ON THE AUTHOR'S COAT OF ARMS.
I
The
Hedge-hog for his Arms, I would suppose,
Some Sire of ours, beloved Kinsfolk, chose,
With aim to hint Instruction wise and good
To us Descendants of his Byrom Blood:
I would infer, if you be of his Mind,
The very Lesson that our Sire design'd.
II
He had observ'd that Nature gave a Sense
To ev'ry Creature of its own Defence,—
Down from the Lion with his tearing Jaws
To the poor Cat that scratches with her Paws:
All show'd their Force, when put upon the Proof,
Wherein it lay,—Teeth, Talons, Horn, or Hoof.
III
Pleas'd with the Porcupine, whose native Art
Is said to distance Danger by his Dart,
To rout his Foes, before they come too near,
From ev'ry Hurt of close Encounter clear:
This, had not one Thing bated of its Price,
Had been our worthy Ancestor's Device.
IV
A Foe to none, but ev'ry Body's Friend,
And loth, altho' offended, to offend,—
He sought to find an Instance, if it could
By any Creature's Art be understood,
That might betoken Safety when attack'd,
Yet where all Hurt should be a Foe's own Act.
V
At last the Hedge-hog came into his Thought,
And gave the perfect Emblem that he sought.
This little Creature, all Offence aside,
Rolls up itself in its own prickly Hide,
When Danger comes; and they that will abuse,
Do it themselves, if their own Hurt ensues.
VI
Methinks, I hear the venerable Sage:
“Children! Descendants all thro' ev'ry Age!
Learn from the prudent Urchin in your Arms,
How to secure yourselves from worldly Harms!
Give no Offence,—to you if others will,
Firmly wrapt up within yourselves, be still.
VII
“This Animal is giv'n for outward Sign
Of inward, true Security Divine.
Sharp on your Minds let pointed Virtues grow,
That, without injuring, resist a Foe;
Surround with these an honest, harmless Heart,
And He that dwells in it will take your Part.
VIII
“Whatever Ills your christian Peace molest,
Turn to the Source of Grace within your Breast;
There lies your Safety. O that all my Kin
May ever seek it, where 'tis found,—within!
That Soul no Ills can ever long annoy,
Which makes its God the Centre of its Joy.”
