So Pug began to turn his brain

(Like other folks in place) on gain.
An apple-woman's stall was near,

Well stock'd with fruits through all the year;
Here every day he cramm'd his guts,
Hence were his hoards of pears and nuts;
For 'twas agreed (in way of trade)
His payments should in corn be made.
The stock of grain was quickly spent,
And no account which way it went.
Then, too, the Poultry's starved condition
Caused speculations of suspicion.
The facts were proved beyond dispute,
Pug must refund his hoards of fruit,
And, though then minister in chief,
Was branded as a public thief.
Disgraced, despised, confined to chains,
He nothing but his pride retains.

A Goose pass'd by, he knew the face,
Seen every levee while in place.

"What, no respect! no reverence shown!
How saucy are these creatures grown!
Not two days since," says he, "you bow'd

The lowest of my fawning crowd."

"Proud fool!" replies the Goose, "tis true
Thy corn a fluttering levee drew;

For that I join'd the hungry train,
And sold thee flattery for thy grain:
But then, as now, conceited Ape,
We saw thee in thy proper shape." 1

(1) "Oh most lame and impotent conclusion!" As to the remark in the two last lines, it is worthy of-a goose, but the conduct of the minister, and of the

flatterer, the latter equally as to its sycophancy and ingratitude-is a model of statesmanship and intrigue. The reason why every change in an administration costs a country much, is that the new officials have to feather their nest, whilst the old covey have feathered theirs, so that each new plucking, renders the public (the goose) more bare! Neither is it until disappointment has soured, or prosperity gorged him, that a minister learns

"Be just and fear not:

Let all the ends he aims at, be his country's,

His God's, and truth's."-SHAK. Hen. VIII. Act iii.

You tell me that you apprehend
My verse may touchy folks offend.
In prudence, too, you think my rhymes
Should never squint 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? 1
I meddle not with gown or lawn;
Poets, I grant, to rise, must fawn.
They know great ears are over nice,
And never shock their patron's vice.
But I this hackney path despise,

"Tis

my ambition not to rise:
If I must prostitute the Muse,
The base 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 paltry tribe:
Be virtue mine; be theirs the bribe.
I no man's property invade ;
Corruption's yet no lawful trade.
Nor would it mighty ills produce,
Could I shame bribery out of use.

I know 'twould cramp most politicians,
Were they tied down to these conditions:
'Twould stint their power, their riches bound,
And make their parts seem less profound.
Were they denied their proper tools,

How could they lead their knaves and fools?

(1) See Sidney Smith's account of the rise of a Bishop, in his letters to Archdeacon Singleton; the promotion also of parish parsons to prelates, in Macaulay's History of England, tells the same tale of supple knavery. The robes of most lawn-sleeved hangers-on at courts, require a great deal of washing, to get rid of the dirt accumulated in their elevation, indeed it is astonishing they are so white as they are.

Were this the case, let's take a view
What dreadful mischiefs would ensue.
Though it might aggrandize the state,
Could private luxury dine on plate?
Kings might indeed their friends reward,
But ministers find less regard.
Informers, sycophants, and spies,
Would not augment the year's supplies.
Perhaps, too, take away this prop,
An annual job or two, might drop.
Besides, if pensions were denied,
Could Avarice support its pride?
It might even ministers confound,
And yet the state be safe and sound.

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 same.

Nay, though some 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 laws defaced,
I'd vote a minister disgraced.

I strike at vice, be't where it will;
And what if great folks take it ill?
I hope corruption, bribery, pension,
One may with detestation mention;
Think you the law (let who will take it)
Can scandalum magnatum make it?
I vent no slander, owe no grudge,
Nor of another's conscience, judge.