Hear only him, he'll fwear it too,
That all our hatred is to you.
But learn from us your true eftate;

'Tis that curs'd Cur alone we hate.

The 'Squire heard truth. Now YAP rush'd in;

The wide hall echoes with his din:

Yet truth prevail'd; and, with disgrace,
The Dog was cudgell'd out of place.

FABLE

FABLE VII.

The COUNTRYMAN and JUPITER.

то MYSELF.

HAVE you a friend (look round and spy)
So fond, fo prepoffefs'd as I P

Your faults fo obvious to mankind,

My partial eyes could never find.

When, by the breath of fortune blown,
Your airy castle were o'erthro.vn;
Have I been over-prone to blame,
Or mortify'd your hours with fhame ?

Was I e'er known to damp your spirit,
Or twit you with the want of merit ?

'Tis not fo ftrange, that fortune's frown
Still perfeveres to keep you down.
Look round, and fee what others do,
Would you be rich and honeft too?
Have you (like thofe fhe rais'd to place)
Been opportunely mean and base?
Have you (as time s requir'd) refign'd
Truth, honour, virtue, peace of mind
If these are scruples, give her o'er ;
Write, practise morals, and be poor.

The gifts of fortune truly rate;
Then tell me what would mend your state.
If happiness on wealth were built,
Rich rogues might comfort find in guilt;
As grows the miser's hoarded store,
His fears, his wants, increase the more.

Think, GAY, (what ne'er may be the cafe)
Should fortune take you into grace,
Would that your happinefs augment?
What can fhe give beyond content?

Suppose yourself a wealthy heir,
With a vaft annual income clear!
In all the affluence you poffefs,
You might not feel one care the lefs.

Might

Might you not then (like others) find
With change of fortune, change of mind?
Perhaps, profufe beyond all rule,

You might ftart out a glaring fool;
Your luxury might break all bounds:
Plate, table, horses, stewards, hounds,
Might fwell your debts: then, luft of play
No regal income can defray.

Sunk is all credit, writs affail,
And doom your future life to jail.

Or were you dignify'd with pow'r,
Would that avert one penfive hour ?
You might give avarice its fwing,
Defraud a nation, blind a king:
Then, from the hirelings in your caufe,
Though daily fed with falfe applaufe,
Could it a real joy impart ?

Great guilt knew never joy at heart.

Is happiness your point in view?
(I mean the intrinfic and the true)
She nor in camps or courts refides,
Nor in the humble cottage hides;
Yet found alike in ev'ry sphere;
Who finds content, will find her there.

O'erfpent with toil, beneath the fhade,

A peafant refted on his fpade.
I 2

Good

Good gods! he cries, 'tis hard to bear
This load of life from year to year.
Soon as the morning ftreaks the skies,
Industrious labour bids me rise ;
With fweat I earn my homely fare,
And ev'ry day renews my care,

Jove heard the discontented ftrain,
And thus rebuk'd the murm'ring swain.

Speak out your wants then, honest friend:
Unjust complaints the gods offend.
If you repine at partial fate,

Inftruct me what could mend your ftate.

Mankind in ev'ry station fee.

What with y you? Tell me what you'd be.

So faid, upborne upon a cloud,
The clown furvey'd, the anxious crowd.

Yon face of care, fays Jove, behold,
His bulky bags are fill'd with gold.
See with what joy he counts it o'er!
That fum to-day hath swell'd his store.
Were I that man, (the Peafant cry'd)
What bleffing could I afk befide?

Hold, fays the God; first learn to know
True happiness from outward fhow.
This optic glafs of intuition

Here, take it, view his true condition.