The Virginia Gazette

A CAP for the Hanover Cap-maker, who has got the Knack of Innocent Reservation.

In Phaedrus' Days, when Frogs could speak,
A Frog, remark'd in ev'ry Lake
For secret Envy, sullen Pride,
That all the Sweets of Life enjoy'd :
By Chance a stately Bullock spy'd,
The Thing of Mud who oft essay'd,
To drive him from the verdant Mead,
Assembled ev'ry croaking Guest,
To rob him of his nightly Rest;
Try'd ev'ry other Art, in vain,
To give the Ox one Moment's Pain:
To gratify her Rage still bent,
Fell on this sad Experiment ;
Resolv'd to equal him in Size,
Two puffing Swells she vainly tries,
And in the Third, the bursts and dies.
Thus Milo Swol'n in native Spleen,
Envying a well known happy Man,
On Falsehood builds his rancour'd Scheme,
In Hopes to blast untainted Fame ;
Collecting ev'ry croaking Sound,
By Hesitation strives to wound,
Whilst he who seldom takes Offence
At Blockheads fixt in ev'ry Sense,
And laughs to scorn th'invidious Toil :
Lives unconcern'd upon his Hill,
With double Fury Milo burns,
Til on himself the Mischief turns ;
In Passion wretched, curst in Taste.
He swells a Frog, and bursts at last.