THE MONKEY, WHO SHAVED HIMSELF AND HIS FRIENDS A FABLE.—Addressed to the Hon

A MAN who own'd a barber's shop At York, and shav'd full many a fop, A monkey kept for their amusement; He made no other kind of use on't— This monkey took great observation, Was wonderful at imitation, And all he saw the barber do, He mimic'd strait, and did it too.

IT chanc'd in shop, the dog and cat, While friseur din'd, demurely sat, Jacko found nought to play the knave in, So thought he'd try his hand at shaving. Around the shop in haste he rushes, And gets the razors, soap, and brushes; Now puss he fix'd (no muscle miss stirs) And lather'd well her beard and whiskers, Then gave a gash, as he began— The cat cri'd "waugh!" and off she ran.

NEXT Towser's beard he tri'd his skill in, Tho' Towser seem'd somewhat unwilling: As badly here again succeeding, The dog runs howling round and bleeding.

NOR yet was tir'd our roguish elf, He'd seen the barber shave himself; So by the glass, upon the table, He rubs with soap his visage fable, Then with left-hand holds smooth his jaw, The razor, in his dexter paw; Around he flourishes and flashes, Till all his face is seam'd with gashes. His cheeks dispatch'd—his visage thin He cock'd, to shave beneath his chin; Drew razor swift as he could pull it, And cut, from ear to ear, his gullet.

WHO cannot write, yet handle pens, Are apt to hurt themselves and friends. Tho' others use them well, yet fools Should never meddle with edge tools.