FABLE LIII. The Eagle and Crow:
Or, Fatal Imitation.
A soaring
Eagle, from her lofty Flight,
Swoop'd a young Lamb, to stay her Appetite:
Sure of her Prey, she Homeward did repair,
And bore her Burden bleating through the Air.
An envious Crow, that her own Parts preferr'd,
With vain Ambition, Ap'd the Royal Bird:
She soar'd aloft, and made a clam'rous Noise,
As if she did at sure Success rejoyce:
But in the great Effort mistook her Aim,
And made her bold Descent upon a Ram;
And in his shaggy Fleece engag'd her Claw,
Beyond her Pow'r or Cunning to withdraw.
The Shepherd, who observ'd her thus embroild,
Of Wings and Tail the flutt'ring Captive spoil'd:
And having us'd her in this scurvy sort,
Threw her abroad, to make his Children Sport.
They, who scarce knew her, in that alter'd Case,
Ask'd, of what Species of the Birds she was?
The humbled Creature, sensible her Pride
Had been her Ruin, with a Sigh, reply'd;
I thought I was (e're I my self did know)
An Eagle, but now find I am a Crow.
The MORAL.
‘When Men, whom pow'rful Means capacitate,
‘Attempt Exploits above the common Rate;
‘The Vulgar, not so qualify'd, mistake,
‘If they such Measures their Examples make.
‘What may be practicable, must be known,
‘Not from another's Virtue, but their own:
‘Lest they, who imitate such noble Deeds,
‘Fail, in attempting what their Pow'r exceeds.
‘For justly we their Vanity impeach,
‘Who dare aspire to Heights beyond their Reach:
‘Unable for the lofty Flight, they fall,
‘Pity'd by none, but ridicul'd by all.
