FABLE XXVI. The Fox and Eagle:
Or, Treachery Reveng'd.
A
Fox and Eagle, by strong Friendship join'd,
To live in social Neighbourhood combin'd;
And, by Consent, each was to fix her Rest,
Where each might find her own Convenience best.
An Oak's thick Boughs, exalted in the Air,
The Eagle chose, and Hatch'd her Eaglets there:
While at its Foot the Fox a Covert found,
Where, undisturb'd, she Litter'd Under-ground.
But while the Beast did for her Cubs purvey,
And rambl'd far from Home, to hunt for Prey;
The Eagle thought she had kept Faith too long,
And in the Mother's Absence seiz'd her Young:
For she design'd to feast her hungry Brood
With them, who were as much in want of Food.
The Fox, that lost no Time, return'd with Speed,
That, with her Spoil, she might her Litter feed;
But found the Treach'rous Eagle had been there,
And robb'd her of the Objects of her Care.
Griev'd at the Loss, but at the Falshood more,
Which she wou'd fain revenge, but wanted Pow'r:
She us'd such Means as ne'er the Weakest fail,
And at the Breach of Faith did loudly rail.
Nor 'scap'd the Injury, unpunish'd, long;
The Eagle, enter'd thus in doing Wrong,
To greater Mischiefs quickly was betray'd,
And did an Altar impiously invade:
From thence the sacrilegious Robber stole
Some hallow'd Flesh, and, with the Flesh, a Coal;
With which she to her Airy did retire,
And set the Place, she meant to Store, on Fire.
Her unfledg'd Eaglets, by the Danger press'd,
Threw themselves headlong from the flaming Nest:
Which when the injur'd Fox, with joy, observ'd,
She thought their Fate for her Revenge reserv'd;
And, to exert the Rigour of her Spight,
Devour'd the Off-spring in their Parents Sight.
The MORAL.
‘False Wretches, thus, who Friendship's Laws despise,
‘And basely violate its Sacred Ties;
‘Find, (tho' the injur'd Suff'rer's feeble Rage
‘Do's vainly for a just Redress engage)
‘That Righteous Heav'n, with its arm'd Justice strong,
‘Will take sharp Vengeance for the hated Wrong:
‘While from one Mischief, they on worse are bent,
‘The Crimes they act, prove their own Punishment.
