Others our Hind of folly will indite, No sharp debates disturb'd the friendly meal. fate. Nor fail'd fhe then a full review to make Of what the Panther fuffer'd for her fake: Her lost esteem, her truth, her loyal care, Her strength to endure, her courage to defy; On these, prolixly thankful, fhe enlarg'd; Is made more facred by adverfity. Now should they part, malicious tongues would fay, They met like chance companions on the way, Whom mutual fear of robbers had poffefs'd; While danger lafted, kindness was profefs'd; But that once o'er the fhort-liv'd union ends : The road divides, and there divide the friends. The Panther nodded when her fpeech was done, And thank'd her coldly in a hollow tone : But faid her gratitude had gone too far For common offices of christian care. If to the lawful heir she had been true, She paid but Cæfar what was Cæfar's due. I might, she added, with like praise describe Your fuffering fons, and fo return your bribe: But incenfe from my hands is poorly priz'd; For gifts are fcorn'd where givers are despis'd. I ferv'd a turn, and then was caft away; This heard, the matron was not flow to find What fort of malady had feiz'd her mind: Difdain, with gnawing envy, fell defpight, And canker'd malice ftood in open fight: Ambition, intereft, pride without controul, And jealoufy, the jaundice of the foul; Revenge, the bloody minifter of ill, With all the lean tormentors of the will. Witness, ye heavens, how I rejoice to see Your warrior offspring that upheld the crown, The labor'd earth your pains have fow'd and till'd; 'Tis juft you reap the product of the field: prayer. You know he largely gives to more than are his friends. Are you I am but few, and by your fare you fee some jufter motive fure your mind withdraws, And makes you break our friendship's holy laws; For barefac'd envy is too base a cause. Shew more occafion for your discontent; Your love, the Wolf, would help you to invent : Some German quarrel, or, as times go now, Some French, where force is uppermost, will do. When at the fountain's head, as merit ought To claim the place, you take a swilling draught, How eafy 'tis an envious eye to throw, And tax the sheep for troubling streams below; Or call her (when no farther cause you find) An enemy profefs'd of all your kind. But then, perhaps, the wicked world woul'd think, The Wolf defign'd to eat as well as drink. This last allufion gall'd the Panther more, Because indeed it rubb'd upon the fore. Yet feem'd fhe not to winch, tho fhrewdly pain'd: But thus her paffive character maintain’d. report, I never grudg'd, whate'er my foes |