Sue for esteem-to all but fawning bend, FABLE XXIII. The Pepper-Bor and Salt-Cellar. HE 'squire had din'd alone one day, THE And Tom was call'd to take away: Tom clear'd the board with dextrous art: But, willing to secure a tart, The liquorish youth had made an halt, Alone upon the marble table: Who thus, like men, were heard to squabble. Pepper began, "Pray, sir," says he, Should rank with thee, thou scum of earth? Tho' now, confin'd within this caster, "Nor are my virtues here unknown, To give her food the poignant flavour, "Physicians too my use confess; Nay, I fresh vigour can dispense, And cure ev'n age and impotence : And when of dulness wits complain, Who, with one pepper-corn content, Hence then, Sir Brine, and keep your distance, Go lend the scullion your assistance; For culinary uses fit, To salt the meat upon the spit; Or just to keep our meat from stinking— "Your folly moves me with surprise," "The chymists know my rank and place, When nature's principles they trace: The elemental monarchy. By me all nature is supply'd With all her beauty, all her pride! In vegetation I ascend; To animals their vigour lend; And stimulate each slacken'd nerve. I give jonquils their high perfume; The peach its flavour, rose its bloom: Nay, I'm the cause, when rightly trac'd, Of Pepper's aromatic taste. "Such claims you teach me to produce; But need I plead my obvious use, In seasoning all terrestrial food; When heaven declares, that Salt is good. "Grant then, some few thy virtues find; Yet Salt gives health to all mankind : Physicians sure will side with me, While cooks alone shall plead for thee: In short, with all thine airs about thee, The world were happier far without thee." The 'squire, who all this time sat mute, The Salt, refresh'd by shaking up, A FABLE XXIV. The Sheep and the Bramble-Bush. THICK-TWISTED brake in the time of a [storm, So snug, for a while, he lay shelter'd and warm, The clouds are now scatter'd-the winds are at peace, The sheep's to his pasture inclin'd; But ah! the fell thicket lays hold of his fleece, My friend, who the thicket of law never tried, Tho' judgment and sentence are pass'd on your side, |