The Peacock 'At Home'

The Butterfly's Ball and the Grasshopper's Feasts
Excited the spleen of the Birds and the Beasts:
For their mirth and good cheer--of the Bee was the theme, And the Gnat blew his horn, as he danc'd in the beam.
'Twas humm'd by the Beetle, 'twas buzz'd by the Fly,
And sung by the myriads that sport through the sky.
The Quadrupeds listen'd with sullen displeasure,
But the tenants of air were enraged beyond measure.
The PEACOCK display'd his bright plumes to the Sun,
And, addressing his Mates, thus indignant begun:
"Shall we, like domestic, inelegant Fowls, [p 4] As unpolished as Geese, and as stupid as Owls,
Sit tamely at home, hum drum with our Spouses,
While Crickets and Butterflies open their houses?
Shall such mean little insects pretend to the fashion?
Cousin Turkey-cock, well may you be in a passion!
If I suffer such