To tell their master now they fear'd, And, now, if strange mysterious knock The BIBLE warns Prepare to die,' The ear is deaf to ev'ry cry, Tho' one should warn us from the dead *. * Luke xvi. 31. FABLE XCV. THE HINDU AND THE MICROSCOPE. THE Hindus do not think it good An animal to slay for food: And, so, on vegetables feed, That neither bird nor beast should bleed. A Briton to an ag'd Hindu The smaller wonders God hath made; Within its focus straight was plac'd That ne'er my eyes may more behold That herd of creatures, young, and old, Such monsters, both in size and shape, More hideous e'en than sloth or ape, Than, bison, or the fiery horse, Than tiger, or rhinoceros. Is it, alas! without a heed, That, thus, on life we Hindus feed ? non artf 'If, thus, we ev'ry mouthful try, sra.boA "We must abjure all food and die. a H — samf I've seen them once, and ne'er again I'll brave the sight of such a train. Blest in my ignorance, I'll live, Nor like offence to others give.' You smile, my friend :-and in your mind, Condemn at once the wilful blind. I But, But sins which set the world on fire. ་པ་ To many, who the truth have found, f The Hindu was indeed convinc'd, His conscience saw,-but only wine'd: And, ere his conduct thou shalt blame, Pause-HAST NOT THOU TOO DONE THE SAME FABLE XCVI. THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS IN COUNCIL. THE kingly ruler of the plain, Just ent❜ring on his savage reign, To grace his coronation feast, Sent and invited ev'ry beast; And soon the royal cave beheld With all his various subjects fill'd: vel told For leagues of peace were lately made, And none of other was afraid. And now a sumptuous table spread, Friendly they altogether fed; And, having din'd, sit still and prate mocvat Familiarly of this and that: "Till, with a kind, yet serious look, The King, desiring audience, spoke: My friends, and loving subjects all, s 'Who've kindly thus obey'd my call, f 'I give you thanks, and now I craved fr 'Your farther kindness to receive: 6 6 6 6 'I'm seated on the throne you see In peaceable tranquillity; 6 No cares of war disturb my breast; . But, lest I should pursue false bliss, } The beasts seem'd pleas'd with this request; Each thought he could advise him best, They all at once rose up to speak: Their forward zeal was soon restrain'd; Airy and wild, and brisk, and gay, To sing, and dance, and laugh, and play ; And, so 'tis new, no matter what; Free from all rules of just and fit, • Do mischief first, then laugh at it: |