To worship his important strut. The minister appears. The crowd Now here, now there, obsequious bowed. _80 This praised his parts, and that his face, T'other his dignity in place. From bill to bill the flattery ran: He hears and bears it like a man: For, when we flatter self-conceit, We but his sentiments repeat. If we're too scrupulously just, What profit's in a place of trust? The common practice of the great, Is to secure a snug retreat. _90 So pug began to turn his brain (Like other folks in place) on gain. An apple-woman's stall was near, Well stocked with fruits through all the year; Here every day he crammed his guts, Hence were his hoards of pears and nuts; For 'twas agreed (in way of trade) His payments should in corn be made. The stock of grain was quickly spent, And no account which way it went. _100 Then, too, the poultry's starved condition Caused speculations of suspicion. The facts were proved beyond dispute; Pug must refund his hoards of fruit: And, though then minister in chief, Was branded as a public thief. Disgraced, despised, confined to chains, He nothing but his pride retains. A goose passed by; he knew the face, Seen every levee while in place. _110 'What, no respect! no reverence shown? How saucy are these creatures grown! Not two days since,' says he, 'you bowed The lowest of my fawning crowd.' 'Proud fool,' replies the goose,''tis true, Thy corn a fluttering levee drew! For that I joined the hungry train, And sold thee flattery for thy grain. But then, as now, conceited ape, We saw thee in thy proper shape.' _120 * * * * * FABLE IV. THE ANT IN OFFICE. TO A FRIEND.