'This treasure will suffice and more, To place me handsomely on shore, 'In some snug manor; now a swain, My steers shall turn the furrow'd plain, 'While on a mountain's grassy side My flocks are past'ring far and wide: 'Beside all this, I'll have a seat Convenient, elegant and neat, 'A house, not over-great, nor small, 'Three rooms, a kitchen and a hall. The offices contriv'd with care, And fitted to complete a square : 'A garden well laid out; a wife, 'To double all the joys of life ; • With children pratt'ling at my knees, 'Such trifles as are sure to please. 'Those gay designs, and twenty more, I, in my dream, was running o'er, 'While you, as if you owed me spite, Broke in, and put them all to flight, 'Blew the whole vision into air, 'And left me waking in despair. 'Of late we have been poorly fed, 'Last night went supperless to bed : Yet, if I had it in my power 'My dream to lengthen for an hour, 'If this,' quoth Gripus, 'is the way 'You choose, I've nothing more to say; "Tis plain that dreams of wealth will serve 'A person who resolves to starve; 'But, sure, to hug a fancied case, 'That never did, nor can, take place, And for the pleasures it can give 'Neglect the trade by which we live, Is madness in its greatest height, • Or I mistake the matter quite : 'Leave such vain fancies to the great, For folly suits a large estate: The rich may safely deal in dreams, 'Romantic hopes and airy schemes. 'But you and I, believe my word, 'Such pastime cannot well afford; 'And, therefore, if you would be wise, 'Take my advice, for once, and rise.' FABLE XXV. THE SWAN AND OTHER BIRDS. By Wilkie. EACH candidate for public fame His labour he will find but lost, Or less than half repaid at most. Not half so subtil and refin'd; Which, when the rest are out of sight, The birds all waited on their King, With store of pinks and daisies in it, A tattling Goose with envy stung, What Swans seem studious to conceal, Invective introduc'd with praise. 'The Swan' quoth she, 'whom we have heard, 'Deserves applause from ev'ry bird: 'By proof his charming voice you know, His feathers soft, and white as snow; And, if you saw him when he swims For that is true, which few would think, 'His legs and feet are black as ink.' 'As black as ink!-if this be true, To me 'tis wonderful and new,' The Sov'reign of the birds replied; 'But soon the truth on't shall be tried. 'Sir, shew your limbs, and, for my sake, 'Confute at once this foul mistake, For I'll maintain, and I am right, 'That, like her feathers, they are white.' 'Sir' quoth the Swan, it would be vain For me a falsehood to maintain; My legs are black, and proof will shew 'Beyond dispute that they are so: 'But, if I had not got a prize 'Which glitters much in some folk's eyes, 'Not half the birds had ever known What truth now forces me to own. FABLE XXVI THE CROW AND THE OTHER BIRDS. CONTAINING A USEFUL HINT TO THE CRITICS. By Wilkie. IN ancient times, tradition says, When Birds like men, would strive for praise; |