Page:Tales of instruction, in verse and prose.pdf/5

(5) Which the kind maſter forc'd the gueſts to taſte.

Then, pleas'd and thankful, from the porch they go;

And, but the landlord, none had cauſe of wo:

His cup was vaniſh'd; for in ſecret guiſe

The younger gueſt purloin'd the glitt'ring prize.

As one who 'spies a ſerpent in his way,

Gliſtning and baſking in the ſummer-ray,

Diſorder'd ſtops to ſhun the danger near,

Then walks with faintneſs on, and looks with fear:

ſeem'd the fire, when, far upon the road,

The ſhining ſpoil his wiley partner ſhow'd.

He ſtopt with ſilence, walk'd with tremb-ling heart,

And much he wiſh'd, but durſt not aſk to part:

Murm'ring be lifts his eyes, & thinks it hard,

That gen'rous actions meet a baſe reward.

While thus they paſs, the ſun his glory ſhrouds,

The changing ſkies hang out their ſable clouds;

A ſound in air preſag'd approaching rain,

And beaſts to covert ſcud acroſs the plain.

Warn'd by the ſigns, the wand'ring pair retreat,

To ſeek for ſhelter at a neighb'ring ſeat.

'Twas built with turrets, on a riſing ground,

And ſtrong, and large, and unimprov'd around;