University of Virginia Library

Unknowing and unknown to Fame,
An honest Clown—Dorus his name,
With fraudful line and baited hook,
Near the sea shore his station took,
In hopes the cravings to supply
Of a large helpless family:
But Fortune, who her favor sheds
Seldom upon deserving heads,
On Dorus glanc'd with scornful spite;
No prize—not ev'n a single bite.
Tir'd with ill luck he now despairs,
And for a hungry home prepares;
When, to his joy and great surprize,
He feels a fish of monstrous size,
(So flatters smiling Hope)—when, lo—
Fortune again appears his Foe;
He drags on shore with cautious pull—
A Fish?—Ah no—a Human Skull;
A ghastly and forbidding Treat,
Improper food for him to eat:
What can he do?—Shall he again
Commit his capture to the main?
But here Humanity prevails,
And Piety his heart assails:
“Who knows, cries Dorus with a sigh,
(A heart-sprung tear in either eye)
“But this might once a Portion be
“Of some poor Spouse or Sire like me;
“On whose endeavours a large brood
“of Little Ones might hang for food;
“Shipwreck'd perhaps in sight of land,
“Or murder'd by some villain's hand;
“My Duty and my Feelings too
“Strongly evince what I should do;
“The Kindness which to him I show,
“Perhaps to others I may owe.”

So said, away the Skull he bears,
And in the woods a grave prepares:
He digs—his heart dilates with pleasure
To find a heav'n-sent golden Treasure;—
A Treasure to his utmost wishes,
Superior to ten thousand Fishes,
With which he, joyous, marches home,
The Skull bequeathing in its room.

Those Hearts that with Humanity distend,
In Providence are sure to meet a Friend;
And the same Love we to our Brethren show,
Our Heav'nly Father will on us bestow.