province for a beauty. + Thou pretty ignorance! thy will + Is measur'd to thy want of skill; + That good old-fashion'd dame, thy mother, + Has taught thy infant years no other. + The greatest ill in the creation + Is, sure, the want of education! + + 'But think ye (tell me without feigning) + Have all these charms no farther meaning? + Dame NATURE, if you don't forget her, + Might teach your ladyship much better. + For shame, reject this mean employment, + Enter the world, and taste enjoyment; + Where time, by circling bliss we measure, + Beauty was form'd alone for pleasure; + Come, prove the blessing, follow me; + Be wise, be happy, and be free.' + + "Kind sir," reply'd our MATRON chaste, + "Your zeal seems pretty much in haste; + I own the fondness to be blest, + Is a deep thirst in every breast; + Of blessings too I have my store, + Yet quarrel not, should heav'n give more; + Then prove the change to be expedient, + And think me, sir, your most obedient." + Here turning, as to one inferior, + Our gallant spoke, and smil'd superior: + 'Methinks, to quit your boasted station + Requires a world of hesitation; + Where brats and bonds are held a blessing, + The case, I doubt, is past redressing: + Why, child, suppose the joys I mention + Were the mere fruits of my invention, + You've cause sufficient for your carriage, + In flying from the curse of marriage; + That sly decoy, with vary'd snares, + That takes your widgeons in by pairs; + Alike to husband, and to wife, + The cure of love, and bane of life; + The only method of forecasting + To make misfortune firm and lasting; + The sin, by heav'n's peculiar sentence, + Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance. + It is the double snake, that weds + A common tail to diff'rent heads; + That leads the carcase still astray, + By dragging each a diff'rent way. + Of all the ills that may attend me, + From marriage, mighty GODS, defend me! + + 'Give me frank NATURE'S wild demesne, + And boundless tract of air serene, + Where FANCY, ever wing'd for change, + Delights to sport, delights to range! + There, LIBERTY! to thee is owing + Whate'er of bliss is worth bestowing; + Delights, still vary'd, and divine, + Sweet goddess of the hills! are thine. + + 'What say you now, you pretty pink, you? + Have I, for once, spoke reason, think you? + You take me now for no romancer-- + Come, never study for an answer; + Away, cast ev'ry care behind ye, + And fly where joy alone shall find ye.' + + "Soft yet," return'd our female fencer, + "A question more, or so--and then, sir. + You've rallied me with sense exceeding, + With much fine wit, and better breeding; + But pray, sir, how do you contrive it? + Do those of your world never wive it?" + 'No, no,' "How then?" 'Why dare I tell + What does the business full as well.' + "Do you ne'er love?" 'An hour at leisure.' + "Have you no friendship?" 'Yes, for pleasure.' + "No care for little ones?" 'We get 'em; + The rest the mothers mind, and let 'em.' + + "Thou wretch!" rejoin'd the kindling DOVE, + "Quite lost to life, as lost to love! + Whene'er misfortunes come, how just! + And come, misfortune surely must; + In the dread season of dismay, + In that your hour of trial, say, + Who then shall prop your sinking heart? + Who bear AFFLICTION'S weightier part? + + "Say, when the black-brow'd welkin bends, + And WINTER'S gloomy form impends, + To mourning turns all transient cheer, + And blasts the melancholy year; + For times at no persuasion stay, + Nor vice can find perpetual MAY; + Then where's that tongue, by FOLLY fed, + That soul of pertness, whither fled? + All shrunk within thy lonely nest, + Forlorn, abandon'd, and unbless'd; + No friends, by cordial bonds ally'd, + Shall seek thy cold unsocial side; + No chirping prattlers to delight, + Shall turn the long-enduring night; + No bride her words of balm impart, + And warm thee at her constant heart. + + "FREEDOM, restrain'd by REASON'S force, + Is as the sun's unvarying course, + Benignly active, sweetly bright, + Affording warmth, affording light; + But torn from VIRTUE'S sacred rules, + Becomes a comet, gaz'd by fools, + Foreboding cares, and storms, and strife, + And fraught with all the plagues of life. + + "Thou fool! by union every creature + Subsists, through universal nature; + And this, to beings void of mind, + Is wedlock of a meaner kind. + + "While womb'd in space, primeval clay + A yet unfashion'd embryo lay; + The source of endless good above + Shot down his spark of kindling love; + Touch'd by the all-enliv'ning flame, + Then motion first exulting came, + Each atom sought its sep'rate class, + Through many a fair enamour'd mass; + Love cast the central charm around, + And with eternal nuptials bound. + Then FORM and ORDER, o'er the sky + First train'd their bridal pomp on high; + The SUN display'd his orb to sight, + And burn'd with HYMENEAL light. + + "Hence NATURE'S virgin womb conceiv'd, + And with the genial burthen heav'd; + Forth came the oak, her first born heir, + And scal'd the breathing steep of air; + Then infant stems, of various use, + Imbib'd her soft maternal juice. + The flow'rs, in early bloom disclos'd, + Upon her fragrant breast repos'd; + Within her warm embraces grew + A race, of endless form and hue; + Then pour'd her lesser offspring round, + And fondly cloth'd their parent ground. + + "Nor here alone the virtue reign'd, + By matter's cumb'rous form detain'd, + But thence, subliming, and refin'd, + Aspir'd, and reach'd its kindred mind. + Caught in the fond celestial fire, + The mind perceiv'd unknown desire; + And now with kind effusion flow'd, + And now with cordial ardours glow'd, + Beheld the sympathetic fair, + And lov'd its own resemblance there; + On all, with circling radiance, shone, + But, cent'ring, fix'd on one alone; + There clasp'd the heav'n-appointed wife, + And doubled every joy of life. + + "Here, ever blessing, ever blest, + Resides this beauty of the breast; + As from his palace here the god + Still beams effulgent bliss abroad; + Here gems his own eternal round + The ring by which the world is bound; + Here bids his seat of empire grow, + And builds his little heav'n below. + + "The bridal partners thus ally'd, + And thus in sweet accordance tied, + One body, heart, and spirit live, + Enrich'd by ev'ry joy they give; + Like ECHO, from her vocal hold, + Return'd in music twenty-fold. + Their union firm, and undecay'd, + Nor TIME can shake, nor POW'R invade; + But, as the stem and scion stand + Ingrafted by a skilful hand, + They check the TEMPEST'S wintry rage, + And bloom and strengthen into age. + A thousand amities unknown, + And pow'rs, perceiv'd by LOVE alone; + Endearing looks, and chaste desire, + Fan and support the mutual fire, + Whose flame, perpetual as refin'd, + Is fed by an immortal MIND. + + "Nor yet the nuptial sanction ends, + Like NILE, it opens and descends, + Which, by apparent windings led, + We trace to its celestial head. + The sire, first springing from above, + Becomes the source of life and love, + And gives his filial heir to flow, + In fondness down on sons below; + Thus roll'd in one continu'd tide, + To TIME'S extremest verge they glide; + While kindred streams, on either hand, + Branch forth in blessings o'er the land. + Thee, wretch! no lisping babe shall name, + No late-returning brother claim; + No kinsman on thy road rejoice, + No sister greet thy ent'ring voice; + With partial eyes no parent see, + And bless their years restor'd in thee. + + "In age rejected, or declin'd, + An ALIEN ev'n among thy kind, + The partner of thy scorn'd embrace + Shall play the wanton in thy face; + Each spark unplume thy little pride, + All friendship fly thy faithless side; + Thy name shall, like thy carcase, rot, + In sickness spurn'd, in death forgot. + + "All-giving POW'R! great source of life! + O hear the parent! hear the wife! + That life thou lendest from above, + Though little, make it large in love; + O bid my feeling heart expand + To ev'ry claim, on ev'ry hand; + To those, from whom my days I drew, + To these in whom those days renew; + To all my kin, however wide, + In cordial warmth, as blood ally'd, + To friends with steely fetters twin'd, + And to the cruel, not unkind! + But chief, the lord of my desire, + My life, myself, my soul, my sire; + Friends, children, all that wish can claim, + Chaste passion clasp, and rapture name! + O spare him, spare him, GRACIOUS POW'R! + O give him to my latest hour! + Let me my length of life employ, + To give my sole enjoyment joy; + His love, let mutual love excite, + Turn all my cares to his delight, + And ev'ry needless blessing spare, + Wherein my darling wants a share. + When he with graceful action woos, + And sweetly bills and fondly coos, + Ah! deck me to his eyes alone, + With charms attractive as his own, + And in my circling wings caress'd, + Give all the lover to my breast. + Then in our chaste, connubial bed, + My bosom pillow'd for his head, + His eyes with blissful slumbers close, + And watch, with me, my lord's repose; + Your peace around his temples twine, + And love him with a love like mine. + + "And, for I know his gen'rous flame, + Beyond whate'er my sex can claim, + Me, too, to your protection take, + And spare me for my husband's sake; + Let one unruffled calm delight + The loving and belov'd unite; + One pure desire our bosoms warm, + One will direct, one wish inform; + Through life one mutual aid sustain, + In death one peaceful grave contain." + + While, swelling with the darling theme, + Her accents pour'd an endless stream, + The well-known wings a sound impart, + That reach'd her ear, and touch'd her heart; + Quick dropp'd the music of her tongue, + And forth, with eager joy, she sprung; + As swift her ent'ring consort flew, + And plum'd and kindled at the view; + Their wings, their souls, embracing meet, + Their hearts with answ'ring measure beat; + Half lost in sacred sweets, and bless'd + With raptures felt, but ne'er express'd. + + Straight to her humble roof she led + The partner of her spotless bed; + Her young, a flutt'ring pair, arise, + Their welcome sparkling in their eyes, + Transported, to their sire they bound, + And hang with speechless action round. + In pleasure wrapt, the parents stand, + And see their little wings expand; + The sire, his life-sustaining prize + To each expecting bill applies; + There fondly pours the wheaten spoil, + With transport giv'n, though won with toil; + While all collected at the sight, + And silent, through supreme delight, + The FAIR high heav'n of bliss beguiles, + And on her lord and infants smiles. + + The SPARROW, whose attention hung + Upon the DOVE'S enchanting tongue, + Of all his little slights disarm'd, + And from himself by VIRTUE charm'd, + When now he saw, what only seem'd, + A fact, so late a fable deem'd; + His soul to envy he resign'd, + His hours of folly to the wind; + In secret wish'd a TURTLE too, + And, sighing to himself, withdrew. + + + + +FABLE XV. + +THE FEMALE SEDUCERS. + + + 'Tis said of WIDOW, MAID, and WIFE, + That honour is a WOMAN'S life; + Unhappy sex! who only claim + A being in the breath of fame, + Which, tainted, not the quick'ning gales + That sweep SABAEA'S spicy vales, + Nor all the healing sweets restore, + That breathe along ARABIA'S shore. + + The trav'ller, if he chance to stray, + May turn uncensur'd to his way; + Polluted streams again are pure, + And deepest wounds admit a cure; + But WOMAN! no redemption knows, + The wounds of honour never close. + + Tho' distant ev'ry hand to guide, + Nor skill'd on life's tempestuous tide, + If once her feeble bark recede, + Or deviate from the course decreed, + In vain she seeks the friendly shore, + Her swifter folly flies before; + The circling ports against her close, + And shut the wand'rer from repose, + Till by conflicting waves opprest, + Her found'ring pinnace sinks to rest. + + Are there no off'rings to atone + For but a single error?--None! + Tho' WOMAN is avow'd of old + No daughter of celestial mould; + Her temp'ring not without allay, + And form'd but of the finer clay; + We challenge from the mortal dame, + The strength angelic natures claim; + Nay more--for sacred stories tell + That ev'n immortal angels fell. + + Whatever fills the teeming sphere + Of humid earth, and ambient air, + With varying elements endu'd, + Was form'd to fall, and rise renew'd. + + The stars no fix'd duration know; + Wide oceans ebb, again to flow; + The moon repletes her waning face, + All-beauteous, from her late disgrace; + And suns, that mourn approaching night, + Refulgent rise, with new-born light. + + In vain may death and time subdue, + While nature mints her race anew, + And holds some vital spark apart, + Like virtue, hid in ev'ry heart; + 'Tis hence, reviving warmth is seen, + To clothe a naked world in green; + No longer bared by winter's cold, + Again the gates of life unfold; + Again each insect tries his wing, + And lifts fresh pinions on the spring; + Again from ev'ry latent root + The bladed stem and tendril shoot, + Exhaling incense to the skies, + Again to perish, and to rise. + + And must weak WOMAN then disown + The change to which a world is prone? + In one meridian brightness shine, + And ne'er like ev'ning suns decline? + Resolv'd and firm alone?--Is this + What we demand of WOMAN?--Yes! + + But should the spark of vestal fire, + In some unguarded hour expire; + Or should the nightly thief invade + HESPERIA'S chaste and sacred shade, + Of all the blooming spoils possess'd, + The dragon, honour, charm'd to rest, + Shall VIRTUE'S flame no more return? + No more with virgin splendour burn? + No more the ravag'd garden blow + With spring's succeeding blossom?--No! + Pity may mourn, but not restore, + And WOMAN falls--to rise no more. + + +[Illustration: + + _Lovely Penitent, arise, + Come, and claim thy kindred skies;_ + +_Page 92._ + +_London Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + Within this sublunary sphere, + A country lies--no matter where; + The clime may readily be found, + By all who tread poetic ground; + A stream, call'd LIFE, across it glides, + And equally the land divides; + And here, of VICE the province lies, + And there, the hills of VIRTUE rise. + + Upon a mountain's airy stand, + Whose summit look'd to either land, + An ancient pair their dwelling chose, + As well for prospect as repose; + For mutual faith they long were fam'd, + And TEMP'RANCE, and RELIGION, nam'd. + + A num'rous progeny divine + Confess'd the honours of their line; + But in a little daughter fair + Was center'd more than half their care; + For heav'n, to gratulate her birth, + Gave signs of future joy to earth. + White was the robe this infant wore, + And CHASTITY the name she bore. + + As now the maid in stature grew, + (A flow'r just op'ning to the view) + Oft thro' her native lawns she stray'd, + And wrestling with the lambkins play'd; + Her looks diffusive sweets bequeath'd, + The breeze grew purer as she breath'd, + The morn her radiant blush assum'd, + The spring with earlier fragrance bloom'd, + And NATURE yearly took delight, + Like her, to dress the world in white. + + But when her rising form was seen + To reach the crisis of fifteen; + Her parents up the mountain's head, + With anxious step, their darling led; + By turns they snatch'd her to their breast, + And thus the fears of age express'd: + + "O joyful cause of many a care! + O daughter, too divinely fair! + Yon world, on this important day, + Demands thee to a dang'rous way; + A painful journey all must go, + Whose doubtful period none can know; + Whose due direction who can find, + Where REASON'S mute, and SENSE is blind! + Ah! what unequal leaders these, + Thro' such a wide perplexing maze! + Then mark the warnings of the wise, + And learn what love and years advise. + + "Far to the right thy prospect bend, + Where yonder tow'ring hills ascend; + Lo! there the arduous path's in view, + Which VIRTUE, and her sons, pursue; + With toil, o'er less'ning earth they rise, + And gain, and gain upon the skies.-- + Narrow's the way her children tread, + No walk for pleasure smoothly spread; + But rough, and difficult, and steep, + Painful to climb, and hard to keep. + + "Fruits immature those lands dispense, + A food indelicate to sense, + Of taste unpleasant, yet from those + Pure HEALTH, with cheerful VIGOUR flows; + And strength unfeeling of decay, + Throughout the long laborious way. + + "Hence, as they scale that heav'nly road, + Each limb is lighten'd of its load: + From earth refining still they go, + And leave the mortal weight below; + Then spreads the strait, the doubtful clears, + And smooth the rugged path appears; + For custom turns fatigue to ease, + And, taught by VIRTUE, PAIN can please. + + "At length, the toilsome journey o'er, + And near the bright celestial shore, + A gulf, black, fearful, and profound, + Appears, of either world the bound. + Thro' darkness, leading up to light, + Sense backward shrinks, and shuns the sight; + For there the transitory train, + Of time, and form, and care, and pain, + And matter's gross incumb'ring mass, + Man's late associates, cannot pass, + But sinking, quit th' immortal charge, + And leave the wond'ring soul at large; + Lightly she wings her obvious way, + And mingles with eternal day. + + "Thither, O thither, wing thy speed, + Tho' PLEASURE charm, or PAIN impede; + To such th' all-bounteous pow'r has giv'n, + For present earth, a future heav'n; + For trivial loss, unmeasur'd gain, + And endless bliss, for transient pain. + Then fear, ah! fear, to turn thy sight, + Where yonder flow'ry fields invite; + Wide on the left the path-way bends, + And with pernicious ease descends; + There, sweet to sense, and fair to show, + New-planted EDEN seems to blow; + Trees that delicious poison bear, + For DEATH is vegetable there. + + "Hence is the frame of health unbrac'd, + Each sinew slack'ning at the taste; + The soul to passion yields her throne, + And sees with organs not her own; + While, like the slumb'rer in the night, + Pleas'd with the shadowy dream of light, + Before her alienated eyes + The scenes of fairy-land arise; + The puppet-world's amusing show, + Dipt in the gaily colour'd bow; + Sceptres, and wreaths, and glitt'ring things, + The toys of infants and of kings, + That tempt along the baneful plain, + The idly wise, and lightly vain; + Till verging on the gully shore, + Sudden they sink, to rise no more. + + "But list to what thy FATES declare, + Tho' thou art WOMAN, frail as fair, + If once thy sliding foot should stray, + Once quit yon heav'n-appointed way, + For thee, lost maid, for thee alone, + Nor pray'rs shall plead, nor tears atone; + Reproach, scorn, infamy, and hate, + On thy returning steps shall wait.-- + Thy form be loath'd by ev'ry eye, + And ev'ry foot thy presence fly." + + Thus arm'd with words of potent sound, + Like guardian-angels plac'd around; + A charm, by truth divinely cast, + Forward our young advent'rer pass'd. + Forth from her sacred eye-lids sent, + Like morn, fore-running, radiance went, + While HONOUR, hand-maid, late assign'd, + Upheld her lucid train behind. + + Awe-struck, the much-admiring crowd + Before the virgin-vision bow'd; + Gaz'd with an ever-new delight, + And caught fresh virtues at the sight; + For not of earth's unequal frame + They deem'd the heav'n-compounded dame, + If matter, sure the most refin'd, + High-wrought, and temper'd into mind, + Some darling daughter of the day, + And body'd by her native ray. + + Where'er she passes, thousands bend, + And thousands, where she moves, attend; + Her ways observant eyes confess, + Her steps pursuing praises bless; + While to the elevated maid + Oblations, as to HEAV'N, are paid. + + 'Twas on an ever-blithsome day, + The jovial birth of rosy MAY, + When genial warmth, no more suppress'd, + New melts the frost in every breast; + The cheek with secret flushing dies, + And looks kind things from chastest eyes; + The SUN with healthier visage glows, + Aside his clouded kerchief throws, + And dances up th' ethereal plain, + Where late he us'd to climb with pain; + While NATURE, as from bonds set free, + Springs out, and gives a loose to glee. + + And now for momentary rest, + The nymph her travell'd step repress'd, + Just turn'd to view the stage attain'd, + And glory'd in the height she gain'd. + + Out-stretch'd before her wide survey, + The realms of sweet PERDITION lay, + And pity touch'd her soul with woe, + To see a world so lost below; + When straight the breeze began to breathe + Airs, gently wafted from beneath, + That bore commission'd witchcraft thence, + And reach'd her sympathy of sense; + No sounds of discord, that disclose + A people sunk, and lost in woes; + But as of present good possess'd, + The very triumph of the bless'd; + The maid in wrapt attention hung, + While thus approaching SIRENS sung. + + 'Hither, fairest, hither haste, + Brightest beauty, come and taste + What the pow'rs of bliss unfold; + Joys too mighty to be told; + Taste what ecstasies they give, + Dying raptures taste, and live. + + 'In thy lap, disdaining measure, + NATURE empties all her treasure; + Soft desires, that sweetly languish, + Fierce delights, that rise to anguish: + Fairest, dost thou yet delay? + Brightest beauty, come away! + + 'List not, when the froward chide, + Sons of pedantry and pride; + Snarlers, to whose feeble sense + APRIL sun-shine is offence; + Age and envy will advise, + Ev'n against the joys they prize. + Come, in PLEASURE'S balmy bowl + Slake the thirstings of thy soul, + 'Till thy raptur'd pow'rs are fainting + With enjoyment, past the painting: + Fairest, dost thou yet delay? + Brightest beauty, come away!' + + So sung the SIRENS, as of yore, + Upon the false AUSONIAN shore; + And, O! for that preventing chain, + That bound ULYSSES on the main, + That so our FAIR ONE might withstand + The covert ruin now at hand. + + The song her charm'd attention drew, + When now the tempters stood in view; + CURIOSITY with prying eyes, + And hand of busy, bold emprize; + Like HERMES, feather'd were her feet, + And like fore-running fancy fleet; + By search untaught, by toil untir'd, + To novelty she still aspir'd, + Tasteless of ev'ry good possess'd, + And but in expectation bless'd. + + With her, associate, PLEASURE came, + Gay PLEASURE, frolic-loving dame! + Her mien, all swimming in delight, + Her beauties, half reveal'd to sight; + Loose flow'd her garments from the ground + And caught the kissing winds around. + As erst MEDUSA'S looks were known + To turn beholders into stone, + A dire reversion here they felt, + And in the eye of pleasure melt. + Her glance of sweet persuasion charm'd, + Unnerv'd the strong, the steel'd disarm'd; + No safety, ev'n the flying find, + Who, vent'rous, looks not once behind. + + Thus was the much-admiring maid, + While distant, more than half betray'd. + With smiles, and adulation bland, + They join'd her side, and seiz'd her hand; + Their touch envenom'd sweets instill'd, + Her frame with new pulsations thrill'd, + While half consenting, half denying, + Reluctant now, and now complying, + Amidst a war of hopes and fears, + Of trembling wishes, smiling tears, + Still down, and down, the winning pair + Compell'd the struggling, yielding fair. + + As when some stately vessel, bound + To blest ARABIA'S distant ground, + Borne from her courses, haply lights + Where BARCA'S flow'ry clime invites; + Conceal'd around whose treach'rous land, + Lurks the dire rock, and dang'rous sand; + The pilot warns, with sail and oar, + To shun the much-suspected shore + In vain: the tide too subtly strong, + Still bears the wrestling bark along, + Till found'ring, she resigns to fate, + And sinks, o'erwhelmn'd, with all her freight. + + So baffling ev'ry bar to sin, + And heav'n's own pilot plac'd within, + Along the devious smooth descent, + With pow'rs increasing as they went, + The DAMES, accustom'd to subdue, + As with a rapid current drew; + And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd + The lost, the long-reluctant maid. + + Here stop, ye fair ones, and beware, + Nor send your fond affections there; + Yet, yet your darling, now deplor'd, + May turn, to you and HEAV'N restor'd; + Till then, with weeping HONOUR, wait + The servant of her better fate, + With HONOUR left upon the shore, + Her friend and handmaid now no more; + Nor, with the guilty world, upbraid + The fortunes of a wretch betray'd; + But o'er her failing cast a veil, + Rememb'ring you, yourselves, are frail. + And now, from all-enquiring light, + Fast fled the conscious shades of night; + The damsel, from a short repose, + Confounded at her plight, arose. + + As when with slumb'rous weight opprest, + Some wealthy miser sinks to rest, + Where felons eye the glitt'ring prey, + And steal his hoard of joys away: + He, borne where golden INDUS streams, + Of pearl and quarry'd di'mond dreams, + Like MIDAS, turns the glebe to ore, + And stands all wrapt amidst his store; + But wakens, naked, and despoil'd + Of that for which his years had toil'd. + + So far'd the NYMPH, her treasure flown, + And turn'd, like NIOBE, to stone; + Within, without, obscure and void, + She felt all ravag'd, all destroy'd. + And, O! thou curs'd insidious coast, + Are these the blessings thou canst boast? + These, VIRTUE! these the joys they find, + Who leave thy heav'n-topt hills behind! + Shade me, ye pines, ye caverns hide, + Ye mountains cover me! she cry'd. + + Her trumpet SLANDER rais'd on high, + And told the tidings to the sky; + CONTEMPT discharg'd a living dart, + A side-long viper to her heart; + REPROACH breath'd poisons o'er her face, + And soil'd, and blasted ev'ry grace; + Officious SHAME, her handmaid new, + Still turn'd the mirror to her view; + While those in crimes the deepest dy'd, + Approach'd to whiten at her side; + And ev'ry lewd insulting dame + Upon her folly rose to fame. + + What should she do; attempt once more + To gain the late-deserted shore? + So trusting, back the mourner flew, + As fast the train of fiends pursue. + + Again the farther shore's attain'd, + Again the land of VIRTUE gain'd; + But ECHO gathers in the wind, + And shows her instant foes behind. + Amaz'd! with headlong speed she tends, + Where late she left an host of friends; + Alas! those shrinking friends decline, + Nor longer own that form divine; + With fear they mark the following cry, + And from the lonely trembler fly; + Or backward drive her on the coast + Where PEACE was wreck'd, and HONOUR lost. + + From earth thus hoping aid in vain; + To HEAV'N, not daring to complain; + No truce, by hostile CLAMOUR giv'n, + And from the face of FRIENDSHIP driv'n; + The NYMPH sunk prostrate on the ground, + With all her weight of woes around. + + Enthron'd within a circling sky, + Upon a mount, o'er mountains high, + All radiant sat, as in a shrine, + VIRTUE, first effluence divine; + Far, far above the scenes of woe, + That shut this cloud-wrapt world below: + Superior goddess! essence bright! + Beauty of uncreated light, + Whom should mortality survey, + As doom'd upon a certain day; + The breath of frailty must expire, + The world dissolve in living fire; + The gems of heav'n and solar flame, + Be quench'd by her eternal beam, + And nature, quick'ning in her eye, + To raise a new-born phoenix, die. + + +[Illustration: _Vanity_ + + _Thus far extends my friendly pow'r, + Nor quits her in her latest hour;_ + +_Page 108._ + +_London: Published by Scatcherd & Letterman, Ave Maria Lane._] + + + Hence, unreveal'd to mortal view, + A veil around her form she threw, + Which three sad sisters of the shade, + PAIN, CARE, and MELANCHOLY, made. + + Thro' this her all-inquiring eye, + Attentive from her station high, + Beheld, abandon'd to despair, + The ruins of her fav'rite fair; + And with a voice, whose awful sound + Appall'd the guilty world around, + Bid the tumultuous winds be still; + To numbers bow'd each list'ning hill; + Uncurl'd the surging of the main, + And smooth'd the thorny bed of pain; + The golden harp of heav'n she strung, + And thus the tuneful goddess sung: + + "Lovely PENITENT, arise, + Come, and claim thy kindred skies; + Come, thy sister angels say, + Thou hast wept thy stains away. + + "Let experience now decide, + 'Twixt the good and evil, try'd, + In the smooth enchanted ground, + Say, unfold the treasures found. + + "Structures, rais'd by morning dreams, + Sands that trip the flitting streams, + Down that anchors on the air, + Clouds that paint their changes there. + + "Seas that smoothly dimpling lie, + While the storm impends on high, + Showing in an obvious glass, + Joys that in possession pass. + + "Transient, fickle, light, and gay, + Flatt'ring, only to betray; + What, alas! can life contain? + Life, like all its circles, vain. + + "Will the STORK, intending rest, + On the billow build her nest? + Will the BEE demand his store + From the bleak and bladeless shore! + + "MAN alone, intent to stray, + Ever turns from WISDOM'S way; + Lays up wealth in foreign land, + Sows the sea, and plows the sand. + + "Soon this elemental mass, + Soon th' encumb'ring world shall pass; + Form be wrapt in wasting fire, + TIME be spent, and LIFE expire. + + "Then, ye boasted works of men! + Where is your asylum then? + Sons of PLEASURE, sons of CARE, + Tell me, mortals, tell me where? + + "Gone, like traces on the deep, + Like a sceptre grasp'd in sleep; + Dews exhal'd from morning glades, + Melting snows, and gliding shades. + + "Pass the world, and what's behind? + Virtue's gold, by fire refin'd; + From an universe deprav'd, + From the wreck of nature sav'd. + + "Like the life-supporting grain, + Fruit of patience and of pain, + On the swain's autumnal day, + Winnow'd from the chaff away. + + "Little TREMBLER, fear no more, + Thou hast plenteous crops in store; + Seeds, by genial sorrows sown, + More than all thy scorners own. + + "What, tho' hostile earth despise, + Heaven beholds with gentler eyes; + Heav'n thy friendless steps shall guide, + Cheer thy hours, and guard thy side. + + "When the fatal trump shall sound, + When th' immortals pour around, + Heav'n shall thy return attest, + Hail'd by myriads of the bless'd. + + "Little native of the skies, + Lovely PENITENT, arise, + Calm thy bosom, clear thy brow, + VIRTUE is thy sister now. + + "More delightful are my woes + Than the rapture PLEASURE knows; + Richer far the weeds I bring + Than the robes that grace a king. + + "On my wars of shortest date, + Crowns of endless triumph wait; + On my cares a period bless'd, + On my toils, eternal rest. + + "Come, with VIRTUE at thy side, + Come, be ev'ry bar defy'd, + Till we gain our native shore; + Sister, come, and turn no more." + + + + +FABLE XVI. + +LOVE AND VANITY. + + + The breezy morning breath'd perfume, + The wak'ning flow'rs unveil'd their bloom; + Up with the sun, from short repose, + Gay HEALTH, and lusty LABOUR, rose; + The milk-maid carol'd at her pail, + And shepherds whistled o'er the dale; + When LOVE, who led a rural life, + Remote from bustle, state, and strife, + Forth from his thatch-roof'd cottage stray'd, + And stroll'd along the dewy glade. + + A nymph, who lightly tripp'd it by, + To quick attention turn'd his eye; + He mark'd the gesture of the fair, + Her self-sufficient grace and air; + Her steps that mincing meant to please, + Her study'd negligence and ease; + And curious to inquire what meant + This thing of prettiness and paint, + Approaching spoke, and bow'd observant: + The lady, slightly--"Sir, your servant." + + 'Such beauty in so rude a place! + Fair one, you do the country grace; + At court, no doubt, the public care, + But LOVE has small acquaintance there.' + + "Yes, sir," reply'd the flutt'ring dame, + "This form confesses whence it came; + But dear VARIETY, you know, + Can make us pride and pomp forego; + My name is VANITY: I sway + The utmost islands of the sea; + Within my court all honour centers, + I raise the meanest soul that enters, + Endow with latent gifts and graces, + And model fools for posts and places. + + "As VANITY appoints at pleasure, + The world receives its weight and measure; + Hence all the grand concerns of life, + Joys, cares, plagues, passion, peace, and strife. + + "Reflect how far my pow'r prevails, + When I step in where NATURE fails: + And ev'ry breach of sense repairing, + Am bounteous still, where heav'n is sparing. + + "But chief, in all their arts and airs, + Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray'rs, + Their various habits and complexions, + Fits, frolics, foibles, and perfections, + Their robing, curling, and adorning, + From noon to night, from night to morning, + From six to sixty, sick or sound, + I rule the female world around."-- + + 'Hold there a moment,' CUPID cry'd, + 'Nor boast dominion quite so wide; + Was there no province to invade, + But that by love and meekness sway'd; + All other empire I resign, + But be the sphere of beauty mine. + + 'For in the downy lawn of rest, + That opens on a woman's breast, + Attended by my peaceful train, + I choose to live, and choose to reign. + + 'Far-sighted FAITH I bring along, + And TRUTH, above an army strong, + And CHASTITY, of icy mould, + Within the burning tropics cold; + And LOWLINESS, to whose mild brow + The pow'r and pride of nations bow; + And MODESTY, with down-cast eye, + That lends the morn her virgin dye; + And INNOCENCE, array'd in light, + And HONOUR, as a tow'r upright; + With sweetly winning graces, more + Than poets ever dreamt of yore; + In unaffected conduct free, + All smiling sisters, three times three; + And rosy PEACE, the cherub bless'd, + That nightly sings us all to rest. + + 'Hence, from the bud of NATURE'S prime, + From the first step of infant time, + Woman, the world's appointed light, + Has skirted ev'ry shade with white; + Has stood for imitation high, + To ev'ry heart, and ev'ry eye; + From ancient deeds of fair renown, + Has brought her bright memorials down; + To time affix'd perpetual youth, + And form'd each tale of love and truth. + + 'Upon a new PROMETHEAN plan, + She moulds the essence of a man, + Tempers his mass, his genius fires, + And as a better soul inspires. + + 'The rude she softens, warms the cold, + Exalts the meek, and checks the bold; + Calls SLOTH from his supine repose, + Within the coward's bosom glows; + Of pride unplumes the lofty crest, + Bids bashful merit stand confess'd; + And like coarse metal from the mines, + Collects, irradiates, and refines; + The gentle science she imparts, + All manners smooths, informs all hearts; + From her sweet influence are felt, + Passions that please, and thoughts that melt. + To stormy rage she bids controul, + And sinks serenely on the soul; + Softens DUCALION'S flinty race, + And tunes the warring world to peace. + + 'Thus arm'd to all that's light and vain, + And freed from thy fantastic chain, + She fills the sphere, by heav'n assign'd, + And, rul'd by me, o'er-rules mankind.' + + He spoke.--The nymph impatient stood, + And, laughing, thus her speech renew'd: + + "And pray, sir, may I be so bold, + To hope your pretty tale is told; + And next demand without a cavil, + What new UTOPIA do you travel? + Upon my word, these high-flown fancies + Shew depth of learning in romances. + Why, what unfashion'd stuff you tell us, + Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows! + Go, child, and when you're grown maturer, + You'll shoot your next opinion surer. + + "O, such a pretty knack at painting, + And all for soft'ning, and for sainting! + Guess now, who can, a single feature, + Thro' the whole piece of female nature: + Then, mark! my looser hand may fit + The lines too coarse for love to hit. + + "'Tis said, that woman prone to changing, + Thro' all the rounds of folly ranging, + On life's uncertain ocean riding, + No reason, rule, nor rudder guiding, + Is like the comet's wand'ring light, + Eccentric, ominous, and bright; + Tractless and shifting as the wind, + A sea whose fathom none can find; + A moon, still changing and revolving, + A riddle, past all human solving; + A bliss, a plague, a heav'n, a hell, + A----something, that no man can tell. + + "Now learn a secret from a friend, + But keep your counsel and attend: + + "Tho' in their tempers thought so distant, + Nor with their sex, nor selves consistent, + 'Tis but the diff'rence of a name, + And ev'ry woman is the same. + For as the world, however vary'd, + And thro' unnumber'd changes carry'd, + Of elemental modes and forms, + Clouds, meteors, colours, calms, and storms; + Tho' in a thousand suits array'd, + Is of one subject matter made; + So, sir, a woman's constitution, + The world's enigma, finds solution. + And let her form be what you will, + I am the subject essence still. + + "With the first spark of female sense, + The speck of being, I commence; + Within the womb make fresh advances, + And dictate future qualms and fancies; + Thence in the growing form expand, + With childhood travel hand in hand, + And give a taste of all their joys, + In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and noise. + + "And now, familiar and unaw'd, + I send the flutt'ring soul abroad; + Prais'd for her shape, her air, her mien, + The little goddess, and the queen, + Takes at her infant shrine oblation, + And drinks sweet draughts of adulation. + + "Now, blooming, tall, erect, and fair, + To dress becomes her darling care; + The realms of beauty then I bound, + I swell the hoop's enchanted round; + Shrink in the waist's descending size, + Heav'd in the snowy bosom rise, + High on the floating lappet sail, + Or curl'd in tresses kiss the gale. + Then to her glass I lead the fair, + And shew the lovely idol there, + Where, struck as by divine emotion, + She bows with most sincere devotion; + And numb'ring ev'ry beauty o'er, + In secret bids the world adore. + + "Then all for parking and parading, + Coqueting, dancing, masquerading; + For balls, plays, courts, and crowds, what passion! + And churches, sometimes, if the fashion: + For woman's sense of right and wrong + Is rul'd by the almighty throng; + Still turns to each meander tame, + And swims the straw of ev'ry stream. + Her soul intrinsic worth rejects, + Accomplish'd only in defects, + Such excellence is her ambition, + Folly her wisest acquisition; + And ev'n from pity and disdain, + She'll cull some reason to be vain. + + "Thus, sir, from ev'ry form and feature, + The wealth and wants of female nature, + And ev'n from vice, which you'd admire, + I gather fuel to my fire, + And on the very base of shame, + Erect my monument of fame. + + "Let me another truth attempt, + Of which your godship has not dreamt: + Those shining virtues which you muster, + Whence think you they derive their lustre? + From native honour and devotion! + O yes! a mighty likely notion! + Trust me, from titled dames to spinners, + 'Tis I make saints, whoe'er make sinners; + 'Tis I instruct them to withdraw, + And hold presumptuous man in awe; + For female worth as I inspire, + In just degrees, still mounts the higher, + And VIRTUE so extremely nice, + Demands long toil and mighty price; + Like SAMPSON'S pillars, fix'd elate, + I bear the sex's tott'ring state; + Sap these, and in a moment's space, + Down sinks the fabric to its base. + + "Alike from titles, and from toys, + I spring, the fount of female joys; + In ev'ry widow, wife, and miss, + The sole artificer of bliss. + For them each tropic I explore; + I cleave the sand of ev'ry shore; + To them uniting INDIA'S sail, + SABAEA breathes her farthest gale; + For them the bullion I refine, + Dig sense and virtue from the mine; + And from the bowels of invention, + Spin out the various arts you mention. + + "Nor bliss alone my pow'rs bestow, + They hold the sov'reign balm of woe; + Beyond the stoic's boasted art, + I soothe the heavings of the heart; + To pain give splendor, and relief, + And gild the pallid face of grief. + + "Alike the palace and the plain, + Admit the glories of my reign; + Thro' ev'ry age, in ev'ry nation, + Taste, talents, tempers, state, and station, + Whate'er a woman says, I say; + Whate'er a woman spends, I pay; + Alike I fill and empty bags, + Flutter in finery and rags; + With light coquets thro' folly range, + And with the prude disdain to change. + + "And now, you'd think, 'twixt you and I, + That things were ripe for a reply-- + But soft--and while I'm in the mood, + Kindly permit me to conclude; + Their utmost mazes to unravel, + And touch the farthest step they travel: + + "When ev'ry pleasure's run a-ground, + And folly tir'd thro' many a round; + The nymph, conceiving discontent hence, + May ripen to an hour's repentance, + And vapours shed in pious moisture, + Dismiss her to a church or cloister; + Then on I lead her, with devotion + Conspicuous in her dress and motion; + Inspire the heav'nly-breathing air, + Roll up the lucid eye in pray'r, + Soften the voice, and in the face + Look melting harmony and grace. + + "Thus far extends my friendly pow'r, + Nor quits her in her latest hour; + The couch of decent pain I spread, + In form recline her languid head; + Her thoughts I methodize in death, + And part not with her parting breath; + Then do I set, in order bright, + A length of fun'ral pomp to sight; + The glitt'ring tapers, and attire, + The plumes that whiten o'er her bier; + And last, presenting to her eye + Angelic fineries on high, + To scenes of painted bliss I waft her, + And form the heav'n she hopes hereafter." + + 'In truth,' rejoin'd LOVE'S gentle god, + 'You've gone a tedious length of road; + And, strange! in all the toilsome way + No house of kind refreshment lay; + No nymph, whose virtues might have tempted + To hold her from her sex exempted.' + + "For one, we'll never quarrel, man, + Take her, and keep her, if you can; + And pleas'd I yield to your petition, + Since every fair, by such permission, + Will hold herself the one selected, + And so my system stands protected." + + 'O deaf to VIRTUE, deaf to GLORY, + To truths divinely vouch'd in story!' + The godhead, in his zeal return'd, + And kindling at her malice burn'd. + Then sweetly rais'd his voice, and told + Of heav'nly nymphs, rever'd of old; + HYPSIPYLE, who sav'd her sire; + And PORTIA'S love, approv'd by fire; + Alike PENELOPE was quoted, + Nor laurel'd DAPHNE pass'd unnoted, + Nor LAODAMIA'S fatal garter, + Nor fam'd LUCRETIA, honour's martyr, + ALCESTE'S voluntary steel, + And CATHERINE smiling on the wheel. + + But who can hope to plant conviction, + Where cavil grows on contradiction! + Some she evades, or disavows, + Demurs to all, and none allows; + A kind of ancient things, call'd fables! + And thus the goddess turn'd the tables. + + Now both in argument grew high, + And choler flash'd from either eye; + Nor wonder each refus'd to yield + The conquest of so fair a field. + + When happily arriv'd in view + A goddess, whom our grandames knew, + Of aspect grave, and sober gait, + Majestic, awful, and sedate, + As heav'n's autumnal eve serene, + Where not a cloud o'ercasts the scene, + Once PRUDENCE call'd, a matron fam'd, + And in old ROME CORNELIA nam'd. + Quick, at a venture, both agree + To leave their strife to her decree. + + And now by each the facts were stated, + In form and manner as related; + The case was short--They crav'd opinion, + Which held o'er females chief dominion? + When thus the goddess, answering mild, + First shook her gracious head, and smil'd: + + "Alas! how willing to comply, + Yet how unfit a judge am I! + In times of golden date, 'tis true, + I shar'd the fickle sex with you; + But from their presence long precluded, + Or held as one whose form intruded, + Full fifty annual suns can tell, + Prudence has bid the sex farewell." + + In this dilemma, what to do, + Or who to think of, neither knew; + For both, still bias'd in opinion, + And arrogant of sole dominion, + Were forc'd to hold the case compounded, + Or leave the quarrel where they found it. + + When in the nick, a rural fair, + Of inexperienc'd gait and air, + Who ne'er had cross'd the neighb'ring lake, + Nor seen the world beyond a wake; + With cambric coif, and kerchief clean, + Trip'd lightly by them o'er the green. + + 'Now, now!' cry'd LOVE'S triumphant child, + And at approaching conquest smil'd; + 'If VANITY will once be guided, + Our diff'rence soon may be decided: + Behold you wench, a fit occasion, + To try your force of gay persuasion.-- + Go you, while I retire aloof, + Go, put those boasted pow'rs to proof; + And if your prevalence of art + Transcends my yet unerring dart, + I give the fav'rite contest o'er, + And ne'er will boast my empire more.' + + At once, so said and so consented, + And well our goddess seem'd contented, + Nor pausing, made a moment's stand, + But tript, and took the girl in hand. + + Meanwhile the GODHEAD, unalarm'd, + As one to each occasion arm'd, + Forth from his quiver cull'd a dart, + That erst had wounded many a heart; + Then bending, drew it to the head, + The bowstring twang'd, the arrow fled, + And to her secret soul address'd, + Transfix'd the whiteness of her breast. + + But here the DAME, whose guardian care + Had to a moment watch'd the fair, + At once her pocket mirror drew, + And held the wonder full in view; + As quickly, rang'd in order bright, + A thousand beauties rush'd to sight, + A world of charms, till now unknown, + A world revealed to her alone; + Enraptur'd stands the love-sick maid, + Suspended o'er the darling shade; + Here only fixes to admire, + And centres every fond desire. + + +_FINIS._ + + +Printed by C. 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