University of Virginia Library

THE DUKE OF NEWCASTLE

A Fable.

A lion who, o'er all the plain,
Was wont, like any king, to reign;
Who in his youth was fierce and bold,
Could head a mob, and fight and scold,
Was now grown crafty, weak, and old.
Active no more to hunt for prey,
Supine within his den he lay,
And there, by falsehood, tricks, and lies,
He try'd all travellers to surprise.
A Norfolk Calf pass'd by the first,
He lik'd him best, and used him worst;
He made the greatest rout about him,
And swore he cou'd not live without him;
He slobber'd, kiss'd, caress'd, cajol'd him,
Then to a neighb'ring butcher sold him;
A Bull in the same pasture bred,
Of dew-lap large, and high-toss'd head,
Came passing next with awful mien;
A nobler beast was never seen:
Him had the Lion long rever'd,
He knew his strength, his horns he fear'd;
He acted long a flattering farce,
He lick'd his hoofs, he kiss'd his a---;
But after all the court he'd paid him,
Join'd with his enemies, and betray'd him;
Got him within his power, and then
Dragg'd him, and eat him in his den.
There next appear'd an unbroke Horse,
Impetuous, fiery in his course,
Of too much mettle to be idle,
Impatient of a bit or bridle;
Who, seeing the Lion in that state,
Kick'd him, to show his scorn and hate:
The wretched beast, who lay half dead,
Call'd loudly for his brother's aid;
Who came, and with united force,
They fell upon th' incautious Horse,
And after they had maul'd and beat him,
Drew him into their cave and eat him.
A Spanish Mule came next in view,
Of slowest pace, and swarthiest hue;
(Who'd been, to serve the Lion's end,
Of old his fav'rite and his friend,
And who in battle once was seen,
To stand before him as a screen.)
He harmlessly approach'd the door,
But being now of use no more,
His former service is forgot;
He shares his predecessors lot.
A little Monkey, full of tricks,
More fam'd for puns than politics,
Came hopping from the Irish shore,
And knocking at the Lion's door,
Begg'd for admittance to his Grace,
And slid himself into a place;
And thence design'd, by wit and jests,
To govern all our English beasts;
But Leo hardly let him stay
To speak, before he seiz'd his prey;
And tho' it was not half his fill,
Swallow'd him, as you would a pill.
Next came a Poney, plump and round,
Whose neck with halter blue was bound,
And ambled to the Lion's den,
Who bow'd, and begg'd he would walk in;
And said he was the welcomest beast
That ever yet had been his guest;
Offer'd him all his oats, and swore
He now was fix'd, would change no more,
And from that hour to his life's end,
Would never have another friend:
The Pad too easily believ'd him,
And thought he durst not have deceiv'd him;
But when he came within his reach,
The Lion seiz'd him by the breech;
The Poney kick'd, and bit, and fought,
And curs'd, and damn'd him all to nought;
But all in vain, the weaker beast
Expires indignant with the rest;
But after this for many a day,
The Lion catch'd no other prey:
He soon grew hungry, fierce, and sour,
Jackal was scolded every hour,
And would himself have shared the fate,
Of all that were devour'd of late,
But such a scabby nasty beast,
No Lion's stomach could digest.
At length a well fed Fox came by,
And caught the Lion's sharpest eye
(They formerly had known each other;
The Fox had lov'd the Lion's brother,
But never lik'd the Lion much,
And always kept without his touch.)
'Twas chance that led the Fox that way,
He ne'er design'd to call or stay;
When thus began the royal beast:
“Whither so fast? I thought, at least,
“You might have stay'd, before you go,
“To see if I'm alive or no.
“I am alive, indeed, that's all;
“But soon, I fear, you'll see me fall.
“How am I bound to curse my fate,
“Alas, I'm in a wretched state!
“My Brother, your old friend, is dead,
“And here I'm stretch'd upon my bed,
“Mourning his loss with tears and groans,
“All bosoms feel that hear my moans;
“And yet, you know, as well as me,
“We Brothers never could agree;
“You know we quarrell'd every day,
“Our lives were one continued fray;
“His changeful conduct still perplex'd me,
“And his neglect of business vex'd me.
“Then his extravagance was worse,
“And daily drain'd my well-sav'd purse;
“How often did my courage save him—
“He had no friends, but those I gave him;
“And tho' I shed these tears about him,
“I shall be greater still without him;
“Especially if you, my friend,
“To take his place will condescend;
“Your pow'r and credit shall be more
“Than e'er my Brother's was before.
“Upon my word you may rely,
“A Lion's heart detests a lie;
“Give me your hand, then, for good luck,
“And let the bargain here be struck.”
“Softly,” quoth Reynard, “if you please,
“I'll not be dup'd with words like these;
“I spy the snare, I see the danger
“To others, Sir; go seek a stranger.
“Your Brother's loss I feel, and mourn,
“With tears, o'er his untimely urn;
“He was my friend, experience-try'd,
“The forest on his word rely'd;
“And all the beasts express their moan,
“That you are left, and he is gone.
“I have with pains for many a-year,
“Study'd your character with care:
“I know, and I will freely speak it,
“You make no promise, but to break it.
“Can pawn your honour to deceive,
“Are perjur'd to make fools believe;
“Can lie with such an easy grace,
“That few can see it in your face;
“Faithful to nought, but your own ends,
“The bitterest enemy to your friends;
“But to your fixt undaunted foe,
“Obsequious, base, complying, low.
“Cunning supplies thy want of parts,
“Treason and lies are all thy arts.
“But see, for I am on my guard,
“What scenes of blood are in your yard;
“What sculls and bones fill half the place:
“Besides, the footsteps that I trace
“Are all directed towards your den,
“I don't see one come back again;
“And tho' I hear you spare some few,
“To hunt about for prey for you,
“Yet, Sir, your service has undone 'em,
“All honest beasts, with caution, shun 'em:
“Whoe'er has once been in your cave,
“Went in a fool, came out a knave.
“For me whom no ambitious view
“Shall tempt to join in league with you;
“To whom all hopes of pow'r or gain,
“Thrown out by you, are thrown in vain;
“Your Rose with thorns is quite choak'd up,
“There's poison in your proffer'd cup.
“In every friendship knit with you,
“There's scandal, and there's danger too
“My life would be within your pow'r,
“And, which I value ten times more,
“My yet unspotted reputation
“Would sink at once with all the nation;
“So, notwithstanding your fine speech,
“I'll never come within your reach,
“Without I'm safe: thank heaven, your laws
“Extend no farther than your claws;
“Content, I stand undaunted here,
“My life's secure, my honour clear,
“Nor force, nor nails, nor teeth I fear:
“I dread no traps, no snare, no gin,
“But I'm undone, if I go in.”