He turns himself the best to ridicule.

Let him at business ne'er so earnest sit,

Shew him but mirth, and bait that mirth with wit,

That shadow of a jest shall be enjoyed,

Though he left all mankind to be destroyed.

So cat transformed sat gravely and demure,

Till mouse appeared, and thought himself secure;

But soon the lady had him in her eye,

And from her friend did just as oddly fly.

Reaching above our nature does no good;