Juno and the Peacock

Her favorite bird to Juno came, And was in dudgeon at the dame, That she had not attuned her throat With Philomela's matchless note; " She is the wonder of all ears; But when I speak the audience sneers The goddess to the bird replied, (Willing to have him pacified,) " You are above the rest endued With beauty and with magnitude; Your neck the emerald's gloss outvie?, And what a blaze of gemmeous dies Shines from the plumage of your tail!" " All this dumb show will not avail," Cries he, "if I'm surpass'd in voice." " The fates entirely have the choice Of all the lots-fair form is yours; The eagle's strength his prey secures; The nightingale can sing an ode; The crow and raven may forebode: All these in sheer contentment crave No other voice than Nature gave." By affectation be not sway'd, Where Nature has not lent her aid; Nor to that flattering hope attend, Which must in disappointment end.