Could you have sapped the blushing rind, And on that pulp ambrosial dined, Had not some hand with skill and toil, To raise the tree, prepared the soil? Consider, sot, what would ensue, Were all such worthless things as you. You'd soon be forced (by hunger stung) To make your dirty meals on dung; _140 On which such despicable need, Unpitied, is reduced to feed; Besides, vain selfish insect, learn (If you can right and wrong discern) That he who, with industrious zeal, Contributes to the public weal, By adding to the common good, His own hath rightly understood.' So saying, with a sudden blow, He laid the noxious vagrant low. _150 Crushed in his luxury and pride, The spunger on the public died. * * * * * FABLE IX. THE JACKALL, LEOPARD, AND OTHER BEASTS TO A MODERN POLITICIAN. I grant corruption sways mankind; That interest too perverts the mind; That bribes have blinded common sense, Foiled reason, truth, and eloquence: I grant you too, our present crimes Can equal those of former times. Against plain facts shall I engage, To vindicate our righteous age? I know, that in a modern fist, Bribes in full energy subsist. _10 Since then these arguments prevail, And itching palms are still so frail, Hence politicians, you suggest, Should drive the nail that goes the best; That it shows parts and penetration, To ply men with the right temptation. To this I humbly must dissent; Premising no reflection's meant. Does justice or the client's sense Teach lawyers either side's defence? _20 The fee gives eloquence its spirit; That only is the client's merit. Does art, wit, wisdom, or address, Obtain the prostitute's caress? The guinea (as in other trades) From every hand alike persuades. Man, Scripture says, is prone to evil, But does that vindicate the devil? Besides, the more mankind are prone, The less the devil's parts are shown. _30 Corruption's not of modern date; It hath been tried in every state. Great knaves of old their power have fenced, By places, pensions, bribes, dispensed; By these they gloried in success, And impudently dared oppress; By these despoticly they swayed, And slaves extolled the hand that paid; Nor parts, nor genius were employed, By these alone were realms destroyed. _40 Now see these wretches in disgrace, Stripp'd of their treasures, power, and place; View them abandoned and forlorn, Exposed to just reproach and scorn. What now is all your pride, your boast? Where are your slaves, your flattering host? What tongues now feed you with applause? Where are the champions of your cause? Now even that very fawning train Which shared the gleanings of your gain, _50 Press foremost who shall first accuse Your selfish jobs, your paltry views, Your narrow schemes, your breach of trust, And want of talents to be just.