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 LXVI. The Bull and Mouse:
Or, Small Enemies not contemptible.
A wanton
Bull, that through the Fields did stray,
Trod on a Mouse that happen'd in his Way:
The little Creature, with Resentment fir'd,
Bit him, and quickly to her Hole retir'd.
With brandish'd Horns he sought the threatned Foe,
But cou'd not find what had disturb'd him so:
While she in Safety did his Rage deride,
And thus provok'd the Anger she defy'd;
Tho' you are strong, and of a bulky Size,
Do not, Great Sir, mean Enemies despise;
Since a small Mouse, protected by her Cave,
Can hurt you, and, unharm'd, your Fury brave.
Trod on a Mouse that happen'd in his Way:
The little Creature, with Resentment fir'd,
Bit him, and quickly to her Hole retir'd.
With brandish'd Horns he sought the threatned Foe,
But cou'd not find what had disturb'd him so:
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And thus provok'd the Anger she defy'd;
Tho' you are strong, and of a bulky Size,
Do not, Great Sir, mean Enemies despise;
Since a small Mouse, protected by her Cave,
Can hurt you, and, unharm'd, your Fury brave.
The MORAL.
‘Let not thy Strength make thee Injurious grow,‘'Tis dang'rous to provoke the meanest Foe:
‘They most may vex thee, whom thou most do'st slight,
‘And scorn thy Pow'r, while they exert their Spight.
| Truth in Fiction | |