Page:Poems of Anne Countess of Winchilsea 1903.djvu/301

COUNTESS OF WINCHILSEA 163 �And that already sure 't had turn'd his Brain, �Who thought a Prince's Favour to retain. �Nor seem'd unlike, in this mistaken Rank, �The sightless Wretch who froze upon a Bank �A Serpent found, which for a Staff he took, �And us'd as such ( his own but lately broke) 30 �Thanking the Fates, who thus his Loss supply'd, �Nor marking one, that with amazement cry'd, �Throw quickly from thy Hand that sleeping 111 ; �A Serpent 'tis, that when awak'd will kill. �A Serpent this! th' uncautioned Fool replies: �A Staff it feels, nor shall my want of eyes �Make me believe, I have no Senses left, �And thro' thy Malice be of this bereft ; �Which Fortune to my Hand has kindly sent �To guide my Steps, and stumbling to prevent. 40 �No Staff, the Man proceeds ; but to thy harm �A Snake 'twill prove : The Viper, now grown warm, �Confirmed it soon, and fastened on his Arm. �Thus wilt thou find, Shepherd believe it true, Some 111, that shall this seeming Good ensue; Thousand Distastes, t' allay thy envy'd Gains, Unthought of, on the parcimonious Plains. So prov'd the Event, and Whisp'rers now defame The candid Judge, and his Proceedings blame. By Wrongs, they say, a Palace he erects, 50 �The Good oppresses, and the Bad protects. To view this Seat the King himself prepares, Where no Magnificence or Pomp appears, But Moderation, free from each Extream, Whilst Moderation is the Builder's Theme. Asham'd yet still the Sycophants persist, That Wealth he had conceal'd within a Chest, ��� �