A virtuous mind can morals glean.' 'Thy fame is just,' the sage replies; 'Thy virtue proves thee truly wise. Pride often guides the author's pen, Books as affected are as men: But he who studies nature's laws, From certain truth his maxims draws; And those, without our schools, suffice To make men moral, good, and wise.' _80 * * * * * TO HIS HIGHNESS WILLIAM, DUXE OF CUMBERLAND.[1] FABLE I. THE LION, THE TIGER, AND THE TRAVELLER. Accept, young Prince, the moral lay And in these tales mankind survey; With early virtues plant your breast, The specious arts of vice detest. Princes, like beauties, from their youth Are strangers to the voice of truth; Learn to contemn all praise betimes; For flattery's the nurse of crimes; Friendship by sweet reproof is shown, (A virtue never near a throne); _10 In courts such freedom must offend, There none presumes to be a friend. To those of your exalted station Each courtier is a dedication. Must I too flatter like the rest, And turn my morals to a jest? The Muse disdains to steal from those Who thrive in courts by fulsome prose. But shall I hide your real praise, Or tell you what a nation says? _20 They in your infant bosom trace The virtues of your royal race; In the fair dawning of your mind Discern you generous, mild, and kind; They see you grieve to hear distress, And pant already to redress. Go on, the height of good attain, Nor let a nation hope in vain. For hence we justly may presage The virtues of a riper age. _30 True courage shall your bosom fire, And future actions own you sire. Cowards are cruel, but the brave Love mercy, and delight to save. A tiger roaming for his prey, Sprung on a traveller in the way; The prostrate game a lion spies, And on the greedy tyrant flies; With mingled roar resounds the wood, Their teeth, their claws distil with blood; _40 Till vanquished by the lion's strength, The spotted foe extends his length. The man besought the shaggy lord, And on his knees for life implored. His life the generous hero gave, Together walking to his cave, The lion thus bespoke his guest: 'What hardy beast shall dare contest My matchless strength! you saw the fight, And must attest my power and right. _50 Forced to forego their native home, My starving slaves at distance roam. Within these woods I reign alone, The boundless forest is my own. Bears, wolves, and all the savage brood, Have dyed the regal den with blood. These carcases on either hand, Those bones that whiten all the land, My former deeds and triumphs tell, Beneath these jaws what numbers fell.' _60 'True,' says the man, 'the strength I saw Might well the brutal nation awe: But shall a monarch, brave like you, Place glory in so false a view? Robbers invade their neighbours' right, Be loved: let justice bound your might.