Jack Straw at London-stone, with all his rout, With might and main they chac'd the murd'rous fox, Nor wanted horns t'infpire fagacious hounds. And lay within the very jaws of death; And fear fupply'd him with this happy thought: He shall be pluck'd and eaten to the bone. 'Tis well advis'd, in faith it fhall be done; This Reynard said: but as the word he spoke, The pris'ner with a spring from prison broke : Then stretch'd his feather'd fans with all his might, And to the neighb'ring maple wing'd his flight; Whom when the traitor fafe on tree beheld, He curs'd the Gods, with shame and forrow fill'd; Shame for his folly, forrow out of time, For plotting an unprofitable crime; Yet maft'ring both, th' artificer of lyes Renews th' affault, and his last batt'ry tries. Tho I, faid he, did ne'er in thought offend, I practis'd it, to make you tafte your cheer Defcend; fo help me Jove as you shall find An honest man may take a knave's advice, Once warn'd is well bewar'd; not flatt'ring lies THE MORAL. In this plain fable you th' effect may fee peace® Then most pernicious when they speak too fair. The cock and fox, the fool and knave imply; The truth is moral, tho' the tale a lye. Who spoke in parables, I dare not say; That pleafure with inftruction fhou'd be join'd; So take the corn, and leave the chaff behind, THE FLOWER AND THE LEAF: OR, THE LADY IN THE ARBOUR. A VISIO N. OW turning from the wintry figns, the fun His courfe exalted thro the Ram had run, And whirling up the skies, his chariot drove Thro Taurus, and the lightsome realms of love; Where Venus from her orb defcends in show'rs, To glad the ground, and paint the fields with flow'rs: When first the tender blades of grass appear, And buds, that yet the blaft of Eurus fear, [year: Stand at the door of life, and doubt to clothe the Till gentle heat, and foft repeated rains, Make the green blood to dance within their veins: at their call, embolden'd out they come, And fwell the gems, and burft the narrow room; Broader and broader yet, their blooms display, Salute the welcome fun, and entertain the day. Then from their breathing fouls the sweets repair To fcent the flies, and purge th' unwholfom air: Then, |