If such a one you find, let truth prevail :
Till when your weights will in the balance fail :
A church unprincipled kicks up the scale.
But if you cannot think (nor sure you can
Suppose in God what were unjust in man)
That he, the fountain of eternal grace,
Should fuffer falfhood, for so long a space,
To banish truth, and to usurp her place :
That seven successive ages should be lost,
And preach damnation at their proper cost;
That all your erring ancestors should die,
Drown'd in the abyss of deep idolatry :
If piety forbid fuch thoughts to rife,
Awake, and open your unwilling eyes :
God hath left nothing for each age undone,
From this to that wherein he sent his fon :
Then think but well of him, and half your work
See how his church, adorn'd with every grace, With open arms, a kind forgiving face,
Stands ready to prevent her long-lost son's em
Not more did Joseph o'er his brethren weep, Nor less himself could from discovery keep, When in the crowd of fuppliants they were seen, And in their crew his best-beloved Benjamin.
That pious Joseph in the church behold,
To feed your famine, and refuse your gold;
The Joseph you exil'd, the Joseph whom you
Thus, while with heavenly charity she spoke, A ftreaming blaze the filent shadows broke; Shot from the skies; a chearful azure light : The birds obscene to forests wing'd their flight, And gaping graves receiv'd the wand'ring guilty
Such were the pleasing triumphs of the sky, For James his late nocturnal victory; The pledge of his almighty Patron's love, The fireworks which his angels made above. I saw myself the lambent easy light Gild the brown horror, and dispel the night : The messenger with speed the tidings bore; News, which three laboring nations did restore; But heaven's own Nuntius was arriv'd before.
By this, the Hind had reach'd her lonely cell,
And vapors rose, and dews unwholsom fell.
When she, by frequent observation wife,
As one who long on heaven had fix'd her eyes,
Discern'd a change of weather in the skies.
The western borders were with crimson spread,
The moon defcending look'd all-flaming red;
She thought good manners bound her to invite
The stranger dame to be her guest that night.
'Tis true, coarse diet, and a short repast,
(She said) were weak inducements to the taste
Of one so nicely bred, and so unus'd to fast:
But what plain fare her cottage could afford,
A hearty welcome at a homely board,
Was freely hers; and, to supply the rest,
An honest meaning, and an open breast:
Laft, with content of mind, the poor man's wealth,
A grace-cup to their common patron's health.
This she defir'd her to accept, and stay,
For fear she might be wilder'd in her way,
Because she wanted an unerring guide,
And then the dew-drops on her filken hide
Her tender constitution did declare,
Too lady-like a long fatigue to bear,
And rough inclemencies of raw nocturnal air.
But most she fear'd that, travelling so late,
Some evil-minded beasts might lie in wait,
And without witness wreak their hidden hate.
The Panther, though the lent a listening ear,
Had more of lion in her than to fear :
Yet wisely weighing, since she had to deal
With many foes, their numbers might prevail,
Return'd her all the thanks she could afford ;
And took her friendly hostess at her word :
Who entering first her lowly roof, a shed
With hoary moss, and winding ivy spread,
Honest enough to hide an humble hermit's head,
Thus gracioufly bespoke her welcome guest:
So might these walls, with your fair prefenceblest,
Become your dwelling-place of everlasting rest;
Not for a night, or quick revolving year,
Welcome an owner, not a sojourner.
This peaceful feat my poverty securés;
War feldom enters but where wealth allures :
Nor yet despise it; for this poor abode
Has oft receiv'd, and yet receives a God;
A God victorious of a Stygian race
Here laid his facred limbs, and fanctify'd the
This mean retreat did mighty Pan contain:
Be emulous of him, and pomp disdain,
And dare not to debase your foul to gain.
The filent stranger stood amaz'd to fee
Contempt of wealth, and wilful poverty:
And, tho ill habits are not foon controul'd,
Awhile suspended her defire of gold.
But civilly drew in her sharpen'd paws,
Not violating hospitable laws,
And pacify'd her tail, and lick'd her frothy jaws. The Hind did first her country cates provide;
Then couch'd herself securely by her fide.
UCH malice mingled with a little wit,
Perhaps, may censure this mysterious writ :
Because the muse has peopled Caledon
With Panthers, Bears, and Wolves, and beafts
As if we were not stock'd with monsters of our
Let Æsop answer, who has set to view
Such kinds as Greece and Phrygia never knew;
And mother Hubbard, in her homely dress,
Has sharply blam'd a British Lioness;
That queen, whose feast the factious rabble keep,
Expos'd obscenely naked and asleep.
Led by those great examples, may not I
The wanted organs of their words supply?
If men transact like brutes, 'tis equal then
For brutes to claim the privilege of men.
VOL. II.
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