'To rocks and woods thy tale belongs, 'Fit audience for thy stupid songs! 'Away! no more my palace dun, 'Or Dick, or Tom, shall fetch the gun.' He ceas'd-The sable bird returns, (With rising scorn his bosom burns) 'Thou little lordling, void of sense, 'Dar'st thou, imperious, warn me hence? Know, parasite, thy threats are nought, Nor boast thy cage too dearly bought : 'Above the frigid rules of art, ''Tis nature's dictates I impart; Nor ever prostitute my lays, 'But grateful sing my Maker's praise; 'Whilst echoing o'er the hills and plains, 'I cheer the nymphs and lab'ring swains, 'Whether the rising notes I swell, 'Or lightly load the passing gale; With bolder music fill the grove, 'Or gently call my mate to love; Whether the joys of summer sing, Or chaunt the beauties of the spring; The varied notes still new appear, ' And sweet transition charms the ear Whilst thou, puff'd up with self-conceit, 'And idle thought of being great, Nor freedom can'st thyself allow, 'Nor give to others what is due ; 'But, pedant-like, in pride, elate, (With notions, as thy prison, strait,) 'Think'st thou alone canst urge the strain; FABLE LXXV. THE OLD MAN, HIS CHILDREN, AND THE BUNDle of -STICKS. A GOOD Old Man, who long had lain He call'd his Children round his bed, 'I well perceive, my children dear, 'I suffer much, but kiss the rod, my blessing, ⚫ And leave you with a useful lesson. That, when I've left this world of care, 'Each may his testimony bear, 'How much my latest thoughts inclin'd To prove me tender, good, and kind! 'Observe that Faggot on the ground, 'With twisted hazel firmly bound:' The Children turn'd their eyes that way, And view'd the Faggot as it lay; But wonder'd what their Father meant, Who thus expounded his intent: I wish that all of you would take it, 6 And try if any one can break it.' Obedient to the good Old Man, To give th' instruction which they needed : Untwist,' says he 'the hazel bind, And let the Faggot be disjoin'd.' Then, stick by stick, and twig by twig, According as their Father spoke, Each sprig and spray they quickly broke : There, Father!' all began to cry, 'I've broken mine, and I,-and I.' Then said the Sire, 'Twas my intent 'My family to represent ; 'While you are join'd in friendship's thong, My dearest children, you'll be strong; 'But, if, by quarrel and dispute, 'You undermine affection's root, 'And, thus, the strength'ning cord divide, 'Then will my children ill betide. 'E'en beasts of prey in bands unite, 'And kindly for each other fight; And shall not Christian children be 'Join'd in sweet links of amity? 'If separate, you'll each be weak, Each, like a single stick, will break; 'But, if you're firm, and true, and hearty, If Christian faith and love combine us, FABLE LXXVI. THE FLY AND THE TROUT. As near yon stream, the other day, In sportive air it spread the sail, 'What joy,' (it said, or seem'd to say) How dull, because on wings they rise, 'Is yonder crowd of vulgar flies, 'To float for ever there! • Still let the timid sordid crew The same old beaten track pursue, Nor tempt one new delight: 'I dare to live, to live I know, M And grasp at ev'ry joy below i at ev'ry joy below i, sezagong al No fancied ills affright. |