Page:Trivia (John Gay) to which is added London (Samuel Johnson) (1809).djvu/79

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 * 'Studious to please, and ready to submit,

The subtle Gaul was born a parasite: Still to his int'rest true, where’er he goes, Wit, brav'ry, worth, his lavish tongue bestows; In ev'ry face a thousand graces shine, From ev'ry tongue flows harmony divine. These arts in vain our rugged natives try, Strain out, with fault'ring diffidence, a lie, And gain a kick for awkward flattery.
 * 'Besides, with justice, this discerning age

Admires their wond'rous talents for the stage.— Well may they venture on the mimic’s art, Who play from morn to night a borrow'd part; Practis'd their master’s notions to embrace; Repeat his maxims, and reflect his face; With ev'ry wild absurdity comply, And view each object with another’s eye: To shake with laughter e'er the jest they hear, To pour at will the counterfeited tear; And as their patron hints the cold or heat, To shake in dog-days, in December sweat.