And every man, or rich or poor,
A fortune asks, and asks no more."
Avarice, whatever shape it bears,
Must still be coupled with its cares.

As a young Stag the thicket past,
The branches held his antlers fast;
A clown, who saw the captive hung,
Across the horns his halter flung.

Now safely hamper'd in the cord,
He bore the present to his lord.
His lord was pleased, as was the clown,
When he was tipp'd with half-a-crown.
The stag was brought before his wife;
The tender lady begg'd his life :

"How sleek's the skin! how speck'd like ermine! Sure never creature was so charming!"

At first within the yard confined,

He flees and hides from all mankind;

Now bolder grown, with fixed amaze,
And distant awe, presumes to gaze;
Munches the linen on the lines,

And on a hood or apron dines:
He steals my little master's bread,
Follows the servant to be fed:
Nearer and nearer now he stands,
To feel the praise of patting hands;
Examines every fist for meat,

And, though repulsed, disdains retreat :
Attacks again with levell'd horns,
And man, that was his terror, scorns.
Such is the country maiden's fright,
When first a Redcoat is in sight;
Behind the door she hides her face,
Next time at distance eyes the lace:
She now can all his terrors stand,
Nor from his squeeze withdraws her hand.
She plays familiar in his arms,
And every soldier hath his charms :
From tent to tent she spreads her flame;

For custom conquers fear and shame.

A MONKEY, to reform the times,
Resolved to visit foreign climes;
For men in distant regions roam
To bring politer manners home.
So forth he fares, all toil defies;
Misfortune serves to make us wise.

At length the treacherous snare was laid;
Poor Pug was caught; to Town convey'd ;
There sold. (How envied was his doom,
Made captive in a lady's room!)
Proud as a lover of his chains,
He day by day her favour gains.
Whene'er the duty of the day
The toilet calls; with mimic play

He twirls her knots, he cracks her fan, any other gentleman.

Like

In visits, too, his parts and wit,

When jests grew dull, were sure to hit.
Proud with applause, he thought his mind
In every courtly art refined;
Like Orpheus, burnt with public zeal
To civilize the Monkey-weal;

So watch'd occasion, broke his chain,
And sought his native woods again.

The hairy silvans round him press,
Astonish'd at his strut and dress :
Some praise his sleeve, and others gloat
Upon his rich embroider'd coat,
His dapper periwig commending,
With the black tail behind depending:
His powder'd back, above, below,
Like hoary frost or fleecy snow;
But all, with envy and desire,
His fluttering shoulder-knot admire.

"Hear and improve," he pertly cries:

"I come to make a nation wise.

Weigh your own worth; support your place, The next in rank to human race.

In cities long I pass'd my days,

Conversed with men, and learn'd their ways.

Their dress, their courtly manners see;

Reform your state, and copy me.

Seek ye to thrive? In flattery deal;

Your scorn, your hate, with that conceal.