Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/341

 COUNTESS OP WINCHILSEA 203 �So often I reprov'd their slothful Faults, �And with such Freedom told 'em all my Thoughts, �That I no more amongst them cou'd reside. �Has then, alas! the Gentleman reply 'd, 30 �One single Month so much their patience try'd? �Where you by Day, and but at Seasons due, �Cou'd with your Clamours their Defects pursue ; �How had they shrunk, and justly been afraid, �Had they with me one Curtain Lecture heard! �Yet enter Madam, and resume your Sway ; �Who can't Command, must silently Obey. �In secret here let endless Faults be found, �Till, like Reformers who in States abound, �You all to Ruin bring, and ev'ry Part confound. 40 ���THE LYON AND THE GNAT �To the still Covert of a Wood, About the prime of Day, A it/on, satiated with Food, With stately Pace, and sullen Mood, Now took his lazy way. �To Rest he there himself compos'd, �And in his Mind revolv'd, How Great a Person it enclos'd, How free from Danger he repos'd, Though now in Ease dissolv'd! �Who Guard, nor Centinel did need, �Despising as a Jest All whom the Forest else did feed, As Creatures of an abject Breed, �Who durst not him molest. ��� �