University of Virginia Library

In the Days of Old Pilpay there flourish'd a Bear
Good-natur'd and gentle, and quite debonnair;
Tho' shaggy his form, yet his soul was polite,
And to live among men was Sir Bruin's delight:
This Bear had a heart which to friendship inclin'd,
In Adam he found a warm friend to his mind,
Orestes and Pylades were not more kind:—
A gard'ner was Adam, extremely well known,
For friendship with Bruin in country and town;
Whenever friend Adam you saw, you might swear
His four-legged brother wou'd shortly appear;
Or if good Sir Bruin you any time spy'd,
The Gard'ner was always observ'd by his side;
They fed at one table—nay further 'tis said,
(Tho' that's somewhat doubtful) both lay in one bed.
With toiling o'ercome, in the shade as one day
Poor Adam a snoring most happily lay,
Friend Bruin sat squat on his bum to attend him,
Lest during his sleep man or beast shou'd offend him:
Our centinel had not long watch'd, when in scorn,
A monst'rous huge Flesh-Fly came sounding his horn:
In circles he wing'd round friend Adam his flight,
And lur'd by sweet vapours, he fain wou'd alight;
On Adam's moist forehead he settled—and then—
When beat off he flew—to his forehead again;
He buzz'd so, and teaz'd so, and still was so loud,
That Bruin in vengeance destruction avow'd;
And cunningly watching he saw him alight,
To feast on the lips of his friend as in spite:
“Oh, ho, quo' friend Bruin, I have you, my dear,
“You soundly shall pay, by the lord, for your cheer;”
And sending, full drive, a large stone at the foe,
He crush'd him at once with a Death-dealing blow;
And just as he shouted to see the Fly dead,
He saw all poor Adam's teeth drop from his head.

Admit it as a certain rule;
Friendship is dang'rous from a Fool.