University of Virginia Library

SELECT Æsopian Tales IN PROSE and VERSE

FABLE XVII. The Miser and Plutus.

FABLE XVIII. The Lady and the Wasp.

As Chloe, with affected Air,
Sat lolling in her Easy-Chair,
An amorous Wasp around her slew,
Perch'd on her Lip, and sipt the Dew.
She frowns, she frets.—He makes Reply,
With Love I burn, I rage, I die.—
She smiles, forgives:—He claps his Wings:
But soon she finds that Wasps have Stings.—
“Ladies, that are with Coxcombs great,
“Mourn their ill Conduct soon or late.

FABLE XIX. The Sick-Man and the Angel.

Are there no Hopes, the Patient cries?
The Doctor turns away, and sighs.—
The dying Miser looks aghast;
With Shame reviews his Actions past;
But thinks his Will may make amends,
And on his Pious Gifts depends.—
An Angel came and frowning said,
Give what thou hast before thou'rt dead.—
Why in such haste?—I've made my Will.—
Perhaps I may recover still.—
“Thou Fool! thy Will! Thy Hopes are vain,
“Die and despair.—Thy Heav'n was Gain.

FABLE XX. The Shepherd and the Philosopher.

Long liv'd the Swain in high Renown
For Wisdom, far remote from Town.
Say, cry'd an hoary Sage, from whence
Thy Judgment and superior Sense?
Hast thou with Books familiar been?
Or hast thou studied Arts, or Men?
With modest Air the Swain reply'd,
Nature alone has been my Guide.
“Her Laws alone, if well pursu'd,
“Will make Men wise, as well as good.

FABLE XXI. The Persian, the Sun, and the Cloud.

As on the Ground a Persian lay
Prostrate before the God of Day,
He pray'd.—“Bright Beam, thy Servant bless,
“And crown his Labours with Success.
With Envy swell'd, an impious Cloud
Reprov'd the Man, blasphem'd the God.
“Vain fleeting Form! the Persian cry'd,
“Thy God adore.—Restrain thy Pride.—
“See! with new Beams he gilds the Skies!
“Thus Merit shines, and Envy dies.

FABLE XXII. The Universal Apparition.

As a young Rake repentant sate,
Deploring his unhappy Fate,
The Phantom Care thus spoke:—“Be wise,
“And Health above thy Pleasure prize.—
The Youth reforms, resolves to find
(His Health restor'd) true Peace of Mind;
He seeks the Court, the Camp, the Plain,
To fly from Care; but all in vain.—
“This World is like a troubled Sea;
“No State of Life's from Sorrow free.

FABLE XXIII. The Farmer and Jupiter.

The Man to Jove did thus apply.
O give me Heirs, or else I die!—
Three Years roll round.—Two hopeful Boys,
And a young Girl, reward his Joys.—
Once more he cry'd, approve my Pray'r.—
Let them be wealthy, great, and fair.—
Jove nods Assent; and soon the first
Grows rich, but is with Av'rice curst.
The next attains the Height of Place,
But falls the Victim of Disgrace.
The Girl is blest with sparkling Eyes,
But proud, a Virgin lives and dies.
When Jove the Father's Grief survey'd,
And heard him rail at Heav'n, he said;
“Seek Virtue;—and of that possest,
“Henceforth to Me resign the rest.

FABLE XXIV. The Poet and the Rose.

A Poet once, well pleas'd, survey'd
A beauteous Rose, and sighing said;
To Chloe's whiter Breast repair,
Thou'lt find more fragrant Odours there;
Her Charms will thine, fair Flow'r, outvie,
And thoul't with Envy gaze and die.
A Sister Rose soon Silence broke,
And frowning, thus the Bard bespoke.
Tho' Chloe when you sigh looks gay,
And throws you like a Weed away,
Why must we languish and decay?
“With Justice we the Man despise,
“Who by another's Fall would rise.

FABLE XXV. The Tame Stag.

A Stag caught young, and tamely bred,
Bashful at first, each Creature fled;
But bolder grown, he dauntless stands,
And takes his Food from any Hands;
Whene'er repuls'd, with high Disdain,
And levell'd Horns, he turns again:
So the coy Maid her Lover flies,
Or stands at first with down-cast Eyes;
But in a while she boasts her Flame:
“For Custom conquers Fear and Shame.