Truth in Fiction Or, Morality in Masquerade. A Collection of Two hundred twenty five Select Fables of Aesop, and other Authors. Done into English Verse. By Edmund Arwaker |
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 | Truth in Fiction |  |
FABLE VII. The Oak and Reed:
Or, The Bully slighted.
An
Oak, that much his Bulk and Stature priz'd,
And all his Fellows of the Wood despis'd,
Did haughtily a slender Reed defie,
And wish'd they might their Strength in Combat try:
To whom the Reed (regardless of his Pride,
And vain Bravado's) modestly reply'd;
The Challenge you have offer'd, I refuse,
Contented with the Weakness you abuse;
While pliantly I bend to ev'ry side,
I all the Rage of fiercest Storms deride;
But you who dare their Fury, I shall see
Soon levell'd with the Ground, and scorn'd by me.
And all his Fellows of the Wood despis'd,
Did haughtily a slender Reed defie,
And wish'd they might their Strength in Combat try:
To whom the Reed (regardless of his Pride,
And vain Bravado's) modestly reply'd;
The Challenge you have offer'd, I refuse,
Contented with the Weakness you abuse;
While pliantly I bend to ev'ry side,
I all the Rage of fiercest Storms deride;
But you who dare their Fury, I shall see
Soon levell'd with the Ground, and scorn'd by me.
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The MORAL.
‘Courage is least in noisie Rant express'd,‘A modest Silence recommends it best:
‘Insulting Bravo's, who their Prowess boast,
‘Find it least helpful, when they need it most:
‘And they who give Affronts, less Honour gain,
‘Than they who pass them by with wise Disdain.
| Truth in Fiction | |