Fab. XI. The Hawk and Birds.
I
A
Hawk, that of Yore
Had long welter'd in Gore,
And many a Sparrow had kill'd;
By the Birds he was told,
Now he was grown old,
He his number of Sins had fulfill'd.
II
Now said the old Hawk,
My Actions to balk,
If you shall but once thus combino,
The Gods will me avenge,
My Cause will revenge,
I may murder ye Jure Divino.
III
The Gods, said the Birds,
We'll not take their words;
If they've gi'n you an Absolute Power,
They've gi'n us a part
Is not worth a Fart,
While you have a Right to devour.
IV
The Birds all agreed,
And thus 'twas decreed,
That Slaves they no longer would be;
They throttl'd their King,
Then sweetly did sing
The Praises of free Liberty.
