The most exquisite dainties the Spring wou'd afford, Arrang'd with much taste, soon appear'd on the board; And when breakfast was over, the PEACOCK arose, His plans and his triumph at once to disclose. His magnificent train he now rais'd from the ground, Spread its glories to view; and then flourishing round, Deliver'd the Poem, with great exultation, And caus'd in the circle no small agitation. Baron STORK[2] and the fair DEMOISELLE were delighted; While some, less distinguish'd, conceiv'd themselves slighted: The SPARROW was most opportunely engag'd, Or _he_ wou'd have been beyond all bounds enrag'd. However, the Author not one could divine, [p 16] Tho' they ponder'd, and ponder'd, at every line: And all only serving to puzzle them more, SIR ARGUS continued as wise as before. Distracted, he knew not well whither to go, This last disappointment afflicted him so; But at length, on reflection, thought only one fowl Cou'd have sense to inform him, and that was the OWL. To _her_ he resolv'd, then, a visit to make, And her Supper, the following night, to partake. In the meanwhile, the PARROT with quickness rehearses, Again, and again, the most charming of verses. Smart things fly about; Repartees, and Bon-Mots, With too many _secrets_ that _all the world knows_: Old Anecdotes came on the _tapis_, new drest, And season'd with Satire, to give them a zest. But the COUNTESS was shock'd! and declar'd with much feeling, [p 17] "_She_ hated the faults of her neighbour revealing. Detraction, of late, had been full of employment, And truly, _some_ folks knew no other enjoyment. 'Twas said, tho' for _her_ part, she thought it quite cruel, That Monsieur LE COQ had been kill'd in a _duel_. The _Hedge_-SPARROW publicly swore all was true, That so long had been told of the Tyrant CUCKOO; And the BULLFINCH _did_ whistle indeed to some tune, When he said a _great Pleader_ had stolen a spoon!" "It is false!" cried a little bird, known as a _wag_; "And _I_ would indite him, at once, for _Scan. Mag._" All the Company now rais'd their pinions and eyes, And protested their plumes stood on end with surprise! While young Mrs. PEE-WIT, dear sweet gentle creature! Evinc'd _her_ abhorrence in every feature: Her soft bosom swell'd, and she thought it was grievous, [p 18] That malice should lead the world thus to deceive us: For _she_ too had heard a long, odious relation Of cruel oppression, and vile peculation; And own'd, (tho' it _might_ be as false as the rest,) It was whisper'd, the Goldfinch had feather'd _her_ nest.