lip. Besides, as my nose was exceedingly prominent, I gave it two or three unlucky knocks as I was playing my hand about my face, and aiming at some other part of it. I saw two other gentlemen by me, who were in the same ridiculous circumstances. These had made a foolish exchange between a couple of thick bandy legs, and two long trap sticks that had no calves. to them. One of these looked like a man walking upon stilts, and was so lifted up into the air, above his ordinary height, that his head turned round with it; while the other made such awkward circles, as he attempted to walk, that he scarcely knew how to move forward upon his new supporters. Observing him to be a pleasant kind of fellow, I stuck my cane in the ground, and told him I would lay him a bottle of wine, that he did not march up to it, on a line that I drew for him, in a quarter of an hour. The heap was at last distributed among the sexes, who made a most piteous sight, as they wandered up and down under the pressure of their several burdens. The whole plain was filled with murmurs and complaints, groans and lamentations. Jupiter, at length, having compassion on the poor mortals, ordered them a second time to lay down their loads, with a design to give every one his own again. They discharged themselves with a great deal of pleasure; after which, the phantom who had led them into such gross delusions was commanded to disappear. There was seen in her place a goddess of a quite different figure her motions were steady and composed, and her aspect serious but cheerful. She, every now and then, cast her eyes towards heaven, and fixed them upon Jupiter: her name was PATIENCE. She had no sooner placed herself by the mount of Sorrows, but, what I thought very remarkable, the whole heap sunk to such a degree that it did not appear a third part as big as it was before. She afterwards returned every man his own proper calamity, and, teaching him how to bear it in the most commodious manner, he marched off with it contentedly, being very well pleased that he had not been left to his own choice, as to the kind of evils which fell to his lot. Besides the several pieces of morality to be drawn out of this vision, I learned from it never to repine at my own misfortunes, nor to envy the happiness of another, since it is impossible for any man to form a right judgment of his neighbor's sufferings; for which reason also, I have determined never to think lightly of another's complaints, but to regard the sorrows of my fellow-creatures with sentiments of humanity and compassion. FABLES OF JOHN GAY. [JOHN GAY, English poet, was born at Barnstaple, Devon, in 1685, and was apprenticed to a silk mercer. Disliking his occupation, he was released from it by his master, and became secretary to the Duchess of Monmouth and then to Lord Clarendon, envoy extraordinary to Hanover. His earliest poem, "Rural Sports," was dedicated to Pope, who took a great interest in the young poet and later became his firm friend. Gay then published "The Shepherd's Week"; "The What-d'ye-call-it," a farce; "Trivia, or the Art of Walking the Streets of London"; "Poems" (including "Black-eyed Susan"); "The Captives,” a tragedy. In 1728 was produced the famous Newgate pastoral, "The Beggar's Opera," which ran over sixty nights and netted the author seven hundred pounds. The representation of "Polly," a sequel, was forbidden by the lord chamberlain. After this Gay lived with the Duke and Duchess of Devonshire, and died suddenly, December 4, 1732. He was buried in Westminster Abbey.] THE MOTHER, THE NURSE, AND THE FAIRY. "GIVE me a son." The blessing sent, Waked to the morning's pleasing care, The Mother rose and sought her heir. "Dear Madam, think not me to blame; Your precious babe is hence conveyed, "The woman's blind, (the Mother cries) I see wit sparkle in his eyes." "Lord, Madam, what a squinting leer! No doubt the Fairy hath been here.” Just as she spoke, a pygmy sprite Pops through the keyhole swift as light; Perched on the cradle's top he stands, "Whence sprung the vain conceited lie, THE EAGLE AND ASSEMBLY OF ANIMALS. As Jupiter's all-seeing eye Surveyed the worlds beneath the sky; For everything alive complained Jove calls his Eagle. At the word To hear the mandates of his king. "Ungrateful creatures! whence arise To yon sour Dog I first appeal." "Hard is my lot, (the Hound replies) On what fleet nerves the Greyhound flies! While I, with weary step and slow, O'er plains, and vales, and mountains go. The morning sees my chase begun, Nor ends it till the setting sun." "When (says the Greyhound) I pursue, My game is lost, or caught in view; The Lion craved the Fox's art; The Fox the Lion's force and heart: The Cock implored the Pigeon's flight, Whose wings were rapid, strong, and light; The Pigeon strength of wing despised, And the Cock's matchless valor prized: The fishes wished to graze the plain, The Beasts to skim beneath the main : Thus, envious of another's state, Each blamed the partial hand of Fate. The Bird of Heaven then cried aloud, "Jove bids disperse the murmuring crowd; The god rejects your idle prayers. Would ye, rebellious mutineers! Entirely change your name and nature, And be the very envied creature? — What, silent all, and none consent? Be happy, then, and learn content; Nor imitate the restless mind, And proud ambition, of mankind." THE PAINTER WHO PLEASED NOBODY AND EVERYBODY. Lest men suspect your tale untrue, The traveler leaping o'er those bounds, The credit of his book confounds. Who with his tongue hath armies routed, But flattery never seems absurd; The flattered always take your word: They take the strongest praise on trust. So very like a Painter drew, His honest pencil touched with truth, He lost his friends, his practice failed; He placed in view: resolved to please, All things were set; the hour was come, His pallet ready o'er his thumb; My Lord appeared; and, seated right, The Painter looked, he sketched the piece, Of Titian's tints, of Guido's air; Observe the work. My Lord replied, The piece even common eyes must strike, My Lord examined it anew; A lady came, with borrowed grace, Through all the town his art they praised; His custom grew, his price was raised. Had he the real likeness shown, |