'Deserves not, if so soon offended,
'Much to be pitied or commended.
'Disputes, tho' short, are far too long
• Where both alike are in the wrong;
'Your feelings, in their full amount,
'Are all upon your own account.

'You, in your grotto-work enclos'd,
Complain of being thus expos'd;
'Yet nothing feel in that rough coat,
'Save when the knife is at your throat,
'Wherever driv'n by wind or tide,
'Exempt from ev'ry ill beside.

'And, as for you, my Lady Squeamish, Who reckon ev'ry touch a blemish, 'If all the plants that can be found 'Embellishing the scene around,

'Should droop and wither where they grow, You would not feel at all-not you. 'The noblest minds their virtue prove 'By pity, sympathy and love :

These, these are feelings truly fine,

· And prove their owner half divine.'

His censure reach'd them as he dealt it, And each, by shrinking, shew'd he felt it.

FABLE LVI.

THE DOG AND THE WATER-LILY.

By Cowper.

THE noon was shady, and soft airs
Swept Ouse's silent tide,
When, 'scap'd from literary cares,
I wander'd on his side.

My Spaniel, prettiest of his race,
And high in pedigree,

(Two nymphs* adorned with ev'ry grace That Spaniel found for me)

Now wanton'd lost in flags and reeds,

Now starting into sight

Pursu'd the swallow o'er the meads
With scarce a slower flight.

It was the time when Ouse display'd
His Lilies newly blown ;
Their beauties I intent survey'd,
And one I wish'd my own.

With cane extended far, I sought
To steer it close to land;
But still the prize, though nearly caught,
Escap'd my eager hand.

The daughters of Sir Robert Gunning.

Beau mark'd my unsuccessful pains
With fix'd considerate face,
And puzzling set his puppy brains
To comprehend the case.

But, with a chirrup clear and strong
Dispersing all his dream,

I thence withdrew, and follow'd long
The windings of the stream.

My ramble finish'd, I return'd;
Beau, trotting far before,

The floating wreath again discern'd,
And plunging left the shore.

I saw him with that Lily cropp'd
Impatient swim to meet

My quick approach, and soon he dropp'd
The treasure at my feet.

Charm'd with the sight, the world,' I cried,

Shall hear of this thy deed;

My Dog shall mortify the pride

'Of Man's superior breed:

'But chief myself I will enjoin, 'Awake at duty's call,

'To shew a love as prompt as thine

'TO HIM WHO GIVES ME all.'

FABLE LVII.

VIRTUE AND VICE,

OR THE EXPERIMENT.

AN ALLEGORY.

By Grenville.

VIRTUE and Vice, two mighty powers,
Who rule this motley world of ours,
Disputed once which govern'd best,
And whose dependents most were bless'd;
They reason'd, rallied, crack'd their jokes,
Succeeding much like other folks;

Their logic wasted, and their wit,
Nor one nor t' other would submit ;
But both the doubtful point consent
To clear by fair experiment.
For this some mortal, they declare,
By turns shall both their bounties share;
And either's pow'r to bless him tried,
Shall then the long dispute decide.

On Hodge they fix, a country boor,
As yet, rough, ign'rant, careless, poor:
Vice first exerts her pow'r to bless,
And gives him riches to excess;
With gold she taught him to supply
Each rising wish of luxury.

Hodge grew at length polite and great,
And liv'd like minister of state.

He swore, he drank, at play adept,
Marriage contemn'd, a mistress kept.
One morning, as, in easy chair,
Hodge sat with ruminating air,
Vice, like a lady fair and gay,
Approach'd, and thus was heard to say :
(Behind her Virtue all the while
Stood slily list'ning with a smile)

Know, favour'd mortal, know, that I The pleasures of thy life supply; 'I rais'd thee from the clay-built cell, 'Where Want, Contempt and Slavery dwell: 'And (as each joy on earth is sold)

To purchase all, I gave thee gold;

This made the charms of beauty thine; This bless'd thee with the joys of wine; 'This gave thee, in the rich repast, 'Whate'er can please the tutor'd taste! 'Confess the blessings I bestow,

• And pay the grateful thanks you owe.. 'My name is Vice!'-cried Hodge, and leer'd,

·

Long be your mighty name rever'd!

'Forbid it, Heav'n! thus bless'd by you, That I should rob you of your due; "To Wealth, 'twas you that made me heir, 'And gave, for which I thank you, Care; 'Wealth brought me wine, 'twas past a doubt, 'And wine-see here's a leg!-the gout: To wealth, my Friend, ragouts I owe, 'Whence scurvy, pains and asthmas flow;