FABLE XL. The Eagle and Pye:
Or, No trusting Tattlers.
A
Pye, whose voluble and flippant Tongue,
For quaint Harangue, was excellently hung,
Fain on the Eagle wou'd her self obtrude,
And for a Place at Court had often su'd.
She earnestly sollicited her Cause,
And spar'd no Rhet'rick in her own Applause:
But what did most encourage her Pretence,
Was fluent Speech, and pow'rful Eloquence.
The Royal Bird, tir'd with her Noise, reply'd;
Friend, your Petition shou'd not be deny'd,
But that you are so Talkative, I fear
You cannot keep the Secrets which you hear.
The MORAL.
‘Men, fond of Talk, occasion still Desire
‘To shew the Talent which themselves admire:
‘With Secrets trusted, they are chiefly bless'd;
‘Those furnish Matter, and draw Hearers best.
‘The leaky Fools, whatever they receive,
‘Let out as fast as Water through a Sieve;
‘And still are bursting, 'till they give it vent,
‘As if 'twas Wind in their Intestines pent.
‘Such Echo's are for Prince's Courts unmeet,
‘Who, instantly what's whisper'd there, repeat:
‘There Men shou'd more the Fishes Temper suit,
‘Shou'd be as quick in Bus'ness, and as mute:
‘Manag'd by such, Designs go smoothly on;
‘The Work's accomplish'd e're the Project's known:
‘For they, like Powder, by no Warning-blast,
‘Betray the Aim, till Execution's past:
‘But noisie Blabs, like Drums, alarm the Foe;
‘And what's as loud, must be as hollow too.
