(5)
Which the kind maſter forc'd the gueſts to taſte.
Then, pleas'd and thankful, from the porch they go;
And, but the landlord, none had cauſe of wo:
His cup was vaniſh'd; for in ſecret guiſe
The younger gueſt purloin'd the glitt'ring prize.
As one who 'spies a ſerpent in his way,
Gliſtning and baſking in the ſummer-ray,
Diſorder'd ſtops to ſhun the danger near,
Then walks with faintneſs on, and looks with fear:
⟨So⟩ ſeem'd the fire, when, far upon the road,
The ſhining ſpoil his wiley partner ſhow'd.
He ſtopt with ſilence, walk'd with tremb-ling heart,
And much he wiſh'd, but durſt not aſk to part:
Murm'ring be lifts his eyes, & thinks it hard,
That gen'rous actions meet a baſe reward.
While thus they paſs, the ſun his glory ſhrouds,
The changing ſkies hang out their ſable clouds;
A ſound in air preſag'd approaching rain,
And beaſts to covert ſcud acroſs the plain.
Warn'd by the ſigns, the wand'ring pair retreat,
To ſeek for ſhelter at a neighb'ring ſeat.
'Twas built with turrets, on a riſing ground,
And ſtrong, and large, and unimprov'd around;
