Foxes were in the faction join'd, -who can tell? "I'm glad the Eagle is here and well!" Another out of breath with fear 130 135 Says "Thoufands more near sea appear; "They'll fweep our chicken from the door; "We never were fo fet before: "We're glad the Eagle will forget, Referv'd and great, his noble mind, 140 145 IKO Prepar'd to conquer or to die. The party that fo far was come Thought not the Eagle was at home; 155 To fame and danger us'd in field They knew he'd quickly make them yield: Incumber'd, faint, and dead with fear, 160 They fled, and left no foe behind Unless it were the fleeting wind; Only a man by water took Two fine young merlins and a rook. He wing'd his way to Latian land 165 170 Where first was hatch'd this murd'ring band; He darted death where'er he came, Some of them dying at his name. 175 Their mighty foe-a fatal pledge, 180 The reft he drove, half spent, pellmell, Robin at home, tho' mad to hear Against this gen'rous noble bird: "Waft thou not first by him preferr❜d? "Let's leave him in his gall to burn, "And back to Pontifell return." 190 There fome to chimneytops aspire, He broke thro' all their strong defence: None hop'd his power to withstand, Like partridges among the ftubble. He spreads himself and cuts the air, To find they were but mere jackdaws! 195 2CO 205 210 A hundred thousand all in flight, They all could chatter, not one fight. "I'll deal by them as is their due:: .. Shough!" His flashing eyes their heart confounds, 215 Tho' by their flight fecure from wounds, To a late fwift Italian hawk. The Eagle would no rest afford Till he had fent my lady word, Who when she heard the dear furprise Wonder and joy stood in her eyes. "My faithful Eagle! haft thou then My mortal foes destroy'd again? "Return, return, and on me wait; "Be thou the guardian of my gate: "Thee and thy friends are worth my care; Thy foes (if any fuch there are) "Shall my avenging anger fhare." So-left new ills fhou'd intervene She turn'd the Robin out again. The Samians now in vaft delight Blefs their good lady day and night, Wish that her life might ne'er be done, 220 225 } 230 ROBIN REDBREAST, WITH THE BEASTS, AN OLD CAT'S PROPHECY *; Taken out of an old Copy of Verses supposed to be writ by ONE that had in her infant ftate, To be fole miftrefs of her own, She rais'd these two; in rank the first Her flocks. She gave him charge great care 5 10 Now fee by these what troubles rife To those who in their choice unwife 20 * The political drift of this pretended Prophecy is ftill more evident than that of the preceding poem, the fatire being abun dantly more personal. |