As a young stag the thicket pass'd, The branches held his antlers fast; A clown, who saw the captive hung, Across the horns his halter flung. Now safely hampered in the cord, He bore the present to his lord. His lord was pleased; as was the clown, When he was tipp'd with half-a-crown. The stag was brought before his wife; The tender lady begged his life. _10 'How sleek's the skin! how speck'd like ermine! Sure never creature was so charming!' At first within the yard confined, He flies and hides from all mankind; Now bolder grown, with fixed amaze, And distant awe, presumes to gaze; Munches the linen on the lines, And on a hood or apron dines: He steals my little master's bread, Follows the servants to be fed: _20 Nearer and nearer now he stands, To feel the praise of patting hands; Examines every fist for meat, And though repulsed, disdains retreat: Attacks again with levelled horns; And man, that was his terror, scorns. Such is the country maiden's fright, When first a red-coat is in sight; Behind the door she hides her face; Next time at distance eyes the lace; _30 She now can all his terrors stand, Nor from his squeeze withdraws her hand. She plays familiar in his arms, And every soldier hath his charms. From tent to tent she spreads her flame; For custom conquers fear and shame. * * * * * FABLE XIV. THE MONKEY WHO HAD SEEN THE WORLD. A Monkey, to reform the times, Resolved to visit foreign climes: For men in distant regions roam To bring politer manners home, So forth he fares, all toil defies: Misfortune serves to make us wise. At length the treach'rous snare was laid; Poor Pug was caught, to town conveyed, There sold. How envied was his doom, Made captive in a lady's room! _10 Proud as a lover of his chains, He day by day her favour gains. Whene'er the duty of the day The toilet calls; with mimic play He twirls her knot, he cracks her fan, Like any other gentleman. In visits too his parts and wit, When jests grew dull, were sure to hit. Proud with applause, he thought his mind In every courtly art refined; _20 Like Orpheus burnt with public zeal, To civilise the monkey weal: So watched occasion, broke his chain, And sought his native woods again. The hairy sylvans round him press, Astonished at his strut and dress. Some praise his sleeve; and others gloat Upon his rich embroidered coat; His dapper periwig commending, With the black tail behind depending; _30 His powdered back, above, below, Like hoary frost, or fleecy snow; But all with envy and desire, His fluttering shoulder-knot admire. 'Hear and improve,' he pertly cries; 'I come to make a nation wise. Weigh your own words; support your place, The next in rank to human race. In cities long I passed my days, Conversed with men, and learnt their ways. _40