7 
 
 0 
 
V 
 
FABLES 
 
 FOR THE 
 
 FEMALE SEX. 
 
 THE THIRD EDITION. 
 
 ■ i ■ [ ■ ^ ii i l l " i h i i i ■ ■ i ■ mi . i m . - i. i «g f 
 
 LONDON 
 
 Printed by J. Lister, in Ltttle-Bofwell-Courtj 
 
 For T. Davies, in Rujfell-Street, Covent-Gardm> and 
 J- Dodsley, in Pail-Mall 
 
 MDCCLXVI* 
 
PREFACE 
 
 H E following Fables were written 
 jl at intervals, when 1 found myfelf in 
 humour, and difengaged from matters of 
 greater moment* As they are the writings of 
 an idle hour,fo they are intended for the read- 
 ing ofthofe, whofe only bujinefs is amifement. 
 My hopes of profit, or applaufe y are not immo- 
 derate ; nor have I prin ted thro necejjity, or 
 requejl of friends. I have- leave from her 
 Royal Highnefs to addrefs her, and I claim 
 the Fair for my Readers. My fears are 
 lighter than my expectations ; I wrote to pleafe 
 myfelf and Ipubliflo to pleafe others; and this 
 fo univerfally, that I have not wi/l/d for cor- 
 re&nefs to rob the critic of his cenfure, or 
 my friend of the laugh. 
 
 MT intimates are few, and I am not fo- 
 licious to increafe them. I have learnt, that 
 where the writer would pleafe, the man foould 
 be unknown. An author is the rev erf e of all 
 
 A 2 other 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 other objeBs, and magnifies by dijlance, but 
 diminifies by approach. His private attache 
 7nents muji give place to public favour ; for no 
 man can forgive his friend the ill-natured at- 
 tempt of being thought wifer than himfelf 
 
 ITO avoid therefore the misfortunes thut may 
 attend me from any accidental fuccefs, I think 
 it nccejj'ary to inform thofe who know me, that 
 I have been ajjijled in the following papers by 
 the author of Guftavus Vafa, Let the crime 
 of p leafing be his, whofe talents as a writer > 
 and whofe virtues as a man, have rendered 
 him a living affront to the whole circle of 
 his ccquaintance. 
 
 TABLE 
 
TABLE 
 
 O F 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 HpHE Eagle, and Assembly 
 JL of Birds. Page i 
 
 FABLE II. 
 
 The Panther, the Ho rse, and other 
 Beasts. g 
 
 FABLE III. 
 
 The Nightingale, and Glow-worm. 
 
 if 
 
 FABLE 
 
TABLE ^CONTENTS. 
 
 FABLE IV. 
 
 Hymen, ^Death. Page 21 
 
 FABLE V. 
 
 The Poet, and bis Patron. 25 
 FABLE VI. 
 
 The Wolf, the Sheep, and the Lamb. 
 
 FABLE VII. 
 
 The Goose, and the Swans. 39 
 
 FABLE VIII. 
 The Lawyer, and Justice. 47 
 
 FABLE IX. 
 
 The Farmer, the Spaniel, and the Cat. 
 
 55 
 
 FABLE X. 
 The Spider, and the Bee. 61 
 
 FABLE 
 
TABLE of CONTENTS. . 
 
 FABLE XI. 
 The Young Lion, and the Ape. Page 67 
 
 FABLE XII. 
 The Colt, and the Farmer. 73 
 
 FABLE XIII. 
 The Owl, and the Nightingale. 81 
 
 FABLE XIV. 
 The Sparrow, and the Dove. S9 
 
 FABLE XV. 
 The Female Seducers. 115 
 
 FABLE XVI. 
 Love and Vanity. 149 
 
( * ) 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 The EAGLE, and theAffembly of 
 BIRDS. 
 
 To her Royal Highnefs the Frincefs 
 of WALES. 
 
 Y j| "^HE moral lay, to beauty due* 
 
 I write, Fair Excellence, to you; 
 Well pleas'd to hope my vacant hours 
 Have been employ 'd to fweeten yours. 
 Truth under fidtion I impart, 
 To weed out folly from the heart, 
 And fhew the paths, that lead aftray 
 The wandring nymph form wifdom's way. 
 
 B I flatter 
 
2 FABLES. 
 
 I flatter none. The great and good 
 Are by their adtions underftood ; 
 Your monument if anions raife, 
 Shall I deface by idle praife ? 
 I echo not the voice of fame, 
 That -dwells delighted on your name; 
 Her friendly tale, however true, 
 Were flatt'ry, if 1 told it you. 
 
 The proud, the envious, and the vain, 
 The jilt, the prude, demand my ftrain y 
 To thefe, detailing praife, I write, 
 And vent, in charity, my fpite, 
 With friendly hand I hold the glafs 
 To all, promifcuous as they pafs ; 
 Should folly there her likenefs view, 
 I fret not that the mirrors true ; 
 
FABLES. 
 
 If the fantaftic form offend, 
 
 I made it not, but would amend. 
 
 Virtue, in every clime and age, 
 Spurns at the folly-foothing page, 
 While fatire, that offends the ear 
 Of vice and pafion, pleafes her. 
 
 Premifing this, your anger fpare, 
 And claim the fable, you, who dare. 
 
 '^^HE birds in place, by factions prefs'd 3 
 To Jupiter their pray'rs addrefs'd 
 By fpecious lies the ftate was vex'd, 
 Their counfels libellers perplex'd ; 
 They begg'd (to flop feditious tongues) 
 A gracious hearing of their wrongs. 
 
 B 2 Jove 
 
4 FABLE S. 
 
 Jove grants their fuit. The Eagle fate y 
 Decider of the grand debate. 
 
 The Pye, to truft and pow'r preferr'd, 
 Demands permiffion to be heard. 
 Says he, prolixity of phrafe 
 Y ou know I hate. This libel fays, 
 " Some birds there are, who prone to noife r 
 tc Are hir'd to filence wifdom's voice, 
 " And fkill'd to chatter out the hour, 
 " Rife by their emptinefs to pow'r." 
 That this is aim'd direct at me, 
 No doubt, you'll readily agree ; 
 Yet well this fage afiembly knows, 
 By parts to government I rofe ; 
 My prudent counfels prop the ftate ; 
 Magpies w r ere never known to prate. 
 5 The 
 
FABLES. j 
 
 The Kite rofe up. His lion eft heart 
 In virtue's fuff'rings bore a part. 
 That there were birds of prey he knew; 
 So far the libeller faid true; 
 
 Voracious, bold, to rapine prone, 
 " Who knew no int'reft but their own; 
 f € .. Who hov'ring o'er the fanner's yard, 
 (' Nor pigeon, chick, nor duckling fpar'd,. 
 This might be true, but if apply'd 
 To him, in troth, the fland'rer ly'd. 
 Since ign'rance then might be milled, 
 jSuch things, he thought, were beft unfaifL 
 
 The Crow was vex'd. As yefter-morn 
 He flew acrofs the new-fown corn, 
 A fcreaming boy was fet for pay, 
 He knew, to drive the crows away ; 
 
 B 3 Scandal 
 
6 FABLES. 
 
 Scandal had found him out in turn, 
 And buzz'd abroad, that crows love corn. 
 
 The Owl arofe, with folemn face, 
 And thus harangu'd upon the cafe. 
 That magpies prate, it may be true, 
 A kite may be voracious too, 
 Crows fometimes deal in new-fown peafe ; 
 He libels not, who ftrikes at thefe; 
 The flahder's here-—" But there are birds, 
 " Whofe wifdom lies in looks, not words; 
 " Blund'rers, who level in the dark, 
 €C And always fhoot befide the mark." 
 He names not me; but thefe are hints, 
 Which manifeft at whom he fquints ; 
 I were indeed that blund'ring fowl, 
 To queffion if he meant an owl. 
 
 Ye 
 
FABLES. 7 
 
 Ye wretches, hence ! the Eagle cries, 
 'Tis confcience, confcience that applies; 
 The virtuous mind takes no alarm, 
 Secured by innocence from harm ; 
 While guilt, and his affociate fear, 
 Are ftartled at the pairing air. 
 
 FABLE 
 
{ 9 ) 
 
 FABLE II. 
 
 fThe Panther, Z&Horse, and 
 other Beasts. 
 
 t | ^HE man, who feeks to win the fair, 
 JL (So cuftom fays) muft truth forbear 3 
 Mull fawn and flatter, cringe and lie, 
 And raife the goddefs tp the {ky. 
 For truth is hateful to her ear, 
 A rudenefs, which fhe cannot bear. 
 A rudenefs ? Yes- I fpeak my thoughts 3 
 For truth upbraids her with her faults* 
 
 How wretched, Cloe, then am I, 
 Who? love you, and yet cannot lie ! 
 And ftill to make you lefs my friend, 
 I ftrive your errors to amend ! 
 
 But 
 
io FABLES. 
 
 But fhall the fenfelefs fop impart 
 The fofteft paffion to your heart, 
 While he, who tells you honeft truth. 
 And points to happinefs your youth, 
 Determines, by his care, his lot, 
 And lives neglected and forgot ? 
 
 Truft me, my dear, with greater eale 
 Your tafle for flatt'ry I could pleafe, 
 And fimilies in each dull line, 
 Like glow-worms in the dark, Ihould {hine. 
 What if I fay your lips difclofe 
 The frefhnefs of the op'ning rofe ? 
 Or that your cheeks are beds of flow'rs, 
 Enripen'd by refrefhing fhow'rs ? 
 Yet certain as thefe fiow'rs fhall fade, 
 Time every beauty will invade. 
 
 The 
 
FABLE S. ii 
 
 The butterfly, of various hue, 
 
 More than the fiow'r refembles you ; 
 
 Fair, fluttering, fickle, bufy thing, 
 
 To pleafure ever on the wing, 
 
 Gayly coquetting for an hour, 
 
 To die, and ne'er be thought of more. 
 
 W ould you the bloom of youth fhouid laft ? 
 'Tis virtup that mufl bind it. fail ; 
 An eafy carriage, wholly free 
 From four referve, or levity ; 
 Good-natur'd mirth, an open heart, 
 And looks unfkill'd in any art ; 
 Humility, enough to own 
 The frailties, which a friend makes known 3 
 And decent pride, enough to know 
 The worth, that virtue can beftow. 
 
 Thefe 
 
12 FABLES. 
 
 Thefe are the charms, which ne'er decay * 
 Though youth, and beauty fade away, 
 And time, which all things elfe removes^ 
 Still heightens virtue, and improves. 
 
 You'll frown and aflc to what intent 
 This blunt addrefs to you is fent I 
 I'll fpare the quefKon, and confefs 
 I'd praife you, if I lov'd you lefs $ 
 But rail, be angry, or complain, 
 I will be rude, while you are vain, 
 
 gENEATHa lion's peaceful re,ign* 
 When beafts met friendly on the plain, 
 A Panther of majeftic port, 
 (The vainefl female of the court) 
 
V A B L E S. 13 
 
 With Tpotted fkin, and eyes of fire, 
 Fili'd every bofom with defire. 
 Where e'er flie mov'd, a fervile crowd 
 Of fawning creatures cring'd and bowel : 
 Aflemblies every week fhe held, 
 (Like modern belles) with coxcombs fili'd, 
 Where noife, and nonfenfe, and grimace, 
 And lies and fcandal fili'd the place. 
 
 Behold the gay, fantaftic thing, 
 Encircled by the fpacious ring* 
 Low-bowing, with important look, 
 As firft in rank, the Monkey fpoke, 
 " Gad take me, madam, but I fwear, 
 " No angel ever look'd fo fair : 
 '* Forgive my rudenefs, but I vow, 
 " You were not quite divine till now ; 
 
 « Thofe 
 
14 FABLE S* 
 
 " Thofe limbs ! thatfhape ! and then thofe eyes I 
 " O, clofe them, or the gazer dies!" 
 
 Nay, gentle pug, for goodnefs hufh, 
 I vow, and fwear, you make me blufh; 
 I fhall be angry at this rate ; 
 *Tis fo like fiatt'ry, which I hate. 
 
 The Fox, in deeper cunning vers'd^ 
 The beauties of her mind rehears'd, 
 And talk'd of knowledge, tafte, and fenfe, 
 To which the fair have vaft pretence ! 
 Yet well he knew them always vain 
 Of what they flrive not to attain, 
 And play'd fo cunningly his part, 
 ,That pug was rival'd in his art. 
 
 The Goat avow'd his am'rous flame, 
 And burnt — for what he duft not name ; 
 
 Yet 
 
FABLES 15 
 
 Yet hop'd a meeting in the wood 
 Might make his meaning underflood. 
 Half angry at the bold addrefs, 
 She frown'd ; but yet fhe muft confefs, 
 Such beauties might inflame his blood, 
 But flill his phrafe was fomewhat rude. 
 
 The Hog her neatnefs much admir'd ; 
 The formal Afs her fwiftnefs fir d ; 
 While all to feed her folly ftrove, 
 And by their praifes fhar'd her love. 
 
 The Horfe, whofe generous heart difdain'd 
 Applaufe, by fervile flatt'ry gain'd, 
 With graceful courage, filence broke, 
 And thus with indignation fpoke. 
 
 When flatt'ring monkeys fawn, and prate, 
 They juftly raife contempt, or hate; 
 
 For 
 
i6 FABLE S. 
 
 For merit's turn'd to ridicule, 
 Applauded by the grinning fool. 
 The artful fox your wit commends* 
 To lure you to his felfifh ends; 
 From the vile flatt'rer turn away, 
 For knaves make friendlhips to betray* 
 Difmifs the train of fops, and fools, 
 And learn to live by wifdom's rules ; 
 Such beauties might the lion warm, 
 Did not your folly break the charm $ 
 For who would court that lovely fhape, 
 To be the rival of an ape? 
 
 He faid ; and fnorting in difdain, 
 Spurn'd at the crowd, and fought the plain 4 
 
 FABLE 
 
(. *7 ) 
 
 FABLE III, 
 
 The Nightingale and Glow-worm 
 
 HE prudent nymph, whofe cheeks 
 difclofe 
 
 The lilly, and the blufhing rofe, 
 From public view her charms will fcreen, 
 And rarely in the crowd be feen $ 
 This fimple truth fhall keep her wife, 
 t 4 The faireft fruits attract the flies/* 
 
 QNE night a Glow-worm, proud and vain, 
 Contemplating her glitt'ring train, 
 
 C Cry'd 
 
18 FABLES, 
 
 Cry'd, fure there never was in nature 
 
 So elegant, fo fine a creature. 
 
 All other infe&s, that I fee, 
 
 The frugal ant, induftrious bee, 
 
 Or filk-worm, with contempt I view 3 
 
 With all that low, mechanic crew, 
 
 Who fervilely their lives employ 
 
 In bufinefs, enemy to joy. 
 
 Mean, vulgar herd ! ye^ are my fcorn, 
 
 For grandeur only I was born, 
 
 Or fure am fprung from race divine, 
 
 And plac'd on earth, to live and fliine. 
 
 Thofe lights, that fparkle fo on high, 
 
 Are but the glow-worms of the fky, 
 
 And kings on earth their gems admire, 
 
 Becaufe they imitate my fire. 
 
FABLES. 19 
 
 She fpoke. Attentive on a fpray, 
 A Nightingale forbore his lay 5 
 He faw the fhining morfel near, 
 And flew, directed by the glare ; 
 A while he gaz'd with fober look, 
 And thus the trembling prey befpoke. 
 
 Deluded fool, with pride elate, 
 Know, 'tis thy beauty brings thy fate: 
 Lefs dazzling, long thou might'ft have lain 
 Unheeded on the velvet plain : 
 Pride, foon or late, degraded mourns, 
 And beauty wrecks whom fhe adorns. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 21 ) 
 
 FABLE IV. 
 
 Hymen, and Death. 
 
 SIxteen, dy'e fay ? Nay then 'tis time, 
 Another year deftroys your prime. 
 But flay — thefettlement! " That's made. 5 ' 
 Why then's my Ample girl afraid ? 
 Yet hold a moment, if you can, 
 And heedfully the fable fcan. 
 
 ^JpHE fhades were fled, the morning blufli'd, 
 The winds were in their caverns hufh'd 
 
 C 3 When 
 
22 FABLES, 
 
 When Hymen, penfive and fedate, 
 Held o'er the fields his mufing gait. 
 Behind him, through the green-wood fhade > 
 Death's meagre form the god furvey'd ; 
 Who quickly, with gigantic ftride, 
 Out-went his 'pace and join'd his fide. 
 The chat on various fubjedts ran, 
 Till angry Hymen thus began, 
 
 Relentlefs Death, whofe iron fway 
 Mortal reludant muft obey, 
 Still of thy pow'r fhall I complain, 
 And thy too partial hand arraign ? 
 When Cupid brings a pair of hearts, 
 All over fluck with equal darts, 
 Thy cruel {hafts my hopes deride, 
 And cut the knot that Hymen ty'd. 
 
 Shall 
 
FABLES. 22 
 
 Shall not the bloody, and the bold, 
 The mifer, hoarding up his gold, 
 The harlot, reeking from the flew, 
 Alone thy fell revenge purfue ? 
 But muft the gentle, and the kind, 
 Thy fury, undiftinguifh'd, find ? 
 
 The monarch calmly thus reply 'd ; 
 Weigh well the caufe, and then decide. 
 That friend of yours you lately nam'd, 
 Cupid, alone is to be blam'd ; 
 Then let the charge be juftly laid ; 
 That idle boy negledts his trade, 
 And hardly once in twenty years, 
 A couple to your temple bears. 
 The wretches, whom your office blends, 
 Silenus now, or Plutus fends ; 
 
 C 4 Hence 
 
24 FABLE S. 
 
 Hence care, and b'tternefs, and ftrife, 
 Are common to the nuptial life. 
 
 Believe me ; more than all mankind, 
 Your vot'ries my compaffion find j 
 Yet cruel am I call'd, and bafe, 
 Who feek the wretched to releafe ; 
 The captive from his bonds to free, 
 IndifToluble but for me. 
 
 'Tis I entice him to the yoke ; 
 By me, your crowded altars fmoke : 
 For mortals boldly dare the noofe, 
 Secure that death will fet them loofe. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( *5 ) 
 
 FABLE V. 
 
 The Poet, and his Patron* 
 
 ^TTTHY, Ccelia, is yourfpreading waift 
 
 ▼ * So loofe, fo negligently lac'd ? 
 Why muft the wrapping bed-gown hide 
 Your fnowy bofom's fwelling pride ? 
 How ill that drefs adorns your head, 
 Diftain'd, and rumpled from the bed ! 
 Thofe clouds, that fhade your blooming face, 
 A little water might difplace* 
 
 As 
 
26 FABLES. 
 
 As Nature every morn beflows 
 The cryffcal dew, to cleanfe the rofe, 
 Thofe trefles, as the raven black, 
 That wav'd in ringlets down your back, 
 Uncomb'd, and injured by negledt, 
 Deftroy the face, which once they deck'd. 
 
 Whence this forgetfulnefs of drefs ? 
 Pray, madam, are you married ? Yes. 
 Nay, then indeed the wonder ceafes, 
 No matter now how loofe your drefs is ; 
 The end is won, your fortune's made, 
 Your filler now may take the trade, 
 
 Alas ! what pity 'tis to find 
 This fault in half the female kind ! 
 From hence proceed averfion, ftrife, 
 And all that fours the wedded life. 
 
 Beauty 
 
FABLES, 27 
 
 Beauty can only point the dart, 
 'Tis neatnefs guides it to the heart ; 
 Let neatnefs then, and beauty ftrive 
 To keep a wav'ring flame alive, 
 
 'Tis harder far (youll And it true) 
 To keep the conqueft, than fubdue | 
 Admit us once behind the fcreeri 
 What is there farther to be feeii ? 
 A newer face may raife the flame ? 
 But every woman is the fame. 
 
 Then ftudy chiefly to improve 
 The charm, that fix'd your hufband's love. 
 Weigh well his humour. Was it drefs, 
 That gave your beauty power to blefs ? 
 Purfue it ftill ; be neater feen j 
 'Tis always frugal to be clean ; 
 
28 FABLES. 
 
 So fhall you keep alive defire, 
 
 And time's fwift wing fhall fan the fire. 
 
 J N garret high (as ftories fay) 
 A Poet fung his tuneful lay 
 So foft, fa fmooth his verfe, you'd fwear 
 Apollo, and the Mufes there ; 
 Thro 5 all the town his praifes rung, 
 His fonnets at the playhoufe fung; 
 High waving o'er his lab'ring head, 
 The goddefs Want her pinions fpread, 
 And with poetic fury fir'd, 
 What Phoebus faintly had infpir'd. 
 
 A noble Youth of tafte and wit, 
 Approv'd the fprightly things he writ, 
 
 And 
 
FABLES. 29 
 
 And fought him in his cobweb dome, 
 Difcharg'd his rent and brought him home. 
 
 Behold him at the ftately board, 
 Who, but the Poet, and my Lord ! 
 Each day delicioufly he dines, 
 And greedy quaffs the generous wines } 
 His fides were plump, his fkin was fleek, 
 And plenty wanton'd on his cheek ; 
 Aftonifh'd at the change fo new, 
 Away th' infpiring goddefs flew. 
 
 Now, dropt for politicks and news, 
 Neglected lay the drooping mufe, 
 Unmindful whence his fortune came, 
 He ftifled the poetic flame ; 
 Nor tale, nor fonnet, for my lady, 
 Lampoon, nor epigram was ready. 
 
 With 
 
3 o FABLES. 
 
 With juft contempt his patron faw, 
 (Refolv'd his bounty to withdraw) 
 And thus, with anger in his look, 
 The late-repenting fool befpoke. 
 
 Blind to the good that courts thee grown^ 
 
 Whence has the fun of favour fhone ? 
 Delighted with thy tuneful art, 
 Efteem was growing in my heart, 
 But idly thou reje&'ft the charm, 
 That gave it birth, and kept it warm. 
 
 Unthinking fools, alone defpife 
 The arts, that taught them firft to rife. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 31 ) 
 
 FABLE VI. 
 
 The Wolf, the Sheep, and the Lamb, 
 
 TP^UTY demands, the parent's voice 
 JL^J* Should fan6tify the daughter's choice; 
 In that is due obedience fhewn j 
 To chufe belongs to her alone. 
 
 May horror feize his midnight hour, 
 Who builds upon a parent's po w'r, 
 And claims, by purchafe vile and bafe, 
 The loathing maid for his embrace ; 
 
 Hence 
 
32 FABLES. 
 
 Hence virtue fiekens ; and the breaft> 
 Where peace had built her downy neft* 
 Becomes the troubled feat of care, 
 And pines with anguifh, and defpair. 
 
 Wolf, rapacious, rough and bold, 
 Whofe nightly plunders thin'd the fold^ 
 Contemplating his ill-fpent life, 
 And cloy'd with thefts, would take a w 7 ife* 
 His purpofe known, the favage race, 
 In numerous crowds, 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 fought j 
 
 But 
 
FABLES. 33 
 
 But cold by age, or elfe toa nice, 
 None found acceptance ia his eyes. 
 
 It happen'd, as at early dawn 
 He folitary crofs'd the lawn, 
 Stray'd from the fold, a fportive Lamb 
 Skip'd wanton by her fleecy Dam ; 
 When Cupid, foe to man and beaft, 
 Difcharg'd an arrow at his breafL 
 
 The tim'rous breed the robber knew, 
 And trembling o'er the meadow flew ; 
 Their nimbleft fpeed the Wolf o'ertook, 
 And courteous, thus the Dam befpoke. 
 
 Stay, faireft, and fufpend your fear, 
 Truft me, no enemy is near ; 
 Thefe jaws, in flaughter oft imbru'd, 
 At length have known enough of blood i 
 
 D And 
 
34 FABLES. 
 
 And kinder bus'nefs brings me now, 
 Vanquifh'd, at beauty's feet to bow. 
 You have a daughter— ——Sweet, forgive 
 A Wolfs addrefs— - — In her I live ; 
 Love from her eyes like lightening came, 
 And fet my marrow all on flame ; 
 Let your confent 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 fhepherd's curr may fleep, 
 While I fecure his matter's fheep. 
 
 Difcourfe like this, attention claim'd ; 
 Grandeur the mother's breaft inflam'd ; 
 
FABLES. 35 
 
 Now fearlefs by his fide flie walk'd, 
 Of fettlements and jointures talk'd ; 
 Propos'd, and doubled her demands 
 Of flow'ry fields, and turnip-lands. 
 The Wolf agrees. Her bofom fwells ; 
 To Mifs her happy fate fhe 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 beft knew 
 What unexperienc'd girls fhould do ; 
 So, to the neighb'ring meadow carry 'd, 
 A formal afs the couple marry'd. 
 
 Torn from the tyrant-mother's fide, 
 The trembler goes, a vidtim-bride, 
 
 D 2 Reludant 
 
3 6 FABLES. 
 
 Reludtant, meets the rude embrace, 
 And bleats among the howling race. 
 With horror oft her eyes behold 
 Her murder d kindred of the folds 
 Each day a fifter-lamb is ferv'd, 
 And at the Glutton's table carv'd ; 
 The crafhing bones he grinds for food, 
 And flakes his thirft with fireaming blood. 
 
 Love, who the cruel mind detefts, 
 And lodges but in gentle breafts, 
 Was now no more. Enjoyment paft, 
 The favage hunger'd for the feaft ; 
 But (as we find in human race, 
 A mafk conceals the villain's face) 
 Juflice muft authorize the treat; 
 Till then he long'd, but durft not eat. 
 
 A 
 
FABLES. 37 
 
 As forth he walk'd, in queft of prey, 
 The hunters met h\m on the way f 
 Fear wings his flight; the marfh he fought j 
 The fnuffing dogs are fet at fault. 
 His ftomach baulk'd, now hunger gnaws, 
 Howling, he grinds his empty jaws ; 
 Food muft be had, and lamb is nigh ; 
 His maw invokes the fraudful lie. 
 Is this (dilfembling rage, he cry'd) 
 The gentle virtue of a bride ? 
 That, leagu'd with man's dellroying race? 
 She fets her huiband for the chace ? 
 By treach'ry prompts the noify hound 
 To fcent his footfteps on the ground r 
 Thou trait'refs vile ! for this thy blood 
 Shall glut my rage, and dye the wood ! 
 
 P 3 So 
 
38 FABLE S. 
 
 So faying, on the Lamb he flies, 
 Beneath his jaws the vi&im dies. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 39 ) 
 
 FABLE VII. 
 
 The Goose and the Swans. 
 
 T HATE the face, however fair, 
 
 That carries an affedted air ; 
 The lifping tone, the fliape conftrain'd, 
 The ftudy'd look, the paffion feign'd, 
 Are fopperies, which only tend 
 To injure what they ftrive to mend. 
 
 With what fuperior grace enchants 
 The face, which nature's pencil paints ! 
 
 P f Where 
 
4 o FABLES, 
 
 Where eyes, unexercis'd in art, 
 Glow with the meaning of the heart ! 
 Where freedom, and good-humour fit, 
 And eafy gaiety, and wit ! 
 Though perfed beauty be not there. 
 The mafter lines, the finiflvd air, 
 We catch from every look delight, 
 And grow enamourd at the fight : 
 For beauty, though we all approve, 
 Excites our wonder, more than love ; 
 While the agreeable ftrikes fure, 
 
 And gives the wounds we cannot cure. 
 Why then, my Amoret, this care 
 
 That forms you, in effedt, lefs fair ? 
 
 If nature on your cheek beftows 
 
 A bloom, that emulates the rofe, 
 
FABLES. 41 
 
 Or from fome heav'nly image drew 
 A form, Apelles never knew, 
 Your ill-judg'd aid will you impart, 
 And fpoil by meretricious art ? 
 Or had you, nature's error, come 
 Abortive from the mother's womb, 
 Your forming care fhe flill rejedts, 
 Which only heightens her defeats* 
 When fuch, of glittering jewels proud, 
 Still prefs the foremoft in the croud, 
 At ev'ry public Ihew are feen, 
 With look awry, and auk ward mem, 
 The gaudy drefs attracts the eye, 
 And magnifies deformity. 
 
 Nature may underdo her part, 
 But feldom wants the help of art 5 
 
42 FABLES. 
 
 Truft her, Hie is your fureft friend, 
 Nor made your form for you to mend. 
 
 Goofe, affedted, empty, vain, 
 The fhrilleft of the cackling train, 
 With proud, and elevated creft, 
 Precedence claimed above the reft. 
 Says fhe, I laugh at human race, 
 
 Who fay, geefe hobble in their pace ; 
 
 Look here ! the fland'rous lie deted ^ 
 
 Not haughty man is fo eredl. 
 
 That peacock yonder ! lord, how vail* 
 
 The creature's of his gaudy train ! 
 
 If both were ftript, I'd pawn my word, 
 
 A goofe would be the finer bird. 
 
 Nature 
 
FABLES. 43 
 
 Nature, to hide her own defeats, 
 Her bungled work with fintry decks; 
 Were geefe fet off with half that fhow, 
 Would men admire the peacock ? No. 
 
 Thus vaunting crofs the mead fhe ftalks, 
 The cackling breed attend her walks -> 
 The fun fhot down his noon-tide beams, 
 The Swans were fporting in the ftreams ; 
 Their fnowy plumes, and ftately pride 
 Provok'd her fpleen. Why there, fhe cry'd, 
 Again, what arrogance we fee ! — ~ 
 Thofe creatures ! how they minic me ! 
 Shall ev'ry fowl the waters fkim, 
 Becaufe we geefe are known to fwim ! 
 Humility they foon fhall learn, 
 And their own emptinefs difcern. 
 
 So 
 
44 FABLES, 
 
 So faying, with extended wings, 
 Lightly upon the wave ftie fprings ; 
 Her bofom fwells, fhe fpreads her plumes, 
 And the fwan's ftately creft affumes. 
 Contempt and mockery enfu'd, 
 And burfts of laughter fhook the flood. 
 
 A fwan, fuperior to the reft, 
 Sprung forth, and thus the fool addrefs'd. 
 
 Conceited thing, elate with pride ! 
 Thy affedtation all deride ; 
 Thefe airs thy aukwardnefs impart, 
 And fhew thee plainly, as thou art. 
 Among thy equals of the flock, 
 Thou had'ft efcap'd the public mock, 
 And as thy parts to good conduce, 
 Been deem'd an honeft, hobbling goofe. 
 
 Learn 
 
FABLES. 4 
 Learn hence, to iiudy wifdom's rules ; 
 Know, foppery's the pride of fools ; 
 And ftriving nature to conceal, 
 You only her defedts reveaL 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 47 ) 
 
 FABLE VIII. 
 
 "The Lawyer and Justice* 
 
 OVE ! thou divineft good below, 
 
 J* — Thy pure delights few mortals know! 
 Our rebel hearts thy fway difown, 
 While tyrant luft ufurps thy throne. 
 
 The bounteous God of nature made 
 The. fexes for each other's aid, 
 Their mutual talents to employ, 
 To leffen ills, and heighten joy. 
 
 To 
 
48 FABLES, 
 
 To weaker woman he affign'd 
 That foft'ning gentlenefs of mind, 
 That can, by fimpathy, impart 
 It's likenefs, to the rougheft heart. 
 Her eyes with magic pow'r endu'd, 
 To fire the dull, and awe the rude. 
 His rofy fingers on her face 
 Shed lavifh ev'ry blooming grace, 
 And ftamp'd (perfection to difplay) 
 His mildeft image on her clay. 
 
 Man, adtive, refolute, and bold, 
 He fafhion'd in a different mould, 
 With ufeful arts his mind inform'd, 
 His breaft with nobler paflions warm'd ; 
 fie gave him knowledge, tafte, and fenfe, 
 And courage, for the fair's defence. 
 
FABLES. 49 
 
 Her frame, refiftlefs to each wrong, 
 Demands protection from the flrong; 
 To man fhe flies, when fear alarms, 
 And claims the temple of his arms. 
 
 By nature's author thus declar'd 
 The woman's fovereign, and her guard, 
 Shall man, by treach'rous wiles invade 
 The weaknefs, he was meant to aid? 
 While beauty, given to infpire 
 Protecting love, and foft deiire, 
 Lights up a wild-fire in the heart, 
 And to it's own bread points the dart, 
 Becomes the fpoiler's bafe pretence 
 To triumph over innocence. 
 
 The wolf, that tears the tim'rous fheep, 
 Was never fet the fold to keep ; 
 
 E Nor 
 
5 o FABLES. 
 
 Nor was the tyger, or the pard 
 Meant the benighted trav'ler's guard j 
 But man, the wildefl beaft of prey, 
 Wears friendship's femblance, to betray y 
 His ftrength againft the weak employs, 
 And where he fhould prote<ft r defboys. 
 
 jp A S T twelve o'clock, the watchman cry'd> 
 His brief the ftudious Lawyer ply'd ; 
 The all-prevailing fee lay nigh, 
 The earn eft of to-morrow's lie. 
 Sudden the furious winds arife, 
 The jarring cafement fhatter'd flies ; 
 The doors admit a hollow found, 
 And rattling from their hinges bound ; 
 
FABLES. 5 i 
 
 When Juflice, in a blaze of light, 
 Reveal'd her radiant form to fight. 
 
 The wretch with thrilling horror {hook, 
 Loofe every joint, and pale his look ; 
 Not having feen her in the courts, 
 Or found her mention'd in reports, 
 He alk'd, with fault'ring tongue, her name, 
 Her errand there, and whence fhe came ? 
 
 Sternly the white-rob'd fhade reply'd, 
 (A crimfon glow her vifage dy'd) 
 Can'ft thou be doubtful who I am ? 
 Is Juftice grown fo ftrange a name ? 
 Were not your courts for Juftice rais'd p 
 'Twas there, of old> my alars blaz'd. 
 My guardian thee I did eledl, 
 My facred temple to protect, 
 
 E 2 That 
 
52 FABLES. 
 
 That thou, and all thy venal tribe 
 Sl.ould fpurn the goddefs for the bribe. 
 Aloud the ruin'd client cries, 
 Jufcice has neither ears, nor eyes ; 
 In foul alliance with the bar, 
 Gainft me the judge denounces war, 
 And rarely iffues his decree, 
 But with intent to baffle me. 
 
 She paus'd. Her breafe with fury burn'd. 
 The trembling Lawyer thus return'd. 
 
 I own the charge is juftly laid, 
 And weak th' excufe that can be made ; 
 Yet fearch the fpacious globe, and fee 
 If all mankind are not like me. 
 
 The gown-man, Ikill'd in romifh lies, 
 By faith's falfe glafs deludes our eyes ; 
 
 O'er 
 
FABLES. 53 
 
 O'er conference rides without controul, 
 And robs the man, to fave his foul. 
 
 The Bodtor, with important face, 
 By fly defign, miftakes the cafe ; 
 Prefcrihes and fpins out the difeafe, 
 To trick the patient of his fees. 
 
 The foldier, rough with many a fear, 
 And red with flaughter, leads the war ; 
 If he a nation's truft betray, 
 The foe has offer'd double pay. 
 
 When vice o'er all mankind prevails, 
 And weighty int'reft turns the fcales, 
 Muft I be better than the reft, 
 And harbour Juftice in my breaft ? 
 On one fide only take the fee, 
 Content with poverty and thee ? 
 
 E 3 Thou 
 
54 FABLES. 
 
 Thou blind to fenfe, and vile of mind^ 
 Th' exafperated Shade rejoin'd, 
 If virtue from the world is flown. 
 Will others faults excufe thy own ? 
 For fickly fouls the prieft was made $ 
 Phyficians for the body's aid ; 
 The foldier guarded liberty ; 
 Man woman, and the lawyer me. 
 If all are faithlefs to their truft, 
 They leave not thee the lefs unjufl. 
 Henceforth your pleadings I difclaim. 
 And bar the fandlion of my name ; 
 Within your courts it fhall be read, 
 That JufKce from the law is fled. 
 
 She fpoke ; and hid in fhades her face, 
 Till Hardwick footh'd her into grace. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 55 ) 
 
 FABLE IX. 
 
 The Farmer the Spaniel, and 
 the Cat. 
 
 *V IT THY knits my dear her angry brow ? 
 
 * * V/hat rude offence alarms you now ? 
 I faid, that Delia's fair, 'tis true, 
 But did I fay fhe equall'd you ? 
 Can't I another's face commend, 
 Or to her virtues be a friend, 
 But inftantly your forehead lours, 
 As if her merit leffen'd yours ? 
 
 E 4 From 
 
56 FABLES. 
 
 From female envy never free, 
 
 All mull be blind becaufe you fee. 
 
 Survey the gardens, fields, and bow'rs, 
 The buds, the bloiToms, and the flow'rs. 
 Then tell me where the wood-bine grows. 
 That vies in fweetnefs with the rofe ? 
 Or where the lilly's fnowy white, 
 That throws fuch beauties on the fight ? 
 Yet folly is it to declare, 
 That thefe are neither fweet, nor fair. 
 The cryilal fhines with fainter rays, 
 Before the di'monds brighter blaze ^ 
 And fops will fay, the di'mond dies 
 Before the luflre of your eyes : 
 But I, who deal in truth, deny 
 That neither fhine when you are by. 
 
FABLES. 57 
 
 When zephifs o'er the bloffoms ftray, 
 And fweets along the air convey, 
 Shan't I the fragant breeze inhale, 
 Becaufe you breathe a fweeter gale ? 
 
 Sweet are the fiow'rs, that deck the field ; 
 Sweet is the fmell the bioflbms yield ; 
 Sweet is the fummer gale that blows ; 
 And fweet, tho' fweeter you, the rofe. 
 
 Shall envy then torment your bread, 
 If you are lovelier than the reft ? 
 For while I give to each her due, 
 By praifing them I flatter you; 
 And praifing moil, I ftill declare 
 You faireft, where the reft are fair. 
 
 S at his board a farmer fate, 
 Jleplenifh'd by his homely treat, 
 
 His 
 
58 FABLES. 
 
 His fav "rite Spaniel near him ffcood, 
 And with his mailer {hard the food j 
 The crackling bones his jaws devour'd, 
 His lapping tongue the trenchers fcour'd $ 
 Till fated now, fupine he lay, 
 And fhor'd the riling fumes away* 
 
 The hungry cat, in turn, drew near, 
 And humbly crav'd a fervant's fhare ; 
 Her modeft worth the Mafter knew, 
 And ftrait the fat'ning morfel threw ; 
 Enrag'd, the fnarling cur awoke, 
 And thus with fpiteful envy, fpoke. 
 
 They only claim a right to eat, 
 Who earn by fervices their meat •> 
 Me, zeal and induftry en flame 
 To fcour the fields, and fpring the game ; 
 
 Or, 
 
FABLES. 59 
 
 Or, plunged in the wintry wave, 
 For man the wounded bird to faye. 
 With watchful diligence I keep, 
 From prowling wolves, his fleecy fheep? 
 At home his midnight hours fecure, 
 And drive the robber from the door. 
 For this, his breaft with kindnefs glows ; 
 For this, his hand the food beftows ; 
 And fhall thy indolence impart 
 A warmer friendilnp to his heart. 
 That thus he robs me of my due, 
 To pamper fuch vile things as you ? 
 
 I own (with meeknefs pufs reply'd) 
 Superior merit on your fide ; 
 Nor does my breaft with envy fwell, 
 To find it recompenc'd fo well; 
 
60 FABLES. 
 
 Yet I, in what my nature can, 
 Contribute to the good of man. 
 Whofe claws deftroy the pilf 'ring moufe ? 
 Who drives the vermin from the houfe ? 
 Or, watchful for the lab'ring fwain, 
 From lurking rats fecure the grain ? 
 From hence, if he rewards beflow, 
 Why fhould your heart with gall o'erflow ? 
 Why pine my happinefs to fee, 
 Since there's enough for you and me ? 
 
 Thy words are juft, the Farmer cry'd, 
 And fpurn'd the fnarler from his fide, 
 
 FABLE 
 
'( 6i ) 
 
 FABLE X. 
 
 The Sp ider, and the Bee. 
 
 F | \ H E nymph, who walks the public 
 
 And fets her cap at all flie meets, 
 May catch the fool, who turns to ftare, 
 But men of fenfe avoid the fnare. 
 
 As on the margin of the flood, 
 With filken line, my Lydia flood, 
 I fmil'd to fee the pains you took, 
 To cover o'er the fraudful hook. 
 
 ftreets, 
 
 Along 
 
62 FABLES. 
 
 Along the foreft as we ftray'd, 
 
 You faw the boy his lime- twigs fpread'j 
 
 Guefs'd you the reafon of his fear, 
 
 Left, heedlefs, we approach'd too near ? 
 
 For as behind the bufh we lay, 
 
 The linnet flutter d on the fpray. 
 
 Needs there fuch caution to delude 
 The fcaly fry, and feather'd brood ? 
 And think you with inferior art, 
 To captivate the human heart ? 
 
 The maid, who modeftly conceals 
 Her beauties, while ftie hides, reveals. 
 Give but a glimpfe, and fancy draws 
 Whatever the Grecian Venus was. 
 From Eve's firft fig-leaf to brocade, 
 All drefs was meant for fancy's aid, 
 
 Which 
 
FABLES. 63 
 
 Which evermore delighted dwells 
 On what the bafhful nymph conceals. 
 
 When Celia ftruts in man's attire, 
 She fhews too much to raife deli re ; 
 But from the hoop's bewitching round* 
 Her very fhoe, has pow'r to wound. 
 
 The roving eye, the bofom bare, 
 The forward laugh, the wanton air, 
 May catch the fop ; for gudgeons ftrike 
 At the bare hook, and bait, alike 5 
 While falmon play regardlefs by, 
 Till art, like nature, forms the fly. 
 jgENEATHa peafant's homely thatch, 
 A Spider long had held her watch ; 
 From morn to night, with reftlefs care, 
 She fpun her web, and wove her fnare. 
 
 Withi^ 
 
64 FABLES 
 
 Within the limits of her reign , 
 Lay many a heedlefs captive llain, 
 Gr fiutt'ring, ftruggled in the toils, 
 To burft the chains, and fhun her wiles, 
 A faaying Bee, that perch'd hard by, 
 Beheld her with difdain^l eye. 
 And thus began. Mean thing, give o'er, 
 And lay thy (lender threads no more ; 
 A thoughtlefs fly or two, at molt 
 Is all the conqueft thou can'ft boaft ; 
 For bees of fenfe thy arts evade, 
 We fee fo plain the nets are laid. 
 
 The gaudy tulip, that difplays 
 Her fpreading foliage to gaze ; 
 That points her charms at all fhe fees, 
 And yields to every wanton breeze. 
 
 Attradts 
 
FABLES. 65 
 
 Attra&s not me ; where blufhing grows, 
 Guarded with thorns, the modeft rofe, 
 Enamour'd, round and round I fly, 
 Or on her fragrant bofom lie ; 
 Relu&ant, £he my ardour meets, 
 And baihful, renders up her fweets* 
 
 To wifer heads attention lend, 
 And learn this leffon from a friend. 
 She, who with modefty retires, 
 Adds fewel to her lover's fires, 
 While fuch incautious jilts as you, 
 By folly your own fchemes undo. 
 
 F 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 67 ) 
 
 FABLE XI. 
 
 The Young Lion and the Ape. 
 
 jp* g true ^ j |3| ame y 0Ur l over ' s choice, 
 JL Though flatter'd by the public voice, 
 And peevifh grow, and lick, to hear 
 His exclamations, O how fair ! 
 I Men not to wild delights, 
 And tranfports of expected nights ; 
 What is to me your hoard of charms ? 
 The whitenefs of your neck and arms ? 
 
 F 2 Needs 
 
68 FABLES. 
 
 Needs there no acquifition more, 
 To keep contention from the door ? 
 Yes j pafs a fortnight, and you'll find, 
 All beauty cloys, but of the mind. 
 
 Senfe, and good-humour ever prove 
 The fureft cords to faften love. 
 Yet, Phillis, fimpleft of your fex, 
 You never think but to perplex j 
 Coquetting it with every ape, 
 That ftruts abroad in human fhape f 
 Not that the coxcomb is your tafte, 
 Bat that it ftings your lovers breaffc 
 To-morrow you refign the fway, 
 Prepar'd to honour and obey, 
 The tyrant-miftrefs change for life, 
 To the fubmiffion of a wife. 
 
FABLES. 69 
 
 Your follies, if you can, fufpend, 
 And learn inftru&ion from a friend. 
 
 Reluctant, hear the firft addrefs, 
 Think often, ere you anfwer, yes ; 
 But once refolv'd, throw of difguife, 
 And wear your wifhes in your eyes, 
 With caution ev'ry look forbear, 
 That might create one jealous fear, 
 A lover's ripening hopes confound, 
 Or give the gen'rous b re aft a wound. 
 Contemn the girlifh arts to teaze, 
 Nor ufe your pow'r, unlefs to pleafe ; 
 For fools alone with rigour fway, 
 When foon, or late, they muft obey. 
 / I V HE king of brutes, in life's decline^ 
 Refolv'd dominion to refign ; 
 
 F 3 The 
 
70 FABLES. 
 
 The beads were fummon'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 addrefs'd the train, 
 Why cringe my friends with llavilh awe, 
 Before this pageant king of ftraw ? 
 Shall we anticipate the hour, 
 And ere we feel it, own his pow'r ? 
 The counfels of experience prize, 
 I know the maxims of the wife ; 
 Subje&ion let us caft away, 
 And live the monarchs of to-day ; 
 "Tis ours the vacant hand to fpurn, 
 And play the tyrant each in turn, 
 
FABLES. 71 
 
 So fhall he right from wrong difcern, 
 And mercy from oppreffion learn , 
 At others woes be taught to melt, 
 And loath the ills himfelf has felt. 
 
 He fpoke ; his bofom fwell'd with pride. 
 The youthful Lion thus reply'd. 
 
 What madnefs prompts thee to provoke 
 My wrath, and dare th' impending flroke ? 
 Thou wretched fool ! can wrongs impart 
 Compaffion to the feeling heart ? 
 Or teach the grateful breaft to glow, 
 The hand to give, or eye to flow ? 
 Learn'd in the pradice of their fchools, 
 From women thou haft drawn thy rules ; 
 To them return ; in fuch a caufe, 
 From only fuch exped; applaufe; 
 
 F 4 The 
 
72 FABLES. 
 
 The partial fex I don't condemn, 
 For liking thofe, who copy them. 
 
 Would'ft thou the gen'rous lion bind, 
 By kindnefs bribe him to be kind j 
 Good offices their likenefs get, 
 And payment leflens 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'reft, fcorn for fcorn. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 73 ) 
 
 FABLE XII. 
 
 The Colt, and the Farmer. 
 
 TELL me, Corinna, if you can, 
 Why fo averfe, fo coy to man ? 
 Did nature, lavifh of her care, 
 From her beft pattern form you fair, 
 That you, ungrateful to her caufe, 
 Should mock her gifts, and fpurn her laws ? 
 And, mifer-like, with-hold that ftore, 
 Which, by imparting, blelfes more ? 
 
 Beautys 
 
74 FABLES. 
 
 Beauty's a gift, by heaven affign'd 
 The portion of the female kind ; 
 For this the yielding maid demands 
 Protection at her lover's hands ; 
 And though by wafting years it fade, 
 Remembrance tells him, once 'twas paid. 
 
 And will you then this wealth conceal, 
 For age to ruft, or time to fteal ? 
 The fummer of your youth to rove, 
 A ft ranger to the joys of love ? 
 Then, when life's winter haftens on, 
 And youth's fair heritage is gone, 
 Dow'rlefs to court fome peafant's arms, 
 To guard- your wither'd age from harms, 
 No gratitude to warm his breaft, 
 For blooming beauty once poffefs'd ; 
 
 How 
 
FABLES. « 
 
 How will you curfe that ftubborn pride, 
 Which drove your bark acrofs the tide, 
 And failing before folly's wind, 
 Left fenfe and happinefs behind ? 
 
 Corinna, left thefe whims prevail, 
 To fuch as you, I write my tale. 
 
 Colt, for blood, and mettled fpeed. 
 The choiceft of the running breed, 
 Of youthful flrength, and beauty vain, 
 Refus'd fubjediion to the rein. 
 In vain the groom's officious flcill 
 Oppos'd his pride, and check'd his will ; 
 In vain the mailer's forming care 
 Reflrain'dwith threats, orfooth'd with pray'ri 
 
76 FABLES. 
 
 Of freedom proud, and fcorning man, 
 Wild o'er the fpacious plains he ran. 
 
 Where e'er luxuriant nature fpread 
 Her flow'ry carpet o'er the mead, 
 Or bubbling ftreams foft-gliding pafs 
 To cool and frefhen up the grafs, 
 Difdaining bounds, he cropt the blade, 
 And wanton'd in the fpoil he made. 
 
 In plenty thus the fummer pafs'd, 
 Revolving winter came at laffc ; 
 The trees no more a fhelter yield, 
 The verdure withers from the field, 
 Perpetual fnows inveft the ground, 
 In icy chains the ftreams are bound, 
 Cold, nipping winds, and rattling hail, 
 His lank, unfhelter'd fides affail. 
 
FABLES. 77 
 
 As round he caft his rueful eyes, 
 
 He faw the thatch'd-roof cottage rife; 
 
 The profpedl tbuch'd his heart with chear; 
 
 And promis'd kind deliv'rance near, 
 
 A liable, erft his fcorn and hate, 
 
 Was now become his wifh'd retreat; 
 
 His paffion cool, his pride forgot, 
 
 A Farmer's welcome yard he fought. 
 
 The mailer faw his woeful plight, 
 His limbs that totter'd with his weight, 
 And, friendly, to the liable led, 
 And faw him litter'd, drefs'd, and fed. 
 In flothful eafe, all night he lay; 
 The fervants rofe at break of day ; 
 The market calls. Along the road, 
 His back mull bear the pond'rous load; 
 
7 8 FABLES. 
 
 In vain he flruggles, or complains, 
 Inceffant blows reward his pains ♦ 
 To-morrow varies but his toil ; 
 Chained to the plough, he breaks the foil } 
 While fcanty meals at night repay 
 The painful labours of the day. 
 
 Suhdu'd by toil, with anguifh rent, 
 His felf-upbraidings found a vent. 
 Wretch that I am ! he fighing faid, 
 By arrogance and folly led, 
 Had but my reftive youth been brought 
 To learn the lefTon nature taught, 
 Then had I, like my fires of yore, 
 The prize from every courfer bore ; 
 While man beftow'd rewards and praife, 
 And females crown'd my latter days. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 Now lafting iervitude's my lot, 
 My birth contemn'd, my fpeed forgot, 
 Doom'd am I, for my pride, to bear 
 A living death, from year to year. 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 8i ) 
 
 FABLE XIII. 
 
 The Owl, and the Nightingale 
 
 | ^ O know the miftrefs' humour rights 
 JL See if her maids are clean and tight; 
 If Betty waits without her flays, 
 She copies but her lady's ways. 
 When Mifs comes in with boift'rous fliout, 
 And drops no curt'fy, going out, 
 Depend upon't, mamma is one, 
 Who reads, or drinks too much alone* 
 
 G If 
 
82 FABLES. 
 
 If bottled beer her thirft aflwage* 
 She feels enthuiiaflic rage, 
 And burns with ardour to inherit 
 The gifts, and workings of the fpirit* 
 If learning crack her giddy brains^ 
 No remedy, but death remains. 
 Sum up the various ills of life, 
 And all are fweet, to fuch a wife* 
 At home, fuperior wit fhe vaunts, 
 And twits her hufband with his wants ; 
 Her ragged offspring all around, 
 Like pigs, are wallowing on the ground ; 
 Impatient ever of controul, 
 She knows no order, but of foul ; 
 With books her litterd floor is fpread, 
 Of namelefs authors, never read; 
 
 Foul 
 
FABLES. 83 
 
 Foul linen, petticoats, and lace 
 
 Fill up the intermediate fpace. 
 
 Abroad, at vifitings, her tongue 
 
 Is never ftill, and "always wrong ; 
 
 All meanings fhe defines away, 
 
 And ftands, with truth and fenfe, at bay. 
 
 If e'er fhe meets a gentle heart, 
 Skill'd in the houfewife's ufeful art, 
 Who makes her family her care, 
 And builds contentment's temple there, 
 She ftarts at fuch miftakes in nature, 
 And cries, lord help us !— what a creature ! 
 
 Melifla, if the moral ftrike, 
 You'll find the fable not unlike. 
 
 An Owl, pufFd up with felf-conceit, 
 Lov'd learning better than his meat ; 
 
 G 2 Old 
 
84 F A B L E Sv 
 
 Old manuscripts he treafur'd up, 
 
 And rummag'd every grocer's fhop 
 
 At paftry-cooks was known to ply, 
 
 And ftrip, for fcience, every pye. 
 
 For modern poetry, and wit, 
 
 He had read all that Black more writ j 
 
 So intimate with Curl was grown, 
 
 His learned treafures were his own j 
 
 To all his authors had accefs, 
 
 And fometimes would corredt the prefs^ 
 
 In logic he acquir'd fuch knowledge, 
 
 You'd fwear him fellow of a college 
 
 Alike to every art, and fcience, 
 
 His daring genius bid defiance, 
 
 And fwallow'd wifdom, with that hafte, 
 
 That cits do cullards at a feaft. 
 
 Within 
 
FABLES. 85 
 Within the £helter of a wood, 
 
 One ev'ning, as he muling flood, 
 
 Hard by, upon a leafy fpray, 
 
 A Nightingale began his lay. 
 
 Sudden he ftarts, with anger ftung, 
 
 And fcreeching interrupts the fong. 
 Pert, bufy thing, thy airs give o'er, 
 
 And let my contemplations foar. 
 
 What is the mufic of thy voice, 
 
 But jarring diffonance, and noife ? 
 
 Be wife. True harmony, thou'lt find, 
 
 Not in the throat, but in the mind ; 
 
 By empty chirping not attain'd, 
 
 But by laborious fludy gain'd. 
 
 Go, read the authors Pope explodes, 
 
 fathom the depth of Cibber's odes, 
 
 With 
 
86 FABLE S. 
 
 With modern plays improve thy wit* 
 Read all the learning, Henley writ; 
 And if thou needs muft fing, fmg then* 
 And emulate the ways of men ; 
 So fhalt thou grow, like me refined, 
 And bring improvement to thy kind. 
 
 Thou wretch, the little Warbler cry'd, 
 Made up of ignorance, and pride, 
 Alk all the birds, and they'll declare, 
 A greater blockhead wings not air. 
 Read o'er thyfelf, thy talents fcan, 
 Science was only meant for man. 
 No fenfelefs authors me moleft, 
 I mind the duties of my neft ; 
 With careful wing, protect my young, 
 And chear their ev'nings with a fong; 
 
 Make 
 
FABLES. 87 
 Make fhort the weary trav'Jer's way, 
 Arid warble in the poet's lay. 
 
 Thus, following nature, and her laws, 
 From men, and birds I claim applaufe ; 
 While, nurs'd in pedantry and floth, 
 An Owl is fcorn'd alike by both. 
 
 G 4 FABLE 
 
( 89 ) 
 
 FABLE XIV. 
 
 The Sparrow, and the Dove, 
 
 TT T was, as learn'd traditions fay, 
 A Upon an April's blithfome day, 
 When pleafure, ever on the wing, 
 Return'd, companion of the fpring, 
 And chear'd the birds with am'rous heat, 
 Inftru&ing little hearts to beat ; 
 A fparrow, frolic, gay, and young, 
 Qf bold addrefs, and flippant tongue, 
 
 Juft 
 
90 FABLES, 
 
 Juffc left his lady of a night, 
 Like him, to follow new delight. 
 
 The youth, of many a conqueft vain, 
 Flew off to feek the chirping train s 
 The chirping train he quickly found, 
 And with a faucy eafe, bow'd round, 
 
 For every flie his bofom burns, 
 And this, and that he wooes by turns ; 
 And here a figh, and there a bill. 
 And here — thcfe eyes, fo fornvd to kill ! 
 And now with ready tongue, he firings 
 Unmeaning, foft, refiftlefs things ; 
 With vows, and dem-me's fkill'd to woo 
 As other pretty fellows do. 
 Not that he thought this fhort eflay 
 A prologue needful to his play i 
 
FABLES. 91 
 
 No, truft me, fays our learned letter, 
 He knew the virtuous fex much better ; 
 But thefe he held as fpecious arts, 
 To fliew his own fuperior parts, 
 The form of decency to fliield, 
 And give a jufl pretence to yield. 
 
 Thus finifhing his courtly play. 
 He mark'd the fav'rite of a day ; 
 With carelefs impudence drew near, 
 And whifper'd hebrew in her ear ; 
 A hint, which like the mafon's fign, 
 The confcious can alone divine. 
 
 The flutt'ring nymph, expert at feigning, 
 Cry'd, Sir !-- pray Sir, explain your meaning- 
 Go parte to thofe, that may endure ye— 
 
 ^To me this rudenefs! — I'll affure ye! : 
 
 Then 
 
92 FABLES. 
 
 Then off fhe glided, like a fwallow, 
 
 As faying you guefs where to follow. 
 
 To fuch as know the party fet, 
 'Tis needlefs to declare they met ; 
 The parfon's barn, as authors mention, 
 Confefs'd the fair had apprehension. 
 Her honour there fecure from ftain, 
 She held all farther trifling vain, 
 No more affedted to be coy, 
 But rufh'd licentious, on the joy. 
 
 Hifl, love !— the male companion cry'd f 
 Retire a while, I fear we're fpy'd. 
 Nor was the caution vain ; he faw 
 A Turtle, rufrling in the ftraw, 
 While o'er her callow brood fhe hung, 
 And fondly thus addrefs'd her young. 
 
FABLES. 93 
 
 Ye tender objects of my care ! 
 Peace, peace, ye little helplefs pair ; 
 Anon he comes, your gentle fire, 
 And brings you all your hearts require. 
 For us, his infants, and his bribe, 
 For us, with only love to guide, 
 Our lord affumes an eagle's fpeed, 
 And like a lion, dares to bleed. 
 Nor yet by wint'ry fkies confin'd, 
 He mounts upon the rudeft wind, 
 From danger tears the vital fpoil, 
 And with affection fweetens toih 
 Ah ceafe, too vent'rous ! ceafe to dare, 
 In thine, our dearer fafety fpare ! 
 From him, ye cruel falcons, ftray, 
 And turn, ye fowlers, far away ! 
 
 Should 
 
94 FABLES. 
 
 Should I furvive to fee the day, 
 That tears me from myfelf awav, 
 That cancels all that heav'n could give* 
 The life, by which alone I live, 
 Alas, how more than loft were I, 
 Who, in the thought, already die ! 
 
 Ye pow'rs, whom men, and birds obey* 
 Great rulers of your creatures, fay, 
 Why mourning comes, by blifs convey 'd, 
 And ev'n the fweets of love allay'd ? 
 Where grows enjoyment, tall, and fair, 
 Around it twines entangling care ; 
 While fear for what our fouls pofTefs, 
 Enervates every pow'r to blefs > 
 Yet friendfhip forms the blifs above, 
 And, life ! what art thou, without love ? 
 
 Our 
 
FABLES. 95 
 
 Our hero, who had hear'd apart, 
 Felt fomething moving in his heart, 
 But quickly, with difdain, fupprefs'd 
 The virtue, rifing in his breaft •> 
 And firfi: he feign'd to laugh aloud, 
 And next, approaching, fmil'd and bow'd. 
 
 Madam, you muft not think me rude ; 
 Good manners never can intrude ; 
 
 I vow I come thro' pure good nature * 
 
 (Upon my foul a charming creature) 
 Are thefe the comforts of a wife ? 
 This careful, cloifcered, moaping life ? 
 No doubt, that odious thing, call'd duty, 
 Is a fweet province for a beauty. 
 Thou pretty ignorance ! thy will 
 Is meafur'd to thy want of fkill ; 
 
F>..- ? L E S. 
 
 That good old-fafhiond dame, thy mother^ 
 Has taught thy infant years no other — - 
 The greateft ill in the creation, 
 Is fure the want of education. 
 
 But think ye ? — tell me without feigning^ 
 Have all thefe charms no farther meaning ? 
 Dame nature, if you don't forget her, 
 Might teach your ladyfhip much better. 
 For fhame, rejed: this mean employment, 
 Enter the world, and tafle enjoyment ; 
 Where time, by circling blifs, we meafure ; 
 Beauty was form'd alone for pleafure ; 
 Come, prove the bleffing, follow me, 
 Be wife, be happy, and be free. 
 
 Kind Sir, reply'd our matron chafte, 
 Your zeal feems pretty much in hafte ; 
 
 I own 
 
FABLES. 9: 
 
 I own, the fondnefs to be blefs'd 
 
 Is a deep thirfh in every breaft ; 
 
 Of bleffings too I have my ftore, 
 
 Yet quarrel not, fhould heav'n give more ; 
 
 Then prove the change to be expedient, 
 
 And think me, Sir, your molt obedient. 
 
 Here turning, as to one inferior, 
 Our gallant fpoke, and fmil'd fuperior. 
 Methinks, to quit your boafted ftation 
 Requires a world of helitation ; 
 Where brats, and bonds are held a bleffing, 
 The cafe, I doubt, is paft redreffing. 
 Why, child, fuppofe the joys I mention, 
 Were the mere fruits of my invention, 
 YouVe caufe fufficient for your carriage, 
 In flying from the curfe of marriage ; 
 
 H That 
 
98 F A B L E a 
 
 That fly decoy, with vary'd fnares, 
 
 That takes your widgeons in by pairs 3 
 
 Alike to hufband, and to wife, 
 
 The cure of love, and bane of life > 
 
 The only method of forecafting, 
 
 To make misfortune firm, and lafting > 
 
 The fin, by heav'n s peculiar fentence, 
 
 Unpardon'd, through a life's repentance. 
 
 It is the double fnake, that weds 
 
 A common tail to difPrent heads, 
 
 That lead the carcafs flill aftray, 
 
 By dragging each a difPrent way. 
 
 Of all the ills, that may attend me, 
 
 From marriage, mighty gods, defend me ! 
 
 Give Me frank nature's wild demefnee, 
 And boundlefs tradt of air ferene, 
 
FABLES. 99 
 
 WHere fancy, ever wing'd for change, 
 Delights to fport, delights to range 5 
 There, Liberty ! to thee is owing 
 Whatever of blifs is worth beftowing ; 
 Delights, flill vary'd, and divine, 
 Sweet goddefs of the hills ! are thine. 
 
 What fay you now, you pretty pink you ? 
 Have I, for once fpoke reafon, think you ? 
 
 You take me now for no romancer 
 
 Come, never ftudy for an anfwer ; 
 Away, caft every care behind ye, 
 And fly where joy alone fhall find ye. 
 
 Soft yet, returned our female fencer, 
 
 A queftion more, or fo and then, Sir. 
 
 You've rally'd me with fenfe exceeding, 
 With much fine wit, and better breeding; 
 
 H 2 But 
 
ioo FABLES, 
 
 But pray, Sir, how do You contrive it P 
 Do thofe of your world ne ver wive it ? 
 " No, no," How then r " Why, dare I tell> 
 « What does the bus'nefs full as well." 
 Do you ne'er love ? " An hour at leifure." 
 Have you no friendfhips ? " Yes r for pleafure.'* 
 No care for little ones ? " We get 'em, 
 
 / 
 
 * € The reft the mothers mind, and let'em." 
 
 Thou wretch, rejoin'd the kindling Dove^ 
 Quite loft to life, as loft to love ! 
 Whene'er misfortune comes, how juft I 
 And come misfortune furely multj 
 In the dread feafon of difmay, 
 In that, your hour of trial, iay, 
 Who then lhall prop your finking heart ? 
 Who bear affii&ion's weightier part ? 
 
 Say 
 
FABLE S. 101 
 
 Say, when the black-brow'd welken bends, 
 And winters's gloomy form impends, 
 To mourning turns all tranfient chear* 
 And blafts the melancholy year ; 
 For times, at no perfuafion, flay, 
 Nor vice can find perpetual May ; 
 Then where's that tongue, by folly fed^ 
 That foul of pertnefs, whither fled ? 
 All fhrunk within thy lonely neft, 
 Forlorn, abandoned, and unblefs'd ; 
 No friends, by cordial bonds ally'd^ 
 Shall feek thy cold, unfocial fide j 
 No chirping prattlers,, to delight 
 Shall turn the long-enduring night 5 
 No bride her words of balm impart, 
 $nd warm thee at her conftant heart, 
 
 H 3 Freedom 
 
io2 FABLE 8, 
 
 Freedom, reftrain'd by reafon's force. 
 Is as the fun's unvarying courfe, 
 Benignly a&ive, fweetly bright. 
 Affording warmth, affording light ; 
 But torn from virtue's facred rules. 
 Becomes a comet, gaz'd by fools, 
 Foreboding cares, and ftorms, and ftrife, 
 And fraught with all the plagues of life. 
 
 Thou fool ! by union every creature 
 Subfifls, through univerfal nature ; 
 And this, to beings void of mind. 
 Is wedlock, of a meaner kind. 
 
 While womb'd in fpace, primaeval clay 
 A yet unfafhion'd embryo lay, 
 The fource of endlefs good above 
 Shot down his fpark of kindling love ; 
 
 Touch'd 
 
FABLES. 103 
 
 Touch'd by the all-enlivening flame, 
 Then motion firft exulting came ; 
 Each atom fought its feparate clafs, 
 Through many a fair, enampur'd mafs ; 
 Love caft the central charm around, 
 And with eternal nuptials bound. 
 Then form, and order o'er the Iky, 
 Firft train'd their bridal pomp on high ; 
 The fun difplay'd his orb to fight, 
 And burnt with hymeneal light. . 
 
 Hence nature's virgin-womb conceiv'd. 
 And with the genial burden heav'd ; 
 Forth came the oak, her firft born heir 
 And fcal'd the breathing fteep of air $ 
 Then infant ftems of various ufe, 
 |mbib'd her foft, maternal juice ; 
 
 H 1 The 
 
io4 FABLE S, 
 
 The flow'rs, in early bloom difclos'd j 
 Upon her fragrant breaft repos'd ; 
 Within her warm embraces grew 
 A race of endlefs form, and hue ; 
 Then pourd her lefler offspring round. 
 And fondly cioath'd their parent ground. 
 
 Nor here alone the virtue reign'd, 
 By matter's cumb'ring form detain'd j 
 But thence, fubliming, and refin'd, 
 Afpir'd, and reach'd its kindred Mind* 
 Caught in the fond, celeftial fire, 
 The mind perceiv'd unknown defire. 
 And now with kind efFufion flow'd, 
 And now with cordial ardours glow'd^ 
 Beheld the fympathetic fair, 
 And lov'd its own refemblance there : 
 
FABLES. 105 
 
 On all with circling radiance fhone, 
 But centring, fix'd on one alone ; 
 There clafp'd the heav'n appointed wife, 
 And doubled every joy of life. 
 
 Here ever bleffing, ever blefs'd, 
 Relides this beauty of the breaft, 
 As from his palace, here the god 
 Still beams effulgent blifs abroad, 
 Here gems his own eternal round, 
 The ring, by which the world is bound, 
 Here bids his feat of empire grow, 
 And builds his little heav'n below. 
 
 The bridal partners thus ally'd, 
 And thus in fweet accordance ty'd, 
 One body, heart and fpirit live, 
 3E)nrich'd by every joy they give 3 
 
 Like 
 
io6 FABLES, 
 
 Like echo, from her vocal hold, 
 Retum'd in mufic twenty fold. 
 Their union firm, and undecay'd, 
 Nor time can lhake, nor pow'r invade, 
 But as the ftem, and fcion ftand, 
 Ingrafted by a fkilful hand, 
 They check the tempeft's wintry rage, 
 And bloom and ftrengthen into age. 
 A thoufand amities unknown, 
 And pow'rs, perceiv'd by love alone, 
 Endearing looks, and chafte defire, 
 Fan, and fupport the mutual fire, 
 Whofe flame, perpetual, as refin'dj 
 Is fed by an immortal mind. 
 
 Nor yet the nuptial fan&ion ends, 
 Like Nik it opens, and defcends, 
 
 Which 
 
FABLES. 107 
 
 Which, by apparent windings led, 
 We trace to its celeftial head. 
 The fire, firft fpringing from above, 
 Becomes the fource of life and love, 
 And gives his filial heir to flow, 
 In fondnefs down on fons below : 
 Thus roll'd in one continu'd tide, 
 To time's extremeft verge they glide, 
 While kindred ffcreams, on either hand, 
 Branch forth in bleflings o'er the land. 
 
 Thee, wretch ! no lifping babe fhall name,, 
 No late-returning brother claim, 
 No kinfman on thy road rejoice. 
 No fitter greet thy ent'ring voice, 
 With partial eyes no parents fee, 
 And blefs their years reftor'd in thee. 
 
io8 FABLE % 
 
 In age rejected, or declin'd, 
 An alien, ev'n among thy kind. 
 The partner of thy fcorn'd embrace, 
 Shall play the wanton in thy face, 
 Each fpark unplume thy little pride, 
 All friendfhip fly thy faithlefs fide, 
 Thy name fhall like thy carcafs rot, 
 In ficknefs fpurn'd, in death forgot. 
 
 All-giving pow'r ! great fource of life ! 
 O hear the parent ! hear the wife I 
 That life thou lendeft from above, 
 Though little, make it large in love j 
 O bid my feeling heart expand 
 To ev'ry claim, on ev'ry hand j 
 To thofe, from whom my days I drew* 
 To thefe, in whom thofe days renew, 
 
FABLES. 109 
 
 To all my kin, however wide, 
 In cordial warmth, as blood ally'd, 
 To friends, with fteely fetters twin'd, 
 And to the cruel, not unkind ! 
 
 But chief, the lord of my defire, 
 My life, myfelf, my foul, my fire, 
 Friends, children, all that wifh can claim* 
 Chafte paffion clafp, and rapture name ; 
 O fpare him, fpare him, gracious pow'r ! 
 O give him to my lateft hour ! 
 Let me my length of life employ, 
 To give my fole enjoyment joy* 
 His love, let mutual love excite, 
 Turn all my cares to his delight, 
 And every needlefs bleffing fpare, 
 Wherein my darling wants a fhare. 
 
 When 
 
no FABLES. 
 
 When he with graceful aCtion wooesv 
 And fweetly bills, and fondly cooes, 
 Ah ! deck me, to his eyes alone, 
 With charms attractive as his own, 
 ^nd in my circling wings carefs'd, 
 Give all the lover to my breaft. 
 Then in our chafte, connubial bed, 
 My bofom pillow'd for his head, 
 His eyes with blifsful flumbers clofe, 
 And watch, with me, my lord's repofe, 
 Your peace around his temples twine, 
 And love him, with a love like mine. 
 
 And, for I know his gen'rous flame* 
 Beyond whatever my fex can claim, 
 Me too to your protection take, 
 And fpare me for my hufband's fake. 
 
FABLES. in 
 
 Let one unruffled, calm delight, 
 The loving, and belov'd unite ; 
 One pure defire our bofoms warm, 
 One will dired:, one wifh inform j 
 Through life, one mutual aid fuftain, 
 In death, one peaceful grave contain. 
 
 While, fwelling with the darling theme* 
 Her accents pour'd an endlefs ftream, 
 The well-known wings a found impart, 
 That reach'd her ear, and touch'd her heart; 
 Quick drop'd the mufic of her tongue, 
 And forth, with eager joy, fhe fprung. 
 As fwift her ent'ring confort flew, 
 And plum'd, and kindled at the view ; 
 Their wings their fouls embracing meet, 
 Their hearts with anfwering meafure bear 
 
 Half 
 
ii2 FABLE S. 
 
 Half loft in lacred fweets, and blefs'd 
 With raptures felt, but ne'er exprefs'd* 
 
 Strait to her humble roof fheled 
 The partner of her fpotlefs bed ; 
 Her young, a flutt'ting pair, arife, 
 Their welcome fparkling in their eyes § 
 Tranfported, to their fire they bounds 
 And hang with fpeechlefs adtion roundl 
 In pleafure wrapt, the parents ftand, 
 And fee their little wings expand $ 
 The fire, his life-fuftaining prize 
 To each expecting bill applies, 
 There fondly pours the wheaten fpoil, 
 With tranfport giv'n, tho' won with toil ; 
 While, all collected at the fight, 
 And filent through fupreme delight, 
 
FABLES. ttj 
 
 The fair high heav'n of blifs beguiles, 
 And on her lord, and infants fmiles. 
 
 The Sparrow, whofe attention hung 
 Upon the Dove's enchanting tongue, 
 Of all his little flights difarm'd, 
 And from himfelf, by virtue, charm'd, 
 When now he faw, what only feem'd, 
 A fadt, fo late a fable deem'd, 
 His foul to envy he refign'd, 
 His hours of folly to the wind, 
 In fecret wifh'd a turtle too, 
 And fighing to himfelf, withdrew* 
 
 I 
 
 FABLE 
 
( »5 ) 
 
 FABLE XV. 
 
 The Female Seducers, 
 
 jrr^IS faid of widow, maid and wife* 
 
 JL That honour is a woman's life j 
 Unhappy fex ! who only claim 
 A being, in the breath of fame, 
 Which tainted, not the quick'ning ga!es, 
 That fweep Sabasa's fpicy vales, 
 Nor all the healing fweets reftore, 
 That breathe along Arabia's fhore- 
 
 I 2 The 
 
n6 FABLE S. 
 
 The trav'ler, if he chance to ftray*, 
 May turn uncenfur'd to his way ; 
 Polluted ftreams again are pure, 
 And deepeft wounds admit a cure ; 
 But woman ! no redemptioo knows* 
 The wounds of honour never clofe. 
 
 Tho' diftant ev'ry hand to guide, 
 Nor fkill'd on life's tempeftuous tide,, 
 If once her feeble bark recede, 
 Or deviate from the courfe decreed, 
 In vain Ihe feeks the friendlefs £hore, 
 Her fwifter folly flies before ; 
 The circling ports againft her clofe, 
 And fhut the wand'rer from repofe $ 
 *Till, by confli&ing waves opprefs'd, 
 Her foundling pinnance finks to reft. 
 
FABLES. U7 
 
 Are there no ofFrings to atone 
 For but a fingle error ?-- —None, 
 Tho' woman is avow'd, of old, 
 No daughter of celeftial mold, 
 Her temp'ring not without allay*, 
 And form'd but of the finer clay, 
 We challenge from the mortal dame 
 The ftrength angelic natures claim j 
 Nay more ; for facred ftories tell^ 
 That ev'n immortal angels fell. 
 
 Whatever fills the teeming fphere 
 Of humid earth, and ambient air, 
 With varying elements endu'd, 
 Was form'd to fall, and ;rife renew'do 
 
 The ftars no fix'd duration know, 
 Wide oceans ebb, again to flow, 
 
 I 3 The 
 
n8 FABLES. 
 
 The moon repletes her warning face, 
 All-beauteous, from her late difgrace, 
 And funs, that mourn approaching night, 
 Refulgent rife with new-born light. 
 
 In vain may death, and time fubdue, 
 While nature mints her race anew, 
 And holds fome vital fpark apart. 
 Like virtue, hid in ev'ry heart * 
 Tis hence reviving warmth is feen, 
 To cloathe a naked world in green* 
 No longer barr'd by winter's cold, 
 Again the gates of life unfold ; 
 Again each infedi tries his wing, 
 And lifts frefh pinions on the fpring $ 
 Again from every latent root 
 The buded ftem, and tendril fhoot, 
 
 Exhaling 
 
FABLES. 119 
 
 Exhaling iacenfe to the fkies, 
 Again to perifh, and to rife. 
 
 And mud weak woman then difown 
 The cbaoge, to which a world is prone a 
 In one meridian brightnefs fhine, 
 And ne'er like ev'ning funs decline ? 
 
 Refolv'd and firm alone ? Is this 
 
 What we demand of woman ? Yes* 
 
 But fhould the fpark of veflal fire, 
 In fome unguarded hour expire, 
 Or fhould the nightly thief invade 
 Hefperia's chafte, and facred fhade, 
 Of all the blooming fpoil pofiefs'd, 
 The dragon honour charm'd to reft, 
 Shall virtue's flame no more return ? 
 Jfsfp more with virgin fplendor burn ? 
 
i2o FABLE S. 
 
 No more the ravag'd garden blow 
 With fpring's fucceeding bloflbm ?— No. 
 Pity may mourn, but not reflore, 
 And woman falls, to rife no more. 
 
 I T H I N this fublunary fphere^ 
 
 A country lies -no matter where j 
 
 The clime may readily be found 
 By all, who tread poetic ground. 
 A ftream, call'd life, acrofs it glides^ 
 And equally the land divides $ 
 And here, of vice the province lies. 
 And there, the hills of virtue rife. 
 
 Upon a mountain's airy ftand, 
 liVhofe fummit look'd to either land, 
 
FABLES. 121 
 
 An antient pair their dwelling chofe, 
 As well for profped:, as repofe ; 
 For mutual faith they long were fam'd, 
 And Temp'rance, and Religion, nam'd. 
 
 A num'rous progeny divine, 
 Confefs'd the honours of their line s 
 3ut in a little daughter fair, 
 Was center'd more than half their care ; 
 For heav'n, to gratulate her birth, 
 Gave ligns of future joy to earth ; 
 White was the robe this infant wore, 
 And ChafKty the name £he bore, 
 
 As now the maid in ftature grew, 
 (A flow'r juft opening to the view) 
 Oft thro' her native lawns £he ftray'd, 
 And wreftling with the lambkins play'd 
 
 Her 
 
122 FABLE S. 
 
 Her looks diffulive fwcets bequeathed, 
 The breeze grew purer as fhe breath'd, 
 The morn her radient blufh affum'd, 
 The fpring with earlier fragrance bloom'd, 
 And nature yearly took delight, 
 Like her, to drefs the world in white, 
 
 But when her riling form was feeu 
 To reach the crifis of fifteen, 
 Her parents up the mountain's head, 
 With anxious flep their darling led ; 
 By turns they fnatch'd her to their breaft, 
 And thus the fears of age exprefs'd, 
 
 O ! joyful caufe of many a care ! 
 O ! daughter too divinely fair ! 
 Yon world, on this important day, 
 Demands thee to a dang'rous way \ 
 
 A painfuj 
 
FABLES. 123 
 
 A painful journey, all muft go, 
 Whofe doubted period none can know, 
 Whofe due direction who can find, 
 Where reafon's mute, and fenfe is blind ? 
 Ah, what unequal leaders thefe, 
 Thro' fuch a wide, perplexing maze! 
 Then mark the warnings of the wife, 
 And learn what love, and years advife. 
 
 Far to the right thy profpecft bend, 
 Where yonder tow'ring hills afcend > 
 Lo, there the arduous paths in view, 
 Which virtue, and her fons purfue $ 
 With toil o'er lefs ning earth they rife, 
 And gain, and gain upon the Ikies. 
 Narrow's the way her children tread, 
 J\ T o walk, for pleafure fmoothly fpread, 
 
124 FABLE S. 
 
 But rough, and difficult, and fteep, 
 Painful to climb, and hard to keep. 
 
 Fruits immature thofe lands difpenfe, 
 A food indelicate to fenfe, 
 Of tafte unpleafant ; yet from thofe 
 Pure health, with chearful vigour flows^ 
 And flrength, unfeeling of decay, 
 Throughout the long, laborious way. 
 
 Hence, as they fcale that heav'nly road^ 
 Each !im,b is lightened of its load; 
 From earth refining ftill they go, 
 And leave the mortal weight below ; 
 Then fpreads the ftrait, the doubtful clears* 
 And fmooth the rugged path appears; 
 For cuftom turns fatigue to eafe, 
 And, taught by virtue, pain can pleafe. 
 
 At 
 
FABLES- 125 
 
 At length, the toilfome journey o'er, 
 And near the bright, celeftial Ihore, 
 A gulph, black, fearful, and profound, 
 Appears, of either world the bound, 
 Thro' darknefs, leading up to light ; 
 Senfe backwards fhrinks, and fhuns the fights 
 For there the tranfitory train, 
 Of time, and form, and care, and pain, 
 And matter's grofs, incumb'ring mafs, 
 Man's late affociates, cannot pafs, 
 But finking, quit th' immortal charge, 
 And leave the wond'ring foul at large 1 
 Lightly fhe wings her obvious way, 
 And mingles with eternal day. 
 
 Thither, O thither wing thy fpeed, 
 Tho' pleafure charm, or pain impede; 
 
126 FABLE 8, 
 
 To fuck th' all-bounteous pow'r has giv'm, 
 For prefent earth, a future heav'n ; 
 For trivial lofs, unmeafur'd gain, 
 And endlefs blifs, for tranfient pain. 
 
 Then fear, ah ! fear to turn thy fight, 
 Where yonder fiow'ry fields invite ; 
 Wide on the left the path-way bends,- 
 And with pernicious eafe defcends ; 
 There fweet to fenfe, and fair to fhow r 
 New-planted Edens feem to blow, 
 Trees, that delicious poifon bear,, 
 For death is vegetable there. 
 
 Hence is the frame of health unbrac'd^ 
 Each finew flack'ning at the tafte, 
 The foul to pafiion yields her throne, 
 And fees with organs not her own ; 
 
 While 
 
F A B L E S. 127 
 
 While, like the flumb'rer in the night, 
 Pleas'd with the £hadowy dream of light' 
 Before her alienated eyes, 
 The fcenes of fairy-land arife ; 
 The puppet world's amufing fliow, 
 Dipt in the gayly-colour'd bow, 
 Scepters, and wreaths, and glitt'ring things, 
 The toys of infants, and of kings, 
 That tempt, along the baneful plain, 
 The idly wife, and lightly vain, 
 Till verging on the gulphy Ihore, 
 Sudden they fink, and rife no more. 
 
 But lift to what thy fates declares 
 Tho' thou art woman, frail as fair, 
 If once thy Hiding foot fliould ftray, 
 Once quit yon heav'n-appointed way, 
 
 For 
 
i 2 8 FABLES, 
 
 For thee, loft maid, for thee alone, 
 Nor pray'rs fhall plead, nor tears aton©; 
 Reproach, fcorn, infamy, and hate, 
 On thy returning fteps fhall wait, 
 Thy form be loath'd by every eye. 
 And every foot thy prefence fly. 
 
 Thus arm'd with words of potent found, 
 Like guardian-angels plac'd around, 
 A charm, by truth divinely caft, 
 Forward, our young advent'rer pafs'd* 
 Forth from her facred eye-lids fent, 
 Like morn, fore-running radience went, 
 While honour, hand-maid late affign'd, 
 Upheld her lucid train behind. 
 
 Awe-ftruck the much admiring-crowd 
 Before the virgin vifion bow'd, 
 
 Gaz'd 
 
FABLES. 129 
 Gaz'd with an ever new delight* 
 And caught frefh virtue at the fight 3 
 For not of earth's unequal frame 
 They deem the heav'n-compounded Dame 
 If matter, fure the moll refin'd, 
 High wrought, and temper'd into mind, 
 Some darling daughter of the day, 
 And body'd by her native ray, 
 
 Where-e'er fhe paffes, thoufands bend, 
 And thoufands, where Ihe moves, attend ^ 
 Her ways obfervant eyes confefs* 
 Her fteps purfuing praifes blefs ; 
 While to the elevated Maid 
 Oblations, as to heav'n are paid. 
 
 *Twas on an ever blithfome day, 
 The jovial birth of rofy May, 
 
 K Whe A 
 
i3o FABLE S. 
 
 When genial warmth, no more fupprefs'd, 
 New melts the froft in ev'ry breaft, 
 The cheek with fccret flufhing dies ; 
 And looks kind things from chaileft eyes ; 
 The fun with healthier vifage glows, 
 Afide his clouded kerchief throws, 
 And dances up th* etherial plain, 
 Where late he us'd to climb with pain, 
 While nature, as from bonds fet free 
 Springs out, and gives a loofe to glee* 
 
 And now for momentary reft, 
 The nymph her travell'd ftep reprefs'd, 
 Juft turn'd to view the ftage attain'd, 
 And glory'd in the height fhe gain'd. 
 
 Out-ftretch'd before her wide furvey, 
 The realms of fweet perdition lay, 
 
 And 
 
FABLES. i 3 ] 
 
 And pity touch'd her foul with woe, 
 To fee a world fo loft below ; 
 When ftrait the breeze began to breathe 
 Airs, gently wafted from beneath, 
 That bore commiffion'd witchcraft thence, 
 And reach'd her fympathy of fenfe ; 
 No founds of difcord, that difclofe 
 A people funk and loft in woes, 
 But as of prefent good polfefs'd, 
 The very triumph of the blefs'd. 
 The maid in rapt attention hung, 
 While thus approaching Sirens fung, 
 Hither, faireft, hither hafte, 
 Brighteft beauty, come and tafte 
 What the pow'rs of blifs unfold, 
 Joys, too mighty to be told ; 
 
 K 2 Tafte 
 
112 FABLE S, 
 
 Tafte what extalies they give, 
 Dying raptures tafte and live. 
 
 In thy lap, difdaining meafure^ 
 Nature empties all her treafure, 
 Soft defires, that fweetly languish, 
 Fierce delights, that rife to anguifti y 
 Faireft, doft thou yet delay ? 
 Brighteft beauty, come away. 
 
 Lift net, when the froward chide r 
 Sons of pedantry, and pride, 
 Snarlers, to whofe feeble fenfc 
 April's funfhine is offence ; 
 Age and envy will advife 
 Ev'n againft the joy they prize. 
 
 Come, in pleafure's balmly bowl* 
 Slake the thirftings of thy foul, 
 
F A B L E S. 133 
 Till thv rapture! pow'rs are fainting 
 With enjoyment, paft the painting; 
 Faireft, doft thou yet delay ? 
 Brighteft beauty, come away. 
 So fung the Sirens, as of yore, 
 
 Upon the falfe Aufonian jfhore ; 
 
 And O ! for that preventing chain, 
 
 That bound Ulyfles on the main, 
 
 That fo our Fair One might withftand 
 
 The covert ruin, now at hand. 
 
 The fong her charm'd attention drew, 
 
 When now the tempters flood in view; 
 
 Curiofity, with prying eyes, 
 
 And hands of bufy, bold emprife ; 
 
 Like Hermes, feather'd were her feet, 
 
 And, like fore-running fancy, fleet, 
 
 k 3 By 
 
134 FABLES, 
 
 By fearch untaught, by toil untir'd, 
 To novelty fhe ftill afpir'd, 
 Taflelefs of ev'ry good polfefs'd, 
 And but in expectation blefs'd. 
 
 With her, afibciate, Pleafure came, 
 Gay Pleafure, frolic-loving dame, 
 Her mein, all fvvimming in delight, 
 Her beauties half reveal'd to fight ; 
 Loofe flow'd her garments from the ground, 
 And caught the kifiing wings around. 
 As erft Medufa's looks were known 
 To turn beholders into ftone, 
 A dire reverfion here they felt, 
 And in the eye of Pleafure melt. 
 Her glance with fweet perfaafion charm'd, 
 Unnerv'd the flrong, the fteel'd difarm'd ; 
 
 No 
 
FABLES. 135 
 
 No fafety ev'n the flying find, 
 
 Who, vent'rous, look but once behind. 
 
 Thus was the much-admiring Maid, 
 While diftant, more than half betray 'd* 
 With fmiles, and adulation bland, 
 They join'd her fide, and feiz'd her hand; 
 Their touch envenom'd fweets inftill'd, 
 Her frame with new pulfations thrill'd ; 
 While half confenting, half denying, 
 Reluctant now, and now complying, 
 Amidft a war of hopes, and fears, 
 Of trembling wiflies, fmiling tears, 
 Still down, and down, the winning Pair 
 Compell'd the ftruggling, yielding Fair. 
 As when fome ftately veffel, bound 
 To blefi: Arabia's diftant ground, 
 
 K 4 Borne 
 
136 FABLE S.. 
 
 Borne from her courfes, haply lights 
 Where Barca's flow'ry clime invites, 
 Conceal'd around whofe treach'rous land. 
 Lurk the dire rock, and dang rous fand ; 
 The pilot warns with fail and oar. 
 To fhun the much fufpe&ed fhore. 
 In vain ; the tide, too fubtly ftrong. 
 Still bears the wreftling bark along, 
 ^Till found'ring, fhe refigns to fate, 
 And finks, o'erwhelm'd, with all her freight 
 
 So, baffling ev'ry bar to fin. 
 And heavy s own pilot, plac'd with, 
 Along the devious, fmooth defcent, 
 With pow'rs increafing as they went, 
 The Dames accuftom'd to fubdue, 
 As with a rapid current drew f 
 
 And 
 
F ABLE S. 137 
 
 And o'er the fatal bounds convey'd 
 The loft, the long relu&ant Maid. 
 
 Here ftop, ye fair ones, and beware, 
 Nor fend your fond affe£tions there ; 
 Yet, yet your jdarling, now deplor'd, 
 May turn, to you, and heav'n, reftor'd ; 
 Till then, with weeping honour wait. 
 The fervant of her better fate, 
 With honour, left upon the ftiore, 
 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 caft a veil, 
 Remembring, you yourfelves are frail. 
 
 And now, from all-enquiring light, , 
 JFaft fled the confcxQUS fhades of night $ 
 
 The 
 
138 FABLES. 
 
 The Damfel, from a fhort repofe, 
 Confounded at her plight, arofe. 
 
 As when, with llumb'rous weight opprefs'd, 
 Some wealthy mifer links to reft, 
 Where felons eye the glitt'ring prey, 
 And Ileal his hoard of joys away ; 
 He, borne where golden Indus ftreamsj 
 Of pearl, and quarry'd di'mond dreams, 
 Like Midas, turns the glebe to oar, 
 Arid ftands all wrapt amidft his ftore, 
 But wakens, naked, and defpoil'd 
 Of that, for which his years had toil'd. 
 
 So far'd the Nymph, her treafure flown! 
 And turn'd, like Niobe, to ftone, 
 Within, without, obfcure, and void, 
 She felt all ravag'd, all deftroy'd. 
 
 And, 
 
FABLES. 139 
 
 And, O thou curs'd, infidious coaft ! 
 Are thefe the bleffings thou can'ft boaft ? 
 Thefe, virtue I thefe the joys they find, 
 Who leave thy heav'n-topt hills behind ? 
 Shade me, ye pines, ye caverns, hide, 
 Ye mountains, cover me, {he cry'd ! 
 
 Her trumpet flander rais'd on high, 
 And told the tydings to the fky ; 
 Contempt difcharg'd a living dart, 
 A fide-long viper to her heart ; 
 Reproach breath'd poifons o'er her face, 
 And foil'd, and blafhed ev'ry grace : 
 Officious fhame, her handmaid new, 
 Still turn'd the mirror to her view, 
 While thofe, in crimes the deepeft dy'd, 
 Approach'd to whiten at her fide, 
 
 And 
 
140 FABLE S, 
 
 And evry lewd, infulting dame 
 Upon her folly rofe to fame. 
 
 What fhould fhe do ? Attempt once mor c 
 To gain the late-deferted fhore ? 
 So trufting, back the Mourner flew, 
 As faft the train of fiends purfue. 
 
 Again the farther fhore's attain'd. 
 Again the land of virtue gained ; 
 But echo gathers in the wind, 
 And (hows her inftant foes behind. 
 Amaz'd, with headlong fpeed fhe tends, 
 Where late fhe left an hoft of friends ; 
 Alas ! thofe fhrinking friends decline, 
 Nor longer own that form divine, 
 With fear they mark the following cry. 
 And from the lonely Trembler fly. 
 
 Of 
 
FABLES. 141 
 
 Or backward drive her on the coaft, 
 Where peace was wreck'd, and honour loft 
 From earth, thus hoping aid in vain, 
 To heav'n, not daring to complain, 
 No truce by hoftile clamour giv'n, 
 And from the face of friendfhip driv'n, 
 The Nymph funk profirate on the ground. 
 With all her weight of woes around. 
 
 Enthron'd within a circling fky, 
 Upon a mont, o'er mountains high, 
 All radiant fate, as in a fhrine, 
 Virtue, firft effluence divine ; 
 Far, far above the fcenes of woe, 
 That fliut this cloud-wrapt world below ^ 
 Superior goddefs, effence bright. 
 Beauty of uncreated light* 
 
 Whom 
 
142 FABLE S, 
 
 Whom fhould mortality furvey, 
 
 As doom'd upon a certain day, 
 
 The breath of frailty rnuft expire, 
 
 The world diflblve in living fire, 
 
 The gems of heav'n, and folar flame 
 
 Be quench'd by her eternal beam, 
 
 And nature, quick'ning in her eye* 
 
 To rife a new-born phoenix, die. 
 
 Hence, unreveard to mortal view y 
 A veil around her form flie threw, 
 Which three fad fitters of the fhade 
 Pain, Care, and Melancholy made. 
 
 Thro' this her all-enquiring eye, 
 Attentive from her ftation high, 
 Beheld, abandon'd to defpair, 
 The ruins of her fav rite fair $ 
 
FABLES. 143 
 
 And with a voice, whofe awful found 
 Appal'd the guilty w r orld around, 
 Bid the tumultuous winds be ftill, 
 To numbers bow'd each lift'ning hill, 
 Uncurl'd the furging of the main, 
 And fmooth'd the thorny bed of pain, 
 The golden harp of heav'n fhe ftrung, 
 And thus the tuneful goddefs fung. 
 Lovely Penitent, arife, 
 Come, and claim thy kindred flues, 
 Come, thy fitter angels fay 
 Thou haft wept thy ftains away. 
 
 Let experience now decide 
 •Twixt the good, and evil try'd, 
 In the fmooth, enchanted ground, 
 Say, unfold the treafures found. 
 
 Structures 
 
144* F A B L E S. 
 
 Stru&ures, rais'd by morning dreamsy 
 Sands, that trip the flitting ftreams,- 
 Down, that anchors on the air, 
 Clouds, that paint their changes there. 
 
 Seas, that fmoothly dimpling lie, 
 While the ftorm impends on high, 
 Showing, in an obvious glafs, 
 Joys that in pofieffion pafs j 
 
 Tranfient, fickle, light, and gay, 
 Flatt'ring, only to betray ; 
 What, alas, can life contain ! 
 Life ! like all it's circles vain. 
 
 Will the ftork, intending reft* 
 On the billow build her neft ? 
 Will the bee demand his ftore 
 From the bleak, and bladelefs £hore ? 
 
FABLES. 
 
 Man alone, intent to ftray, 
 Ever turns from wifdom's way, 
 Lays up wealth in foreign land, 
 Sows the fea, and plows the fand. 
 
 Soon this elemental mafs, 
 Soon th' incuntb'ring world fhall pafs, 
 Form be wrapt in wafting fire, 
 Time be fpent, and life expire. 
 
 Then, ye boafted works of men, 
 Where is your afylum then ? 
 Sons of pleafure, fons of care> 
 Tell me mortals, tell me where ? 
 
 Gone, like traces on the deep, 
 Like a fcepter, grafp'd in fleep, 
 Dews, exhal'd from morning glades, 
 Melting fnows, and gliding (hades. 
 
146 FABLE S. 
 
 Pafs the world, and what's behind ? 
 Virtue's gold, by fire refin'd ; 
 From an univerfe deprav'd, 
 From the wreck of nature fav'd. 
 
 Like the life-fupporting grain, 
 Fruit of patience, and of p^in, 
 On the fwain's autumnal day, 
 Winnow'd from the chaff away. 
 
 Little trembler, fear no more, 
 Thou hafc plenteous crops in ffcore, 
 Seed, by genial farrows fown, 
 More than ail thy fcorners own. 
 
 What tho' hoftile earth defpife, 
 Heav'n beholds with gentler eyes ; 
 FXeavn thy friendlefs jfteps fhall guide, 
 Chear thy hours, and guard thy fide. 
 
 When 
 
FABLES. 147 
 
 When the fatal trump fhall found, 
 When th' immortals pour around, 
 Heav'n fhall thy return atteft, 
 Hail'd by myriads of the blefs'd. 
 
 Little native of the fkies, 
 Lovely penitent, arife ; 
 Calm thy bofom, clear thy brow, 
 Virtue is thy fifter now. 
 
 More delightful are my woes, 
 Than the rapture, pleafure knows j 
 Richer far the weeds I bring, 
 Than the robes, that grace a king, 
 
 On my wars, of fhorteft date, 
 Crowns of endlefs triumph wait ; 
 On my cares a period blefs'd i 
 On my toils, eternal reft. 
 
 L £ Come^ 
 
148 FABLES. 
 
 Come, with virtue at thy fide, 
 Come, be ev'ry bar defy'd, 
 'Till we gain our native more, 
 Sifter, come, and turn no more* 
 
 FABLE 
 
( 149 ) 
 
 FABLE XVI, 
 
 HE breezy morning breath'd perfume* 
 
 The wak'ning flowVs unveird their 
 bloom, 
 
 Up wkh the fun, from fhort repofe, 
 Gay health, and lufty labour rofe. 
 The milkmaid caroFd at her pail, 
 And fhepherds whittled o'er the dale$ 
 When Love, who led a rural life, 
 Remote from buttle, ftate, and ftrife. 
 
 ^ove and Vanity. 
 
 L 3 
 
 Forth 
 
i 5 o FABLES. 
 
 Forth from His thatch'd-roof d cottage flray'd, 
 And Itroll'd along the dewy glade, 
 
 A Nymph, who lightly trip'd it by, 
 To quick attention turn'd his eye, 
 He mark'd the gefture of the Fair, 
 Her felf-fufficient grace and air, 
 Her fteps, that mincing rjieant to pleaf?, 
 Her ftudy'd negligence, and eafe ; 
 And curious to enquire what meant 
 This thing of prettinefs, and paint, 
 Approaching fpoke, and bow'd obfervant . 
 The Lady, flightly,— -Sir, your fervant. 
 
 Such beauty in fo rude a place ! 
 Fair one, you do the country grace ; 
 At court, no doubt, the public care, 
 put Love has fmall acquaintance there. 
 
F A B E L S. 151 
 
 Yes, Sir, reply'd the flutt ring Dame, 
 This form confefies whence it came ; 
 But dear variety, you know, 
 Can make us pride, and pomp forego. 
 My name is Vanity. I fway 
 The utmoft iflands of the fea 5 
 Within my court all honour centers ; 
 I raife the meanefl foul that enters, 
 Endow with latent gifts, and graces, 
 And model fools, for polls and places. 
 
 As Vanity appoints at pleafure, 
 The world receives it's weight, and meafure; 
 Hence all the grand concerns of life, 
 Joys, cares, plagues, paffions, peace and ftrife, 
 
 Refledt how far my pow'r prevails, 
 When I ftep in, where nature fails, 
 
 L 4 And 
 
152 FABLE S. 
 
 And ev'ry breach of fenfe repairing. 
 
 Am bounteous ftill, where heav'n is fparing. 
 
 But chief in all their arts, and airs, 
 Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray'rs 
 Their various habits, and complexions, 
 Fits, frolicks, foibles, and perfe&ions, 
 Their robing, curling, and adorning. 
 From noon to night, from night to morning 
 From fix to fixty, fick or found, 
 I rule the female world around. 
 
 Hold there a moment, Cupid cry'd^ 
 Nor boaft dominion quite fp wide. 
 Was there no province to invade. 
 But that by Love, and meeknefs fway'd ? 
 All other empire I relign, 
 But be the fphere of beauty piine* 
 
FABLES. i 
 
 For in the downy lawn of reft? 
 That opens on a woman's breaft, 
 Attended by my peaceful train, 
 % chufe to Jive, a.nd chufe to reign^ 
 
 Far-fighj;ed faith I bring along, 
 And truth, above an army ftrong. 
 And chaffcity, of icy mold, 
 Within the burning tropics cold, 
 And lpwlinefs, to whofe mild brow, 
 The pow'r and pride of nations bow, 
 And modefty, with dqwncaft eye, 
 That lends the morn her virgin dye. 
 And innocence, array'd in light. 
 And honour, as a tow'r upright ? 
 With fweetly winning graces, more 
 Jhan ppets ever dreamt of yore. 
 
i 5 4 FABLE S. 
 
 In unaffe&ed conduct free, 
 AH fmiling fillers, three times three, 
 And rofy peace, the cherub blefs'd, 
 That nightly fings us all to reft, 
 
 Hence, from the bud of nature's prime, 
 From the fir ft ftep of infant time, 
 Woman, the world's appointed light, 
 Has fkirted ev'ry (hade with white ; 
 Has flood" for imitation high, 
 To ev'ry heart and ev'ry eye ; 
 From antient deeds of fair renown, 
 Has brought her bright memorials down j 
 To time affix'd perpetual youth, 
 And form'd each tale of love and truth. 
 
 Upon a new Promethean plan, 
 She moulds the effence of a man, 
 
 Tempers 
 
FABLES. 155 
 
 Tempers his mafs, his genius fires, 
 And as a better foul, infpires. 
 
 The rude fne foftens, warms the cold, 
 Exalts the meek, and checks the bold, 
 Calls floth from his fupine repofe, 
 Within the coward's bofom glows, 
 Of pride un plumes the lofty creft, 
 Bids bafhful merit fland confefs'd, 
 And like coarfe metal from the mines, 
 Collects, irradiates, and refines. 
 
 The gentle fcience, fhe imparts, 
 All manners fmooths, informs all hearts ; 
 From her fweet influence are felt, 
 Pafiions that pleafe, and thoughts that melt ; 
 To flormy rage fhe bids controiri, 
 And finks ferenely on the foul, 
 
 Softens 
 
156 FABLE S, 
 
 Softens Deucalion's flinty race, 
 
 And tunes the warring world to peace. 
 
 Thus arm'd £0 all that's light, and vain, 
 And freed fronj thy fantaftic chain, 
 She fills the fphere, by heav'n aflign'd, 
 And rul'd by me, o'er-rules mankind. 
 
 He fpoke. The nymph impatient flood. 
 And laughing, thus her fpeech rencw'd. 
 
 And pray, Sir, may I be lb bold 
 To hope your pretty tale is told 
 And next demand, without a cavil. 
 
 What new Utopia do you travel ? 
 
 Upon my Word, thefe high-flown fancies 
 Shew depth of learning—in romances. 
 
 Why, what unfafhion'd Huff you tell us, 
 Of buckram dames, and tiptoe fellows ! 
 
 Go 
 
FABLES. 157 
 
 Go, child; and when you're grown matures 
 You'll fhoot your next opinion furer. 
 
 O fuch a pretty knack at painting ! 
 And all for foffning, and for fainting ! 
 Guefs now, who can, a fingle feature, 
 Thro' the whole piece of female nature! 
 Then mark ! my loofcr hand may fit 
 The lines, too coarfe for Love to hit. 
 
 'Tis faid that woman, prone to changing, 
 Thro' all the rounds of folly ranging, 
 On life's uncertain ocean riding, 
 No reafon, rule, nor rudder guiding, 
 Js like the comet's wand'ring light, 
 Eccentric, ominous, and bright, 
 Tra&lefs, and fliifting as the wind, 
 A fea, whofe fathom none can find, 
 
 A moqn* 
 
158 FABLES. 
 
 A moon, ftili changing, 2nd revolving, 
 A riddle, paft all human folving. 
 A blifs, a plague, a heav'n, a hell, 
 A — fornething, that no man can telL 
 
 Now learn a fecret from a friend, 
 But keep your council, and attend * 
 
 Tho' in their tempers thought fo diftant, 
 Nor with their fex, nor felves confiftent, 
 'Tis but the difference of a name, 
 And ev'ry woman is the fame. 
 For as the world however vary'd, 
 And through unnumber'd changes carry'd, 
 Of elemental modes, and forms, 
 Clouds, meteors, colours, calms and ftorms, 
 Tho' in a thoufand fuits array 'd, 
 Is of one fubjed matter made * 
 
 So, 
 
FABLES. 159 
 
 So, Sir, a woman's conditution, 
 The world's enigma, finds folution, 
 And let her form be what you will, 
 I am the fubjedt effence Rill. 
 
 With the firft fpark of female fenfe, 
 The fpeck of being, I commence, 
 Within the womb make frefli advances, 
 And di&ate future qualms, and fancies ; 
 Thence in the growing form expand, 
 With childhood travel hand in hand, 
 And give a tafle of all their joys, 
 In gewgaws, rattles, pomp, and.noife. 
 
 And now, familiar, and unaw'd, 
 I fend the flutt'ring foul abroad. 
 Prais'd for her fhape, her air, her mein, 
 The little goddefs, and the queen, 
 
 Takes 
 
i6o FABLES. 
 
 Takes at her infant di'rine oblation, 
 And drinks fweet draughts of addulatiori. 
 
 Now blooming, tall, ered, and fair* 
 To drefs, becomes her darling care ; 
 The realms of beauty then I bound, 
 I fwell the hoop's enchanted round, 
 Shrink in the waift's defcending fize* 
 Heav'd in the fnowy bofom, rife> 
 High on the floating lappet fail 
 Or curFd in trefles, kifs the gale. 
 Then to her glafs I lead the fair, 
 And fhew the lovely idol there, 
 Where, ftriick as by divine emotion* 
 She bows with mofl fincere devotion* 
 And numb'ring every beauty o'er 
 In fecret bids the world adore* 
 
 Then 
 
F A B E L S. 161 
 
 Then all for parking, and parading, 
 Coquetting, dancing, mafquerading j 
 ForbalIs,plays,courts,andcroudswhatpaffion! 
 And churches, fometimes — if the fafhion ; 
 For woman's fenfe of right, and wrong 
 Is rul'd by the almighty throng 3 
 Still turns to each meander tame, 
 And fwims, the ftraw of ev'ry ftream, 
 Her foul intrinlic worth rejects, 
 Accomplifh'd only in defers ; 
 Such excellence is her ambition, 
 Folly, her wifeft acquifition, 
 And ev'n from pity, and difdain, 
 She'll cull fome reafon to be vain. 
 
 Thus, Sir, from ev'ry form, and feature^ 
 The wealth, and wants of female nature, 
 
 M And 
 
i62 FABLES. 
 
 And ev'n from vice, which you'd admire* 
 I gather fewel to my fire ; 
 And on the very bafe of fhame 
 Eredt my monument of fame. 
 
 Let me another truth attempt, 
 Of which your godfhip has not dreamt* 
 
 Thofe £hining virtues, which you mufterv 
 Whence think you they derive their luftre? 
 From native honour, and devotion ? 
 O yes, a mighty likely notion ? 
 Truft me, from titled dames to fpinners, 
 ; Tis I make faints, whoe'er makes finners ; 
 'Tis I inftrud: them to withdraw, 
 And hold prefumptuous man in awe ; 
 For female worth, as I infpire, 
 In j uft degrees, ftill mounts the higher, 
 
 And 
 
FABLES. 163 
 
 And virtue, fo extremely nice, 
 Demands long toil, and mighty price ; 
 Like Sampfon's pillars, fix'd elate> 
 I bear the fex's tott'ring fiate, 
 Sap thefe, and in a moment's fpace, 
 Down finks the fabric to its bafe* 
 
 Alike from titles, and from toys, 
 I fpring, the fount of female joys ; 
 In ev'ry widow, wife, and mifs, 
 The fole artificer of blifs ; 
 For them each tropic I explore, 
 I cleave the fand of ev'ry fhore ; 
 To them uniting Indias fail, 
 Sabaea breathes her fartheft gale : 
 For them the bullion I refine, 
 Dig fenfe, and virtue from the mine, 
 
 M 2 And 
 
1 64 F A B L E S. 
 
 And from the bowels of invention, 
 Spin out the various arts you mention. 
 
 Nor blifs alone my pow'rs beftow, 
 They hold the fovereign balm of woe ; 
 Beyond the Stoic's boafted art, 
 I footh the heavings of the heart j 
 To pain give fplendor, and relief, 
 And gild the' pallid face of grief. 
 
 Alike the palace, and the plain 
 Admit tie glories of my reign ; 
 Thro' ev'ry age, in ev'ry nation, 
 Tafte, talents, tempers, ftate, and ftation, 
 Whate'er a woman fays, I fay ; 
 Whate'er a woman fpends, I pay ; 
 Alike I fill, and empty bags, 
 Flutter in finery, and rags. 
 
 With 
 
FABLES. 165 
 
 With light coquets thro' folly range, 
 And with the prude difdain to change. 
 
 And now you'd think, 'twiit you, and I, 
 
 That things were ripe for a reply 
 
 But foft, and while I'm in the mood, 
 Kindly permit me to conclude, 
 Their utmoft mazes to unravel, 
 And touch the fartheft ftep they travel. 
 
 When ev'ry pleafure's run aground, 
 And folly tir'd thro' many a round, 
 The nymph, conceiving difcontent hence, 
 May ripen to an hour's repentance, 
 And vapours, fhed in pious moifture, 
 Difmifs her to a church, or cloyfter ; 
 Then on I lead her, with devotion 
 Confpicuous in her drefs, and motion, 
 
 M 3 Infpirf 
 
i66 FABLES, 
 
 Infpire the heav'nly-breathing air, 
 Roll up the lucid eye in pray'r, 
 Soften the voice, and in the face 
 Look melting harmony, ana grace. 
 
 Thus far extends my friendly pow'r* 
 Nor quits her in her latefl hour j 
 The couch of decent pain I fpread, 
 In form recline her languid head. 
 Her thoughts I methodize in death. 
 And part not, with her parting breath 
 Then do I fet, in order bright, 
 A length of funeral pomp to fight, 
 The glitt'ring tapers, and attire, 
 The plumes, that whiten o'er her bier | 
 And bfl, prefenting to her eye 
 Angelic fineries on high^ 
 
FABLES. 167 
 
 To fcenes of painted blifs I waft her, 
 
 And form the heav'n ihe hopes hereafter. 
 
 In truth, rejoin'd love's gentle god, 
 You've gone a tedious length of road, 
 And ftrange, in all the toilfome way, 
 No houfe of kind refreshment lay, 
 No nymph, wh ofe virtues might have tempted, 
 To hold her from her fex exempted. 
 
 For one, we'll never quarrel, man j 
 Take her, and keep her, if you can $ 
 And pleas'd I yield to your petition, 
 Since ev'ry fair, by fuch permiffion, 
 Will hold herfelf the one fele&ed, 
 And fo my fyftem ftands protected, 
 
 O deaf to virtue, deaf to glory, 
 To truths divinely vouch'd in ftory ! 
 
 M 4 The 
 
1 68 FABLE S f 
 
 The godhead in his zeal return'd, 
 
 And kindling at her malice burn'd. 
 
 Then fweetly rais'd his voice, and told 
 
 Of heav'nly nymphs, rever'd of old ; 
 
 Hypfipyle, who fav'd her lire, 
 
 And Portia's love, approv'd by fire, 
 
 Alike Penelope was quoted, 
 
 Nor laurel'd Daphne pafs'd unnoted, 
 
 Nor Laodamia's fatal garter, 
 
 Nor fam'd Lucretia, honour's martyr, 
 
 Alcefle's voluntary fteel, 
 
 And Catherine, fmiling on the wheel, 
 
 But who can hope to plant convidlion 
 
 Where cavil grows on contradiction ? 
 
 Some flic evades, or difavows, 
 
 Demurs to all, and none allows ; 
 
 A kind 
 
FABLES, 169 
 
 A kmd of antient thing call'd fables ! 
 And thus the goddefs turn'd the tables. 
 
 Now both in argument grew high, 
 And choler flafh'd from either eye j 
 Nor wonder each refused to yield 
 The conqueft of lb fair a field. 
 
 When happily arrived in view 
 A Goddefs, whom our grandames knew, 
 Of afpedl grave, and fober gaite, 
 Maje&ic, aweful, and fedate, 
 As heav'n's autumnal eve ferene, 
 When not a cloud o'ercafts the fcene ; 
 Once Prudence call'd, a matron fam'd, 
 And in old Rome, Cornelia nam'd. 
 -Quick at a venture, both agree 
 ,f f 0 leave their ftrife to her decree. 
 
 And 
 
i 7 o FABLE S. 
 
 And now by each the fads were ftated, 
 In form and manner as related, 
 The cafe was fhort. They crav'd opinion, 
 Which held o'er females chief 'dominion 
 When thus the Goddefs, anfwering mild* 
 Firfi fhook her gracious head, and fmil'd, 
 
 Alas, how willing to comply, 
 Yet how unfit a judge am I ! 
 In times of golden date, 'tis true, 
 I fhar'd the fickle fex with you; 
 Put from their prefence long precluded, 
 Or held as one, whofe form intruded, 
 Full fifty annual funs can tell, 
 prudence has bid the fex fareweh 
 
 In this dilemma what to do, 
 Or who to think of, neither knew j 
 
FABLE S, 17s 
 JFor both, fKll biafs'd in opinion, 
 And arrogant of fole dominion, 
 Were forc'd to hold the cafe compounded, 
 Or leave the quarrel where they found it. 
 
 When in the nick, a rural fair, 
 Of inexperienced gaite/and air, 
 Who ne'er had crofs'd the neighboring lake^ 
 Nor feen the world, beyond a wak$, 
 With cambrick coif, and kerchief clean, 
 \Tnpt lightly by them o'er the green • 
 
 Now, now ! cry'd love's triumphant Child* 
 And at approaching conqueft fmil 'd, 
 If Vanity will once be guided, 
 Our diff'rence foon may be decided ; 
 Behold yon wench, a fit occafion 
 To try your force of gay perflation* 
 
172 FABLE S» 
 
 Go you, while I retire aloof, 
 
 Go, put thofe boafled pow'rs to proof $ 
 
 And if your prevalence of art 
 
 Tranfcends my yet unerring dart, 
 
 I give the fav'rite contefl o'er, 
 
 And ne'er will boaft my empire tnore. 
 
 At once, fo faid, and fo confented ; 
 And well our goddefs feem'd contented, 
 Nor paufmg, made a moment's ftand, 
 But tript, and took the girl in hand. 
 
 Meanwhile the Godhead, unalarm'd, 
 As one to each occalion arm'd, 
 Forth from his quiver cull'd a dart, 
 That erft had wounded many a heart $ 
 Then bending, drew it to the head 1 
 The bow -firing twanged, the arrow fled, 
 
 And 
 
FABLES. 173 
 
 And, to her fecret foul addrefs'd, 
 Transfix'd the whitenefs of her breaft. 
 
 But here the Dame, whofe 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 thoufand beauties rufh to fight, 
 A world of charms till now unknown, 
 A world reveal'd to her alone ; 
 Enraptur'd ftands the love-fick maid, 
 Sufpended o'er the darling fhade, 
 Here only fixes to admire, 
 And centers ev J ry fond defire. 
 
 FINIS. 
 
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