But then, as now conceited Ape,
We faw thee in thy proper fhape.
U 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 you another's thoughts prevent?
You ask me if I ever knew.
Court Chaplains thus the lawn purfue.
I meddle not with gown or lawn:
Poets, I grant, to rife muft, fawn.
They know great ears are over nice,
And never fhock their patron's vice.
But I this hackney path defpife;
'I is my ambition not to rife:
If I muft proftitute the mufe,
The best conditions I refuse.
I neither flatter or defame:
Yet own I would bring guilt to fhame.,
If I corruption's hand expofe,
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 fhame brib'ry out of ufe.
I know 'twould cramp moft politicians,
Were they ty'd down to these conditions:
'Twould ftint their pow'r, their riches bound,
And make their parts feem lefs profound.
Were they deny'd their proper tools,
How could they lead their knaves and fools?
Were this the cafe, let's take a view,
What dreadful mifchiefs would enfue?
Though it might aggrandize the state,
Could private lux'ry dine on plate?
Kings might indeed their friends reward,
But minifters find lefs regard.
Informers, fycophants, and spies,
Would not augment the year's fupplies:
Perhaps too, take away this prop,
An annual jobb or two might drop.
Befides, if penfions were deny'd,
Could Av'rice fupport its pride?
It might ev'n minifters confound,
And yet the state 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 courtier's did the fame.
Nay, though fome folks the lofs 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 defac'd
I'd vote a minifter difgrac'd.
I ftrike at vice be't where it will ;
And what if great fools 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.
But then, as now conceited Ape,
We faw thee in thy proper fhape.
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 you another's thoughts prevent?
You afk me if I ever knew.
Court Chaplains thus the lawn purfue.
I meddle not with gown or lawn:
Poets, I grant, to rife muft fawn.
They know great ears are over nice,
And never fhock their patron's vice.
But I this hackney path defpife;
'I is my ambition not to rife:
If I muft proftitute the mufe,
The best conditions I refuse.
I neither flatter or defame:
Yet own I would bring guilt to fhame.,
If I corruption's hand expofe,
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 fhame brib'ry out of use.
I know 'twould cramp moft politicians,
Were they ty'd down to thefe conditions:
"Twould ftint their pow'r, their riches bound,
And make their parts feem lefs profound.
Were they deny'd their proper tools,
How could they lead their knaves and fools?
Were this the cafe, let's take a view,
What dreadful mifchiefs would enfue?
Though it might aggrandize the state,
Could private lux'ry dine on plate?
Kings might indeed their friends reward,
But minifters find lefs regard.
Informers, fycophants, and spies,
Would not augment the year's fupplies:
Perhaps too, take away this prop,
An annual jobb or two might drop.
Befides, if penfions were deny'd,
Could Av'rice fupport its pride?
It might ev'n minifters confound,
And yet the state be safe 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 courtier's did the fame.
Nay, though fome folks the lofs 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 defac'd
I'd vote a minifter difgrac'd.
I ftrike at vice be't where it will ;
And what if great fools 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.
Around him throng the feather'd rout;
Friends must be ferv'd, and some must out.
Each thinks his own the beft pretenfion;
This afks a place, and that a penfion.
The Nightingale was fet afide;
A forward Daw his room fupply'd.
This bird (fays he) for bus'nefs fit,
Hath both fagacity and wit;
With all his turns, and fhifts, and tricks,
He's docile, and at nothing sticks:
Then with his neighbours, one fo free
At all times will connive at me.
The hawk had due diftinction fhown,
For parts and talents like his own.
Thousands of hireling cocks attend him, As bluft'ring bullies to defend him. At once the Ravens were discarded, And Magpies with their posts rewarded. Thofe fowls of omen I deteft, That pry into another's neft : State lies muft lofe all good intent, For they foresee and croak th' event. My friends ne'er think, but talk by rote, Speak what they're taught, and fo to vote. When rogues like thefe (a Sparrow cries) To honours and employments rife, I court no favour, afk no place; From fuch, preferment is difg ace: Within my thatch'd retreat I find (What these ne'er feel) true peace of mind.
LV. The BABOON and the POULTRY.
To a LEVEE HUNTER.
W By judging men by what they feem
E frequently mifplace efteem,
To birth, wealth, power, we should allow
Precedence and our lowest bow;
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