"Come, gentlemen, and ladies bonny, "I'll give ye pastime for your money: "I can perform, to raise your wonder, "Of pawky tricks mae than a hunder.

My coufin Spotty, true he 's braw, "He has a curious fuit to fhaw, "And naithing mair.-But frae my

mind

"Ye fhall blyth fatisfaction find:
"Sometimes I'll act a chiel that 's dull,
"Look thoughtfu', grave, and wag my fcull;
"Then mimic a light-headed rake,
"When on a tow my houghs I shake;
"Sometime, like modern monks, I'll feem
"To make a fpeech, and naithing mean.
"But come away, ye needna fpeer
"What ye 're to pay, I'fe no be dear;
"And if ye grudge for want of sport,
"I'll give it back t' ye at the port.'
The Ape fucceeded; in fowk went;
Stay'd long, and came out well content.
Sae much will wit and fpirit please,
Beyond our shape, and braweft claiths.
ah! of our fine gallants

How mony,
Are only Leopards in their talents!

FABLE VIII.

THE ASS AND THE BROCK.

UPON a time a folemn Afs

Was dand'ring thro' a narrow pass,
Where he forgather'd with a Brock,
Wha him faluted frae a rock;

Speer'd how he did? how markets gade?
What 's a' ye'r news? and how is trade?
How does Jock Stot and Lucky Yad,
Tam Tup, and Bucky, honeft lad?—
Reply'd the Afs, and made a heel,
"E'en a' the better that ye 're weel:
"But Jackanapes and fnarling Fitty

"Are grown fae wicked, (fome ca's 't witty,) "That we wha folid are and grave,

"Nae peace on our ain howms can have;
"While we are bify gathering gear,

"Upon a brae they 'll fit and fneer.
"If ane fhou'd chance to breathe behin',
"Or ha'e fome flaver at his chin,
"Or 'gainst a tree fhou'd rub his arfe,
"That 's subject for a winfome farce.

"There

"There draw they me, as void of thinking; "And you, my dear, famous for stinking; "And the bauld birfy bair, your frien', "A glutton, dirty to the een:

By laughing dogs and apes abus'd, "Wha is 't can thole to be fae us'd!"

"Dear me ! heh! wow! and fay ye fae ?" Return'd the Brock:-" I'm unko wae, "To fee this flood of wit break in : "Ofcour about, and ca't a fin;

"Stout are your lungs, your voice is loud, "And ought will pass upon the crowd."

The Afs thought this advice was right, And bang'd away with a' his might : Stood on a know among the cattle, And furiously 'gainst wit did rattle : Pour'd out a deluge of dull phrases; While dogs and apes leugh, and made faces. Thus a' the angry Afs held forth

Serv'd only to augment their mirth.

FABLE IX.

THE FOX AND THE RAT.

THE lion and the tyger lang maintain'd
A bloody weir: at last the lion gain'd.
The royal victor strak the earth with awe,
And the four-footed world obey'd his law.
Frae ilka fpecies deputies were fent,

To pay

their homage due, and compliment Their fov'reign liege, wha'd gart the rebels cour And own his royal right and princely power. After difpute, the monieft votes agree That Reynard should addrefs his majefty, Ulyffes-like, in name of a' the lave;

Wha thus went on :-" O prince! allow thy flave "To reese thy brave atchievements and renown; "Nane but thy daring front fhou'd wear the 66 crown,

"Wha art like Jove, whafe thunderbolt can make "The heavens be hush, and a' the earth to shake ; "Whafe very gloom, if he but angry nods, "Commands a peace, and flegs th' inferior gods. "Thus thou, great king, haft by thy conqu❜ring

66 paw

"Gi'en earth a fhog, and made thy will a law:

"Thee

"Thee a' the animals with fear adore,

"And tremble if thou with displeasure roar ;
"O'er a' thou canst us eith thy fceptre fway,
"As badrans can with cheeping rottans play."

This fentence vex'd the envoy rottan fair; He threw his gab, and girn'd; but durft nae mair. The monarch pleas'd with Lowry, wha durft

gloom?

A warrant 's ordered for a good round fum,
Which dragon, lord chief treasurer, must pay
To fly-tongu'd Fleechy on a certain day;
Which fecretary ape in form wrote down,
Sign'd, Lion, and a wee beneath, Baboon.-
'Tis given the Fox.-Now Bobtail, tap o' kin,
Made rich at anes, is nor to had nor bin :

He dreams of nought but pleasure, joy, and peace,
Now bleft with wealth to purchase hens and geese.
Yet in his loof he hadna tell'd the gowd,
And yet the Rottan's breast with anger glow'd.
He vow'd revenge, and watch'd it night and day;
He took the tid when Lowry was away,
And thro' a hole into his closet flips,

There chews the warrant a' in little nips.

Thus what the Fox had for his flatt'ry gotten,

E'en frae a Lion, was made nought by an offended

Rottan.