This difference only, as the god And here my simile almost tript, Well! what of that? out with it-stealing; In which all modern bardsb agree, Being each as great a thief as he: But e'en this deity's existence Shall lend my simile assistance. Our modern bards! why what a pox Are they but senseless stones and blocks? 60 ELEGY ON THE DEATH OF A MAD DOG.1 OOD people all, of every sort, Give ear unto my song; And if you find it wondrous short,— In Islington there was a man, A kind and gentle heart he had, And in that town a dog was found, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, 10 1 First printed in the Vicar of Wakefield, c. xvii. 1766; this is an imitation of the French chanson La Galisse.-See the Elegy on Mrs. Mary Blaize, p. 96. In the Citizen of the World, vol. ii. lett. Ixix. is a paper on the "Epidemic Terror, the dread of Mad Dogs, which now prevails; the whole nation is now actually groaning under the malignity of its influence." This dog and man at first were friends; But when a pique began, The dog, to gain some private ends, Went mad, and bit the man. Around from all the neighbouring streets The wondering neighbours ran, And swore the dog had lost his wits, To bite so good a man. The wound it seemed both sore and sad To every But soon a wonder came to light, The man recovered of the bite, 20 30 J THE CLOWN'S REPLY. OHN 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 saved! without thinking on asses." Edinburgh, 1753. STANZAS ON WOMAN.1 HEN lovely Woman stoops to folly, The only art her guilt to cover, 1 First printed in the Vicar of Wakefield, c. xxiv. MM A DESCRIPTION OF AN AUTHOR'S BEDCHAMBER.1 ZHERE the Red Lion flaring o'er the way, W pay; Where Calvert's butt, and Parson's Regale the drabs and bloods of Drury-lane; face: 10 The morn was cold, he views with keen desire 20 1 These lines first appeared in the Citizen of the World, vol. i. letter xxx. A variation of them appears in the Deserted Village, see p. 35; see also the Memoir, p. li. |