For once then to fenfe and good humour defcend,
Nor, if touch'd, wax illnatur'dly warm;
But, bear with the cordial advice of a friend,
Who wishes your fex to reform.
In praise of the fatal exceffes of wine,
Difdain to be seen with a pen ;
Nor talk of being rais'd into fomething divine,
When debas'd greatly lower than men.
Where murder for honour is fhamefully drefs'd,
O! never attempt to defend ;
Nor plant the fell fword for a cafual jeft,
In the heart of your worthiest friend.
To a laugh never martyr an innocent name,
'Tis malice moft cruelly cool;
Nor plunge the white virgin in anguish and shame,
For the loudest applaufe of a fool.
When fatally fond the sweet victim is grown,
In pity, in juftice, forbear;'
And think that a fifter, or child of your own,
May be drawn to difgrace and defpair.
Let merit, whene'er it may chance to engage,
Oblige you to praise and protect;
And the filver-white ringlets of reverend age,
Still meet with a decent respect.
Remember, in fhort, that each pleasure must fall
From the practice of virtue alone;
And, then you will ftrive for the welfare of all,
Thro' a prudent regard for your own.
Two oppofites in nature made,
(Some fage philofophers have faid)
No art can bring them to agree,
Which ev'ry one may daily fee:
Fire, water, air, hold deadly hate,
And fill at diftance keep their state:
But when they meet, what wars enfue:
Each know too fatally is true.
Hence thunder roll, hence light'ning flies,
Hence tempefts roar, hence earthquakes rife ::
Earth trembles at the mighty burit,
And empires tumble into duft..
The wolf, what human art can tame; -
Will he not fill purfue the lamb ?
The harmless dove, the eagle views,
And with a nat'ral hate purfues :
But fee where tabby wags her tail,
What fire in her eyes prevail :
'Tis all for joy that tabby fees
A moufe a nibbling of the cheese;
She creeps then fprings upon her prey,
And bears the captive prize away;
Trembling beneath the victor's eye
With fear just ready for to die:
What have I done, the captive faid?
An enemy how have I made?
You I ne'er injur❜d in my life;
I am not form'd for jars and strife,
Let honour then infpire thy mind,
And by your actions fhew you're kind;
Take pity upon harmless me,
And fet a little captive free ;
Hence more I never will offend,
But call you my deliv'rer, friend,
And constant for your health I'll pray,
From morn to night, from night to day:
Pufs purr'd awhile, and then replied,
Your fears, indeed, I can't decide;
Yet lend no pity to the moan,
Unheeded ev'ry difmal groan;
And as to pray'rs, thou little elf,
Think about praying for yourself;
Such friends I do not heed a loufe;
What cat need ever fear a mouse.
Nor further strive my rage t'appease,
Cats prey on mice, and mice on cheese,
So faying, on her ftraight fhe flies,
And inftantly the victim dies:
Wou'd you the threaten'd fate oppofe,
Keep at a distance from your foes;
Once in their power you weep in vain :
No prayers can e'er your freedom gain ;
Unless that Providence is kind,
And fnatch you from the fate defign'd.
WISDOM and Folly on a day
By chance met each upon the way;
After fome compliments were past
Minerva thus held forth at laft:
For fhame! leave off this wretched way,
Mankind no longer lead aftray;
Behave more decent, 'tis your duty,
Prudence should always deal with beauty;
Good lack! Mifs Prue, (cried frisky Folly)
What's gain'd by being melancholy;
By preaching fermons of morality,
Or calling fashion prodigality.
I'll bet you odds when all is done,
I gain more converts with my fun
In half an hour, than even you,
In half a year with wisdom do.
Agree'd at once, the bet was laid,
When Wisdom thus herfelf difplay'd.
Mortals attend, 'tis Wisdom speaks,
Wisdom who all your goodness feeks;
Wisdom will every blifs improve,
And point the road to joy and love.
Folly stood listening all the while,
When now advancing with a smile;
She cried, my dear, you're vaftly clever,
And should be chronicled for ever.
But now to try my pow'r, away,
My friends, let you and I be gay;
Then wav'd her hands and tol'd that I
Away was feen at once to fly;
All follow'd as the lightening fleet,
poor Wisdom in the street.
THE SCOLD AND THE PARROT.
THE husband thus reprov'd his wife,
Who deals in flander, lives in ftrife.
Art thou the herald of disgrace,
Denouncing war to all thy race?
Can nothing quell thy thunder's rage,
Which spare not friend, nor fex, nor age?
That vixen tongue of your's, my dear,
Alarms our neighbours far and near ;
Good gods! 'tis like a rolling river,
That murm'ring flows, and flows for ever!
Ne'er tir'd, perpetual difcord fowing;
Like fame, it gathers ftrength by going.
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