Some future Herring, that with dauntless breaft, Rebellion's torrent fhall, like him, oppose,

Some mute, fome thoughtless Hardwicke here may reft,

Some Pelham dreadful to his Country's Foes.

From Prince and People to command Applaufe, 'Midft ermin'd Peers to guide the high debate, To shield Britannia's and Religion's Laws,

And fteer, with fteady courfe, the helm of State.

Fate yet forbids; nor circumfcribes alone

Their growing virtues, but their crimes confines; Forbids, in Freedom's veil, t'infult the throne. Beneath her mask to hide the worst defigns,

To fill the madding Crowd's perverted mind
With "Penfions, Taxes, Marriages and Jews;"
Or fhut the gates of Heav'n on loft Mankind,
And wreft their darling hopes, their future views.

Far

Far from the giddy Town's tumultuous strife,

Their wishes yet have never learn'd to stray; Content and happy in a fingle life,

They keep the noiseless tenor of their way.

Ev'n now their Books from Cobwebs to protect,
Inclos'd by doors of glass in Doric style,

On fluted pillars rais'd, with bronzes deck'd,
They claim the paffing tribute of a fmile..

Oft are the Authors' Names, tho' richly bound, Mif-spelt by blund'ring Binder's want of care; And many a catalogue is ftrew'd around

To tell th' admiring Guest what Books are there

For who, to thoughtless Ignorance a prey,
Neglects to hold fhort Dalliance with a Book ?
Who there, but wishes to prolong his stay,
And on thofe Cafes cafts a ling'ring look ?

Reports

Reports attract the Lawyer's parting eyes,

Novels Lord Fopling and Sir Plume require; For Songs and Plays the voice of Beauty cries, And Senfe and Nature Grandifon defire.

For thee, who mindful of thy lov'd compeers, Doft in their Lines their artless Tales relate, If chance, with prying search, in future years, Some Antiquarian fhall enquire thy Fate.

Haply fome friend may shake his hoary head, And fay, "Each morn, unchill'd by frofts, he

ran

"With hose ungarter'd, o'er yon turfy bed,

"To reach the Chapel ere the Pfalms began.

"There, in the Arms of that lethargic chair, "Which rears its moth-devoured Back so high, "At noon he quaff'd three glaffes to the Fair, "And por'd upon the news with curious eye.

"Now

"Now by the fire, engag'd in ferious talk,

"Or mirthful converfe, would he loit'ring ftand;

"Then in the Garden clofe a funny walk,

"Or launch'd the polifh'd bowl with steady hand;

"One morn we mifs'd him at the hour of Pray'r, "Befide the Fire, and on his fav'rite Green; "Another came, nor yet within the chair, "Nor yet at Bowls, nor Chapel was he seen.

"The next we heard, that in a neighb'ring fhire

"That day to Church he led a blufhing Bride, "A Nymph, whofe fnowy Veft and maiden Fear "Improv'd her Beauty while the knot was ty'd.

"Now, by his Patron's bounteous care remov'd, "He roves enraptur'd thro' the fields of Kent ; "Yet, ever-mindful of the place he lov'd,

"Read here the Letter which he lately fent."

THE

THE LETTER.

N rural Innocence fecure I dwell,

IN

Alike to Fortune and to Fame unknown; Approving Confcience chears my humble cell, And focial Quiet marks me for her own.

Next to the bleffings of religious Truth,
Two Gifts my endless Gratitude engage;
A Wife, the Joy and Transport of my Youth,
Now, with a Son, the Comfort of my Age.

Seek not to draw me from this kind Retreat,
In loftier spheres unfit, untaught to move;
Content, with calm, domeftic life, where meet

The Smiles of Friendship, and the Sweets of
Love,

The