So saying, with extended wings, Lightly upon the wave she springs; Her bosom swells, she spreads her plumes, And the SWAN'S stately crest assumes. Contempt and mockery ensu'd, And bursts of laughter shook the flood. A SWAN, superior to the rest, Sprung forth, and thus the fool address'd: Conceited thing! elate with pride, Thy affectation all deride; These airs thy aukwardness impart, And shew thee plainly as thou art. Among thy equals of the flock, Thou hadst escap'd the public mock. And, as thy parts to good conduce, Been deem'd an honest hobbling GOOSE. Learn hence to study WISDOM'S rules; Know, foppery's the pride of fools; And striving NATURE to conceal, You only her defects reveal. FABLE VIII. THE LAWYER AND JUSTICE. Love; thou divinest good below, Thy pure delights few mortals know: Our rebel hearts thy sway disown, While tyrant LUST usurps thy throne! The bounteous GOD OF NATURE made The sexes for each other's aid, Their mutual talents to employ, To lessen ills, and heighten joy. To weaker woman he assign'd That soft'ning gentleness of mind, That can by sympathy impart Its likeness to the roughest heart. Her eyes with magic pow'r endu'd, To fire the dull, and awe the rude. His rosy fingers on her face Shed lavish ev'ry blooming grace, And stamp'd (perfection to display) His mildest image on her clay. Man, active, resolute, and bold, He fashion'd in a diff'rent mould; With useful arts his mind inform'd, His breast with nobler passions warm'd; He gave him knowledge, taste, and sense, And courage for the fair's defence. Her frame, resistless to each wrong, Demands protection from the strong; To man she flies, when fear alarms, And claims the temple of his arms. By nature's author thus declar'd The woman's sov'reign and her guard: Shall man, by treach'rous wiles invade The weakness he was meant to aid? While beauty, given to inspire Protecting love and soft desire, Lights up a wild-fire in the heart, And to its own breast points the dart, Becomes the spoiler's base pretence To triumph over innocence! The wolf, that tears the tim'rous sheep, Was never set the fold to keep; Nor was the tiger, or the pard, Meant the benighted trav'ller's guard: But man, the wildest beast of prey, Wears friendship's semblance to betray; His strength against the weak employs, And where he should protect, destroys. Past twelve o'clock, the watchman cry'd, His brief the studious LAWYER ply'd; The all-prevailing fee lay nigh, The earnest of to-morrow's lie; Sudden the furious winds arise, The jarring casement shatter'd flies; The doors admit a hollow sound, And rattling from their hinges bound; When JUSTICE, in a blaze of light, Reveal'd her radiant form to sight.