FABLE VII. Mercury and the Carpenter.
Honesty the best Policy.
As on a Chrystal River's shady Side,
By Mercury belov'd and dignify'd,
A busie Carpenter was hewing Wood,
His trusty Hatchet dropt into the Flood.
The Wretch, who for his Bread cou'd work no more,
Griev'd at his Loss, sate weeping on the Shore:
To him the God, with Pity mov'd, appears,
And kindly asks the Reason of his Tears.
The Man had scarce his Cause of Sorrow told,
When Maia's Son produc'd an Ax of Gold,
Demanding, If for Loss of That he cry'd?
But he, Just Soul! the Property deny'd.
The God did next a Silver Ax present,
And still the Man refus'd the Compliment:
But when his own Steel-Hatchet came in view,
That, at first sight, the joyful Owner knew;
And (better pleas'd with that, than both the rest)
Cry'd, This is mine, Sir; This will fit me best.
The God admir'd such Honesty to see,
And, to reward it, gave him all the Three.
The happy Man cou'd not his Joy conceal,
But told his Fellows the surprizing Tale:
One of the Gang, resolv'd his Luck to try,
(Tho' not with such intended Honesty)
In the same Place let his old Hatchet fall,
And, with feign'd Sorrow, on the God did call.
The ready Pow'r appear'd as soon as sought,
And in his Hand a Golden-Hatchet brought.
Soon the Impostor, tempted with the Sight,
Own'd the rich Tool, and claim'd it as his Right.
The angry God, who knew his false Pretence,
And hated such deceitful Impudence;
Nor gave him that, nor did his own restore,
But left him, for his Falshood, justly Poor.
The MORAL.
‘Thus Heav'n, that do's the Good and Just relieve,
‘Frustrates their Hopes, who by Deceit wou'd thrive:
‘God, in strict Justice, lets such Fools alone,
‘Who slight His Measures, and pursue their own:
‘Nor needs he seek to make their Judgment worse,
‘To want his Blessing, is sufficient Curse:
‘But where he finds a just and honest Mind,
‘That no Acquests by gainful Fraud design'd;
‘The more its Virtue ill-got Wealth denies,
‘The more his lib'ral Hand its Want supplies.
