FABLE VII. The Lion, and other Beasts:
Or, Unequal Friendships, incompatible.
The Sov'reign Lion, vers'd in State-Intrigue,
Concerted, with the Subject-Beasts, a League,
That they an equal Dividend shou'd make
Of all the Game they cou'd, in Hunting, take.
Abroad they went on their appointed Day,
And soon a lusty Buck became their Prey:
Of which a just Partition being made,
Each took his Share, and on his Shoulders laid.
The Lion, roaring, made his Partners quake,
Who saw the Danger of their gross Mistake:
For tho' he promis'd Each shou'd have his Part,
'Twas not the true Intention of his Heart:
And they who wou'd in Courts securely live,
Shou'd not take all that Princes seem to give.
One Share, said he, is mine, as I am Best;
Another, as my Strength exceeds the rest;
A third, because I had the most Fatigue;
A fourth, because—if not,—here ends our League.
This said, they all in silence slunk away;
They did not, for they durst not, disobey.
The MORAL.
‘Poor Men, with Rich, in ill-match'd Friendships join'd,
‘Are Gally-Slaves in Golden-Chains confin'd;
‘Who, tho' their Fetters make a splendid Show,
‘Are, at another's Pleasure, bound to Row.
‘The Poor Man, as the Rich direct him, steers;
‘He, hapless Wretch, must have no Will, but theirs;
‘While all the Good his Slavery affords,
‘Is, the bare Smile and Count'nance of his Lords.
‘And tho' the Mighty thus the Mean oppress,
‘They, with less harm, submit, than seek Redress:
‘And, when they have Occasion to Complain,
‘Must Praise the Pow'r whence they the Wrong sustain.
‘Like Flyes with Torches, Subjects deal with Kings;
‘By a too near Approach, they singe their Wings:
‘Free and secure, they at a distance flie;
‘But, if they dally with the Flame, they die.
‘A Prince's Smiles, his Fav'rites shou'd invite
‘T'admire, not grow familiar with, his Light;
‘Lest (as the Sun strikes close Observers blind)
‘In their Encroachment, they their Ruin find.
‘Wou'dst thou, among the Great, in Favour live;
‘The Injuries they do, with Thanks receive:
‘Dissemble Wrongs; seem not their Faults to see;
‘Be thou their Servant, they'll be Friends to thee.
