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  FABLE IV.

  THE ANT IN OFFICE.

  TO A FRIEND.

  You tell me, that you apprehend
  My verse may touchy folks offend. 
  In prudence too you think my rhymes
  Should never squint at courtiers’ crimes: 
  For though nor this, nor that is meant,
  Can we another’s thoughts prevent? 
     You ask me if I ever knew
  Court chaplains thus the lawn pursue. 
  I meddle not with gown or lawn;
  Poets, I grant, to rise must fawn.
10
  They know great ears are over-nice,
  And never shock their patron’s vice. 
  But I this hackney path despise;
  ’Tis my ambition not to rise. 
  If I must prostitute the Muse,
  The base conditions I refuse. 
     I neither flatter nor defame,
  Yet own I would bring guilt to shame. 
  If I corruption’s hand expose,
  I make corrupted men my foes.
20
  What then?  I hate the paltry tribe;
  Be virtue mine; be theirs the bribe. 
  I no man’s property invade;
  Corruption’s yet no lawful trade. 
  Nor would it mighty ills produce,
  Could I shame bribery out of use,
  I know ’twould cramp most politicians,
  Were they tied down to these conditions. 
  ’Twould stint their power, their riches bound,
  And make their parts seem less profound.
30
  Were they denied their proper tools,
  How could they lead their knaves and fools? 
  Were this the case, let’s take a view,
  What dreadful mischiefs would ensue;
  Though it might aggrandise the state,
  Could private luxury dine on plate? 
  Kings might indeed their friends reward,
  But ministers find less regard. 
  Informers, sycophants, and spies,
  Would not augment the year’s supplies.
40
  Perhaps, too, take away this prop,
  An annual job or two might drop. 
  Besides, if pensions were denied,
  Could avarice support its pride? 
  It might even ministers confound,
  And yet the state be safe and sound. 
     I care not though ’tis understood
  I only mean my country’s good: 
  And (let who will my freedom blame)
  I wish all courtiers did the same.
50
  Nay, though some folks the less might get,
  I wish the nation out of debt. 
  I put no private man’s ambition
  With public good in competition: 
  Rather than have our law defaced,
  I’d vote a minister disgraced. 
     I strike at vice, be’t where it will;
  And what if great folks take it ill? 
  I hope corruption, bribery, pension,
  One may with detestation mention: 
60
  Think you the law (let who will take it)
  Can scandalum magnatum make it? 
  I vent no slander, owe no grudge,
  Nor of another’s conscience judge: 
  At him, or him, I take no aim,
  Yet dare against all vice declaim. 
  Shall I not censure breach of trust,