The Poetical Works of Robert Lloyd ... To Which is Prefixed an Account of the Life and Writings of the Author. By W. Kenrick ... In Two Volumes |
 | I. |
|
A FABLE. |
 |
|
| II. |
 | The Poetical Works of Robert Lloyd |  |
A FABLE.
When Birds allow'd the Eagle's sway,
Ere Eagles turn'd to fowls of prey,
His Royal Majesty of Air
Took Music underneath his care;
And, for his queen and court's delight,
Commanded Concerts ev'ry night.
Here every Bird of Parts might enter,
The Nightingale was made Præcentor;
Under whose care and just direction,
Merit was sure to meet protection.
The Lark, the Blackbird, and the Robin
This concert always bore a bob in:
The best performers all were in it,
The Thrush, Canary-bird, and Linnet.
Ere Eagles turn'd to fowls of prey,
His Royal Majesty of Air
Took Music underneath his care;
And, for his queen and court's delight,
Commanded Concerts ev'ry night.
Here every Bird of Parts might enter,
The Nightingale was made Præcentor;
Under whose care and just direction,
Merit was sure to meet protection.
The Lark, the Blackbird, and the Robin
This concert always bore a bob in:
The best performers all were in it,
The Thrush, Canary-bird, and Linnet.
But Birds, alas! are apt to aim
At things, to which they've smallest claim.
The staring Owl, with hideous hoot,
Offer'd his service for a flute.
The Cuckow needs would join the band;
“The Thrush is but a paultry hand:
“And I can best supply that place,
“For I've a shake, a swell, a grace.”
At things, to which they've smallest claim.
The staring Owl, with hideous hoot,
Offer'd his service for a flute.
The Cuckow needs would join the band;
“The Thrush is but a paultry hand:
63
“For I've a shake, a swell, a grace.”
The Manager their suit preferr'd:
Both tun'd their pipes, and both were heard;
Yet each their several praises miss'd,
For both were heard, and both were hiss'd.
Both tun'd their pipes, and both were heard;
Yet each their several praises miss'd,
For both were heard, and both were hiss'd.
The Cuckow hence, with rancour stirr'd,
(A kind of periodic bird,
Of nasty hue, and body scabby,
No would-be-play-wright half so shabby)
Reviles, abuses, and defames,
Screams from a branch, and calls hard names,
And strikes at Nightingale or Lark,
Like Lisbon ruffians, in the dark.
(A kind of periodic bird,
Of nasty hue, and body scabby,
No would-be-play-wright half so shabby)
Reviles, abuses, and defames,
Screams from a branch, and calls hard names,
And strikes at Nightingale or Lark,
Like Lisbon ruffians, in the dark.
The Owl harangues the gaping throng
On Pow'rs, and excellence of song,
“The Blackbird's note has lost its force;
“The Nightingale is downright hoarse;
“The Linnet's harsh; the Robin shrill;
“—The Sparrow has prodigious skill!
On Pow'rs, and excellence of song,
“The Blackbird's note has lost its force;
“The Nightingale is downright hoarse;
“The Linnet's harsh; the Robin shrill;
“—The Sparrow has prodigious skill!
64
At length they had what they desir'd:
The skilful Nightingale retir'd.
When Folly came, with wild Uproar,
And Harmony was heard no more.
The skilful Nightingale retir'd.
When Folly came, with wild Uproar,
And Harmony was heard no more.
| The Poetical Works of Robert Lloyd | |