Chequered with flow'rs, and trimmed with antic shapes,

Playing with children, feathers, flies, and apes,

Blowing up spittle bladders, and the other

Stretched on the bosom of his quiet mother,

Folded in furs and feathers, would not stir

20To earn a penny, or to 'please you, sir,'

With cap and curtsey. Wond'ring much, to me

The wingèd post came with an embassy.

I, frighted with his strange apparel, shrunk

Away, and closely into feathers sunk.