FABLE L. The Lion, Ass, and Fox:
Or, One's Danger, another's Caution.
The
King of Beasts invited to a Chase
A subtil Fox, and an unthinking Ass:
The early Hunters well employ'd the Day,
Were tir'd with Sport, and laden with their Prey.
Their gracious Sov'reign, to reward their Toil,
Bid the dull Ass divide the noble Spoil.
This inconsid'rate Blockhead, not aware,
And eager to be Master of his Share;
An equal Tripartite Division makes,
And to himself a Third Proportion takes.
But soon the Lion, with an angry Brow,
Lets him his Error, and his Danger, know;
And the imprudent Beast in Pieces tears,
To make an Augmentation to the Shares:
Then bids the Fox, the Ass's Failure mend,
And try to make a fairer Dividend.
The cautious Reynard freely did obey,
But had no stomach to encrease the Prey;
Instructed by his apprehensive Sense,
That no Partition, best wou'd please his Prince;
He the whole Prize into a Heap did draw,
And humbly laid it at the Lion's Paw:
Who, pleas'd to see him thus discharge his Trust,
Ask'd, where he learn'd to be so nicely Just?
To whose Demand the ready Fox reply'd,
Sir, The dead Ass has taught me to divide.
The MORAL.
‘Wise Men, subjected to a Tyrant's Lust,
‘Who seeks Occasion to become Unjust;
‘By what their Fellows suffer, cautious made,
‘Avoid the Snares that for themselves are laid:
‘And when their Neighbour's House begins to burn,
‘Think how to shun what may be next their Turn.
