Whether we ought to chufe our Friends,
For their own Worth, or our own Ends? What good, or better, we may call,
And what, the very best of all?
Our Friend Dan Prior, told (you know)
A Tale extremely "à propos"
Name a Town Life, and in a trice, He had a Story of two Mice. Once on a time (fo runs the Fable) A Country Moufe, right hofpitable, Receiv'd a Town Moufe at his Board, Juft as a Farmer might a Lord. A frugal Moufe, upon the whole, Yet lov'd his Friend, and had a Soul,
Knew what was handfome, and would do't, On juft occafion, "coute qui coute."
He brought him Bacon (nothing lean)
Pudding, that might have pleas'd a Dean;
Divitiis homines, an fint virtute beati :
Quidve ad amicitias, ufus rectumne, trahat nos: Et quae fit natura boni, fummumque quid ejus. Cervius haec inter vicinus garrit aniles Ex re fabellas. fi quis nam laudat Arellî Solicitas ignarus opes; fic incipit: Olim Rufticus urbanum murem mus paupere fertur Accepiffe cavo, veterem vetus hofpes amicum; Afper, et attentus quaefitis; ut tamen arctum Solveret hofpitiis animum, quid multa? neque illi Sepofiti ciceris, nec longae invidit avenae :
Cheese, fuch as men in Suffolk make, But wish'd it Stilton for his fake; Yet, to his Guest though no way sparing, He eat himself the rind and paring. Our Courtier scarce could touch a bit, But fhow'd his Breeding and his Wit; He did his best to seem to eat,
And cry'd, “I vow you're mighty neat. "But Lord, my Friend, this favage Scene!
"For God's fake, come, and live with Men: "Confider, Mice, like Men, must die,
"Both small and great, both you and I: "Then spend your life in Joy and Sport, "(This doctrine, Friend, I learn'd at Court.)" The veriest Hermit in the Nation
May yield, God knows, to ftrong temptation.
Aridum et ore ferens acinum, femefaque lardi Frufta dedit, cupiens varia fastidia coena Vincere tangentis male fingula dente fuperbo: Cum pater ipfe domus palea porrectus in horna Effet ador loliumque, dapis meliora relinquens. Tandem urbanus ad hunc, Quid te juvat, inquit, amice. Praerupti nemoris patientem vivere dorfo ?
Vin' tu homines urbemque feris praeponere fylvis ? Carpe viam (mihi crede) comes : terreftria quando Mortales animas vivunt fortita, neque ulla eft, Aut magno aut parvo, leti fuga. quo, bone, circa, Dum licet, in rebus jucundis vive beatus :
Vive memor quam fis aevi brevis. Haec ubi dicta
Away they came, through thick and thin, To a tall house near Lincoln's-Inn: ('Twas on the night of a Debate, When all their Lordships had fate late.) Behold the place, where if a Poet Shin'd in Description, he might show it; Tell how the Moon-beam trembling falls, And tips with Silver all the walls; Palladian walls, Venetian doors, Grotefco roofs, and Stucco floors : But let it (in a word) be said, The Moon was up, and Men a-bed, The Napkin 's white, the Carpet red: The Guests withdrawn had left the Treat, And down the Mice fate, " tête à tête.” Our Courtier walks from dish to dish, Taftes for his Friend of Fowl and Fish; Tells all their names, lays down the law, "Que ça eft bon! Ah goutez ça !
Agreftem pepulere, domo levis exfilit : inde Ambo propofitum peragunt iter, urbis aventes Moenia nocturni fubrepere. jamque tenebat Nox medium coeli fpatium, cum ponit uterque In locuplete domo veftigia: rubro ubi cocco Tin&ta fuper lectos canderet veftis eburnos ; Multaque de magna fuperessent fercula coena, Quae procul exftructis inerant hefterna caniftris. Ergo ubi purpurea porrectum in veste locavit Agreftem; veluti fuccinctus curfitat hofpes,
"That Jelly's rich, this Malmsey healing,
"Pray dip your Whiskers and your Tail in." Was ever fuch a happy Swain?
He stuffs and fwills, and stuffs again. "I'm quite afham'd-'tis mighty rude "To cat fo much-but all's fo good. "I have a thoufand thanks to give-
My Lord alone knows how to live." No fooner faid, but from the Hall Rush Chaplain, Butler, Dogs and all: "A Rat, a Rat! clap to the door"— The Cat comes bouncing on the floor. O for the heart of Homer's Mice,
Or Gods to fave them in a trice!
(It was by Providence they think, For your damn'd Stucco has no chink.)
"An't please your Honour, quoth the Peafant, "This fame Deffert is not fo pleasant :}
"Give me again my hollow Tree,
"A Cruft of Bread, and Liberty!"
Continuatque dapes nec non verniliter ipfis Fungitur officiis, praelambens omne quod affert. Ille cubans gaudet mutata forte, bonifque Rebus agit laetum convivam: cum fubito ingens Valvarum ftrepitus lectis excuflit utrumque. Currere per totum pavidi conclave; magifque Exanimes trepidare, fimul domus alta Moloffis Perfonuit canibus, tum rufticus, Haud mihi vita Eft opus hac, ait, et valeas: me fylva, cavusque Tutus ab infidiis tenui folabitur arvo.
GAIN? new Tumults in my breast? Ah fpare me, Venus! let me, let me reft! I am not now, alas! the man
As in the gentle Reign of my Queen Anne. Ah found no more thy soft alarms,
Nor circle fober fifty with thy Charms ! Mother too fierce of dear Defires!
Turn, turn to willing hearts your wanton fires. To Number five direct your Doves,
There spread round Murray all your blooming Loves;
NTERMISSA, Venus, diu
Rurfus bella moves? parce precor, precor,
Non fum qualis eram bonae
Sub regno Cynarae. define, dulcium
Mater faeva Cupidinum,
Circa luftra decem flectere mollibus
Jam durum imperiis: abi
Quo blandae juvenum te revocant preces.
Tempeftivius in domum
Paulli, purpureis ales oloribus,
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