When naval traffic ploughs the main,
Who shares not in the merchant's gain?
'Tis that supports the regal state,
And makes the farmer's heart elate:
The numerous flocks that clothe the land
Can scarce supply the loom's demand;
Prolific culture glads the fields,
And the bare heath a harvest yields.
Nature expects mankind should share
The duties of the public care

Who's born for sloth*? To some we find
The ploughshare's annual toil assign'd :
Some at the sounding anvil glow;
Some the swift-sliding shuttle throw;
Some, studious of the wind and tide,
From pole to pole our commerce guide:
Some (taught by industry) impart
With hands and feet the works of art;
While some, of genius more refin'd,
With head and tongue assist mankind;
Each aiming at one common end,
Proves to the whole a needful friend,
Thus, born each other's useful aid,
By turns are obligations paid!

The monarch, when his table's spread,
Is to the clown oblig'd for bread;
And when in all his glory drest,
Owes to the loom his royal vest.
Do not the mason's toil and care
Protect him from th' inclement air?
Does not the cutler's art supply
The ornament that guards his thigh?

* Barrow.

All these, in duty to the throne,
Their common obligations own.
"Tis he (his own and people's cause)
Protects their properties and laws:
Thus they their honest toil employ,
And with content the fruits enjoy.
In every rank, or great or small,
"Tis industry supports us all.

The animals, by want oppress'd,
To man their services address'd:
While each pursued their selfish good,
They hunger'd for precarious food:
Their hours with anxious cares were vext;
One day they fed, and starv'd the next:
They saw that plenty, sure and rife,
Was found alone in social life;
That mutual industry profess'd,

The various wants of man redress'd.

The Cat, half-famish'd, lean and weak, Demands the privilege to speak.

'Well, Puss,' says Man, and what can you To benefit the public do?'

The Cat replies: "These teeth, these claws With vigilance shall serve the cause. The mouse, destroy'd by my pursuit, No longer shall your feasts pollute; Nor rats, from nightly ambuscade, With wasteful teeth your stores invade.

'I grant,' says Man, 'to general use Your parts and talents may conduce; For rats and mice purloin our grain, And threshers whirl the flail in vain : Thus shall the Cat, a foe to spoil, Protect the farmer's honest toil.'

Then turning to the Dog, he cried,
'Well, sir, be next your merits tried.'
Sir,' says the Dog, 'by self-applause
We seem to own a friendless cause.
Ask those who know me, if distrust
E'er found me treacherous or unjust?
Did I e'er faith or friendship break?
Ask all those creatures; let them speak.
My vigilance and trusty zeal

Perhaps might serve the public weal.
Might not your flocks in safety feed,
Were I to guard the fleecy breed?
Did I the nightly watches keep,

Could thieves invade you while you sleep?'
The man replies; "Tis just and right;
Rewards such service should requite.
So rare, in property, we find

Trust uncorrupt among mankind,
That taken in a public view,
The first distinction is your due.
Such merits all reward transcend:
Be then my comrade and my friend.'
Addressing now the Fly: 'From you
What public service can accrue?'
'From me!' the fluttering insect said,
"I thought you knew me better bred.
Sir, I'm a gentleman: is't fit
That I to industry submit?
Let mean mechanics, to be fed
By business earn ignoble bread:
Lost in excess of daily joys,
No thought, no care, my life annoys.
At noon (the lady's matin hour)
sip the tea's delicious flower;

On cates luxuriously I dine,

And drink the fragrance of the vine:
Studious of elegance and ease,
Myself alone I seek to please.'

The Man his pert conceit derides,
And thus the useless coxcomb chides:

'Hence, from that peach, that downy seat; No idle fool deserves to eat.

Could you have sapp'd the blushing rind,

And on that pulp ambrosial din'd,
Had not some hand, with skill and toil,
To raise the tree prepar'd the soil?
Consider, sot, what would ensue,
Were all such worthless things as you.
You'd soon be forc'd (by hunger stung)
To make your dirty meals on dung,
On which such despicable need,
Unpitied, is reduc'd to feed.

Besides, vain selfish insect, learn
(If you can right and wrong discern),
That he who, with industrious zeal,
Contributes to the public weal,
By adding to the common good,
His own hath rightly understood.'

So saying, with a sudden blow,
He laid the noxious vagrant low.
Crush'd in his luxury and pride,
The spunger on the public, died.

Gay.

THE PACK-HORSE AND THE CARRIER.

TO A YOUNG NOBLEMAN.

BEGIN, my lord, in early youth,
To suffer, nay, encourage truth;
And blame me not for disrespect,
If I the flatterer's style reject;
With that, by menial tongues supplied,
You're daily cocker'd up in pride.

The tree's distinguish'd by the fruit:
Be virtue then your first pursuit;
Set your great ancestors in view,
Like them deserve the title too;
Like them ignoble actions scorn;
Let virtue prove you greatly born.

Though with less plate their side-board shone,
Their conscience always was their own;
They ne'er at levees meanly fawn'd,
Nor was their honour yearly pawn'd;
Their hands by no corruption stain'd,
The ministerial bribe disdain'd;
They serv'd the crown with loyal zeal,
Yet, jealous of the public weal,
They stood the bulwark of our laws,
And wore at heart their country's cause;
By neither place or pension bought,
They spoke and voted as they thought;
Thus did your sires adorn their seats;
And such alone are truly great.

If you the paths of learning slight, You're but a dunce in stronger light.