‘By way of Introduction, you must know, ‘It was, I think, but a few Years ago ‘The Widow’s[44] intellects here were at a stand; ‘Her Son then took to Farming of the Land. ‘If there’s bad management, it always shows, ‘’Twas out of Heart, and overrun with Crows.[45] ‘Such a D----n’d flight of Crows did shocking harm-- ‘A few, we know, are useful to a Farm. ‘The Squire,[46] ’tis said, did naught but Eat, & Pray, ‘Fearing his precious Soul might go astray. ‘The Farm tho’ bad, and in such piteous case, ‘Was situated in a lovely Place. ‘The Air was charming, and the Soil was sound-- ‘No wonder Neighbours hanker’d for the Ground. ‘So Foreign[47] Ants, and Locusts left their Station, ‘With other Vermin from a distant Nation, ‘Advanced in Hosts, and soon without controul, ‘With little trouble occupied the whole. ‘Fled to a Ship, the Squire the Canvas fills, ‘To see a Farm he had at the Brazils: ‘But he, before he boldly ventured forth, ‘Wrote to his Friend, a Farmer[48] in the North; ‘Trusting he would without delay determine ‘To send some clever Chap to kill the Vermin: ‘When that was done, he should return again, ‘And so his loving Cousin did remain. ‘The honest Man to whom he sent his Letter, ‘A wealthy Farmer was, none could be better; ‘He’d famous Implements, and famous Stock,[49] ‘And truly was a Father to his Flock. ‘His Shepherds,[50] Salesmen, Butchers, and his Stud, ‘Were all well chosen, capitally good: ‘His Stock[51] at times with wild vagaries tired him, ‘But in their hearts they honour’d and admir’d him; ‘One here and there would not from mischief keep-- ‘You find in every Flock, a few bad Sheep. ‘This Letter[52] gave the Farmer much alarm-- ‘’Twas like enough they might infest his Farm. ‘He’d send a Shepherd, who with little labour, ‘Should clear the Lands of his poor frighten’d neighbour. ‘So sent a Stock best suited for the Soil, ‘Led by a Shepherd[53] from a Neighbouring Isle; ‘Who wisely at the first a footing got, ‘Then drove the Vermin from around that Spot;[54] ‘Would, as ’tis said, completed soon the job,-- ‘Spite, like a Thief, did from his Laurels rob. ‘Two elder Shepherds[55] came--and what was hard, ‘With their D----n’d nonsense all his projects mar’d. ‘If they were sent his active powers to fetter, ‘Of those who did it, less that’s said the better. ‘Ere since that time he’s toil’d both Night and Day, ‘And from this Farm the Vermin clear’d away. ‘Pre-eminently now he stands alone, ‘Lov’d, and obey’d by all as Chief Patrone; ‘In manners easy, wonderful in Mind, ‘Jocose, familiar with the humblest Hind.[56] ‘But that’s so wisely temper’d, so superior, ‘Commanding due respect from each Inferior.