But fomewhat at that moment pinch'd him close,
Elfe he was feldom bitter or morofe.
Perhaps, his confidence juft then betray'd,
His grief might prompt him with the speech he made;
Perhaps 'twas mere good-humour gave it birth,
The harmless play of pleasantry and mirth.
Howe'er it was, his language, in my mind,
Bespoke at least a man that knew mankind.
But, not to moralize too much, and strain
To prove an evil of which all complain,
(I hate long arguments, verbofely spun)
One ftory more, dear Hill, and I have done.
Once on a time an emp'ror, a wife man-
No matter where, in China or Japan-
Decreed that whofoever fhould offend
Against the well-known duties of a friend,
Convicted once, fhould ever after wear
But half a coat, and fhow his bofom bare.
The punishment importing this, no doubt,
That all was naught within, and all found out.
Oh, happy Britain! we have not to fear
Such hard and arbitrary measure here;
Elfe, could a law like that which I relate
Once have the fanction of our triple state,