To A Writer Of Panegyric[85]

Occasioned by certain fulsome Congratulatory Verses on the election of a High Constable

Be advised by a friend, who advises but rarely, Be cautious of praising 'till praise is earned fairly: There was a sage Ancient this truth did bequeath, "That merit is only determined by death."

Panegyric I'm sorry to see you engage in-- Old Nero, at first, was a Titus, or Trajan: The Indians of Siam bow down to a Log, And Egypt is said to have worshipped a Dog.[A]

[A] ANUBIS.--One of the tutelar deities of ancient Egypt.--Freneau's note.

If you will be throwing your jewels to swine, No wonder they rend you--whenever they dine-- Pray, leave it to puppies to cry up their worth, And to dunces, to honour the day of their birth.

Whoever the road to preferment would find, With the eyes of a Dutchman must look at mankind; From the basest of motives, cry cowards are brave, And laugh in his sleeve--when he flatters a knave.

I can find no earlier trace of this poem than the 1795 edition. Text from the 1809 edition.