The Love of our Country the greatest of Virtues In what Philosophy really consists Scipio restoring the captive Princess to her Royal Lover ibid. THE POETICAL PRECEPTOR. The YOUNG LADY and LOOKING-GLASS. A FABLE. (WILKIE.) YE deep philosophers, who can To bid your friend his errors mend, Though you in softest terms advise; Must all that shall attempt to teach, B Yes, there is one, an ancient art, If The TALE which follows makes it out. There was a little stubborn dame, Whom no authority could tame, Restive by long indulgence grown, No will she minded but her own: At trifles oft she'd scold and fret, Then in a corner take a seat, And, sourly moping all the day, Disdain alike to work or play. Papa all softer arts had tried, And sharper remedies applied; But both were vain, for every course He took still made her worse and worse. 'Tis strange to think how female wit So oft should make a lucky hit, When man, with all his high pretence To deeper judgment, sounder sense, Will err, and measures false pursue'Tis very strange, I own, but true.Mamma observ'd the rising lass By stealth retiring to the glass, To practise little airs, unseen, In the true genius of thirteen: On this a deep design she laid To tame the humour of the maid; Contriving, like a prudent mother, To make one folly cure another. |