 | Aesop at Paris |  |
The
Frogs (like Men) uneasie in their Fate,
Desir'd a Change, so Jove did supplicate,
To grant to them a King, that they might be
Rul'd, like their Neighbours, in a Monarchy.
Desir'd a Change, so Jove did supplicate,
To grant to them a King, that they might be
Rul'd, like their Neighbours, in a Monarchy.
The condescending God did grant their Pray'r,
And dub'd a Log their King; they strait prepare,
Awful respect to pay to their new King,
That was a Quiet and Unthinking Thing;
And let his Subjects do what e'er they wou'd,
Croak when they pleas'd, at pleasure swam the Flood.
Yet not content, tho' Will to them was Law,
They Scoft that King that had not Skill to Awe.
And dub'd a Log their King; they strait prepare,
Awful respect to pay to their new King,
That was a Quiet and Unthinking Thing;
12
Croak when they pleas'd, at pleasure swam the Flood.
Yet not content, tho' Will to them was Law,
They Scoft that King that had not Skill to Awe.
Dissatisfy'd, they Pray'd to Jove again,
That he would give a War-like King to Reign:
That he, by's Power, from Foes might them Defend;
And Lead their Armies, when they would Offend.
That he would give a War-like King to Reign:
That he, by's Power, from Foes might them Defend;
And Lead their Armies, when they would Offend.
Jove, in compliance, sent the Crane to Rule,
Who soon devour'd his Subjects of the Pool;
Spar'd neither Age, nor Sex, that he could find,
But to each Subject was alike Unkind.
In vain they Grieve, in vain they Curse his Pow'r,
That hath both Force and Humour to Devour.
Who soon devour'd his Subjects of the Pool;
Spar'd neither Age, nor Sex, that he could find,
But to each Subject was alike Unkind.
In vain they Grieve, in vain they Curse his Pow'r,
That hath both Force and Humour to Devour.
| Aesop at Paris | |