Does not the cutler's art supply
The ornament that guards his thigh?
All these, in duty to the throne,
Their common obligations own.
'Tis he (his own and people's cause)
Protects their properties and laws :
Thus they their honest toil employ,
And with content the fruits enjoy.
In every rank, or great or small,
'Tis industry supports us all.

The animals, by want oppress'd,
To man their services address'd:
While each pursued their selfish good,
They hunger'd for precarious food:
Their hours with anxious cares were vext;
One day they fed, and starv'd the next:
They saw that plenty, sure and rife,
Was found alone in social life;
That mutual industry profess'd,

The various wants of man redress'd.
The Cat, half famish'd, lean and weak,
Demands the privilege to speak.

Well, Puss, (says Man) and what can you To benefit the public do?'

The Cat replies: These teeth, these claws, With vigilance shall serve the cause. The mouse, destroy'd by my pursuit, No longer shall your feasts pollute; Nor rats, from nightly ambuscade, With wasteful teeth your stores invade.' 'I grant (says Man) to general use Your parts and talents may conduce; For rats and mice purloin our grain, And threshers whirl the flail in vain :

Thus shall the Cat, a foe to spoil,
Protect the farmer's honest toil.'

Then turning to the Dog, he cried,
'Well, Sir, be next your merits tried.'
'Sir, (says the Dog) by self-applause
We seem to own a friendless cause.
Ask those who know me, if distrust
E'er found me treacherous or unjust?
Did I e'er faith or friendship break?
Ask all those creatures; let them speak.
My vigilance and trusty zeal

Perhaps might serve the public weal.
Might not your flocks in safety feed,
Were I to guard the fleecy breed?
Did I the nightly watches keep,

Could thieves invade

you

6

while you sleep?"

The Man replies: "Tis just and right; Rewards such service should requite. So rare, in property, we find

Trust uncorrupt among mankind,
That taken in a public view,
The first distinction is your due.
Such merits all reward transcend :
Be then my comrade and my friend.'
Addressing now the Fly: From you
What public service can accrue?"
'From me! (the fluttering insect said)
I thought you knew me better bred.
Sir, I'm a gentleman: Is't fit
That I to industry submit?

Let mean mechanics, to be fed
By business earn ignoble bread :
Lost in excess of daily joys,

No thought, no care, my life annoys.

At noon (the lady's matin hour)
I sip the tea's delicious flower;
On cates luxuriously I dine,

And drink the fragrance of the vine:
Studious of elegance and ease,
Myself alone I seek to please.'

The Man his pert conceit derides,
And thus the useless coxcomb chides:

'Hence, from that peach, that downy seat; No idle fool deserves to eat.

Could you have sapp'd the blushing rind,
And on that pulp ambrosial din'd,
Had not some hand, with skill and toil,
To raise the tree prepar'd the soil?
Consider, sot, what would ensue,
Were all such worthless things as you.
You'd soon be forc'd (by hunger stung)
To make your dirty meals on dung,
On which such despicable need,
Unpitied, is reduc'd to feed.
Besides, vain selfish Insect, learn,
(If you can right and wrong discern)
That he who, with industrious zea!,
Contributes to the public weal,
By adding to the common good,
His own hath rightly understood.'
So saying, with a sudden blow,
He laid the noxious vagrant low.
Crush'd in his luxury and pride,
The spunger on the public, died.

THE

JACKAL, LEOPARD, AND OTHER BEASTS.

TO A MODERN POLITICIAN.

I GRANT Corruption sways mankind;
That interest, too, perverts the mind;
That bribes have blinded common sense,
Foil'd reason, truth, and eloquence:
I grant you, too, our present crimes
Can equal those of former times.
Against plain facts shall I engage,
To vindicate our righteous age?
I know that in a modern fist
Bribes in full energy subsist.
Since then these arguments prevail,
And itching palms are still so frail,
Hence Politicians, you suggest,

Should drive the nail that goes the best ;
That it shows parts and penetration,
To ply men with the right temptation.
To this I humbly must dissent,
Premising, no reflection's meant.
Does justice or the client's sense
Teach lawyers either side's defence?
The fee gives eloquence its spirit ;
That only is the client's merit.
Does art, wit, wisdom, or address,
Obtain the prostitute's caress?
The guinea (as in other trades)
From every hand alike persuades.
Man, Scripture says, is prone to evil,
But does that vindicate the devil?

Besides, the more mankind are prone,
The less the devil's parts are shown.
Corruption's not of modern date;
It hath been tried in every state.

Great knaves of old their pow'r have fenc'd,
By places, pensions, bribes, dispens'd;
By these they gloried in success,
And impudently dar'd oppress;
By these despoticly they sway'd,
And slaves extoll'd the hand that pay'd;
Nor parts nor genius were employ'd,
By these alone were realms destroy'd.
Now see these wretches in disgrace,
Stript of their treasures, power, and place;
View 'em abandon'd and forlorn,
Expos'd to just reproach and scorn.
What now is all your pride, your boast?
Where are your slaves, your flattering host?
What tongues now feed you with applause?
Where are the champions of your cause?
Now ev'n that very fawning train,
Which shar'd the gleanings of your gain,
Press foremost who shall first accuse
Your selfish jobs, your paltry views,
Your narrow schemes, your breach of trust,
And want of talents to be just.

What fools were these amidst their pow'r! How thoughtless of their adverse hour! What friends were made? A hireling herd, For temporary votes preferr'd.

Was it these sycophants to get,

Your bounty swell'd a nation's debt?
You 're bit for these, like Swiss, attend;
No longer pay no longer friend.