TO AN IMPERTINENT MUSICIAN

EXTEMPORE.1

OUR herald hath proclaim'd this saying:

"See Esop dancing"-and his monkey playing.

THE CLOWN'S REPLY.

JOHN TROTT was desired by two witty peers
To tell them the reason why asses had ears!
"An't please you," quoth John, "I'm not given to letters,
Nor dare I pretend to know more than my betters;

Howe'er, from this time I shall ne'er see your graces

As I hope to be sav'd!—without thinking on asses."

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ON A BEAUTIFUL YOUTH

STRUCK BLIND WITH LIGHTNING.3

IMITATED FROM THE SPANISH.

SURE 'twas by Providence design'd, Rather in pity than in hate,

That he should be, like Cupid, blind,

To save him from Narcissus' fate.

THE GIFT.A

TO IRIS, IN BOW-STREET, COVENT-GARDEN.

SAY, crucl Iris, pretty rake,

Dear mercenary beauty,

What annual offering shall I make,

Expressive of my duty?

My heart, a victim to thine eyes,

Should I at once deliver—

Say, would the angry fair-one prize
The gift, who slights the giver?

A bill, a jewel, watch, or toy,

My rivals give; and let them :

If gems or gold impart a joy,

I'll give them; when I get them.

T

I'll give—but not the full-blown rose,

Or rose bud more in fashion—

Such short-liv'd offerings but disclose

A transitory passion—

I'll give thee something yet unpaid,

Not less sincere than civil:

I'll give thee—ah! too charming maid,
I'll give thee-to the devil!

THE LOGICIANS REFUTED."

IN IMITATION OF DEAN SWIFT.

LOGICIANS have but ill defin'd,

As rational, the human mind;
Reason, they say, belongs to man—

But let them prove it if they can.

Wise Aristotle and Smiglecius,

By ratiocinations specious,

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Have strove to prove with great precision,

With definition and division,

But for my soul I cannot credit 'em ;

And must in spite of them maintain

That man and all his ways are vain,
And that this boasted lord of nature

Is both a weak and erring creature