"Right: Athens was the seat of learning;
And, truly, wisdom is discerning.
Besides, on Pallas' helm we sit,
The type and ornament of wit :
But now, alas! we're quite neglected,
And a pert sparrow's more respected."
A sparrow, who was lodged beside,
O'erheard them soothe each other's pride,
And thus he nimbly vents his heat :
"Who meets a fool, must find conceit.
I grant you were at Athens graced,
And on Minerva's helm were placed;
bird that wings the sky,
Except an Owl, can tell you why.
From hence they taught their schools to know
How false we judge by outward show;
That we should never looks esteem,
Since fools as wise as you might seem.
Would ye contempt and scorn avoid,
Let your vainglory be destroy'd;
Humble your arrogance of thought,
Pursue the ways by Nature taught;
So shall you find delicious fare,
And grateful farmers praise your care;
So shall sleek mice your chase reward,
And no keen cat find more regard.”
THE COURTIER AND PROTEUS.
WHENE'ER a Courtier's out of place,
The country shelters his disgrace;
Where, doom'd to exercise and health,
His house and gardens own his wealth.
He builds new schemes, in hope to gain
The plunder of another reign;
Like Philip's son, would fain be doing,
And sighs for other realms to ruin.
As one of these (without his wand)
Pensive along the winding strand
Employ'd the solitary hour,
In projects to regain his power,
The waves in spreading circles ran,
Proteus arose, and thus began:
"Came you from court? for in your mien A self-important air is seen."
He frankly own'd his friends had trick'd him, And how he fell his party's victim.
"Know," says the god, "by matchless skill
I change to every shape at will;
But yet I'm told, at court you see
Those who presume to rival me."
Thus said: a snake, with hideous trail,
Proteus extends his scaly mail.
"Know," says the man, "though proud in place,
All Courtiers are of reptile race.
Like you, they take that dreadful form,
Bask in the sun, and fly the storm;
With malice hiss, with envy gloat,
And for convenience change their coat;
With new-got lustre rear their head,
Though on a dunghill born and bred."
Sudden the god a lion stands;
He shakes his mane, he spurns the sands;
Now a fierce lynx, with fiery glare,
A wolf, an ass, a fox, a bear.
"Had I ne'er lived at court," he cries,
"Such transformation might surprise;
But there, in quest of daily game,
Each able Courtier acts the same.
Wolves, lions, lynxes, while in place,
Their friends and fellows are their chase.
They play the bear's and fox's part,
Now rob by force, now steal with art;
They sometimes in the senate bray,
Or, changed again to beasts of prey,
Down from the lion to the ape,
Practise the frauds of every shape."
So said: upon the god he flies,
In cords the struggling captive ties.
'Now, Proteus! now (to truth compell d) Speak, and confess thy art excell❜d.
Use strength, surprise, or what you will,
The Courtier finds evasions still;
Not to be bound by any ties,
And never forced to leave his lies."
THOSE Who in quarrels interpose
Must often wipe a bloody nose.
A Mastiff, of true English blood,
Loved fighting better than his food.
When dogs were snarling for a bone,
He long'd to make the war his own,
And often found (when two contend),
To interpose obtain❜d his end;
He gloried in his limping pace;
The scars of honour seam'd his face;
In every limb a gash appears,
And frequent fights retrench'd his ears.
As on a time he heard from far
Two dogs engaged in noisy war,
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