Then what a horrid squalling throat!
Ev'n owls are frighted at the note.
True, those are faults, the Peacock cries-
My scream, my shanks, you may despise;
But suck blind critics rail in vain:
What! overlook my radiant train!
Know, did my legs (your scorn and sport)
The Turkey or the Goose support,
And did ye scream with harsher sound,
Those faults in you had ne'er been found:
To all apparent beauties blind,

Each blemish strikes an envious mind.
Thus, in assemblies, have I seen
A nymph, of brightest charms and mien,
Wake envy in cach ugly face;
And buzzing scandal fills the place.

FABLE XII.

Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus.

AS Cupid, in Cytherea's grove, Employ'd the lesser pow'rs of love, 1 Some shape the bow, or fit the string; Some give the taper shaft its wing, Or turn the polish'd quiver's mould, Or head the darts with temper'd gold. Amidst their toil and various care, Thus Hymen, with assuming air, ↳ Address'd the God:-Thou purblind chit, Of aukward and ill-judging wit,

If matches are not better made,
At once I must forswear my trade.
You send me such ill-coupled folks,
That 'tis a shame to sell them yokes.
They squabble for a pin, a feather,
And wonder how they came together.
'The husband's sullen, dogged, shy;
The wife grows flippant in reply.
He loves command and due restriction,
And she as well likes contradiction:
She never slavishly submits-

She'll have her will, or have her fits.
He this way tugs, she t'other draws:
The man grows jealous, and with cause.
Nothing can save him but divorce;
And here the wife complies of course.
When, says the Boy, had I to do
With either your affairs or you?
I never idly spend my darts;
You trade in mercenary hearts.
For settlements the lawyer's fee'd:
Is my hand witness to the deed?
If they like cat and dog agree,
Go rail at Plutus, not at me!

Plutus appear'd, and said, 'Tis true,
In marriage gold is all their view:
They seek not beauty, wit, or sense;
And love is seldom the pretence.
All offer incense at my shrine,
And I alone the bargain sign.
How can Belinda blame her fate?
She only ask'd a great estate.

Doris was rich enough, 'tis true:
Her Lord must give her title too.
And ev'ry man, or rich or poor,
A fortune asks, and asks no more.
Av'rice, whatever shape it bears,
Must still be coupled with its cares.

FABLE XIII.

The Tame Stug.

AS a young Stag the thicket past, The branches held his antlers fast: A clown, who saw the captive hung, Across the horns his halter flung.

Now safely hamper'd in the cord, He bore the present to his lord. His lord was pleas'd; as was the clown, When he was tipp'd with half-a-crown. The Stag was brought before his wife; The tender lady begg'd his life.

How sleek's the skin! how speck'd like ermine !

Sure never creature was so charming!
At first, within the yard confin'd,
He flies and hides from all mankind;
Now bolder grown, with fix'd amaze,
And distant awe, presumes to gaze,
Munches the linen on the lines,
And on a hood or apron dines:

He'stes my little master's bread,
Follows he servants to be fed;
Nearer and nearer now he stands,
To feel the praise of patting hands;
Examines ev'ry fist for meat,

And, though repuls'd, disdains retreat;
Attacks again with levell'd horns,
And man, that was his terror, scorns.
Such is the country maiden's fright,
When first a red-coat is in sight;
Behind the door she hides her face;
Next time at distance eyes the lace.
She now can all his terror stand,
Nor from his squeeze withdraws her hand;
She plays familiar in his arms,

And ev'ry soldier hath his charms.
From tent to tent she spreads her flame;
For custom conquers fear and shame.

FABLE XIV

The Monkey who had seen the World.
A MONKEY, to reform the times,
Resolv'd to visit foreign climes;
For men in distant regions roam,
To bring politer manners home.

So forth he fares, all toil defies:
Misfortune serves to make us wise.
At length the treach'rous snare was laid:
Poor Pug was caught, to town convey'd;

There sold. How envied was his doom,

Made captive in a lady's room!
Proud as a lover of his chains,
He day by day her favour gain
Whene'er the duty of the day
The toilet calls, with mimi play
He twirls her locks, he cracks her fan,
Like any other gentleman.

In visits, too, his parts and wit,

When jests grew dull, were sure to hit.
Proud with applause, he thought his mind
In ev'ry courtly art refin'd;

Like Orpheus, burnt with public zeal,
To civilize the monkey weal:

So watch'd occasion, broke his chain,
And sought his native woods again.
The hairy sylvans round him press,
Astonish'd at his strut and dress.
Some praise his sleeve, and others glote
Upon his rich embroider'd coat;
His dapper perriwig commending,
With the black tail behind depending;
His powder'd back, above, below,
Like hoary frost or fleecy snow;
But all, with envy and desire,
His flutt'ring shoulder-knot admire.

Hear, and improve, he pertly cries;

I come to make a nation wise.

Weigh your own worth; support your place

The next in rank to human race.