"Come, with VIRTUE at thy side, Come, be ev'ry bar defy'd, Till we gain our native shore; Sister, come, and turn no more." FABLE XVI. LOVE AND VANITY. The breezy morning breath'd perfume, The wak'ning flow'rs unveil'd their bloom; Up with the sun, from short repose, Gay HEALTH, and lusty LABOUR, rose; The milk-maid carol'd at her pail, And shepherds whistled o'er the dale; When LOVE, who led a rural life, Remote from bustle, state, and strife, Forth from his thatch-roof'd cottage stray'd, And stroll'd along the dewy glade. A nymph, who lightly tripp'd it by, To quick attention turn'd his eye; He mark'd the gesture of the fair, Her self-sufficient grace and air; Her steps that mincing meant to please, Her study'd negligence and ease; And curious to inquire what meant This thing of prettiness and paint, Approaching spoke, and bow'd observant: The lady, slightly--"Sir, your servant." 'Such beauty in so rude a place! Fair one, you do the country grace; At court, no doubt, the public care, But LOVE has small acquaintance there.' "Yes, sir," reply'd the flutt'ring dame, "This form confesses whence it came; But dear VARIETY, you know, Can make us pride and pomp forego; My name is VANITY: I sway The utmost islands of the sea; Within my court all honour centers, I raise the meanest soul that enters, Endow with latent gifts and graces, And model fools for posts and places. "As VANITY appoints at pleasure, The world receives its weight and measure; Hence all the grand concerns of life, Joys, cares, plagues, passion, peace, and strife. "Reflect how far my pow'r prevails, When I step in where NATURE fails: And ev'ry breach of sense repairing, Am bounteous still, where heav'n is sparing. "But chief, in all their arts and airs, Their playing, painting, pouts, and pray'rs, Their various habits and complexions, Fits, frolics, foibles, and perfections, Their robing, curling, and adorning, From noon to night, from night to morning, From six to sixty, sick or sound, I rule the female world around."-- 'Hold there a moment,' CUPID cry'd, 'Nor boast dominion quite so wide; Was there no province to invade, But that by love and meekness sway'd; All other empire I resign, But be the sphere of beauty mine. 'For in the downy lawn of rest, That opens on a woman's breast, Attended by my peaceful train, I choose to live, and choose to reign.