You tell me, that you apprehend
My verfe may touchy folks offend.
In prudence too you think my rhimes
Should never fquint at courtiers crimes::
For though nor this, nor that is meant,
Can we another's thoughts prevent?
You ask me if I ever knew
Court chaplains thus the lawn pursue.
Imeddle not with gown or lawn ';-
Poets, I grant, to rife muft fawn.
They know great ears are over-nice,
And never shock their patron's vice.
But I this hackney path defpife;
'Tis my ambition not to rife.
If I muft prostitute the mufe,.
The bafe conditions I refuse.
I neither flatter nor defame,
Yet own I would bring guilt to shame.
If I corruption's hand expose,
I make corrupted men my foes,
What then? I hate the paultry-tribe,
Be virtue mine; be theirs the bribe.
I no man's property invade ;
Corruptions yet no lawful trade.
Nor would it mighty ills produce,
Could I fhame brib'ry out of use,
I know 'twould cramp moft politicians,
Were they ty'd down to these conditions.
"Twould stint their pow'r, their riches bound,
And make their parts feem less profound.
Were they deny'd their proper tools,
How could they lead their knaves and fools?
Were this the case, let's take a view,
What dreadful mischiefs would enfue;
Though it might aggrandize the state,
Could private luxury dine on plate?
Kings might indeed their friends reward,
But minifters find less regard.
Informers, fycophants, and spies,
Would not augment the year's supplies.
Perhaps too, take away this prop,
An annual jobb or two might drop.
Befides, if penfions were deny'd,
Could avarice fupport its pride?
It might even minifters confound,
And yet the ftate be fafe and found.
I care not though 'tis understood
I only mean my country's good:
And (let who will my freedom blame)
I wish all courtiers did the fame.
Nay, though fome folks the less might get,
I wish the nation out of debt.
I put no private man's ambition
With public good in competition:
Rather than have our law defac'd,
I'd vote a minifter difgrac'd.
I ftrike at vice, be't where it will;
And what if great folks take it ill ?
I hope, corruption, brib'ry, penfion,
One may with deteftation mention :
Think you the law (let who will take it)
Can fcandalum magnatum make it?
I vent no flander, owe no grudge,
Nor of another's confcience judge:
At him or him I take no aim,
Yet dare against all vice declaim.
Shall I not cenfure breach of trust,
Because knaves know themfelves unjust?
That fteward, whofe account is clear,
Demands his honour, may appear:
His actions never fhun the light,
He is, and would be prov'd upright.
But then you think my Fable bears Allufion too, to ftate affairs.
I grant it does: And who's fo great,
That has the privilege to cheat;
If, then, in any future reign
(For minifters may thirst for gain)
Corrupted hands defraud the nation;
I bar no reader's application.
An Ant there was, whofe forward prate
Controul'd all matters in debate ;
Whether he knew the thing or no,
His tongue eternally would go.
For he had impudence at will,
And boafted univerful kill.
Ambition was his point in view;
Thus, by degrees, to pow'r he grew,
Behold him now his drift attain:
He's made chief treas'rer of the grain.
their ancient laws are juft,
And punish breach of public trust,
'Tis ordered (left wrong application Should farve that wife induftrious nation)
That all accounts be ftated clear,
Their ftock, and what defray'd the year:
That auditors fhould these inspect,
And public rapine thus be check'd.
For this the folemn day was fet,
The auditors in council met.
The gran'ry keeper muft explain,
And balance his account of grain.
He brought (fince he could not refufe 'em)
Some fcraps of paper to amufe 'em.
An honest pifmire, warm with zeal,
In juftice to the public weal,
Thus fpoke. The nation's hoard is low,
From whence does this profufion flow?
I know our annual funds amount.
Why fuch expence, and where's th' account?
With wonted arrogance and pride,
The Ant in office thus reply'd.
Confider, Sirs, were fecrets told,
How could the belt fchem'd projects hold
Should we ftate-myfteries difclose,
'Twould lay us open to our foes.
My duty and my well-known zeal
Bid me our present fchemes conceal.
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