"What's lamb to me? this saucy hint Shows me, base knave, which way you squint. If t'other night your master lost, Three lambs, am I to pay the cost? That I'm the thief. 66 You Dog, you lie." "Thou knave, thou fool," the Dog replied, The name is just, take either side; Thy guilt these applications speak: The self-convicted felon dies. To a Friend in the Country. ERE I begin, I must premise If I am free with courts, be't known, But spare my jest to save my ears. FABLE II. Our present schemes are too profound To censure 'em I've no pretension; To ply the court, and tease his friends. Whose constant actions prove him just And owe his rise to such a friend. But those alone will never do, Unless his patron have 'em too. I've heard of times (pray God defend us! We're not so good but He can mend us) When wicked ministers have trod On kings and people, law and God; A gang of petty knaves attend 'em. With proper parts to recommend 'em. Then if his patron burn with lust, The first in favour's pimp the first. His doors are never closed to spies, Since plagues like these have cursed the land, And favourites cannot always stand, Good courtiers should for change be ready, For should a knave engross the power When impious men bear sway, The post of honour is a private station. Addison. A mind serene for contemplation: The post of honour shall be mine. Around him throng the feather'd rout; Friends must be served, and some must out; Each thinks his own the best pretension; This asks a place, and that a pension. The Nightingale was set aside : A forward Daw his room supplied. "This bird," says he, "for business fit, Hath both sagacity and wit: With all his turns, and shifts, and tricks, |