Methinks my tenants shun my gate;
Why such a stranger grown of late?
Pray tell me what offence they find:
'Tis plain they're not so well inclin'd.

Turn off your Cur, (the Farmer cries)
Who feeds your ears with daily lies:
His snarling insolence offends;
'Tis he that keeps you from your friends.
Were but that saucy puppy checkt,
You'd find again the same respect.
Hear only him, he'll swear it too,
That all our hatred is to you.
But learn from us your true estate;
'Tis that curs'd Cur alone we hate.

The 'Squire heard Truth. Now Yap rush'd in;
The wide hall echoes with his din:

Yet Truth prevail'd; and, with disgrace,

The dog was cudgell'd out of place.

FABLE VII.

THE COUNTRYMAN AND JUPITER.

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To Myself.

HAVE you a friend (look round and spy)

So fond, so prepossess'd as I?

Your faults, so obvious to mankind,

My partial eyes could never find.

When, by the breath of Fortune blown,
Your airy castles were o'erthrown,
Have I been ever prone to blame,
Or mortify'd your hours with shame ?
Was I e'er known to damp your spirit,
Or twit you with the want of merit?

'Tis not so strange that Fortune's frown
Still perseveres to keep you down.
Look round, and see what others do.
Would you be rich and honest too?
Have you (like those she rais'd to place)
Been opportunely mean and base?
Have you (as times requir'd) resign'd
Truth, honour, virtue, peace of mind?
If these are scruples, give her o'er;
Write, practise morals, and be poor.

The gifts of Fortune truly rate,
Then tell me what would mend your state.
If happiness on wealth were built,
Rich rogues might comfort find in guilt.
As grows the miser's hoarded store,
His fears, his wants, increase the more.

Think, GAY, (what ne'er may be the case)
Should Fortune take you into grace,
Would that your happiness augment?
What can she give beyond content?
Suppose yourself a wealthy heir,
With a vast annual income clear!

In all the affluence you possess,

You might not feel one care the less.
Might you not then (like others) find
With change of fortune change of mind?
Perhaps, profuse, beyond all rule,
You might start out a glaring fool;
Your luxury might break all bounds:
Plate, table, horses, stewards, hounds,

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Might swell your debts? then, lust of play
No regal income can defray.

Sunk is all credit, writs assail,

And doom your future life to jail.

Or were you dignify'd with pow'r,
Would that avert one pensive hour?
You might give avarice its swing,
Defraud a nation, blind a king:
Then from the hirelings in your cause,
Tho' daily fed with false applause,
Could it a real joy impart?

Great guilt knew never joy at heart.
Is happiness your point in view?
(I mean th' intrinsic and the true)
She nor in camps or courts resides,
Nor in the humble cottage hides;
Yet found alike in every sphere;
Who finds content will find her there.

O'erspent with toil, beneath the shade,

A Peasant rested on his spade.

Gay.]

Mij

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Good Gods! he cries, 'tis hard to bear
This load of life from year to year!
Soon as the morning streaks the skies
Industrious Labour bids me rise;
With sweat I earn my homely fare,
And ev'ry day renews my care.

Jove heard the discontented strain,
And thus rebuk'd the murm'ring swain:

Speak out your wants, then, honest Friend: Unjust complaints the Gods offend.

If you repine at partial Fate,

Instruct me what could mend your state.

Mankind in ev'ry station see.

What wish you? tell me what you'd be?
So said, upborne upon a cloud,

The Clown survey'd the anxious crowd.
Yon' face of Care, says Jove, behold,
His bulky bags are fill'd with gold.
See with what joy he counts it o'er !
That sum to-day hath swell'd his store.

Were I that man, (the Peasant cry'd)

What blessing could I ask beside?

Hold, says the God; first learn to know
True happiness from outward show.
This optic glass of intuition------
Here, take it, view his true condition.

He look'd, and saw the miser's breast
A troubled ocean, ne'er at rest;

Want ever stares him in the face,
And fear anticipates disgrace:

With conscious guilt he saw him start;
Extortion gnaws his throbbing heart;
And never, or in thought or dream,
His breast admits one happy gleam.

May Jove, he cries, reject my pray'г,
And guard my life from guilt and care!
My soul abhors that wretch's fate.

O keep me in my humble state!

But see, amidst a gaudy crowd,
Yon' minister so gay and proud;
On him what happiness attends,
Who thus rewards his grateful friends!
First take the glass, the God replies;
Man views the world with partial eyes.,
Good Gods! exclaims the startled wight,
Defend me from this hideous sight!
Corruption with corrosive smart
Lies cank'ring on his guilty heart:
I see him with polluted hand
Spread the contagion o'er the land.
Now Av'rice with insatiate jaws,
Now Rapine with her harpy claws,
His bosom tears. His conscious breast
Groans with a load of crimes opprest.
See him, mad and drunk with pow'r,
Stand tott'ring on Ambition's tow'r.

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