244 The Complete Angler. 



I would be great, but that the Sun doth ft ill, 

 Level bis rayes againft the rifing hill: 

 I would be high, but fee the proudeft Oak 

 Moftfubjett to the rending Tbunder-ftroke^ 

 I would be rich J}ut fee men too unkind 

 Dig in the bowels of the richejl mind\ 

 I would be wife, but that I of ten fee 

 ^h* Fox fufpetted whiljl the Afs goes free ; 

 M. \vould be fair , lu+fee the fair and proud 

 Like the bright Sun, oft Jetting in a cloud \ 

 I would be poor, but know the bumble grafs 

 Still trample don by each unworthy Affe : 

 Rich, bated; wife, fufpetted \fcornd, if poor ; 

 Great if ear *d\fairjtemp ted\high$il envfd more 

 I have wiftidall,but now Iwijhfor neither, 

 Greatjdighfich y wifejnorfair y poorl 'I be rather 



Would the world now adopt me for her heir. 

 Would beauties Queen entitle me the Fair, 

 Famefpeak me for tunes Minion, could I vie 

 Angels w h India, w^ afpeaking eye (dumb 

 Command bare he ads, bow d knee s,Jlr ike yujiice 

 As we I as blind and lame, or give a tongue 

 To Jlones, by Epitaphs , be call' d great Majler, 

 In the loofe Rhimes of every Poet after ; 



Could 



