ing Ivy her lone dwelling shaded, [p 20]
Which no glaring Sun-beam had ever pervaded;
Within it, the Stranger had never intruded,
And there she had liv'd, from all Idlers secluded.
How great, then, were now her dismay and surprise;
Thrice she call'd on Minerva, and thrice rubb'd her eyes;
But doubted not long; for the Visitors now
Came full in her presence, and made a low bow.
The Dame, tho' annoy'd, did not wish to be rude,
So she wisely receiv'd them as well as she could.
A frugal repast was prepar'd very soon,
Which together they shar'd, by the light of the Moon.
Some berries and seeds, the OWL thought would suffice,
In addition to _her_ stew of Small-birds and Mice;
And if no costly Viands awaited them here,
Keen hunger made up for the want of good cheer.

The supper dispatch'd, our illustrious Guest,
Till his Story was told, not a moment cou'd rest;
While the OWL her brain rummag'd, (now quite on th' alert,) [p 21]
For a few scraps of learning, by way of dessert:
But the PEACOCK had no inclination to wait,
And the PARROT was still more impatient to prate:
So the Poem was read, and the OWL vow'd she never
Had heard any Verses she thought half so clever.

But, "_who is the Author?_" this still was the theme
Of Sir Argus's Song, and his night and day dream.
"Oh! let me," he cries, "of your kindness implore,
Dear, sweet Mrs. OWLET, yet one favor more!
Acquaint us, I pray, with the name of our Poet;
Its worth will be doubled, to _you_ when we owe it."

"Dear Sir," said the Dame, who lov'd flatt'ry as well,
As if folly had made her a mere modern Belle,
"Much joy would it give me to grant your request,
But, in truth, I am not of this secret possest.
I have thought a good deal, and feel really vex'd; [p 22]
For the more I consider, the more I'm perplex'd:
However, _thus_ much I will venture to tell;
A _female_ alone could have written so well."
Sir Argus believ'd the Dame _might_ have guess'd right;
Yet, _entre-nous_, thought her not very polite:
But that was a trifle; he now had a clew
To assist his research; and more satisfied grew:
Since the OWL'S well-known wisdom, and vast penetration,
From time immemorial had claim'd admiration.

But ev'ning clos'd in, and we well may suppose,
That our Travellers long'd for a little repose:
While the Moon-loving Dame, who had no wish to