Uprose to address them; blood-red was his eye, His carcase was fleshless, and shrill was his cry, His knees were all bent, as with weakness he shook, And death and starvation scowled in his look.-- "You may talk of Parnassus and Poets," he cried, "Of their scorn, and neglect, may complain in your pride, But that is all vanity, folly, conceit, The disgust of the pamper'd, the pride of the great; Look at me; I am starved--In yon hamlet I dwelt And contented for years no distresses I felt, Till the TAX, that my master had no means to pay, From the comforts of home drove me famished away; 'Tis for _life_ I contend--Praise, Honour, Renown, The song of the Bard, or the laureate Crown, Will ne'er teach my blood in its freshness to flow, Ne'er teach me with health and with vigour to glow; Revenge, then, Revenge"----Exhausted he sunk,-- And back from the sight in horror they shrunk. A silence ensued--Thus the president spoke, "This Council, my friends, I wished to convoke Our rights to assert, but though each dog pretends } To valour, or beauty, or skill, yet my friends } If we look for success, much on union depends; } Let no separate claims then this union betray, For remember the promise, _each dog has his day_.-- Tis our aggregate worth must our merits decide, Our patience, sagacity, faithfulness tried; We then shall deserve, if we don't obtain fame, And the Poets, not we, incur the just blame; This perhaps too may cause our arch-foe to relent, And move to compassion the hard hearted D * * *; If so, my companions, the good that may follow, Is better than all we can get from APOLLO." The PRESIDENT spoke, the fair omen they hail, And in sign of delight each dog wagged his tail. Thus agreed, e'er they rose, their thanks were resolved _Nem_: _Con:_ to the chair, and the meeting dissolved.
H. Bryer, Printer, Bridge-Street, Blackfriars.
[Footnote A: N. B. This Dog was bred under a French Cook.]
[Footnote C: Vide Plutarch's Life of Alcibiades.]
THE BUTTERFLY'S BALL, and the GRASSHOPPER'S FEAST. Price 1s. plain, and 1s. 6d. coloured.
THE PEACOCK "AT HOME!" a Sequel to the _Butterfly's Ball_. Written by a Lady, and illustrated with elegant Engravings. Price 1s. plain, and 1s. 6d. coloured.