Warn’d by our council, oft beware, And look into yourself with care. There was a certain father had A homely girl and comely lad. These being at their childish play Within their mother’s room one day, A looking-glass was in the chair, And they beheld their faces there. The boy grows prouder as he looks; The girl is in a rage, nor brooks Her boasting brother’s jests and sneers, Affronted at each word she hears: Then to her father down she flies, And urges all she can devise Against the boy, who could presume To meddle in a lady’s room. At which, embracing each in turn, With most affectionate concern, “My dears,” he says, “ye may not pass A day without this useful glass; You, lest you spoil a pretty face, By doing things to your disgrace; You, by good conduct to correct Your form, and beautify defect.” VIII. A SAYING OF SOCRATES. Though common be the name of friend, Few can to faithfulness pretend, That Socrates (whose cruel case, I’d freely for his fame embrace, And living any envy bear To leave my character so fair) Was building of a little cot, When some one, standing on the spot, Ask’d, as the folks are apt to do, “How comes so great a man as you Content with such a little hole?”-- “I wish,” says he, “with all my soul That this same little house I build Was with true friends completely fill’d.” IX. OF DOUBT AND CREDULITY. ’Tis frequently of bad event To give or to withhold assent. Two cases will th’ affair explain-- The good Hippolytus was slain; In that his stepdame credit found, And Troy was levell’d with the ground; Because Cassandra’s prescious care Sought, but obtain’d no credence there. The facts should then be very strong, Lest the weak judge determine wrong: But that I may not make too free With fabulous antiquity, I now a curious tale shall tell, Which I myself remember well. An honest man, that loved his wife, Was introducing into life A son upon the man’s estate. One day a servant (whom, of late, He with his freedom had endu’d) Took him aside, and being shrewd, Supposed that he might be his heir When he’d divulged the whole affair. Much did he lie against the youth, But more against the matron’s truth: And hinted that, which worst of all Was sure a lover’s heart to gall, The visits of a lusty rake, And honour of his house at stake. He at this scandal taking heat, Pretends a journey to his seat; But stopp’d at hand, while it was light, Where, on a sudden, and by night, He to his wife’s apartment sped, Where she had put the lad to bed, As watchful of his youthful bloom. While now they’re running to the room, And seek a light in haste, the sire, No longer stifling of his ire, Flies to the couch, where grouping round, A head, but newly shaved, he found; Then, as alone, he vengeance breath’d, The sword within his bosom sheath’d-- The candle ent’ring, when he spied