Here's PEACE, a tiresome, dowdy thing, Fit only for the chimney corner, To listen while the crickets sing, And teach the brats their _Jacky Horner_. PLENTY is well enough 'tis true, Where hungry peasants gorge their rations; But her rude fare would never do, For FASHION'S delicate collations. And LOVE,--who once was all the rage, And turn'd the heads of half the city, Dealing his shafts on youth and age, As you have learnt from many a ditty-- Has long been voted quite a bore, He made so many a sad miscarriage; And now, the part he play'd before, CONVENIENCE takes at every marriage. This rustic-looking, sheepish boy I ne'er should dream was master CUPID,-- Whom once I knew so full of joy-- He looks so quiet and so stupid. I cannot bear that you should dwell In such a lonely sequestration, When you might reign a city belle, And taste the sweets of admiration. Come then, nor longer tarry here In this retreat so lone and dreary: In PLEASURE'S brilliant throng appear, Where TIME'S bright pinions never weary." The artless nymph, ta'en unawares, Was dazzled by PRIDE'S invitation; But still she fear'd the City's snares, And answer'd with great hesitation. She said a happy life she led, That care had ne'er her bosom enter'd Tho' tenant of an humble shed, Here all the joys she ask'd for centred. But PRIDE protested 'twas a sin, That so perversely she should prattle, When HOPE, (the jade) who just dropp'd in That moment--closed the wordy battle. HOPE whisper'd in the maiden's ear-- What 'twas I never could discover,-- But from her beaming eye, 'twas clear CONTENT'S resistance all was over. Suffice to say, the car was brought, The ladies in it soon were seated: PRIDE took the reins, and quick as thought, The valley from their vision fleeted. 'Tis true CONTENT some sorrow felt At leaving PEACE and LOVE behind her; But HOPE sat by, and fondly dwelt On all the happiness design'd her. * * * * * Soon by Dame FASHION'S mystic aid CONTENT became another creature; Such _art_ was in her form display'd, She needed not the charms of nature. * * * * * Behold our country maiden now! In PLEASURE'S train a gay attendant; Before her throng'd admirers bow; Her beauty was pronounced transcendent. In every scene where PLEASURE reign'd CONTENT was found, a radiant charmer; And while the novelty remain'd, Her wild career did not alarm her. Months pass'd in one continued round Of parties, balls, and routes and levees, And tired CONTENT at length had found No happiness in PLEASURE'S bevies. Jaded in this unceasing maze, Her eye grew dim, her cheek grew pallid: PRIDE only could her spirits raise, And oft her melancholy rallied.