Is studious only to be gay,
In toilet-arts consumes the day;
And, the long trifling labours o'er,
Takes wing, and bids the world adore ;
Looks down with scorn on rival flies,
Himself less splendid and less wise;
With scorn, his scorn return'd again,
Proud insect! impotently vain!
The fool who thus by self is priz'd,
By others justly is despis'd."
She said, and flutter'd round on high,
Nor stay'd to hear the Beau's reply.
The Bears and Bees.
S two young Bears in wanton mood,
Forth-issuing from a neighb'ring wood,
Came where th' industrious Bees had stor'd
In artful cells their luscious hoard;
O'erjoy'd they seiz'd with eager haste
Luxurious on the rich repast.
Alarm'd at this, the little crew
About their ears vindictive flew.
The beasts, unable to sustain
Th' unequal combat, quit the plain :
Half blind with rage, and mad with pain,
Their native shelter they regain ;
There sit, and now discreeter grown,
Too late their rashness they bemoan;
And this by dear experience gain,
"That pleasure's ever bought with pain."
So when the gilded baits of vice
Are plac'd before our longing eyes,
With greedy haste we snatch our fill,
And swallow down the latent ill;
But when experience opes our eyes,
Away the fancied pleasure flies-
It flies, but oh! too late we find
It leaves a real sting behind.
NCE on a time, when great Sir Oak
Held all the trees beneath his yoke,
The monarch, anxious to maintain,
In peaceful state, his sylvan reign,
Saw, to his sorrow and distraction,
His subject trees take root in faction,
And, though late join'd in union hearty,
Now branching into shoots of party,
Each sturdy stick of factious wood
Stood stiff and stout for public good:
For patriots ever, 'tis well known,
Seek others welfare, not their own,
And all they undertake, you know,
Is meant pro bono publico.
The hardy Fir, from northern earth
Who took its name, and drew its birth,
The Oak plac'd next him to support
His government, and grace his court.
The Fir, of an uncommon size,
Rear'd his tall head unto the skies,
O'er-topp'd his fellow-plants, his height
Who view'd, and sicken'd at the sight:
With envy ev'ry fibre swell'd,
While in them the proud sap rebell'd;
"Shall then," they cried, "the Ash, the Elm,
The Beech, no longer rule the helm?
What! shall the ignoble Fir, a plant,
In tempest born, and nurs'd in want,
Far from black regions of the north,
And native famine, issue forth;
In this our happier soil take root,
And dare our birthright to dispute?"
On this the fatal storm began,
Confusion thro' the forest ran;
Mischief in each dark shade was brewing,
And all betoken'd general ruin :
While each, to make their party good,
Brib'd the vile shrubs and underwood:
And now the Bramble and the Thistle
Sent forth essay, ode, epistle;
To which anon, with equal mettle,
Replied the Thorn and stinging Nettle.
"What's to be done, or how oppose
The storm which in the forest rose?"
Grief shook the mighty monarch's mind,
And his sighs labour'd in the wind.
At length, the tumult, strife, and quarrel,
Alarming the sagacious laurel,
His mind unto the King he broke,
And thus addrest him: "Heart of Oak!
Sedition is on foot, make ready;
And fix your empire firm and steady.
Faction in vain shall shake the wood,
While you pursue the general good.
Fear not a foe, trust not a friend,
Upon yourself alone depend.
If not too partially ally'd,
By fear or love to either side,
In vain shall jarring factions strive,
Cabals in vain dark plots contrive.
Slave to no foe, dupe to no minion,
Maintain an equal just dominiọn:
So shall you stand by storms unbroke,
And all revere the ROYAL OAK.
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