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24

ODE VI. To Cassius Severus.

Why bark'st thou at the harmless Guest?
The Wolf would prove thy Courage best.
On Me thy empty Threats bestow;
Here thou wilt find an equal Foe:
For, like a Mastiff, which attends
The Shepherd, and his Flock defends,

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With Ears erect I well can chase,
Through Depths of Snow, the savage Race.
Though Forests with thy Voice have rung,
Thou, pleas'd, can'st snap the Morsel flung.
Beware; I always am prepar'd
To give the Wicked their Reward.
Keen as Archilochus am I,
Or Bupalus's Enemy:
For, injur'd, why should I contain
My Spleen, and, like a Boy, complain?