The Works of John Hall-Stevenson :: :: University of Virginia Library

Four powerful Oxen, fat as bacon,
One weigh'd a hundred stone at least,
As brave, for all he was a capon,
As Captain Bull, at a bull-feast;
I mean a Bull with his young bride,
And her bride-maidens, by his side.
These Oxen never could be parted,
Either by foes, or stress of weather;
They neither fear'd, flinch'd, nor started,
When all their horns were clubb'd together:
Even the Lion's roaring pride,
With all his terrors, they defy'd.
Whoever had contriv'd to fat 'em,
Their buttocks look'd so plump and nice,
The Lion fain would have been at 'em,
The Lion long'd for a good slice:

142

But he had sense enough to know,
They did not wear their horns for show.
As to the Lion's knowledge-box,
His headpiece was not worth a rush;
The Lion's chancellor, the Fox,
Had far more knowledge in his brush.
Jackall was sent, the Fox's friend,
To bid the chancellor attend.
A Fox is not a royal treat,
And therefore Reynard might rely on,
Unless he had nothing else to eat,
The word and honour of a Lion.
The Fox perceiv'd, by Jack's report,
Deliver'd with a savoury smell,
That peace and plenty reign'd at court,
That the King's stores were furnish'd well.
On which he set out with Jackall,
Obedient to the Lion's call.
Treated with a most gracious smile,
Instead of a most hearty meal,
They both were thank'd, in the old style,
For their great loyalty and zeal.

143

The royal paw of course was kiss'd,
And Jack purveyor was dismiss'd.
Fox, said the King, weigh well this matter—
Four Oxen are encamp'd hard by,
There never were four eunuchs fatter,
Nor any eunuchs half so sly:
Bestir yourself, my learned chief,
Contrive to put these friends asunder,
If you have any love for beef,
Or any love for lawful plunder.
The fat tid-bits, the choicest meat,
Their lights and livers, tongues, and hearts,
Fall to your Lordship by escheat,
With all their tripes and inward parts.
To work goes Reynard with his brains,
Finds out, and thus harangues our cattle:
The greatest sovereign of the plains,
Offers you peace, or deadly battle.
I am the Lion's plenipo,
His gracious intent I know;
His Majesty had rather far
You should chuse peace, for your own sakes;

144

Whoever is dispos'd for war
Should know the task he undertakes.—
Are you prepar'd to bid defiance,
Against so powerful an alliance?
The King will march with his allies,
Tigers and Leopards in his pay,
With wolves of an enormous size,
Tartars, that only fight for prey;
Unless you banish from your states
That insolent enormous beast,
A brute that every creature hates;
That only lives to cram and feast.
'Tis your own interest, depend on't,
'Tis obvious to common sense;
Declare yourselves quite independent,
Banish your tyrant far from hence.
Extend your trade, encrease your food—
All the King's views are for your good.
By tyranny and usurpations,
To what a bulk the monster's grown!
Whilst you, by bars and limitations,
Must be reduc'd to skin and bone.

145

Many, with looks profound and wise,
To cunning fall a sacrifice;
And thus their chief, by threats and art,
Was driven out and forc'd to run;
Their wisest head, and stoutest heart,
They lost at once, and were undone:
For when their main support was gone,
All four were pick'd up one by one.

Reader, perhaps you are not able
To mark the Actors in the fable:
I do not know, myself, the Fox,
But England is the monstrous Ox:
If you can't guess the other three,
You'll never be inform'd by me.
The Lion is—you'll not guess soon,
A royal house—house of Baboon—
The grand Baboon of Monkey-land
Has the whole house at his command.