Jack Straw at London-stone, with all his rout,
Struck not the city with fo loud a fhout;
Not when with English hate they did pursue
A French man, or an unbelieving Jew:
Not when the welkin rung with one and all;
And echoes bounded back from Fox's hall:
Earth feem'd to fink beneath, and heaven above
to fall.

With might and main they chac'd the murd'rous fox,
With brazen trumpets, and inflated box,
To kindle Mars with military founds,

Nor wanted horns t'infpire fagacious hounds.
But fee how Fortune can confound the wife,
And when they least expect it, turn the dice.
The captive-cock, who fcarce cou'd draw his
breath,

And lay within the very jaws of death;
Yet in this agony his fancy wrought,

And fear fupply'd him with this happy thought:
Your's is the prize, victorious prince, said he,
The vicar my defeat, and all the village fee.
Enjoy your friendly fortune while you may,
And bid the churls that envy you the prey
Call back their mungril curs, and ceafe their cry,
See fools, the shelter of the wood is nigh,
And Chanticleer in your despite shall die,

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,
How justly may my lord fufpect his friend?
Th' appearance is against me, I confefs,
Who seemingly have put you in distress:
You, if your goodness does not plead my cause,
May think I broke all hofpitable laws,
To bear you from your palace-yard by might,
And put your noble person in a fright:
This, fince you take it ill, I must repent,
Tho Heav'n can witness with no bad intent :

I practis'd it, to make you tafte your cheer
With double pleasure, first prepar'd by fear,
So loyal fubjects often feize their prince,
Forc'd (for his good) to feeming violence,
Yet mean his facred perfon not the least offence

Defcend; fo help me Jove as you shall find
That Reynard comes of no diffembling kind.
Nay quoth the cock; but I befhrew us both,
If I believe a faint upon his oath :

An honest man may take a knave's advice,
But idiots only may be cozen'd twice:

Once warn'd is well bewar'd; not flatt'ring lies
Shall footh me more to fing with winking eyes,
And open mouth, for fear of catching flies.
Who blindfold walks upon a river's brim,
When he should see, has he deferv'd to swim?
Better, fir cock, let all contention cease,
Come down, faid Reynard, let us treat of
A peace with all my foul, faid Chanticleer ;
But, with your favor, I will treat it here:
And left the truce with treafon should be mixt,
"Tis my concern to have the tree betwixt.

THE MORAL.

In this plain fable you th' effect may fee
Of negligence, and fond credulity:
And learn befides of flatt'rers to beware,

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;
But fure he knew it was a pleafing way,
Sound fenfe, by plain example, to convey.
And in a heathen author we may find,

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,