An Ox, long fed with musty hay, And work'd with yoke and chain, Was turn'd out on an April day, When fields are in their best array, And growing grasses sparkle gay 5 At once with Sun and rain. II The grass was fine, the Sun was bright-- With truth I may aver it; The ox was glad, as well, he might, Thought a green meadow no bad sight, 10 And frisk'd,--to shew his huge delight, Much like a beast of spirit. III '_Stop, neighbours, stop, why these alarms? The ox is only glad!_' But still they pour from cots and farms-- 15 'Halloo!' the parish is up in arms, (A _hoaxing_-hunt has always charms) 'Halloo! the ox is mad.' IV The frighted beast scamper'd about-- Plunge! through the hedge he drove: 20 The mob pursue with hideous rout, A bull-dog fastens on his snout; 'He gores the dog! his tongue hangs out! He's mad, he's mad, by Jove!' V 'STOP, NEIGHBOURS, STOP!' aloud did call 25 A sage of sober hue. But all at once, on him they fall, And women squeak and children squall, 'What? would you have him toss us all? And dam'me, who are you?' 30 VI Oh! hapless sage! his ears they stun, And curse him o'er and o'er! 'You bloody-minded dog! (cries one,) To slit your windpipe were good fun, 'Od blast you for an _impious_ son[300:1] 35 Of a Presbyterian wh--re!' VII 'You'd have him gore the Parish-priest, And run against the altar! You fiend!' the sage his warnings ceas'd, And north and south, and west and east, 40 Halloo! they follow the poor beast, Mat, Dick, Tom, Bob and Walter. VIII Old Lewis ('twas his evil day), Stood trembling in his shoes; The ox was his--what cou'd he say? His legs were stiffen'd with dismay, 45 The ox ran o'er him mid the fray, And gave him his death's bruise. IX The frighted beast ran on--(but here, No tale, (tho' in print, more true is) 50 My Muse stops short in mid career-- Nay, gentle Reader, do not sneer! I cannot chuse but drop a tear, A tear for good old Lewis!) X The frighted beast ran through the town, 55 All follow'd, boy and dad, Bull-dog, parson, shopman, clown: The publicans rush'd from the Crown, 'Halloo! hamstring him! cut him down!' THEY DROVE THE POOR OX MAD. 60 XI Should you a Rat to madness tease Why ev'n a Rat may plague you: There's no Philosopher but sees That Rage and Fear are one disease-- Though that may burn, and this may freeze, 65 They're both alike the Ague. XII