PEACOCK, TURKEY, AND GOOSE.
IN beauty faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.
As near a barn, by hunger led,
A Peacock with the poultry fed,
All view'd him with an envious eye,
And mock'd his gaudy pageantry.
He, conscious of superior merit,
Contemns their base reviling spirit;
His state and dignity assumes,
And to the sun displays his plumes,
Which, like the heaven's o'er-arching skies,
Are spangled with a thousand eyes.
The circling rays, and varied light,
At once confound their dazzled sight;
On every tongue detraction burns,
And malice prompts their spleen by turns.
Mark with what insolence and pride
The creature takes his haughty stride,
(The Turkey cries). Can spleen contain?
Sure never bird was half so vain.
But were intrinsic merit seen,
We Turkeys have the whiter skin.'
From tongue to tongue they caught abuse,
And next was heard the hissing Goose:
'What hideous legs! what filthy claws!
I scorn to censure little flaws :
Then what a horrid squalling throat!
Even owls are frighted at the note.'
'True: those are faults, (the Peacock cries)
My scream, my shanks you may despise;
But such blind critics rail in vain.
What, overlook my radiant train!
Know, did my legs (your scorn and sport)
The Turkey or the Goose support,
And did ye scream with harsher sound,
Those faults in you had ne'er been found:
To all apparent beauties blind,
Each blemish strikes an envious mind.'
Thus in assemblies have I seen
A nymph of brightest charms and mien
Wake envy in each ugly face,
And buzzing scandal fills the place.
CUPID, HYMEN, AND PLUTUS. As Cupid in Cytherea's grove Employ'd the lesser powers of Love; Some shape the bow, or fit the string, Some give the taper shaft its wing, Or turn the polish'd quiver's mould, Or head the darts with temper'd gold. Amidst their toil and various care Thus Hymen, with assuming air, Address'd the god: Thou purblind chit, Of awkward and ill-judging wit,
If matches are not better made,
At once I must forswear
You send me such ill-coupled folks,
That 'tis a shame to sell them yokes.
They squabble for a pin, a feather,
And wonder how they came together.
The husband's sullen, dogged, shy;
The wife grows flippant in reply:
He loves command and due restriction,
And she as well likes contradiction:
She never slavishly submits;
She'll have her will, or have her fits.
He this way tugs, she t'other draws;
The man grows jealous, and with cause.
Nothing can save him but divorce;
And here the wife complies of course.'
'When (says the Boy) had I to do
With either your affairs or you?
I never idly spend my darts;
You trade in mercenary hearts,
For settlements the lawyer's fee'd;
my hand witness to the deed?
If they like cat and dog agree,
Go rail at Plutus, not at me.'
Plutus appear'd, and said, "Tis true, In marriage gold is all their view; They seek not beauty, wit, or sense, And love is seldom the pretence. All offer incense at my shrine, And I alone the bargain sign. How can Belinda blame her fate? She only ask'd a great estate. Doris was rich enough, 'tis true; Her lord must give her title too: 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.
THE TAME STAG.
As a young Stag the thicket pass'd,
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 flies and hides from all mankind;
Now bolder grown, with fix'd 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 servants to be fed:
Nearer and nearer now he stands,
To feel the praise of patting hands;
Examines every feast 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,
soldier hath his charms.
From tent to tent she spreads her flame
For custom conquers fear and shame.
WHO HAD SEEN THE WORLD.
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,
Like any other gentleman.
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 burn'd with public zeal
To civilize the Monkey-weal;
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