turned away the heart of Solomon, and brought that magnificent and highly- favoured prince to renounce the royal name; which appears by his telling us what he was before he was a preacher; "I, the preacher, was king over Israel, in Jerusalem."

Shepherd. But, pray, who encourages Little Faith in paying his addresses to Mara? I dare say he is not without his backers, nor without his helpers-on.

Steward. Indeed he is not: for there is not a court flatterer, a feigned loyalist, a pensioner, a placeman, an unfaithful servant, or an hypocrite, in all the court, or that hangs about the palace, but what approves of Little Faith's choice. Old Uzzah, the man that you saw weeding the gravelwalk the first time you came to the palace, who told you that the Steward and his room were just as narrow as yourself, is very forward for the match, and praises Miss Duplicity up to the skies; and I am informed, that she has lately been admitted as a member of the royal society by some of the partial rulers of the household. But, notwithstanding all their art and artifice, the religion of Mara Duplicity, and that of Little Faith, shall no more cleave together than iron can mix with miry clay.

Shepherd. Well, you have put in your caveat: you have reproved him, and shewed your disapprobation; and, by so doing, you have forbid the banns. But all hath hitherto been ineffectual;

and, therefore, Little Faith must take the consequences. It is watering-time, and I must be gone; and when I shall be able to spend another hour with you, I know not; for the sheep are going upon the common fields, some part of which is plowed, some sown, and some is left for perpetual sheep-walks. When the sheep are there, constant attendance is required to keep them within bounds.

Steward. The commons lie at too great a distance for me; nor should I care to go upon them, if they lay nearer home. But, whenever you come into the enclosures again, let me know by a line, and I will call at your little hut.

Shepherd. If health be spared, and business permit, you shall receive a line from me at my return. Till then, be faithful, be constant, be vigilant; and, as far as truth requires it in this degenerate age, be singular. Say not, a confederacy, to them that say, a confederacy; nor fear ye their fear, nor be afraid; but sanctify the King himself in your heart, and let him be your fear, and let him be your dread; and he shall be for a sanctuary to you, when they shall find him to be a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence. Farewell.

Steward. Fare you well: and I thank you for your counsel; and have only to crave that, when it is well with the Shepherd, he would remember the Steward.

TO MR. FIDELITY,

STEWARD OF HIS MAJESTY'S HOUSEHOLD.

True Yoke-Fellow,

Lowland-palace, Salem.

Neglecting all compliments of the season, and wishing grace, mercy, and peace, this comes to acquaint you, that I am once more returned with the little flock to the fat vallies; where the cooling streams are refreshing, the rural shades delightful, and where the flocks can rest at

noon.

During my stay on the upland commons, I was exercised with perpetual labours: the wells were unfathomably deep, the springs low, the weather violently hot, and the herbage very scarce; insomuch that I had hard work to keep the sheep from straying. Nevertheless, some of the flocks, especially the weaklings, flourished; while I wasted several ounces a day, till I began to cry, "My leanness! my leanness! Wo unto me!"

Jacob's well is deep indeed! A thirsty flock, and a low spring, will try the patience of the meekest Shepherd. I have at times thought that the Gibeonites' yoke of bond-service in the plains of Jericho, or under the springs of Pisgah, was not more galling than mine: but this part of the burden and heat of the day is borne; and we are safely arrived in the highly-favoured plains, and by the still waters, where all past toil is out of sight, and almost out of mind. The flock is well

in the general, and at present feeds sweetly. The sheep-bells are ringing all the day long: and, while the sheep feed and rest quiet, we shall continue here; but, as soon as they begin to trample the pasture, and break the fences, we shall be ordered upon the commons again.

I need not inform you that a visit is desirable, or that your company and conversation are acceptable; this you are assured of; which I now confirm, by subscribing myself, inviolably and eternally,

Yours,

In the uniting bonds of the brotherly

covenant,

Dated from the Hut,
Aug. 10, 1789.

THE SHEPHERD,

DIALOGUE THE THIRTEENTH.

Steward. Shepherd, you are welcome home. I am glad to see you once more in your little hut. Shepherd. I thank you, my dear friend: and I am as glad to see you; for, as iron sharpeneth iron, so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.

Steward. I came twice to see your little hut during your absence; and I perceived that some mischievous persons had been tearing off the ornaments and covering, and pulling down a part of the materials, soon after you were gone; which convinced me that you were not much in favour with the generality of Shepherds, especially those of the tents of Kedar, who, most likely, are the culprits.

Shepherd. It is, doubtless, the handicraft of some of the Kedar gentlemen: they often spoil or plunder my hut, to furnish or ornament their own; and would long since have burnt it, and have triumphed over it, if they had not been afraid of hanging by their own necks.

Steward. By your letter, you have had a laborious time of it upon the uplands.

Shepherd. Indeed, I had. I never was more put to it for water and herbage in all my life than