FABLE LV. The Doves and Kite:
Or, A rash Choice, repented.
The
Doves wag'd War with their old Foe, the Kite,
And chose a Hawk to Head them in the Fight:
He undertook it, but abus'd his Pow'r,
And strove, not to protect them, but devour.
The helpless Birds, to greater Harms betray'd,
Dearly repent the fatal Choice they made;
And rather wou'd the Kite's Insults sustain,
Than their new Tyrant's sanguinary Reign.
The MORAL.
‘Few Men in any Station acquiesce,
‘But shift, and change, tho' still without Redress:
‘So rarely Heav'n a lasting Blessing finds
‘To gratifie our inconsistent Minds:
‘Manna, tho' suited to each wanton Gust,
‘Cou'd not long silence Isra'l's murm'ring Lust:
‘They Egypt's Bondage, more than Freedom, priz'd;
‘For Leeks and Onions, Angels Food despis'd.
‘This fickle Humour is a wild Disease,
‘Whose raging Fits no Med'cine can appease:
‘Nor is it strange we thus Inconstant prove,
‘Who, with Discretion, neither Hate, nor Love.
