Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 8.djvu/79



N ancient times, as bards indite, (If clerks have conn'd the records right) A Peacock reign'd, whose glorious sway His subjects with delight obey: His tail was beauteous to behold, Replete with goodly eyes and gold; Fair emblem of that monarch's guise, Whose train at once is rich and wise; And princely rul'd he many regions, And statesmen wise, and valiant legions. A Pheasant lord, above the rest, With every grace and talent blest, Was sent to sway, with all his skill, The sceptre of a neighbouring hill. No science was to him unknown, For all the arts were all his own: In all the living learned read, Though more delighted with the dead: For birds, if ancient tales say true, Had then their Popes and Homers too Could read and write in prose and verse, And speak like ***, and build like Pearce. Rh