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He marked the very spot of land

On which the Rainbow seemed to stand,

And, stepping forward at his leisure,

Expected to have found the treasure.

But as he moved, the coloured ray

Still changed its place and slipped away,

As seeming his approach to shun.

From walking, he began to run;

But all in vain; it still withdrew

As nimbly as he could pursue.

At last through many a bog and lake,

Rough, craggy road and thorny brake,

It led the easy fool till night

Approached, then vanished from his sight,

And left him to compute his gains,

With nought but Labour for his Pains.

(John Gay.)

THE FARMER'S WIFE AND THE RAVEN

ETWIXT her swagging panniers' load

A Farmer's Wife to market rode,

And jogging on, with thoughtful care,

Summ'd up the profits of her ware;

When starting from her silver dream,