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423

ib.

In Ignorantem arrogantem Linum

On one ignorant and arrogant

Prudens Simplicitas
Prudent Simplicity....
Ad Amicum Pauperem
To a Friend in Distress.

Lex Talionis
Retaliation ..

De Ortu et Occasu.
Sunset and Sunrise..

Lepus multis Amicus.
Ayarus et Plutus....
Papilio et Limax

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1

POEMS.

VERSES WRITTEN AT BATH,

ON FINDING THE HEEL OF A SHOE,

IN 1748.

FORTUNE! I thank thee: gentle Goddess! thanks!
Not that my Muse, tho' bashful, shall deny,
She would have thank'd thee rather, hadst thou cast
A treasure in her way; for neither meed
Of early breakfast, to dispel the fumes,

And bowel-raking pains of emptiness,
Nor noontide feast, nor ev'ning's cool repast,
Hopes she from this-presumptuous, tho', perhaps,
The cobler, leather-carving artist! might.

Nathless she thanks thee, and accepts thy boon,
Whatever; not as erst the fabled cock,

Vain glorious fool! unknowing what he found,

B

Spurn'd the rich

gem, thou gav'st him. Wherefore,

ah!

Why not on me that favour, (worthier sure!)

Conferr❜dst thou, Goddess! Thou art blind, thou

say'st:

Enough!-thy blindness shall excuse the deed.
Nor does my Muse no benefit exhale
From this thy scant indulgence!—even here,
Hints, worthy sage philosophy, are found;
Illustrious hints, to moralise my song!

This pond'rous heel of perforated hide
Compact, with pegs indented, many a row,
Haply (for such its massy form bespeaks),

The weighty tread of some rude peasant clown
Upbore: on this supported oft, he stretch'd,
With uncouth strides, along the furrow'd glebe,
Flatt'ning the stubborn clod, till cruel time
(What will not cruel time), on a wry step,
Sever'd the strict cohesion; when, alas!

He, who could erst, with even, equal pace,

Pursue his destin'd way with symmetry,

And some proportion form'd, now, on one side,
Curtail'd and maim'd, the sport of vagrant boys,
Cursing his frail supporter, treacherous prop!
With toilsome steps, and difficult, moves on:
Thus fares it oft with other than the feet
Of humble villager-the statesman thus,
Up the steep road, where proud ambition leads,
Aspiring, first uninterrupted winds

His prosp'rous way; nor fears miscarriage foul,
While policy prevails, and friends prove true:
But that support soon failing, by him left,
On whom he most depended, basely left,
Betray'd, deserted; from his airy height
Headlong he falls; and thro' the rest of life,
Drags the dull load of disappointment on.

STANZAS

SELECTED FROM AN OCCASIONAL ODE ON THE FIRST

PUBLICATION OF

SIR CHARLES GRANDISON,

IN 1753.

To rescue from the tyrant's sword

Th' oppress'd;-unseen and unimplor'd,

To cheer the face of wo;

From lawless insult to defend

An orphan's right—a fallen friend,

And a forgiven foe;

These, these distinguish from the crowd,

And these alone, the great and good,

The guardians of mankind;

Whose bosoms with these virtues heave,

O, with what matchless speed, they leave

The multitude behind!

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