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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
Arwaker, Edmund
  
[epigraph]

collapse sectionI. 
BOOK I.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Peasant and Hercules:
 II. 
FABLE II. Jupiter and the Tortoise:
collapse sectionIII. 
FABLE III. The Ass, Ape, and Mole:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionIV. 
FABLE IV. The Poet and Clown:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionV. 
FABLE V. The Mule:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionVI. 
FABLE VI. The Fox and Hare:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 VII. 
FABLE VII. The Oak and Reed:
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Crab and Fox:
collapse sectionIX. 
FABLE IX. The Daw:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionX. 
FABLE X. The Crow and Wolves:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXI. 
FABLE XI. The Dog and Shadow:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXII. 
FABLE XII. The Lion superannuated:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Ape and her Whelps:
collapse sectionXIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Elm and Oxen:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The Gnat and Bee:
collapse sectionXVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Sun, and Wind:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Fox, and Sick Hen:
collapse sectionXVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Kid and Wolf:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Peacock and Nightingale:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The Lion and Frog:
 XXI. 
FABLE XXI. The Wolf disguised:
 XXII. 
FABLE XXII. The Fox and Lionness:
collapse sectionXXIII. 
FABLE XXIII. The Horse and Ass:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXIV. 
FABLE XXIV. The Sick Impostor:
 XXV. 
FABLE XXV. The Hares and Eagles:
collapse sectionXXVI. 
FABLE XXVI. The Wolf and Ram:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXXVII. 
FABLE XXVII. The Mourning Widow:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXVIII. 
FABLE XXVIII. The Cock and Jewel:
 XXIX. 
FABLE XXIX. The Wolf and Lamb:
 XXX. 
FABLE XXX. The Mouse in a Chest:
 XXXI. 
FABLE XXXI. The Young Man and the Old:
collapse sectionXXXII. 
FABLE XXXII. The Mad-house:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXIII. 
FABLE XXXIII. The Gardener and his Dog:
 XXXIV. 
FABLE XXXIV. The Dog and Butcher:
collapse sectionXXXV. 
FABLE XXXV. The Ape and Jupiter:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXVI. 
FABLE XXXVI. The Peasant and Fortune.
 XXXVII. 
FABLE XXXVII. The Boy and Fortune.
 XXXVIII. 
FABLE XXXVIII. The Sheep and Crow:
 XXXIX. 
FABLE XXXIX. The Crow and Mule:
 XL. 
FABLE XL. The Eagle and Pye:
collapse sectionXLI. 
FABLE XLI. The Lion's Choice:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXLII. 
FABLE XLII. The Elm and Osier:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLIII. 
FABLE XLIII. The Peacock and Crane:
collapse sectionXLIV. 
FABLE XLIV. The Bear and Bees.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLV. 
FABLE XLV. The Wolves and Sheep:
 XLVI. 
FABLE XLVI. The Country Fidler:
 XLVII. 
FABLE XLVII. The Clown and Clyster:
 XLVIII. 
FABLE XLVIII. The Old Weesel, and Mice:
collapse sectionXLIX. 
FABLE XLIX. The Fox and Cock:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 L. 
FABLE L. The Graceless Son:
 LI. 
FABLE LI. The Hound:
 LII. 
FABLE LII. The Fishes:
 LIII. 
FABLE LIII. The Boor and Wood:
 LIV. 
FABLE LIV. The Drown'd Wife:
 LV. 
FABLE LV. The Doves and Kite:
 LVI. 
FABLE LVI. The Ass in a Lion's Skin:
collapse sectionLVII. 
FABLE LVII. The Wolf and Lamb:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LVIII. 
FABLE LVIII. The Father and his Sons:
 LIX. 
FABLE LIX. The Fox and Lion:
 LX. 
FABLE LX. The Eagle and Fox:
collapse sectionLXI. 
FABLE LXI. The Fox and Weesel:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LXII. 
FABLE LXII. The City Mouse and Country Mouse:
 LXIII. 
FABLE LXIII. The Lion and Mouse:
 LXIV. 
FABLE LXIV. The Vulture's Treat:
collapse sectionLXV. 
FABLE LXV. The Dog and Ass:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLXVI. 
FABLE LXVI. The Members and Stomach:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLXVII. 
FABLE LXVII. The Sick Kite:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLXVIII. 
FABLE LXVIII. The Crow and Fox:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionII. 
BOOK II.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Lion and Goat:
collapse sectionII. 
FABLE II. The Mistress and her Maids:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 III. 
FABLE III. The Sow and Bitch:
collapse sectionIV. 
FABLE IV. The Pine and Shrubs:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 V. 
FABLE V. The Mountain in Labour:
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Boar and Ass:
collapse sectionVII. 
FABLE VII. The Lion, and other Beasts:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Mouse and Frog:
 IX. 
FABLE IX. The Bigamists:
 X. 
FABLE X. The Sick Lion and Fox:
 XI. 
FABLE XI. The Lapwing:
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The Negro:
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Kid and Wolf:
 XIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Leopard and Fox:
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The Hawks and Doves:
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Mourning Wife:
collapse sectionXVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Geese, Cranes, and Stork:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Jealous Husband:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Geese and Cranes:
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The Fowler and Birds:
collapse sectionXXI. 
FABLE XXI. The Corrupt Judge:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXII. 
FABLE XXII. The Curr and Ox:
collapse sectionXXIII. 
FABLE XXIII. The Miser and his Bags:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXIV. 
FABLE XXIV. The Lion and Horse:
 XXV. 
FABLE XXV. The Shepherd's Boy:
 XXVI. 
FABLE XXVI. The Shepherd's Dog:
 XXVII. 
FABLE XXVII. Jupiter and the Serpent:
 XXVIII. 
FABLE XXVIII. The new Cardinal:
 XXIX. 
FABLE XXIX. The Knight and his Lady:
 XXX. 
FABLE XXX. The Horse and Ass:
 XXXI. 
FABLE XXXI. The Collier and Fuller:
collapse sectionXXXII. 
FABLE XXXII. The Nut-Tree and Lady:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXIII. 
FABLE XXXIII. The Country Dog:
 XXXIV. 
FABLE XXXIV. The Ape and Fox:
 XXXV. 
FABLE XXXV. The Peacock and Pie:
collapse sectionXXXVI. 
FABLE XXXVI. The Eagle and Daw:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXVII. 
FABLE XXXVII. The Buffoon, and Bishop:
collapse sectionXXXVIII. 
FABLE XXXVIII. The Peasant and his Kid:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXXXIX. 
FABLE XXXIX. The Ewe and Shepherd:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XL. 
FABLE XL. The Wolf and Crane:
 XLI. 
FABLE XLI. The Hart and Fountain:
collapse sectionXLII. 
FABLE XLII. The Old Batchelor:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLIII. 
FABLE XLIII. The Fox, Hare, and Hounds:
 XLIV. 
FABLE XLIV. The Herd:
collapse sectionXLV. 
FABLE XLV. The Fox and Farmer:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLVI. 
FABLE XLVI. The Fishermen:
collapse sectionXLVII. 
FABLE XLVII. The Sharpers and Cook:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLVIII. 
FABLE XLVIII. The Polygamist:
collapse sectionXLIX. 
FABLE XLIX. The Fox and Cat:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 L. 
FABLE L. The Fisher and young Fish:
collapse sectionLI. 
FABLE LI. Arion:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LII. 
FABLE LII. The Thief and Mastiff:
collapse sectionLIII. 
FABLE LIII. The Eagle and Crow:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLIV. 
FABLE LIV. The Fowler and Owzel:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LV. 
FABLE LV. The Viper and File:
 LVI. 
FABLE LVI. The Linnet and Boy:
 LVII. 
FABLE LVII. The Curate and Sick Man:
 LVIII. 
FABLE LVIII. The Cocks and Partridge:
 LIX. 
FABLE LIX. The Fox and Carv'd Head:
collapse sectionLX. 
FABLE LX. The Kid and Wolf:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LXI. 
FABLE LXI. The Bitch and Sow:
collapse sectionLXII. 
FABLE LXII. The Miser robb'd:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LXIII. 
FABLE LXIII. The Lion and Man:
 LXIV. 
FABLE LXIV. The Funeral:
 LXV. 
FABLE LXV. The Goose:
 LXVI. 
FABLE LXVI. The Bull and Mouse:
collapse sectionLXVII. 
FABLE LXVII. The Dog:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLXVIII. 
FABLE LXVIII. The Spider and Gout:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionIII. 
BOOK III.
collapse sectionI. 
FABLE I. The Old Wife, and the Devil.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 II. 
FABLE II. The Wooden-God.
collapse sectionIII. 
FABLE III. The Petitioners.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Priest and his Dog.
collapse sectionV. 
FABLE V. The Two Pots.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionVI. 
FABLE VI. The Bald Knight.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionVII. 
FABLE VII. Mercury and the Carpenter.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 VIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Horse-Buyer.
 IX. 
FABLE IX. The Farmer and River.
 X. 
FABLE X. The Stag and Oxen.
collapse sectionXI. 
FABLE XI. The Fox and Goat.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The Sick Ass.
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Crabs.
 XIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Old Man and Death.
collapse sectionXV. 
FABLE XV. The Ass-Teacher.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Carter and Wheel.
collapse sectionXVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Beam and Oxen.
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Serpent and Peasant:
 XIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Boor and his Plough:
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The One-Ey'd Farmer:
collapse sectionXXI. 
FABLE XXI. The Climber:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXII. 
FABLE XXII. The Snail and Jupiter:
 XXIII. 
FABLE XXIII. The Wolf and Sow:
 XXIV. 
FABLE XXIV. The Devil and the Sinner:
collapse sectionXXV. 
FABLE XXV. The Urchin and Viper:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXXVI. 
FABLE XXVI. The Fox and Eagle:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXXVII. 
FABLE XXVII. The Satyr and Traveller:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXVIII. 
FABLE XXVIII. The Lion disarm'd:
collapse sectionXXIX. 
FABLE XXIX. The Coffee-House:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXX. 
FABLE XXX. The Boor and Snake:
collapse sectionXXXI. 
FABLE XXXI. The Rich Man:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXII. 
FABLE XXXII. The Boor and Dog:
collapse sectionXXXIII. 
FABLE XXXIII. The Ox and Bullock:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXIV. 
FABLE XXXIV. The Tortoise and Eagle:
 XXXV. 
FABLE XXXV. The Ass and Hare:
 XXXVI. 
FABLE XXXVI. The Ass and Jupiter:
 XXXVII. 
FABLE XXXVII. The Physician and Patient:
 XXXV. 
FABLE XXXV. The Hares and Frogs:
collapse sectionXXXIX. 
FABLE XXXIX. The Shepherd's Voyage:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXL. 
FABLE XL. The Fox and Wolf:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXLI. 
FABLE XLI. The Bee-Master:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XLII. 
FABLE XLII. The Fellow-Travellers:
 XLIII. 
FABLE XLIII. The Bull and Goat:
 XLIV. 
FABLE XLIV. The Citizen and his Hounds:
 XLV. 
FABLE XLV. The Dogs and Ass:
 XLVI. 
FABLE XLVI. The Frog and Ox:
 XLVII. 
FABLE XLVII. The Trees:
 XLVIII. 
FABLE XLVIII. The Mice in Consult:
 XLIX. 
FABLE XLIX. The Hermit and Soldier:
 L. 
FABLE L. The Lion, Ass, and Fox:
collapse sectionLI. 
FABLE LI. The Fox and Women:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLII. 
FABLE LII. The Fox without a Tail:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LIII. 
FABLE LIII. The Miss:
collapse sectionLIV. 
FABLE LIV. The Smith and his Dog:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLV. 
FABLE LV. The Swan and Stork:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 LVI. 
FABLE LVI. The Hawk and Nightingale:
collapse sectionLVII. 
FABLE LVII. The Dog and Wolf:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionLVIII. 
FABLE LVIII. The Rival Cocks:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionIV. 
BOOK IV.
 I. 
FABLE I. The Frogs and Jupiter:
 II. 
FABLE II. The Crow and Birds:
 III. 
FABLE III. The Ass and Horse:
 IV. 
FABLE IV. The Ass and Calf:
 V. 
FABLE V. The Beau and his Cat:
 VI. 
FABLE VI. The Stag and Sheep:
collapse sectionVII. 
FABLE VII. Mercury and the Statuary:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionVIII. 
FABLE VIII. The Wolf and Mastiff:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 IX. 
FABLE IX. The Mariners:
 X. 
FABLE X. The Sluggard:
 XI. 
FABLE XI. The Clown and Snake:
 XII. 
FABLE XII. The Frogs:
 XIII. 
FABLE XIII. The Fisher:
collapse sectionXIV. 
FABLE XIV. The Old-Man loth to Die:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XV. 
FABLE XV. The Dog and Sheep:
 XVI. 
FABLE XVI. The Fowler and Dove:
 XVII. 
FABLE XVII. The Blind Woman and Doctor:
collapse sectionXVIII. 
FABLE XVIII. The Ants and Grass-hopper:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
collapse sectionXIX. 
FABLE XIX. The Priest and Apples:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XX. 
FABLE XX. The Birds and Beasts:
 XXI. 
FABLE XXI. Mercury's Preparation:
collapse sectionXXII. 
FABLE XXII. The Farmer and Landlord:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXIII. 
FABLE XXIII. The One-Ey'd Deer:
collapse sectionXXIV. 
FABLE XXIV. The Fly and Ant:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXV. 
FABLE XXV. The Prodigal and Swallow:
 XXVI. 
FABLE XXVI. The Horse and Stag:
collapse sectionXXVII. 
FABLE XXVII. The Trumpeter:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXVIII. 
FABLE XXVIII. The Beasts and Fishes:
 XXIX. 
FABLE XXIX. Jupiter:
collapse sectionXXX. 
FABLE XXX. The Impostor-Priest:
  
[section]
  
The MORAL.
 XXXI. 
FABLE XXXI. The Old Man, his Son, and Ass:

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FABLE XIV. The Old-Man loth to Die:

Or, Consider your Latter-End.

A wretch, that on the World's uneasie Stage
Had acted long, ev'n to decrepit Age;
At the last Scene, thought he too soon had done;
And, when Death call'd him, begg'd he might stay on.
He said, His greatest Bus'ness was to do,
And hop'd the Fates wou'd not surprise him so;
But spare him, that he might Provision make
for that long Journey which he was to take.
Death ask'd him why he had that Work deferr'd,
Since he had warn'd him oft' to be prepard.
299

He answer'd, He had never seen his Face,
And hop'd he wou'd allow him Days of Grace.
But Death reply'd; You often saw me near,
My Face in sev'ral Objects did appear;
I have not only your Coævals slain,
'Till but a few, a very few remain;
But Young-Men, Children, New-born Infants too,
And all to caution and admonish you:
All to remind you of your Mortal State,
And that my Coming wou'd be sure, tho' late.
When you perceiv'd your Eye-balls sink away,
Your Hearing fail, and ev'ry Sense decay;
When you discern'd your Teeth forsake their Place,
Your wrinkl'd Forehead, and your meagre Face;
Then you my Visage, in your own, might see,
Which ev'ry Day was representing Me.
When you observ'd your Blood begin to freeze,
Your bowing Body, and your bending Knees;
While scarce your feeble Legs your Weight cou'd bear;
Did not these Symptoms tell you I was near?
And can you yet pretend to be surpriz'd?
Then Die, your Folly shou'd be thus chastis'd.
If 'till to-morrow I your Life reprieve,
You 'till to-morrow will deferr to Live:
As you have done, still you, from Day to Day,
Repentance and Amendment will delay.

The MORAL.

‘Since we must Die, but where, is not declar'd,
‘We shou'd for Death's Approach be still prepar'd:
‘Our Life's uncertain; Time shou'd so be pass'd,
‘As if each Minute was to be our last:
300

‘Since on the Way in which our Lives we spend,
‘Our future Joys, or Miseries, depend;
‘They best for Heav'ns reserv'd Abodes prepare,
‘Who, Living, keep their Conversation there.
‘They who in Endless Pleasures wou'd on High
‘For ever Live, to Sin must daily Die.
‘If our Repentance we procrastinate,
‘Our good Desires at last, will be too late.
‘Virtue has got the Start in Life's swift Race,
‘And, to o'ertake her, we must mend our Pace;
‘Else, what we shou'd obtain, we ne'r shall find,
‘While she still keeps before, and we behind.
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