How ev'ry one star'd! "what detestable stories!" The PARROT aloud cried, "O! tempora, O! mores!" But Phoebus advancing, now brought on the day, And the PEACOCK declar'd he must hasten away. His Companion directly Sir Argus obey'd, And both to the Countess some compliments paid; Then bow'd a farewell, spread their light wings again, And found themselves, shortly, once more, _en chemin_. [Illustration: _"They reach'd the Owl's residence, Ivy clad Tower." p. 19._] They walk'd, and they flutter'd, they hopp'd, and they flew, And weary enough ere the evening grew: But a pure chrystal stream _some_ refreshment afforded, [p 19] And each, in his crop, certain treasures had hoarded. Exerting their energies, both then proceeded, Tho' many disasters their progress impeded: His train now again poor Sir Argus tormented, And the loss of _some_ feathers cou'd not be prevented: The PARROT was ruffled, and torn, and distrest, But still, _curiosity_ reign'd in his breast: This, _this_ was the spur that our Travellers sped, And urg'd them both onward, tho' almost half dead. At length, to their joy, at no very late hour, They reach'd the Owl's residence, Ivy-clad-Tower. But what were their feelings, when after such rambling, They still must encounter fresh clawing and scrambling? The sage Bird of Night had long chosen her station Aloft, where she sat in profound meditation: The clustering Ivy her lone dwelling shaded, [p 20] Which no glaring Sun-beam had ever pervaded; Within it, the Stranger had never intruded, And there she had liv'd, from all Idlers secluded. How great, then, were now her dismay and surprise; Thrice she call'd on Minerva, and thrice rubb'd her eyes; But doubted not long; for the Visitors now Came full in her presence, and made a low bow. The Dame, tho' annoy'd, did not wish to be rude, So she wisely receiv'd them as well as she could. A frugal repast was prepar'd very soon, Which together they shar'd, by the light of the Moon. Some berries and seeds, the OWL thought would suffice, In addition to _her_ stew of Small-birds and Mice; And if no costly Viands awaited them here, Keen hunger made up for the want of good cheer. The supper dispatch'd, our illustrious Guest, Till his Story was told, not a moment cou'd rest; While the OWL her brain rummag'd, (now quite on th' alert,) [p 21] For a few scraps of learning, by way of dessert: But the PEACOCK had no inclination to wait, And the PARROT was still more impatient to prate: So the Poem was read, and the OWL vow'd she never Had heard any Verses she thought half so clever.