FABLE LXXX.

THE GOLDFINCH AND THE CRICKET.

IN a fair valley stood a cot:

Who liv'd within, it matters not:

Their cheer was good, and good their fire,
As any cricket could desire.

Of these there rose a num'rous race,
And flourish'd in that peaceful place.
At length a Cricket did arise,

In voice and beauty, strength and size,
So very much above the rest,

All his superior grace confess'd.

Thus daily flatter'd, prais'd, admir'd,
His little soul with pride was fir'd:
He vain and self-conceited grew,
Nor thought they gave him half his due:
Fancied no bird could sing so fine,
Nor yet in beauty brighter shine.

In the same cot a Goldfinch hung,
Which ev'ry day melodious sung:
By nature's hand all gaily dress'd
In party-colour'd, shining vest:
The reptile, with keen envy stung,
Oft gaz'd and listen'd while he sung.

One day the cot deserted lay:

Both family and dog away;

No sound was heard but Dicky's note,
Who sweetly swell'd his downy throat.
The Cricket heard, and up he peep'd;
The coast seem'd clear, so out he leap'd;
Vainly puffed up with pamper'd pride,
Thus to the beauteous bird he cried :
Proud thing! thy noise, I prithee cease,
And let the house remain in peace.
'Perhaps, because aloft thou'rt rais'd,
And daily fed, and daily prais'd,

Thou think'st thy voice more sweet than mine, And that thy beauties brighter shine. 'But know I am so wond'rous fair, • No Cricket can with me compare ; 'In strength and size superior found, 'No Cricket half so high can bound. 'Thy frightful legs, and hideous claws 'Are quite unlike my pretty paws. And know, thou monst'rous painted thing, I, sweet and loud as thou can sing.' With that he rais'd his hideous note, And almost rent his shrieking throat; Then leap'd on high, at ev'ry stroke His slender legs he almost broke.

The Crickets heard, with strange surprise,
Their comrade's voice tremendous rise:
So young and old came peeping out,
And saw him wildly frisk about;
Admir'd the monstrous leaps he made,
And one and all pronounc'd him mad.

THE GOLDFINCH AND THE CRICKET.

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The lovely bird, devoid of pride,ow adW With placid air, unmov'd, replied;

Poor silly, self-conceited thing!

'Like me thou can'st not look nor sing.

Know, fool, all who from nature stray, 'Resolv'd to shine a different way, 'Attempt to force what she denies, And, spite of her, be fair or wise,

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. Her counsel with disdain reject,
And what she never meant, affect,
Ne'er fail to make themselves a jest:
'To follow Nature's always best.

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Folly were rare, did she but rule:

"Tis affectation makes the fool.

parts, in

'The lowest creatures ever seen,
'Tho' poor in
person mean,
'If close they follow Nature's rules,
'Are ne'er despis'd, except by fools.

Then, prithee, poor conceited elf, 'Retire, and learn to know thyself, 'Contented rest with Nature's will, 'And be a shrieking Cricket still.' Thus spoke the bird, but spoke in vain : The reptile heard him with disdain: And no surprise; for wisdom's rules. Are always thrown away on fools,

The Cricket with these truths was stung;
Rage choak'd his words, and tied his tongue;
Madly he leap'd, with pride elate,
Regardless of impending fate;

Nor once observ'd a watchful Cat,
Who in a corner slily sat.

Puss ey'd him, as he madly hopp'd,
And soon, as in her reach, he dropp'd,
With eager, sudden, well-aim'd spring,
She bounc'd upon the vaunting thing;
One shriek he gave with parting breath,
And sunk in everlasting death.

Thus, to his folly and his pride,
The silly wretch a victim died:
Content with Nature had he rested,
He had not been by Puss molested.

FABLE LXXXI.

THE COCK AND THE DOVES.

IN farmer's yard, one summer's day,
A pair of Doves, like nature gay,
Sat bill to bill,-with scornful eye,
And haughty port, a Cock went by.
He went, but soon return'd again,
And twenty Hens compos'd his train;
He crow'd, and near the Doves he drew,
And rang'd his females full in view.
The Doves of all regardless still,

Their attitude was bill to bill.

The Cock, impatient of the sight,
With humbled vanity and spite,

Thus, taunting, cried, Methinks all day, 'Two faithful Doves can bill and play!

If blest indeed, as ye pretend,

"Your bliss is vast, and without end!

But I'm convinc'd 'tis all pretence;

Can one to one such joys dispense ? 'Hence with your ostentatious loves; 'I hate all hypocritic Doves!' With plumage varying in the sun, Tom rais'd his head, and thus begun:

Abusive scorner! falsely vain!

• Unmov'd your insult we sustain !

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Our mated loves, endear'd by truth, Survive the transient bloom of youth: Not with the kiss our pleasure ends, Not lovers only-Doves are friends. 'Thro' life, but one our mutual aim, 'Our fears, hopes, wishes, all the same; Unlov'd, unloving, wretched bird!

. With female rakes, a rake you herd. 'When stung by jealousy or rage, You bold and bloody combat wage, "Of all your train will one stand by, 'With panting breast, and wishful eye ? You fall, another fills your place;

'Most welcome still the newest face.'

As meet, her place Tom's female knew, (In Turtles prudent wives we view)