He fung the lofs and death of Sheep Took part with foes, and fhepherds bit; The Cat he fung, that none could match 150 55 60 65 This first one dead, of tabby fur The third furvives; much noife of her Had been; a Cat well known; with ease 70 75 "Madam," said he, " your cub safe send, "None shall his worship foon offend; "It is all I can at prefent do "To ferve him, as his friends well know." 80 85 90 And offer'd their affiftance to Soon make them better manners know: But fhe, t' avoid all farther rout, Her window op'ning turn'd Bob out, 95 Hoping that then her Beafts wou'd live Yet nothing she can do avails; Their rage against her still prevails, "Of human race, fome fhall aloud "And to new tunes fhall make them dance: But not deterr'd by this, they dar'd, To many with her money hire, And others in high boxes stood, 'That chatt'ring made fuch noise and stir, How all was due to Fox and Car, In fongs all day. Now perch'd on tree, 130 Finding himself secure and free, "That she had left no other way "To fave her flocks and end this fray 135 "But foon to her affiftance take "One who could make these monsters shake; "A well-known huntfman, who has skill "The fierceft beafts to tame or kill: "At her command he 'd come, and he 140 "Would make her great and set them free; "That fhou'd thefe Beafts fome evil day Bring Cub into her grounds, fhe may "Depend that not herself they'll spare, "Since to infult her now they dare: "All fhe at best can hope for then "Is to be fafe fhut up in den; "Since by fure figns all these ingrate "Are known to bear her deadly hate." He ends his fong, and prays to Heav'n That she may have the wisdom giv'a Before it be too late, to take' Such refolutions as may make Her fafe, and that these Beasts no more 2 145 150 155 TO the most noble Prince Henry Duke of Beaufort, Marquis and Earl of Worcester, Earl of Glamorgan, Baron Herbert, Lord of Chepflow, Ragland, and Gower, and the illuftrious Brotherhood†over whichhis Grace prefides, this Poem is humbly dedicated by their most obedient, moft dutiful, and humble fervant. THE tea was fipp'd, Ocella gone *This is afcribed to Dr. King upon conjecture only. It was published in 1712, the winter before he died, by his book feller, infcribed to his patron, and is very much in his manner: his name is accordingly affixed to the author's notes. 'The poem is on many accounts worth preferving; and if it is not Dr. King's, it is at least not by an inferiour writer. + The Duke was Captain of the band of Gentlemen Penfioners. Though the interefts of virtue and religion are best secured by the severeft reafon and argument, yet I hope a less folemn recommendation of them to the world may not be esteemed a prejudice to either. How oft' has a stubborn folly been fuccefsfully arraigned by a candid and eafy rebuke, which had long maintained itself against a more powerful though a lefs familiar conviction! If we can smile away the follies of an adversary, sport with his vanities, and laugh him into a sense of his errours, why should we forfeit that exquifite pleasure of complacency and good humour which a malicious conflict Volume II. F |