THE

THIRD PART.

MUCH malice mingled with a little wit, 1295
Perhaps, may cenfure this myfterious writ:
Because the muse has peopled Caledon
With Panthers, Bears, and Wolves, and beasts
unknown,

As if we were not ftock'd with monfters of our

own.

Let Efop anfwer, who has fet to view 1300 Such kinds as Greece and Phrygia never

knew ;

And mother Hubbard, in her homely drefs,
Has fharply blam'd a British Lioness;
That queen, whofe feaft the factious rabble keep,
Expos'd obfcenely naked and asleep.

Led by thofe great examples, may not I
The wanted organs of their words fupply?
If men tranfact like brutes, 'tis equal then
For brutes to claim the privilege of men.
Others our Hind of folly will indite,
To entertain a dangerous gueft by night.

1305

1310

Let thofe remember, that fhe cannot die "Till rolling time is loft in round eternity; Nor need the fear the Panther, though un

1314

tam'd, Because the Lion's peace was now proclaim'd: The wary favage would not give offence, To forfeit the protection of her Prince;

But watch'd the time her vengeance to complete,

When all her furry fons in frequent Senate

met;

Mean while fhe quench'd her fury at the flood, And with a lenten fallad cool'd her blood. 1321 Their commons, though but coarse, were nothing fcant,

1325

Nor did their minds an equal banquet want.
For now the Hind, whose noble nature strovė,
To express her plain fimplicity of love,
Did all the honours of her house fo well,
No sharp debates difturb'd the friendly meal.
She turn'd the talk, avoiding that extreme,
To common dangers paft, a fadly-pleafing
theme;

Remembring every storm which tofs'd the

ftate,

1530

When both were objects of the public hate, And dropt a tear betwixt for her own children's fate.

Nor fail'd fhe then a full review to make Of what the Panther fuffer'd for her fake:

Her loft esteem, her truth, her loyal care, 1335 Her faith unfhaken to an exil'd heir,

Her ftrength to endure, her courage to defy;

Her choice of honourable infamy.

On thefe, prolixly thankful, fhe enlarg'd; 1339 Then with acknowledgment herself she charg'd; For friendship, of itself an holy tie,

Is made more facred by adverfity.

Now should they part, malicious tongues would fay,

They met like chance companions on the way, Whom mutual fear of robbers had poffefs'd; 1345 While danger lafted, kindness was profefs'd; But that once o'er the fhort-liv'd union ends: The road divides, and there divide the friends. The Panther nodded when her speech was done,

And thank'd her coldly in a hollow tone: 1350 But faid her gratitude had gone too far

For common offices of Christian care.

If to the lawful heir fhe had been true,
She paid but Cæfar what was Cæfar's due. 1354

Ver. 1346. While danger lafted, kindness was profess'd; But that once o'er the short-liv'd union ends :] "Metus et terror imprime vincula caritatis, quæ ubi remo

veris timere incipias,"

Salluft, I believe.

JOHN WARTON.

I might, fhe added, with like praise describe
Your fuffering fons, and fo return your bribe:
But incenfe from my hands is poorly priz'd;
For gifts are scorn'd where givers are despis'd.
I ferv'd a turn, and then was caft away;
You, like the gaudy fly, your wings display,
And fip the fweets, and bask in your great
patron's day.

1361

This heard, the matron was not flow to find What fort of malady had feiz'd her mind: Difdain, with gnawing envy, fell despight, And canker'd malice ftood in open fight: 1365 Ambition, intereft, pride without controul, And jealoufy, the jaundice of the foul; Revenge, the bloody minifter of ill, With all the lean tormentors of the will. 'Twas eafy now to guefs from whence arose 1370 Her new-made union with her ancient foes, Her forc'd civilities, her faint embrace, Affected kindness with an alter'd face:

Yet durft she not too deeply probe the wound, As hoping ftill the nobler parts were found: 1375 But ftrove with anodynes to affwage the smart, And mildly thus her med'cine did impart.

Complaints of lovers help to ease their pain; It shows a rest of kindnefs to complain;

Ver. 1373. Affected kindness with an alter'd face:]" And harfl unkindness' alter'd eye." Gray, JOHN WARTon.

1380

A friendship loth to quit its former hold;
And confcious merit may be justly bold.
But much more just your jealousy would fhew,
If other's good were injury to you:
Witness, ye heavens, how I rejoice to fee
Rewarded worth and rifing loyalty.

1383

Your warrior offspring that upheld the crown,
The fcarlet honor of your peaceful gown,
Are the most pleasing objects I can find,
Charms to my fight, and cordials to my mind:
When virtue fpooms before a profperous gale,
My heaving wishes help to fill the fail;
And if my prayers for all the brave were

heard,

1391

Cæfar fhould ftill have fuch, and fuch fhould ftill reward.

The labour'd earth your pains have fow'd
and till'd ;

'Tis juft you reap the product of the field: 1395
Your's be the harveft, 'tis the beggar's gain
To glean the fallings of the loaded wain.
Such fcatter'd ears as are not worth your care,
Your charity, for alms, may fafely spare,
For alms are but the vehicles of prayer. 1400.
My daily bread is literally implor'd;

I have no barns nor granaries to hoard.

Ver. 1400. For alms are but &c.] And alms &c. Orig. ed.

TODD.