FABLE VI. The Fox and Hare:
Or, Prize what you have.
A
Fox and Hare to Jove their Wants make known;
Each seeks the other's Parts, and slights his own:
The crafty Reynard, Kayward's Speed desires;
And nimble Kayward, Reynard's Craft
requires.
But Jove reply'd, My Favours I dispense
To all, according to their Exigence:
Reynard, your Craft, your Want of Speed supplies;
And Kayward's Safety in her Swiftness lies:
Her Head your Craft, your Heels her Speed refuse;
Let each the Gift adapted to him use:
Or, when your mortal Foes your Lives invade,
By wrong Dependance, both will be betray'd.
The MORAL.
‘Impartial Heav'n has so its Gifts address'd,
‘That all are favour'd with what suits them best;
‘And in peculiar Ornaments excell,
‘Which, plac'd on others, wou'd not sit so well.
‘In Beauty some, and some in Honour shine;
‘To Labour some, and some to Mirth encline;
‘The Slow are Steady; the Unhealthy, Learn'd;
‘The Homely, Wise; the Simple, Unconcern'd;
‘Wealth keeps the Rich at Ease; Content, the Poor;
‘Each has his Talent, and in that a Store.
‘But where the Lot appointed does not please,
‘Desire of Change, destroys Content and Ease:
‘As when the Shooe too strait, or wide is grown,
‘The restless Wearer's pinch'd, or tumbl'd down.
