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At home submissive, but in battle brave.
When the shrill trumpet sounds I take the field,
Laugh at the painted spear and glitt’ring shield;
Bold and intrepid meet the daring foe,
Willing and able to repeat the blow;
To peer or prelate I give health and ease,
The lady, merchant, and the peasant please;
Nay, of such general use is my employment,
Without me life would scarce be worth enjoyment.
A PARROT.
I from abroad a pris'ner brought,
Was soon the English language taught,
And pleas’d my lord so well,
He took me home unto his house,
And introduc'd me to his spouse,
Where I in comfort dwell;
For when the sky's serene and clear,
I walk abroad to take the air,
And to observe what passes;
In learning half the tricks in town,
I make remarks on every clown,
And laugh at lads and lasses:
When tired with that I call a coach,
Bold and regardless of reproach)
Then whistle, sing, and coach,
And having teas’d the man awhile,
With the imposture pleas’d I smile,
And bid the knave walk off.
AN OWL.
My patron is wisdom—if wisdom you prize,
In me put your confidence, borrow my eyes;
Who into a millstone can see full as far,
As the best of you all by the light of a star.
Could the Royal Society purchase my skill,
Or the wise men of Gresham like me have their will,
They ne'er had admitted pretenders to science,
