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THE DIDACTIC POEMS

OF 1782,

WITH SELECTIONS FROM THE MINOR PIECES

A.D. 1779-1783.

THE

LOVE OF THE WORLD REPROVED;

OR, HYPOCRISY DETECTED.

THUS says the prophet of the Turk,
'Good Mussulman, abstain from pork;
There is a part in every swine
No friend or follower of mine
May taste, whate'er his inclination,
On pain of excommunication.'
Such Mahomet's mysterious charge,
And thus he left the point at large.
[Had he the sinful part expressed,
They might with safety eat the rest;
But for one piece they thought it hard
From the whole hog to be debarred;
And set their wit at work to find
What joint the prophet had in mind.]
Much controversy straight arose,
These choose the back, the belly those;

By some 'tis confidently said

He meant not to forbid the head;
While others at that doctrine rail,

And piously prefer the tail.

Thus, Conscience freed from every clog,
Mahometans eat up the hog.

You laugh-'tis well-the tale applied
May make you laugh on t'other side.
'Renounce the world'-the preacher cries.
'We do'-a multitude replies.

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While one as innocent regards

A snug and friendly game at cards;
And one, whatever you may say,
Can see no evil in a play;

Some love a concert, or a race;
And others shooting, and the chase.
Reviled and loved, renounced and followed,
Thus, bit by bit, the world is swallowed;
Each thinks his neighbour makes too free,
Yet likes a slice as well as he :
With sophistry their sauce they sweeten,
Till quite from tail to snout 'tis eaten.

THE PINEAPPLE AND THE BEE.

THE Pineapples, in triple row,

Were basking hot, and all in blow;

A Bee of most discerning taste
Perceived the fragrance as he passed,
On eager wing the spoiler came,
And searched for crannies in the frame,
Urged his attempt on every side,
To every pane his trunk applied,
But still in vain, the frame was tight,
And only pervious to the light:
Thus having wasted half the day,
He trimmed his flight another way.
'Methinks,' I said, 'in thee I find
The sin and madness of mankind.
To joys forbidden man aspires,
Consumes his soul with vain desires;
Folly the spring of his pursuit,
And disappointment all the fruit.
While Cynthio ogles, as she passes,

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The nymph between two chariot glasses,
She is the Pineapple, and he

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The silly unsuccessful Bee.

PROMOTION OF EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ.

The maid who views with pensive air
The show-glass fraught with glittering ware,
Sees watches, bracelets, rings, and lockets,
But sighs at thought of empty pockets;
Like thine, her appetite is keen,
But ah, the cruel glass between!'

Our dear delights are often such;
Exposed to view, but not to touch.
The sight our foolish heart inflames,
We long for pineapples in frames;

With hopeless wish one looks and lingers;
One breaks the glass, and cuts his fingers;
But they whom Truth and Wisdom lead
Can gather honey from a weed.

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ON THE PROMOTION OF

EDWARD THURLOW, ESQ.,

TO THE LORD HIGH CHANCELLORSHIP OF ENGLAND.

ROUND Thurlow's head in early youth,

And in his sportive days,

Fair Science poured the light of truth,
And Genius shed his rays.

'See!' with united wonder, cried
The experienced and the sage,

'Ambition in a boy supplied

With all the skill of age.

'Discernment, Eloquence, and Grace,
Proclaim him born to sway

The balance in the highest place,
And bear the palm away.'

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