But we take our oaths, as our whores for our ease; And a whore and a rogue may part when they please.

CCLVIII.

ON THE PRESENT CRITICS.

As lead and feathers, in the arrow's flight,
Take the same course, the heavy guides the light;
Their nature diff'rent, yet along the skies,

One cuts the track through which the other flies:
Let ***** but open, all the yelping throng
Confirm the scent, and follow, right or wrong;
From the old cur each puppy takes the hint,
To damn or like, whate'er they view in print;
His thoughts some read o'er coffee, others spell,
To find who argues right, or reasons well;
The bawling pack their father Rockwood rules,
And one dull pedant makes a herd of fools.

CCLIX.

IMITATION, FROM AUSONIUS.

Long did great Jove the weighty point debate,
Uncertain, nymph, or goddess to create.
Irresolute, he cry'd, What must be done?
We'll form a nymph and goddess, both in one.
But from what pattern of celestial race,

The features of her heav'nly part to trace ?
Shall lovely Venus to the picture sit?

Or shall we copy Pallas' mein and wit?

Still unresolv'd, thus to the heav'nly maid,

As from his hand she rose, Be both at once, he said. Hence both in thy lov'd composition meet,

As Pallas graceful, and as Venus sweet.

CCLX.

CHARACTER INFLUENCED BY SITUATION.

'Tis from high life, high characters are drawn ;
A saint in crape is twice a saint in lawn ;
A judge is just ;-a chanc'lor juster still;
A gownsman learn'd; a bishop what you will:

Wise, if a minister; but if a king,

More wise, more learn'd, more just than any thing. Court virtues bear, like gems, the highest rate, Born where heav'n's influence scarce can penetrate.

CCLXI.

THE PICTURE.

What trifling toils do we poor mortals keep?
Wake, eat, and drink, evacuate, and sleep..

CCLXII.

THE FIRST LOSS IS CHEAPEST.

Frank, who will any friend supply,

Lent me ten guineas-Come, said I,

Give me a pen, it is but fair,

You take my note :-quoth he, "Hold there; "Jack! to the cash I've bid adieu ;

"No need to waste my paper too!"

CCLXIII.

ON A STATUE OF CUPID.

Whoe'er thou art, thy lord and master see,
Thou wast my slave, or art, or thou shalt be.

CCLXIV.

ONE TRUTH TOLD.

Says Pontius in rage, contradicting his wife, "You never yet told me one truth in your life;" Vext Pontia could no wise this thesis allow, "You're a cuckold," says she, "do I tell you truth now?"

CCLXV.

ON AN OLD HARRIDAN.

Tell me, Dorinda, why so gay,
Why such embroidery, fringe, and lace?

Can any dresses find a way

To stop th' approaches of decay,

And mend a ruin'd face?

Wilt thou still sparkle in the box,

And ogle in the ring?

Canst thou forget the age and p-x?
Can all that shines on shells and rocks,
Make thee a fine young thing?

So have I seen in larder dark

Of veal a lucid loin,

Replete with many a glittering spark,
As wise philosophers remark,—
At once both stink and shine.

CCLXVI.

RESIGNATION ABATES EVIL.

Let him whose present fortune gives him pain,
Scorn the low vulgar custom to complain;

All that withholds his wish, the brave will break,
Or, silent bear those chains 'tis poor to shake.