Page:The Hind and Panther transvers'd to the story of the country mouse and the city mouse (1709).djvu/38

 Translated from two Paris Gazettes, in which the Spotted Mouse gives an account of the Treaty of Peace between the Czars of Muscovy, and the Emperour, which is a piece of News. White does not believe, and this is her Answer. I am resolv'd you shall hear it, for in it I have taken occasion to prove Oral Tradition better than Scripture. Now you must know, 'tis sincerely my Opinion, that it had been better for the World, if we ne'er had any Bibles at all.

E'er that Gazette was printed, said the White, Our Robin told another Story quite; This Oral Truth more safely I believ'd, My Ears cannot, your Eyes may be deceiv'd. By word of Mouth unerring Maxims flow, And Preaching's best, if understood, or no. Words I confess bound by, and trip so light, We have not time to take a steady sight; Yet fleeting thus are plainer than when writ, To long Examination they submit.

Hard thingsMr. Smith, if these two Lines don't recompence your stay, ne'er trust John Bayes again.

Hard things at the first Blush are clear and full, God mends at second thoughts, but Man grows dull.

I'gad, I judge of all Men by my self, 'tis so with me, I never strove to be very exact in any thing but I spoil'd it.

Smith.But allowing your Character to be true, is it not a little too severe?

Bayes.'Tis no matter for that, these general Reflections are daring, and savour most of a Noble Genius, that spares neither Friend nor Foe.