An Orange tree got mid-day light from Mirror who then claimed to be so great to provide the light. Orange tree pointed out Mirror was dark most of the time.
Do not claim to be more than your are.
Northcote
In an apartment where expence
Appear’d in full magnificence,
A Looking-glass of neatest taste,
Within the middle pannel plac’d,
Gather’d from Phoebus’ noon-day blaze
Th’ assemblage of his scatter’d rays;
And shot (in borrow’d splendour bright)
Across the room a flood of light.
High on a stand of sattin wood
An orange-tree obliquely stood,
Whom thus of fancied power possest
The self-conceited Glass address’d:
‘By my kind influence behold
‘How fair thy tender buds unfold,
‘Which, but for my all-fostering ray,
‘Their beauties never would display;
‘Should not such gay expanded bloom,
‘Such pleasing verdure, high perfume,
‘Thy mind with grateful rapture raise
‘To render some return of praise,
‘Such as may speak both love and awe,
‘Lest I my influence withdraw?’
‘Nought can your judgment more misguide
‘Than pride,’ the Orange-tree replied:
‘But for that passion you would know,
‘I nothing to your influence owe;
‘All the perfections which you name,
‘From yonder glorious orb I claim:
‘The same whose partial beams I view
‘Shine with such energy on you,
‘And, but for whose imparting light
‘You had remain’d as dark as night;
‘Then scorn not the advice I give,
‘With gratitude those beams receive;
‘But think not any merit thine,
‘Who by reftection only shine.
‘If to thy happy lot ’tis given
‘To be the instrument of Heaven,
‘Reflect that thou can’st ne’er dispense
‘But that which thou receiv’dest from thence.’
