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 |
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 | Truth in Fiction |  |
101
BOOK II.
FABLE I. The Lion and Goat:
Or, Advice for Interest.
A hungry
Lion, that observ'd, with Grief,
A Goat, that brouz'd along a rocky Cliff;
Advis'd her, not to take such fruitless Pains,
Who might have better Pasture on the Plains.
The Goat reply'd; Your Counsel, Sir, is good,
But I prefer my Safety to my Food:
The Kindness you in this Advice have shown,
Is not to ease my Hunger, but your own.
A Goat, that brouz'd along a rocky Cliff;
Advis'd her, not to take such fruitless Pains,
Who might have better Pasture on the Plains.
The Goat reply'd; Your Counsel, Sir, is good,
But I prefer my Safety to my Food:
The Kindness you in this Advice have shown,
Is not to ease my Hunger, but your own.
102
The MORAL.
‘False Friends, with plausible Advice, betray‘The easie Fool on whom they hope to prey:
‘While they his Int'rest speciously pretend,
‘Their own Advantage is the secret End.
FABLE II. The Mistress and her Maids:
Or, An Ill Disease, a Worse Remedy.
An aged Huswife, who did many Years,
Divide her Time between her Work, and Pray'rs,
And knew how Idleness enclin'd to Vice,
Made all her Maidens at first Cock-crow rise;
And gave them Tasks to finish e're 'twas Light;
For Sleep, she said, requir'd but half the Night.
Divide her Time between her Work, and Pray'rs,
And knew how Idleness enclin'd to Vice,
Made all her Maidens at first Cock-crow rise;
And gave them Tasks to finish e're 'twas Light;
For Sleep, she said, requir'd but half the Night.
The lazy Baggages, too fond of Bed,
Thought this a very weary Life they led;
And (that they might lie longer still, and sleep)
Destroy'd the Cock, who such ill Hours did keep.
But soon they found their wise Contrivance short;
For what they meant shou'd lengthen, spoil'd their Sport:
Their Dame, not knowing how the Minutes fled,
Call'd them to rise, e're they were warm in Bed.
Thought this a very weary Life they led;
And (that they might lie longer still, and sleep)
Destroy'd the Cock, who such ill Hours did keep.
But soon they found their wise Contrivance short;
For what they meant shou'd lengthen, spoil'd their Sport:
Their Dame, not knowing how the Minutes fled,
Call'd them to rise, e're they were warm in Bed.
103
The MORAL.
‘Thus, from one Evil, Fools to greater run,‘And, by their own Devices, are undone:
‘While they contrive to shun what do's not please,
‘The Remedy proves worse than the Disease:
‘Like botching Workmen, they much Skill pretend,
‘But spoil whate'er they undertake to mend.
FABLE III. The Sow and Bitch:
Or, More Haste, than good Speed.
A
Sow and Bitch, engag'd in warm Dispute,
Whose Womb was most Prolifick in its Fruit:
The Bitch affirm'd, She, each revolving Year,
Did oft'ner, and more num'rous Litters, bear.
The Sow reply'd; Small cause to boast, you find,
For all your haste; you whelp your Puppies blind.
Whose Womb was most Prolifick in its Fruit:
The Bitch affirm'd, She, each revolving Year,
Did oft'ner, and more num'rous Litters, bear.
The Sow reply'd; Small cause to boast, you find,
For all your haste; you whelp your Puppies blind.
The MORAL.
‘Some, in few Months, more bulky Volumes write,‘Than Others in as many Years indite;
104
‘Not from Dispatch, but from Perfection, gain:
‘And Books, that pass too soon the Author's Hand,
‘Too long upon the Seller's Shelves may stand.
FABLE IV. The Pine and Shrubs:
Or, High Stations, insecure.
A lofty
Pine, some humble Shrubs despis'd,
Valu'd his Use, and his Employment pris'd;
Boasted his Height, for which he did deserve
In Princes Navies, and their Courts, to serve;
While the low Brambles, of ignoble Kind,
Were for no Use, unless to burn, design'd.
Valu'd his Use, and his Employment pris'd;
Boasted his Height, for which he did deserve
In Princes Navies, and their Courts, to serve;
While the low Brambles, of ignoble Kind,
Were for no Use, unless to burn, design'd.
The Shrubs reply'd; Tho' you, Exalted Sir,
Insult our Baseness, and your Worth prefer;
Still our Advantages you have forgot,
And what Misfortunes often are your Lot:
When the keen Ax shall your large Trunk invade,
And all your Honour in the Dust is laid;
You will not then our Lowly State abuse,
But wou'd our Meanness, with our Safety, chuse.
Insult our Baseness, and your Worth prefer;
Still our Advantages you have forgot,
And what Misfortunes often are your Lot:
When the keen Ax shall your large Trunk invade,
And all your Honour in the Dust is laid;
You will not then our Lowly State abuse,
But wou'd our Meanness, with our Safety, chuse.
105
The MORAL.
‘Appendant Ills on Lofty Stations wait;‘The Lowly, find a more propitious Fate:
‘These rest secure within their humble Sphere,
‘And, free from Danger, are exempt from Fear:
‘But those, expos'd to ev'ry Tempest's Rage,
‘Feel the Misfortunes which their Fears presage:
‘Their Glory, like a Structure rais'd too high,
‘Soon tumbles down, and always stands awry.
FABLE V. The Mountain in Labour:
Or, A great Cry, and little Wool.
A pregnant
Mountain long had heaving lain,
As if some monstrous Burden caus'd its Pain:
The neighb'ring People, in a deadly fright,
Flock'd round in Crouds to the prodigious Sight:
And while devoutly they Lucina call,
Out creeps a puny Mouse, and shams them all.
As if some monstrous Burden caus'd its Pain:
The neighb'ring People, in a deadly fright,
Flock'd round in Crouds to the prodigious Sight:
And while devoutly they Lucina call,
Out creeps a puny Mouse, and shams them all.
106
The MORAL.
‘Believe not those who great Atchievements boast;‘For they who most pretend, deceive us most.
‘When swelling Words have rais'd our Hope, or Fear,
‘The Passions greater than their Cause appear.
FABLE VI. The Boar and Ass:
Or, Generous Contempt.
A sluggish
Ass, sprung from ignoble Blood,
Had ridicul'd the Vice roy of the Wood.
At which the gen'rous Boar, with brave Disdain,
Gnash'd his sharp Tusks but scorn'd to rage in vain:
More nobly his Resentment was express'd,
While, with this Reprimand, he aw'd the Beast:
Thy Insolencies dire Revenge provoke;
But, Slave, thy Baseness do's divert the Stroke:
Go, and oblig'd to thy own Dulness, live,
Which 'tis more shame to punish, than forgive.
Had ridicul'd the Vice roy of the Wood.
At which the gen'rous Boar, with brave Disdain,
Gnash'd his sharp Tusks but scorn'd to rage in vain:
More nobly his Resentment was express'd,
While, with this Reprimand, he aw'd the Beast:
Thy Insolencies dire Revenge provoke;
But, Slave, thy Baseness do's divert the Stroke:
Go, and oblig'd to thy own Dulness, live,
Which 'tis more shame to punish, than forgive.
The MORAL.
‘When servile Tongues on Men of Worth reflect,‘Their best Resentment is, a slight Neglect.
107
‘To a Revenge, that wou'd disgrace thee more.
FABLE VII. The Lion, and other Beasts:
Or, Unequal Friendships, incompatible.
The Sov'reign Lion, vers'd in State-Intrigue,
Concerted, with the Subject-Beasts, a League,
That they an equal Dividend shou'd make
Of all the Game they cou'd, in Hunting, take.
Abroad they went on their appointed Day,
And soon a lusty Buck became their Prey:
Of which a just Partition being made,
Each took his Share, and on his Shoulders laid.
The Lion, roaring, made his Partners quake,
Who saw the Danger of their gross Mistake:
For tho' he promis'd Each shou'd have his Part,
'Twas not the true Intention of his Heart:
And they who wou'd in Courts securely live,
Shou'd not take all that Princes seem to give.
Concerted, with the Subject-Beasts, a League,
That they an equal Dividend shou'd make
Of all the Game they cou'd, in Hunting, take.
Abroad they went on their appointed Day,
And soon a lusty Buck became their Prey:
Of which a just Partition being made,
Each took his Share, and on his Shoulders laid.
The Lion, roaring, made his Partners quake,
Who saw the Danger of their gross Mistake:
For tho' he promis'd Each shou'd have his Part,
'Twas not the true Intention of his Heart:
And they who wou'd in Courts securely live,
Shou'd not take all that Princes seem to give.
One Share, said he, is mine, as I am Best;
Another, as my Strength exceeds the rest;
A third, because I had the most Fatigue;
A fourth, because—if not,—here ends our League.
This said, they all in silence slunk away;
They did not, for they durst not, disobey.
Another, as my Strength exceeds the rest;
A third, because I had the most Fatigue;
A fourth, because—if not,—here ends our League.
This said, they all in silence slunk away;
They did not, for they durst not, disobey.
108
The MORAL.
‘Poor Men, with Rich, in ill-match'd Friendships join'd,‘Are Gally-Slaves in Golden-Chains confin'd;
‘Who, tho' their Fetters make a splendid Show,
‘Are, at another's Pleasure, bound to Row.
‘The Poor Man, as the Rich direct him, steers;
‘He, hapless Wretch, must have no Will, but theirs;
‘While all the Good his Slavery affords,
‘Is, the bare Smile and Count'nance of his Lords.
‘And tho' the Mighty thus the Mean oppress,
‘They, with less harm, submit, than seek Redress:
‘And, when they have Occasion to Complain,
‘Must Praise the Pow'r whence they the Wrong sustain.
‘Like Flyes with Torches, Subjects deal with Kings;
‘By a too near Approach, they singe their Wings:
‘Free and secure, they at a distance flie;
‘But, if they dally with the Flame, they die.
‘A Prince's Smiles, his Fav'rites shou'd invite
‘T'admire, not grow familiar with, his Light;
‘Lest (as the Sun strikes close Observers blind)
‘In their Encroachment, they their Ruin find.
‘Wou'dst thou, among the Great, in Favour live;
‘The Injuries they do, with Thanks receive:
‘Dissemble Wrongs; seem not their Faults to see;
‘Be thou their Servant, they'll be Friends to thee.
109
FABLE VIII. The Mouse and Frog:
Or, The Miseries of Civil War.
While the small Empire of a Pool they sought,
A Mouse and Frog a bloody Combat fought:
A brandish'd Bull-rush was each Champion's Spear;
Each, for his Target, did a Mushroom bear.
The Fight grew desp'rate, and 'twas hard to find
To which Side Victory seem'd most enclin'd.
The weaker Mouse, from secret Ambuscade,
Did her strong Foe, by Stratagem, invade.
The Frog, whose greater Strength Advantage gain'd,
By open Force the doubtful War maintain'd:
'Till, from aloft the Clouds, a touring Kite
Beheld the Fray, and triumph'd at the Sight:
Then, with a sudden Swoop, (while each, enrag'd,
Regardless of himself, his Foe engag'd)
She seiz'd, and made them both at once her Prey;
And did her Thirst for Blood, and theirs, allay.
A Mouse and Frog a bloody Combat fought:
A brandish'd Bull-rush was each Champion's Spear;
Each, for his Target, did a Mushroom bear.
The Fight grew desp'rate, and 'twas hard to find
To which Side Victory seem'd most enclin'd.
The weaker Mouse, from secret Ambuscade,
Did her strong Foe, by Stratagem, invade.
The Frog, whose greater Strength Advantage gain'd,
By open Force the doubtful War maintain'd:
'Till, from aloft the Clouds, a touring Kite
Beheld the Fray, and triumph'd at the Sight:
Then, with a sudden Swoop, (while each, enrag'd,
Regardless of himself, his Foe engag'd)
She seiz'd, and made them both at once her Prey;
And did her Thirst for Blood, and theirs, allay.
The MORAL.
‘A Fate, like this, contending Factions have,‘Who, seeking Empire, do themselves enslave:
‘While they their Forces, as their Minds, divide,
‘Their Strength is but by halves on either Side;
‘And they, enfeebled by Intestine Broils,
‘Tempt Foreign Powr's to seize their easie Spoils.
110
‘Left Rome Oppress'd, and Cæsar Absolute.
FABLE IX. The Bigamists:
Or, Divided Couples, Joint-Sufferers.
A Man who bury'd one beloved Wife,
And, for her sake, admir'd a Marry'd-Life;
To lose no Time, (whose precious Worth he knew)
Soon took another, and a Widow too.
She led him many weary Nights and Days,
And teaz'd him still with her first Husband's Praise:
While he, resolv'd to fit her in her kind,
As often call'd his former Wife to mind.
One Night it happen'd that, in moody Pet,
She carv'd a Capon, for their Supper set;
And, out of no Compassion to the Poor,
Serv'd with one half a Beggar at the Door;
And with it gave this Charge; Take this half Fowl,
And Pray sometimes for my Dead Husband's Soul.
The Living Husband, to return the Jest,
Call'd back the Man, and gave him all the rest;
With this Injunction too, That all his Life,
He shou'd remember his Departed Wife.
Thus, to upbraid each other with their Dead,
The empty Fools went Supperless to Bed.
And, for her sake, admir'd a Marry'd-Life;
To lose no Time, (whose precious Worth he knew)
Soon took another, and a Widow too.
She led him many weary Nights and Days,
And teaz'd him still with her first Husband's Praise:
While he, resolv'd to fit her in her kind,
As often call'd his former Wife to mind.
One Night it happen'd that, in moody Pet,
She carv'd a Capon, for their Supper set;
And, out of no Compassion to the Poor,
Serv'd with one half a Beggar at the Door;
And with it gave this Charge; Take this half Fowl,
And Pray sometimes for my Dead Husband's Soul.
The Living Husband, to return the Jest,
Call'd back the Man, and gave him all the rest;
111
He shou'd remember his Departed Wife.
Thus, to upbraid each other with their Dead,
The empty Fools went Supperless to Bed.
The MORAL.
‘When Discord sep'rates those whom Heaven had join'd,‘And their One-Flesh grows diff'rently enclin'd,
‘They still like this unhappy Couple act;
‘Ruin their Fortunes, and their Minds distract:
‘While each, to vex the other, grows Profuse,
‘They both themselves to equal Want reduce.
‘Husband and Wife, in their Conjunction, seem
‘Like Oxen yoak'd together in a Team:
‘If they together draw, they still improve;
‘But still lose Ground, if diff'rent Ways they move.
112
FABLE X. The Sick Lion and Fox:
Or, No Halting before Cripples.
The
Lion, seiz'd with Sickness, took his Bed;
And now the Beasts no more his Fury dread:
They all to him officious Visits pay;
Only mis-doubting Reynard kept away.
To him the Prince a Letter Missive sent,
With Invitations, full of Compliment;
Told him, No Company like his did please,
Or cou'd so much contribute to his Ease;
Pray'd him to come, and bid him fear no Harm;
For now his Weakness did his Rage disarm.
The Fox return'd; He wish'd his royal Health,
With long encrease, alike, of Years, and Wealth;
For which with Heav'n he all his Int'rest us'd;
But, for a Visit, pray'd to be excus'd:
He cou'd not yet dismiss his former Awe,
Too much alarm'd by what he daily saw:
For Tracts of Beasts, into his Den, were plain,
But none appear'd, of coming out again:
By which he guess'd, that all who thither went,
Were, on his Errand, a long Journey sent.
And now the Beasts no more his Fury dread:
They all to him officious Visits pay;
Only mis-doubting Reynard kept away.
To him the Prince a Letter Missive sent,
With Invitations, full of Compliment;
Told him, No Company like his did please,
Or cou'd so much contribute to his Ease;
Pray'd him to come, and bid him fear no Harm;
For now his Weakness did his Rage disarm.
The Fox return'd; He wish'd his royal Health,
With long encrease, alike, of Years, and Wealth;
For which with Heav'n he all his Int'rest us'd;
But, for a Visit, pray'd to be excus'd:
He cou'd not yet dismiss his former Awe,
Too much alarm'd by what he daily saw:
For Tracts of Beasts, into his Den, were plain,
But none appear'd, of coming out again:
By which he guess'd, that all who thither went,
Were, on his Errand, a long Journey sent.
The MORAL.
‘Let not fair Words, which sly Dissemblers give,‘Thy too secure Credulity deceive;
113
‘Their Actions best will their Intentions shew.
‘Learn to distrust: He who suspects a Cheat,
‘Escapes all Cheats, and triumphs o'er Deceit.
FABLE XI. The Lapwing:
Or, Honour Misplaced.
The
Eagle did his Feather'd-Subjects Treat,
And gave each Quality its proper Seat:
But all the Guests express'd a high Disgust,
To see the Lapwing next their Sov'raign thrust;
Who only was for his Crown'd Head preferr'd,
Tho' Mire and Filth the Sloven's Feet besmear'd.
And gave each Quality its proper Seat:
But all the Guests express'd a high Disgust,
To see the Lapwing next their Sov'raign thrust;
Who only was for his Crown'd Head preferr'd,
Tho' Mire and Filth the Sloven's Feet besmear'd.
The MORAL.
‘The Undiscerning most Regard express‘For a Gay Out-side, and a Gaudy Dress:
‘But Wiser Men, who dive into the Mind,
‘And its Deformities, or Beauties, find;
114
‘And most the Garment, for the Lining, prise.
FABLE XII. The Negro:
Or, Labour in Vain.
A shallow 'Squire, who had a Negro bought,
His Sooty Face too long neglected thought;
And, in great hope to make him White and Fair,
Had him well Scour'd with wond'rous Pains and Care:
But spent his Labour, Soap, and Time, in vain;
The Native Black, did still a Black remain.
His Sooty Face too long neglected thought;
And, in great hope to make him White and Fair,
Had him well Scour'd with wond'rous Pains and Care:
But spent his Labour, Soap, and Time, in vain;
The Native Black, did still a Black remain.
The MORAL.
‘The Characters that Nature has impress'd,‘Keep their primæval Stamp on ev'ry Breast;
‘And he that wou'd, what's printed there, erase,
‘As well might hope to blanch a Negro's Face.
‘No Pow'r an Innate Quality can sway,
‘That to its Native Bent will force its Way:
115
‘Recurrs with more impetuous Violence.
FABLE XIII. The Kid and Wolf:
Or, Safe and Saucy.
A
Kid, that in a Citadel was fed,
As o'er the Rampart once he rais'd his Head,
Observ'd a raw-bon'd Wolf pass gently by,
And, with loud Taunts, revil'd his Enemy.
The patient Wolf (who knew that strong Defence
Encourag'd such unus'al Insolence)
With Scorn, reply'd, Your Slights are not Disgrace;
For 'tis not You insult me, 'tis the Place.
As o'er the Rampart once he rais'd his Head,
Observ'd a raw-bon'd Wolf pass gently by,
And, with loud Taunts, revil'd his Enemy.
The patient Wolf (who knew that strong Defence
Encourag'd such unus'al Insolence)
With Scorn, reply'd, Your Slights are not Disgrace;
For 'tis not You insult me, 'tis the Place.
The MORAL.
‘Safety gives Insolence to ev'ry Slave;‘And Cowards, when secure, insult the Brave;
‘Who, with Contempt, the bold Affronts receive,
‘Which those, unless protected, durst not give.
116
FABLE XIV. The Leopard and Fox:
Or, Intrinsick Beauty best.
A
Leopard, for his outward Beauty, pris'd
Himself, and all his fellow-Beasts despis'd.
A wiser Fox, that did his Pride disdain,
Advis'd the Creature not to be so vain;
And told him, 'Tis not in a specious Skin
True Worth consists, but Ornaments within:
Why then shou'dst thou, conceited Fop, said he,
For thy gay Cloathing, look a-skue on me?
Heav'n, that this Out-side has to thee assign'd,
Gives me th' Advantage of a fairer Mind.
Himself, and all his fellow-Beasts despis'd.
A wiser Fox, that did his Pride disdain,
Advis'd the Creature not to be so vain;
And told him, 'Tis not in a specious Skin
True Worth consists, but Ornaments within:
Why then shou'dst thou, conceited Fop, said he,
For thy gay Cloathing, look a-skue on me?
Heav'n, that this Out-side has to thee assign'd,
Gives me th' Advantage of a fairer Mind.
The MORAL.
‘Exterior Charms, and superficial Grace,‘To the rich Ornament of Mind give Place:
‘For Chances may, and Age will, those impair,
‘But these, immortal as their Subject are.
117
FABLE XV. The Hawks and Doves:
Or, When Thieves Fall out, Honest Men Thrive.
The
Hawks Fall'n out, in Civil War engage,
And on each other vent their deadly Rage:
While the less Birds, no more restrain'd by Fear,
Enjoy the Freedom of their Native Air:
'Till (griev'd to see their bloody Feuds encrease)
The mediating Doves procure a Peace.
The Hawks, thus reconcil'd, new Broils concert,
And on the weaker Flocks their Force divert;
But treat the Doves at the severest Rate,
Who own'd, their Folly did deserve the Fate.
And on each other vent their deadly Rage:
While the less Birds, no more restrain'd by Fear,
Enjoy the Freedom of their Native Air:
'Till (griev'd to see their bloody Feuds encrease)
The mediating Doves procure a Peace.
The Hawks, thus reconcil'd, new Broils concert,
And on the weaker Flocks their Force divert;
But treat the Doves at the severest Rate,
Who own'd, their Folly did deserve the Fate.
The MORAL.
‘Men, who litigious Neighbours reconcile,‘Oft', by such Measures, do themselves embroil:
‘For Knaves, who love in Brangles to engage,
‘On one or other will discharge their Rage:
‘And Honest Men can only then be free,
‘When Villains, that disturb them, disagree.
118
FABLE XVI. The Mourning Wife:
Or, Self-Love most prevalent.
A virtuous Wife, who did her Husband prise
Above all Objects else that pleas'd her Eyes,
Found, by his Sickness, all her Joys allay'd:
So soon do Flow'rs of worldly Pleasures fade.
She Sigh'd, she Wept, and made continual Moan,
And, to redeem his Life, wou'd give her own.
Grim Death appear'd, the Ransom to demand,
And put the frighted Lady to a Stand:
Her hasty Offer she did soon repent,
And thought she strain'd too far the Compliment:
Wisely consid'ring, (tho' the Fate was hard)
Since one must die, he might as well be spar'd:
And she, who did for her Old Mate complain,
Might, by a New, be comforted again.
Since then to either Choice she must be forc'd,
And from her Husband, or the World, divorc'd;
To part with him, she rather did encline,
And not so soon her own sweet Life resign.
Resolv'd on this, she gently Death bespoke;
Take heed you do not mis-direct your Stroke:
You see I am not in the way to die;
'Tis my poor Husband there, is sick, not I;
And tho' I gladly his Reprieve wou'd get,
I cannot think of making Worms-meat yet.
Above all Objects else that pleas'd her Eyes,
Found, by his Sickness, all her Joys allay'd:
So soon do Flow'rs of worldly Pleasures fade.
She Sigh'd, she Wept, and made continual Moan,
And, to redeem his Life, wou'd give her own.
Grim Death appear'd, the Ransom to demand,
And put the frighted Lady to a Stand:
Her hasty Offer she did soon repent,
And thought she strain'd too far the Compliment:
Wisely consid'ring, (tho' the Fate was hard)
Since one must die, he might as well be spar'd:
And she, who did for her Old Mate complain,
Might, by a New, be comforted again.
Since then to either Choice she must be forc'd,
And from her Husband, or the World, divorc'd;
To part with him, she rather did encline,
And not so soon her own sweet Life resign.
Resolv'd on this, she gently Death bespoke;
Take heed you do not mis-direct your Stroke:
You see I am not in the way to die;
'Tis my poor Husband there, is sick, not I;
And tho' I gladly his Reprieve wou'd get,
I cannot think of making Worms-meat yet.
119
The MORAL.
‘Few Men their Friends to such excess adore,‘But that their Value for themselves is more:
‘Self-Love outweighs what else they hold most dear;
‘The Skin is nearer, tho' the Shirt be near.
FABLE XVII. The Geese, Cranes, and Stork:
Or, An equal Guilt, deserves an equal Punishment.
Some
Geese and Cranes (a most pernicious Breed
To new-sown Ground) devour'd a Farmer's Seed:
He pitch'd his Net, and with successful Work,
Took them, and, in their Company, a Stork.
She begg'd the injur'd Hind to let her loose,
And pleaded, She was neither Crane nor Goose;
But a rare Bird, with noble Parts endu'd,
And fam'd for filial Love, and Gratitude.
To new-sown Ground) devour'd a Farmer's Seed:
He pitch'd his Net, and with successful Work,
Took them, and, in their Company, a Stork.
She begg'd the injur'd Hind to let her loose,
And pleaded, She was neither Crane nor Goose;
But a rare Bird, with noble Parts endu'd,
And fam'd for filial Love, and Gratitude.
The Man reply'd; This I already know;
Love your good Qualities, and praise them too:
But, since you did with these Transgressors flie,
Your Guilt's alike, and you alike must die.
Love your good Qualities, and praise them too:
But, since you did with these Transgressors flie,
Your Guilt's alike, and you alike must die.
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The MORAL.
‘He that does Ill, and he that gives Consent,‘Justly deserve an equal Punishment:
‘For Accessories to a lawless Act,
‘Incur like Guilt with those who do the Fact.
‘They boast their noble Qualities in vain,
‘When base Confed'racies their Merit stain.
FABLE XVIII. The Jealous Husband:
Or, No Watch for a Woman.
A doating
Husband, Jealous of his Wife,
For the loose Conduct of her airy Life;
His own, and her Dishonour, to prevent,
To a try'd Friend the Wanton Lady sent;
Profusely promising a large Reward,
If he wou'd so the Fairy-Treasure guard,
That no Contrivance might his Caution mock,
And no False-Key the Cabinet unlock.
For the loose Conduct of her airy Life;
His own, and her Dishonour, to prevent,
To a try'd Friend the Wanton Lady sent;
Profusely promising a large Reward,
If he wou'd so the Fairy-Treasure guard,
That no Contrivance might his Caution mock,
And no False-Key the Cabinet unlock.
His Friend (in ev'ry Instance kind and just)
Accepted, and was faithful to the Trust;
But found The Task wou'd baffle all his Care,
To Watch a Woman, volatil as Air;
Who did so nicely her Intrigues refine,
No Eye or Thought cou'd pierce the close Design.
For when a Woman to Deflection leans,
What do's incite the Will, procures the Means:
Or, shou'd her Body be restrain'd from Sin,
What she wou'd be without, she is within.
This made the Guardian weary of his Charge,
Who, maugre his Inspection, liv'd at large:
And he, good Man (whose Faith cou'd not dispense
To please her Latitudinarian Sense)
Desir'd her Husband wou'd, for both their Ease,
Him from his Trust, her from her Guard, release;
For her Lewd Wiles wou'd baulk a thousand Spies,
Tho' all, like Argus, were stuck round with Eyes.
He added too, He wish'd to be preferr'd
Rather a Drove of whiffling Fleas to herd,
Lead them to feed, and bring them back to sleep;
Than one versute Contriving Woman keep.
Accepted, and was faithful to the Trust;
But found The Task wou'd baffle all his Care,
To Watch a Woman, volatil as Air;
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No Eye or Thought cou'd pierce the close Design.
For when a Woman to Deflection leans,
What do's incite the Will, procures the Means:
Or, shou'd her Body be restrain'd from Sin,
What she wou'd be without, she is within.
This made the Guardian weary of his Charge,
Who, maugre his Inspection, liv'd at large:
And he, good Man (whose Faith cou'd not dispense
To please her Latitudinarian Sense)
Desir'd her Husband wou'd, for both their Ease,
Him from his Trust, her from her Guard, release;
For her Lewd Wiles wou'd baulk a thousand Spies,
Tho' all, like Argus, were stuck round with Eyes.
He added too, He wish'd to be preferr'd
Rather a Drove of whiffling Fleas to herd,
Lead them to feed, and bring them back to sleep;
Than one versute Contriving Woman keep.
The MORAL.
‘Thus a Lewd Woman is confin'd in vain,‘No Guards, or Spies, can her Designs restrain:
‘Like Jugglers, she (too nimble for our Eyes)
‘With Slight of Thought, our Caution do's surprise.
‘If Freedom cannot keep her innocent,
‘Restriction less will her light Shifts prevent:
‘That eggs her on to the Forbidden-Meat,
‘And when she Wills it, she finds Means to eat.
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FABLE XIX. The Geese and Cranes:
Or, Poverty and Security.
Some
Geese and Cranes, by tempting Plenty led,
Chose a rich Field, and at Discretion fed;
'Till, by the noisie Cacklings which they made,
Their Haunt was to the injur'd Hind betray'd:
He soon attack'd them; but the Cranes were light,
And shun'd his Fury, by an easie Flight:
While, by their weight, the Geese retarded, stay,
And, with their Lives, for all the Trespass pay.
Chose a rich Field, and at Discretion fed;
'Till, by the noisie Cacklings which they made,
Their Haunt was to the injur'd Hind betray'd:
He soon attack'd them; but the Cranes were light,
And shun'd his Fury, by an easie Flight:
While, by their weight, the Geese retarded, stay,
And, with their Lives, for all the Trespass pay.
The MORAL.
‘The Rich, by Fortune too much pamper'd, owe‘Their Ruin to the Bulk to which they grow:
‘While Wealth's bright Charms invite the Plund'rer's Rape,
‘Its gross Incumbrance hinders an Escape:
‘But Poor Men find, in Indigence, Relief,
‘Their Nothing, baulks the Tyrant and the Thief.
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FABLE XX. The Fowler and Birds:
Or, Something has some Savour.
An eager Fowler, big with hopes of Luck,
Had spread his Nets, and all his Lime-twigs stuck;
And largely scatter'd the deluding Bait,
To tempt the Birds the sooner to their Fate.
A little Flock to the Refection flew;
But those he scorn'd, and thought they were too few:
When they had fill'd themselves, they took their flight,
And soon another Party did alight.
The greedy Fool, expecting better Prey,
Let them too unmolested fly away.
All Day he waited thus, and cou'd not find
A Number suited to his boundless Mind:
At last, when tir'd, and Night was drawing on,
And all the well-fed Birds to Roost were gone;
He saw his Hopes deceiv'd, when they were fled,
And thought it time he too shou'd go to Bed:
Then drew his Nets, in order to retire,
And found but one poor Finch his whole Day's Hire.
Had spread his Nets, and all his Lime-twigs stuck;
And largely scatter'd the deluding Bait,
To tempt the Birds the sooner to their Fate.
A little Flock to the Refection flew;
But those he scorn'd, and thought they were too few:
When they had fill'd themselves, they took their flight,
And soon another Party did alight.
The greedy Fool, expecting better Prey,
Let them too unmolested fly away.
All Day he waited thus, and cou'd not find
A Number suited to his boundless Mind:
At last, when tir'd, and Night was drawing on,
And all the well-fed Birds to Roost were gone;
He saw his Hopes deceiv'd, when they were fled,
And thought it time he too shou'd go to Bed:
Then drew his Nets, in order to retire,
And found but one poor Finch his whole Day's Hire.
The MORAL.
‘They who sure Profit slight, because but small,‘Arrive at Wealth but rarely, if at all:
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‘That many Units to a Sum amount:
‘And when those Littles in a Bulk unite,
‘The Purse grows heavy, tho' the Gains were light.
FABLE XXI. The Corrupt Judge:
Or, Ill gotten, Ill gone.
A
Judge, whose biass'd Hand, by Brib'ry sway'd,
The Scales of Justice oft' unequal made;
When sentenc'd to refund his ill-got Gain;
What he with Pleasure took, return'd with Pain.
One that observ'd his Lordship fume and fret,
Made this Remark on his extream Regret:
The Scales of Justice oft' unequal made;
When sentenc'd to refund his ill-got Gain;
What he with Pleasure took, return'd with Pain.
One that observ'd his Lordship fume and fret,
Made this Remark on his extream Regret:
How like the Female-Sex our Judge appears,
Conceives in Transports, but Brings forth in Tears.
Conceives in Transports, but Brings forth in Tears.
The MORAL.
‘The Wretches, whose brib'd Hands Corruption fouls,‘And casts a deeper Sullage o'er their Souls;
‘Small Pleasure in their vile Acquests shall take,
‘Which they must leave, or which will them forsake.
‘Heav'n will not let them long enjoy the Gain
‘Which, by perverting Justice, they obtain:
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‘They shall as ill, with Terror, quit at last.
‘So Gluttons, who beyond Repletion eat,
‘And clog their Stomachs with Excess of Meat,
‘Find nauseous Crudities their Entrails burn;
‘And what they took with joy, with grief return.
FABLE XXII. The Curr and Ox:
Or, Dog in Manger.
A hard-wrought
Ox, that scarce had time to eat,
Came to the Crib, to snatch a Chew of Meat:
But a cross Messen, that beneath it lay,
With envious snarling, drove him from the Hay.
To whom the Ox; A Rope your fortune be,
Who will not eat your self, nor suffer me!
Came to the Crib, to snatch a Chew of Meat:
But a cross Messen, that beneath it lay,
With envious snarling, drove him from the Hay.
To whom the Ox; A Rope your fortune be,
Who will not eat your self, nor suffer me!
The MORAL.
‘Ill Men repine at what the Good enjoy,‘And wou'd the Bliss, deny'd themselves, destroy:
‘Worth they malign; and labour to impair
‘What their base Souls allow them not to share.
‘And may they still that Virtue see, with Pain,
‘Which, tho' they envy, they neglect to gain.
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FABLE XXIII. The Miser and his Bags:
Or, Parsimony makes Prodigals.
A
Miser, whose insatiate Thirst of Gain
No Store cou'd satisfie, no Bounds restrain;
Who still, amidst his Affluence, was poor,
And, as his Wealth encreas'd, still grasp'd at more:
Was call'd, by Death, to quit his darling Hoord,
Since he wou'd none for Life's Support afford.
The Wretch, alarm'd thereat, did sadly weep,
And thus took leave of what he cou'd not keep:
No Store cou'd satisfie, no Bounds restrain;
Who still, amidst his Affluence, was poor,
And, as his Wealth encreas'd, still grasp'd at more:
Was call'd, by Death, to quit his darling Hoord,
Since he wou'd none for Life's Support afford.
The Wretch, alarm'd thereat, did sadly weep,
And thus took leave of what he cou'd not keep:
Tell me, dear Gold, Tell me, my precious Store,
Whom thou must please, when I shall be no more?
Whom thou must please, when I shall be no more?
We, said the Bags, shall please your joyful Heir,
(Who will in Riot waste what you did spare:)
Nor him alone; but the Infernal Pow'rs;
Who, by our Means, will have his Soul, and yours.
(Who will in Riot waste what you did spare:)
Nor him alone; but the Infernal Pow'rs;
Who, by our Means, will have his Soul, and yours.
The MORAL.
‘In vain we labour for such useless Gains
‘As we allow not to reward our Pains:
‘In vain, while others our Acquests possess,
‘Encrease our Torments for their Happiness.
‘As we allow not to reward our Pains:
‘In vain, while others our Acquests possess,
‘Encrease our Torments for their Happiness.
‘He who denies himself what Nature craves,
‘Loses the Benefit of what he saves:
‘And what the pinching Father dares not use,
‘Supplies the Son with Means to live profuse.
‘Thus both, their Talents diff'rent Ways mis-spend,
‘But meet and centre in one fatal End.
‘Loses the Benefit of what he saves:
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‘Supplies the Son with Means to live profuse.
‘Thus both, their Talents diff'rent Ways mis-spend,
‘But meet and centre in one fatal End.
FABLE XXIV. The Lion and Horse:
Or, The Dissembler Out-done.
A hungry
Lion wou'd a Horse devour,
But Age had weaken'd, and restrain'd his Pow'r:
The Politician, since his Strength did fail,
By Stratagem endeavour'd to prevail:
Himself an eminent Physician feign'd,
And with long Cant his Hearers entertain'd.
The Horse, of his Design suspicious grows,
Do's Art to Art, and Fraud to Fraud, oppose;
Pretends, a Thorn had lately prick'd his Hoof,
And of the Doctor's Skill desires a Proof:
Who soon consents, but soon his Error feels,
He found the Horse too well cou'd use his Heels:
With them he struck the Lion almost dead;
With them, from his pursuing Vengeance fled.
Rewarded thus, his ill Success he mourn'd,
But own'd, his Falshood justly was return'd.
But Age had weaken'd, and restrain'd his Pow'r:
The Politician, since his Strength did fail,
By Stratagem endeavour'd to prevail:
Himself an eminent Physician feign'd,
And with long Cant his Hearers entertain'd.
The Horse, of his Design suspicious grows,
Do's Art to Art, and Fraud to Fraud, oppose;
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And of the Doctor's Skill desires a Proof:
Who soon consents, but soon his Error feels,
He found the Horse too well cou'd use his Heels:
With them he struck the Lion almost dead;
With them, from his pursuing Vengeance fled.
Rewarded thus, his ill Success he mourn'd,
But own'd, his Falshood justly was return'd.
The MORAL.
‘Dissemblers often desp'rate Hazards run,‘By those they sham, in their own Arts out-done:
‘While they for others secret Traps prepare,
‘They fall into an undiscover'd Snare.
‘'Tis just, Delusion shou'd that Service pay,
‘Which, by Delusion, others wou'd betray.
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FABLE XXV. The Shepherd's Boy:
Or, A Lyar not Credited.
A wanton
Boy, that kept his Master's Flock,
The Neighbours Care and Kindness us'd to mock:
Often he cry'd, The Wolf! The Wolf is come!
And brought the friendly Villagers from Home.
When still they came, well arm'd, the Folds to guard,
They found no Wolf, but the abusive 'Herd.
Thus oft' deluded, they observ'd no more
His Cry, but let him, unregarded, roar:
At last, the Wolf attack'd the Folds indeed;
The Boy cry'd out; the People gave no heed:
They were so oft', by false Alarms, deceiv'd,
They thought he was not fit to be believ'd.
The Neighbours Care and Kindness us'd to mock:
Often he cry'd, The Wolf! The Wolf is come!
And brought the friendly Villagers from Home.
When still they came, well arm'd, the Folds to guard,
They found no Wolf, but the abusive 'Herd.
Thus oft' deluded, they observ'd no more
His Cry, but let him, unregarded, roar:
At last, the Wolf attack'd the Folds indeed;
The Boy cry'd out; the People gave no heed:
They were so oft', by false Alarms, deceiv'd,
They thought he was not fit to be believ'd.
The MORAL.
‘A noted Lyar meets this due Reward,‘That his Reports, tho' true, find no Regard:
‘To gain Belief, he must to Strangers go;
‘For none will trust him, who his Falshood know:
‘But try'd Veracity no Voucher needs,
‘None scruple to believe what thence proceeds.
‘Their own Credentials true Men recommend,
‘And we on them, as Oracles depend.
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FABLE XXVI. The Shepherd's Dog:
Or, Trust betray'd.
A
Dog, entrusted with his Master's Sheep,
And highly fed, the stricter Watch to keep;
Not so contented, did his Trust betray,
And on the Flock, he shou'd have guarded, prey.
His Master, angry at so base a Slur,
Justly resolv'd to hang the treach'rous Curr.
The Dog alledg'd, He shou'd his Menial spare,
And for the Wolf that Scene of Death prepare.
The Master answer'd, He's declar'd my Foe,
And acts as I expect a Wolf wou'd do:
But you, in whom I have repos'd my Trust,
Deserve worse Treatment, since you prove Unjust:
While specious Shews of Friendship you pretend,
You worry those I keep you to defend:
This makes Resentment overcome my Grief;
Tho' I lament the Dog, I'll hang the Thief.
And highly fed, the stricter Watch to keep;
Not so contented, did his Trust betray,
And on the Flock, he shou'd have guarded, prey.
His Master, angry at so base a Slur,
Justly resolv'd to hang the treach'rous Curr.
The Dog alledg'd, He shou'd his Menial spare,
And for the Wolf that Scene of Death prepare.
The Master answer'd, He's declar'd my Foe,
And acts as I expect a Wolf wou'd do:
But you, in whom I have repos'd my Trust,
Deserve worse Treatment, since you prove Unjust:
While specious Shews of Friendship you pretend,
You worry those I keep you to defend:
This makes Resentment overcome my Grief;
Tho' I lament the Dog, I'll hang the Thief.
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The MORAL.
‘Where Men an open Enmity declare,‘We Wrongs from them, with less Resentment, bear:
‘But where, with Shews of Friendship, they deceive,
‘'Tis more than human Patience can forgive:
‘And a Foe shelter'd in a seeming Friend,
‘Deserves a Halter shou'd his Treach'ry end:
‘For Enemies profess'd, with ease we shun;
‘'Tis the False Friend by whom we are undone.
FABLE XXVII. Jupiter and the Serpent:
Or, Sinners Sacrifice rejected.
Jove
, pleas'd to celebrate his Nuptial Feast,
Made ev'ry Animal a welcome Guest:
And each, as his Ability allow'd,
Some grateful Present on the God bestow'd.
Among the Croud the pois'nous Serpent went,
And to his Godship did a Rose present.
Offended at her Sight, he turn'd aside,
And her disdain'd Oblation thus deny'd;
Tho' I with Pleasure other Off'rings take,
Thy Gift is slighted for the Giver's sake.
Made ev'ry Animal a welcome Guest:
And each, as his Ability allow'd,
Some grateful Present on the God bestow'd.
Among the Croud the pois'nous Serpent went,
And to his Godship did a Rose present.
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And her disdain'd Oblation thus deny'd;
Tho' I with Pleasure other Off'rings take,
Thy Gift is slighted for the Giver's sake.
The MORAL.
‘No Gifts from Men of base Designs receive,‘For Treach'ry lurks in ev'ry thing they give:
‘And Wise Men, who beyond Appearance look,
‘Beneath the specious Bait perceive the Hook.
‘Heav'n do's Oblations from ill Men despise,
‘And, as their Crimes, detests their Sacrifice;
‘Abhors the Incense whose deceitful Smoak
‘Is rais'd, their blacker Villanies to cloak.
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FABLE XXVIII. The new Cardinal:
Or, The Clerk forgets he was a Sexton.
A Man of Sense and Manners, gladly heard
His Friend was to a Card'nal's Hat preferr'd;
And that he might his Rise congratulate,
Went to admire, and to encrease his State.
But his new Eminence, with haughty Grace,
Seem'd not to know, and ask'd him who he was.
To whom his Friend made this jocose Return;
My Lord, your high Preferment makes me mourn:
Since you in this exalted Station set,
Your old Acquaintance, and your self, forget.
His Friend was to a Card'nal's Hat preferr'd;
And that he might his Rise congratulate,
Went to admire, and to encrease his State.
But his new Eminence, with haughty Grace,
Seem'd not to know, and ask'd him who he was.
To whom his Friend made this jocose Return;
My Lord, your high Preferment makes me mourn:
Since you in this exalted Station set,
Your old Acquaintance, and your self, forget.
The MORAL.
‘The Proud, whose Minds do with their Fortunes rise,‘Their former State, and former Friends, despise:
‘Nor shou'd we wonder they to both are strange;
‘For Men their Manners, as their Stations, change:
‘And, when advanc'd, on others look a-skue,
‘Who, they are sensible, their Meanness knew.
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FABLE XXIX. The Knight and his Lady:
Or, Vice corrects Sin.
A
Knight, by Birth, and ample Fortune, great,
Whose outward Happiness appear'd compleat;
To these rich Blessings had a base Allay,
A shrewd ill Wife, that plagu'd him Night and Day.
This Lady, with a seeming Zeal for Heav'n,
Was very much to her Devotion given:
But more with her Confessor's Comforts pleas'd,
With him her Conscience rather clogg'd, than eas'd:
To him, who knew her Secrets but too well,
She still, good Soul! had some new Sin to tell:
Tho' 'twas her real Bus'ness to make known
Her Husband's Failings, and encrease her own.
The Holy Father, whom Compassion mov'd,
With wont Authority the Knight reprov'd;
And, at his Wife's importunate Request,
Enjoin'd him soon to come and be Confess'd:
That Penance done, and Absolution giv'n,
He might be reconcil'd to her and Heav'n.
The Knight, who durst not disobey Command,
Unless he wou'd the Church's Thunder stand,
Next Day to the Confessionary went,
In Posture of an humble Penitent:
But kneeling mute, the grave Impostor cry'd,
Discover all your Sins, and nothing hide!
The Knight reply'd, In vain your ill-mask'd Zeal
Requires I shou'd, what you well know, reveal:
You need not, Rev'rend Sir, my Faults explore,
My Wife has often told you all, and more.
Whose outward Happiness appear'd compleat;
To these rich Blessings had a base Allay,
A shrewd ill Wife, that plagu'd him Night and Day.
This Lady, with a seeming Zeal for Heav'n,
Was very much to her Devotion given:
But more with her Confessor's Comforts pleas'd,
With him her Conscience rather clogg'd, than eas'd:
To him, who knew her Secrets but too well,
She still, good Soul! had some new Sin to tell:
Tho' 'twas her real Bus'ness to make known
Her Husband's Failings, and encrease her own.
The Holy Father, whom Compassion mov'd,
With wont Authority the Knight reprov'd;
And, at his Wife's importunate Request,
Enjoin'd him soon to come and be Confess'd:
That Penance done, and Absolution giv'n,
He might be reconcil'd to her and Heav'n.
The Knight, who durst not disobey Command,
Unless he wou'd the Church's Thunder stand,
Next Day to the Confessionary went,
In Posture of an humble Penitent:
But kneeling mute, the grave Impostor cry'd,
Discover all your Sins, and nothing hide!
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Requires I shou'd, what you well know, reveal:
You need not, Rev'rend Sir, my Faults explore,
My Wife has often told you all, and more.
The MORAL.
‘They who, with false Pretence of Zeal, reflect‘On others Vices, and their Faults correct;
‘Yet labour under greater of their own,
‘And blush not at the Crimes they act unknown:
‘When once discover'd through the thin Disguise,
‘Meet just Reproof for their Hypocrisies;
‘They find the heavy Censures they inflict,
‘Strongly retorted, and themselves convict.
FABLE XXX. The Horse and Ass:
Or, Many Hands make light Work.
A Carrier, that along the Road did pass,
Drove a light Horse, and an o'er-loaded Ass.
The Ass, with his excessive Burden tir'd,
The Horse's Help to bear a Part desir'd:
But he so long the poor Request deny'd,
That the o'er-burden'd Ass fell down, and dy'd.
The Carrier soon remov'd the weighty Pack,
And laid it on the churlish Horse's Back;
Then flea'd the Ass, whom Death from Pain releas'd,
And, with his Hide, the heavy Load encreas'd.
The Horse, oppress'd, thus to his Master cry'd,
I am deserv'dly punish'd for my Pride:
I, who refus'd to bear a Part before,
Am now condemn'd to carry All, and more.
Drove a light Horse, and an o'er-loaded Ass.
The Ass, with his excessive Burden tir'd,
The Horse's Help to bear a Part desir'd:
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That the o'er-burden'd Ass fell down, and dy'd.
The Carrier soon remov'd the weighty Pack,
And laid it on the churlish Horse's Back;
Then flea'd the Ass, whom Death from Pain releas'd,
And, with his Hide, the heavy Load encreas'd.
The Horse, oppress'd, thus to his Master cry'd,
I am deserv'dly punish'd for my Pride:
I, who refus'd to bear a Part before,
Am now condemn'd to carry All, and more.
The MORAL.
‘When many Shoulders do a Load sustain,‘No one finds just occasion to complain:
‘The Weight to All is light and easie made,
‘But sinks the Wretch on whom 'tis wholly laid.
‘They who, unmov'd, see Fate their Friends oppress,
‘And will not give them Succour in Distress;
‘May, by that Slight, be brought to want Relief,
‘When they are sunk with more oppressive Grief.
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FABLE XXXI. The Collier and Fuller:
Or, A Man known by his Company.
A sooty
Collier farm'd a House too large;
And, that he might be eas'd of half the Charge,
Desir'd a cleanly Fuller wou'd consent
To be Joint-Partner in the Tenement.
The prudent Fuller modestly refus'd
His Offer, and desir'd to be excus'd:
For Friend, said he, my Neighbourhood with you,
Wou'd spoil my Work, and Reputation too:
For what my Art do's Whiten, wou'd be made
As Smutty as the Coals in which you trade.
And, that he might be eas'd of half the Charge,
Desir'd a cleanly Fuller wou'd consent
To be Joint-Partner in the Tenement.
The prudent Fuller modestly refus'd
His Offer, and desir'd to be excus'd:
For Friend, said he, my Neighbourhood with you,
Wou'd spoil my Work, and Reputation too:
For what my Art do's Whiten, wou'd be made
As Smutty as the Coals in which you trade.
The MORAL.
‘With cautious heed beware with whom you sort,‘For thence proceeds all good or ill Report:
‘The World, that sees who your Associates are,
‘Will, from their Credit, make your Character.
‘If with the Vicious you mis-spend your Hours,
‘Their sully'd Fame will quickly blacken yours.
‘Mankind, that Things by Common Course respects,
‘And knows, One tainted Sheep the Flock infects,
‘Will judge your Morals hardly can be sound,
‘While with your loose, debauch'd Companions found.
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‘Must pass Probation, e're admitted Home;
‘So they who live in Vice's pois'nous Air,
‘Waken the Virtuous, and alarm their Care;
‘And e're they can their good Opinion gain,
‘Must undergo a tedious Quarantain.
FABLE XXXII. The Nut-Tree and Lady:
Or, The Inquisitor silenc'd.
A glib-tong'd
Dame, who Silence never lov'd,
And very much her babling self approv'd;
In Woods and Groves was often pleas'd to walk,
Where, to the Trees, she cou'd with freedom talk:
As she her us'al Tour one Evening made,
To give her Clack a Loose to its old Trade;
She ask'd a Wall-nut-Tree that fac'd the Road,
Why there he chose to settle his Abode,
Where he with Sticks and Stones was thumpt and bruis'd,
And yet, when batter'd most, most Fruit produc'd?
The serious Tree (that rather wou'd dispense
With that Abuse, than her Impertinence)
Reply'd, Is yet the Proverb strange to you,
Which sure Experience has long since prov'd true?
And very much her babling self approv'd;
In Woods and Groves was often pleas'd to walk,
Where, to the Trees, she cou'd with freedom talk:
As she her us'al Tour one Evening made,
To give her Clack a Loose to its old Trade;
She ask'd a Wall-nut-Tree that fac'd the Road,
Why there he chose to settle his Abode,
Where he with Sticks and Stones was thumpt and bruis'd,
And yet, when batter'd most, most Fruit produc'd?
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With that Abuse, than her Impertinence)
Reply'd, Is yet the Proverb strange to you,
Which sure Experience has long since prov'd true?
Three Things, by Drubbing, most improve,
A Nut, an Ass, a Woman:
The Cudgel from their Backs remove,
They will be good for no Man.
A Nut, an Ass, a Woman:
The Cudgel from their Backs remove,
They will be good for no Man.
At this Reply, the silenc'd Dame retir'd,
She now had found more Talk than she desir'd.
She now had found more Talk than she desir'd.
The MORAL.
‘Such Treatment often busie Medlers find,‘Who less their own, than others Bus'ness mind:
‘When grown vexatiously Inquisitive,
‘They wou'd into their Neighbours Secrets dive:
‘With some unlucky Answer they are paid,
‘That do's the Folly they betray, upbraid.
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FABLE XXXIII. The Country Dog:
Or, Flight encourages Pursuit.
A
Country Dog, a very rustick Clown,
Follow'd his Master to a Market-Town:
Whom, when the Dogs of nicer Breeding, found,
They flock'd about him, and survey'd him round:
With prick'd-up Ears, and Tails, in figure cock'd,
They grinn'd, and (as he thought) his Rudeness mock'd.
O'er-power'd with Numbers, and o'ercome with Dread,
The daunted Stranger took his Heels, and fled:
They, by his Flight, encourag'd to pursue,
Still follow'd, 'till the Town was out of view:
He then took Courage, turn'd, and fac'd his Foes,
And to the Combat did himself dispose:
But then, afraid to venture the Attack,
They hung their Tails, and all went sneaking back.
Follow'd his Master to a Market-Town:
Whom, when the Dogs of nicer Breeding, found,
They flock'd about him, and survey'd him round:
With prick'd-up Ears, and Tails, in figure cock'd,
They grinn'd, and (as he thought) his Rudeness mock'd.
O'er-power'd with Numbers, and o'ercome with Dread,
The daunted Stranger took his Heels, and fled:
They, by his Flight, encourag'd to pursue,
Still follow'd, 'till the Town was out of view:
He then took Courage, turn'd, and fac'd his Foes,
And to the Combat did himself dispose:
But then, afraid to venture the Attack,
They hung their Tails, and all went sneaking back.
The MORAL.
‘Thus, when arm'd Legions are engag'd in Fight,‘They yield the Conquest, who begin the Flight;
‘And, by their dastard Cowardice betray'd,
‘Encourage those of whom they are afraid:
‘Their base Retreat, and Faintness in Dispute,
‘Invite the hostile Troops to close Pursuit:
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‘They to their Fury more themselves expose.
FABLE XXXIV. The Ape and Fox:
Or, Much wou'd have More.
An
Ape, by human Conversation tam'd,
Of her indecent Nakedness asham'd;
Desir'd a Fox, from his superfluous Tail
To spare as much as wou'd her Bareness veil;
And said, The Load that did his Speed prevent,
Wou'd serve her both for Use and Ornament.
He, whom no Care of others Wants did touch,
Reply'd, I never thought I had too much:
My Tail shall, 'till it sweeps the Kennel, grow,
Rather than make a Cover-slut for you.
Of her indecent Nakedness asham'd;
Desir'd a Fox, from his superfluous Tail
To spare as much as wou'd her Bareness veil;
And said, The Load that did his Speed prevent,
Wou'd serve her both for Use and Ornament.
He, whom no Care of others Wants did touch,
Reply'd, I never thought I had too much:
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Rather than make a Cover-slut for you.
The MORAL.
‘Unequal Fortune, with a partial Hand,‘Scatters her Favours through her subject Land;
‘While she do's some with pinching Want oppress,
‘She sends home others laden with Excess:
‘But they who most her lib'ral Bounty share,
‘Will from their vast Abundance nothing spare:
‘Since Men (they see) are valu'd for their Store,
‘An Affluence augments their Thirst for more.
FABLE XXXV. The Peacock and Pie:
Or, Virtue qualifies a Prince.
The Birds, that long unaw'd, and free from Fear,
Rambled at pleasure through the spacious Air;
Not satisfy'd with that more happy State,
To chuse a Sov'reign, in close Juncto sate.
The Peacock, of his shining Feathers proud,
The Empire claim'd, and was by all allow'd:
To whom, with lucky Thought, a chatt'ring Pie,
In harsh Address, did thus her self apply:
Great Sir, Since, by Unanimous Consent,
You are Invested in our Government;
If the wrong'd Eagle shou'd resent the Slight,
And with just Rage the Injury requite;
Can all the gaudy Plumes you value thus,
From his Insults protect your self, or us?
Rambled at pleasure through the spacious Air;
Not satisfy'd with that more happy State,
To chuse a Sov'reign, in close Juncto sate.
The Peacock, of his shining Feathers proud,
The Empire claim'd, and was by all allow'd:
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In harsh Address, did thus her self apply:
Great Sir, Since, by Unanimous Consent,
You are Invested in our Government;
If the wrong'd Eagle shou'd resent the Slight,
And with just Rage the Injury requite;
Can all the gaudy Plumes you value thus,
From his Insults protect your self, or us?
The MORAL.
‘Nor Pomp, nor outward Shew, nor bold Pretence,‘But inward Virtue, qualifies a Prince.
‘Courage shou'd arm him who affects a Crown,
‘To guard his Subjects Rights, and keep his Own:
‘And he who cannot nobly both maintain,
‘Ruins his Kingdom by a faulty Reign.
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FABLE XXXVI. The Eagle and Daw:
Or, Good Counsel ill design'd.
An
Eagle, touring long in quest of Prey,
Seiz'd a large Scallop on the Sandy Bay;
But found the Shell so strong, and clos'd so fast,
She cou'd not reach the Meat she long'd to taste.
Seiz'd a large Scallop on the Sandy Bay;
But found the Shell so strong, and clos'd so fast,
She cou'd not reach the Meat she long'd to taste.
A pert Young Daw, that saw her strive in vain,
Advis'd her thus to supersede her Pain:
Bear it aloft, and drop it on a Stone,
'Twill crack the Shell, and make the Meat your own.
Advis'd her thus to supersede her Pain:
Bear it aloft, and drop it on a Stone,
'Twill crack the Shell, and make the Meat your own.
The Eagle mounts, and, in her airy Flight,
Let the Fish drop from the stupendous Height.
The watchful Daw, observing where it fell,
Pick'd the fat Scallop from its broken Shell;
Then with her Booty made a swift Retreat,
And left the Eagle to resent the Cheat.
Let the Fish drop from the stupendous Height.
The watchful Daw, observing where it fell,
Pick'd the fat Scallop from its broken Shell;
Then with her Booty made a swift Retreat,
And left the Eagle to resent the Cheat.
The MORAL.
‘Of all Advice, and by whom giv'n, beware;‘That is not safest, that do's best appear.
‘Designing Men, consulting private Ends,
‘Seek their own Int'rest, and pretend their Friend's.
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FABLE XXXVII. The Buffoon, and Bishop:
Or, Little valu'd, lightly quitted.
A loose
Buffoon, whose Living was by Shifts,
On New-Year's-Day stroll'd round the Town for Gifts;
And first attack'd the Bishop, whom he knew
A wealthy Prelate, but as greedy too:
To prove whose Bounty, he made high Demands,
And ask'd a Guinea from his Lordship's Hands.
My Lord, who rarely did such Gifts bestow,
Judg'd the Man mad, or that he thought him so;
And his unreasonable Suit deny'd.
The Man, repuls'd, again his Goodness try'd;
Yet from his first Extravagance came down,
And lower'd his Request to Half-a-Crown:
Then, finding that too large a Sum was thought,
Became more mod'rate, and requir'd a Groat.
Still the close Prelate (whose contracted Heart,
With what possess'd it most, abhorr'd to part)
Thought that too much. At which the Fellow rav'd,
And, to expose him, next his Blessing crav'd.
The Bishop, pleas'd to find him thus abate,
And glad to scape at such an easie Rate,
(Because his Purse no want of that wou'd feel)
Did readily comply, and bid him kneel.
No, answer'd he, your Blessing I despise,
Which at so vile an Estimate you prise:
For you, who Heav'ns most lib'ral Gifts abuse,
Wou'd that, if valu'd at a Groat, refuse.
On New-Year's-Day stroll'd round the Town for Gifts;
And first attack'd the Bishop, whom he knew
A wealthy Prelate, but as greedy too:
To prove whose Bounty, he made high Demands,
And ask'd a Guinea from his Lordship's Hands.
My Lord, who rarely did such Gifts bestow,
Judg'd the Man mad, or that he thought him so;
And his unreasonable Suit deny'd.
The Man, repuls'd, again his Goodness try'd;
Yet from his first Extravagance came down,
And lower'd his Request to Half-a-Crown:
Then, finding that too large a Sum was thought,
Became more mod'rate, and requir'd a Groat.
Still the close Prelate (whose contracted Heart,
With what possess'd it most, abhorr'd to part)
Thought that too much. At which the Fellow rav'd,
And, to expose him, next his Blessing crav'd.
The Bishop, pleas'd to find him thus abate,
And glad to scape at such an easie Rate,
(Because his Purse no want of that wou'd feel)
Did readily comply, and bid him kneel.
No, answer'd he, your Blessing I despise,
Which at so vile an Estimate you prise:
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Wou'd that, if valu'd at a Groat, refuse.
The MORAL.
‘Thus greedy Priests, who (for the Trust unfit)‘Love not the Office like the Perquisite;
‘Freely dispense Heaven's Treasure to the Poor;
‘But keep their own, because they prise it more.
FABLE XXXVIII. The Peasant and his Kid:
Or, Gifts recommend the Giver.
An honest Peasant, in his Dealings just,
Too good to cheat, to simple to distrust;
By crafty and litigious Knaves oppress'd,
Fled to the Law, in hope to be redress'd:
But wholsom Laws, made to restrain Abuse,
Were so perverted from their proper Use,
That, by a tedious Suit, he suffer'd more,
Than by the Wrongs he had sustain'd before.
When thus reduc'd, his Bus'ness to conclude,
In forma pauperis he truly Su'd.
Too good to cheat, to simple to distrust;
By crafty and litigious Knaves oppress'd,
Fled to the Law, in hope to be redress'd:
But wholsom Laws, made to restrain Abuse,
Were so perverted from their proper Use,
That, by a tedious Suit, he suffer'd more,
Than by the Wrongs he had sustain'd before.
When thus reduc'd, his Bus'ness to conclude,
In forma pauperis he truly Su'd.
The greedy Counsel, by the Court assign'd,
To such dry Clients was but ill enclin'd:
And, when the Pauper came to state his Case,
Pretended always want of Time, or Place.
He often came, but still was forc'd to wait,
And cool his Heels, before the Lawyer's Gate.
The Porter, who his Face and Bus'ness knew,
And how his Master stood affected too,
Said, He was busie still, or not at home,
And that 'twas best some other time to come.
The slighted Client, guessing, by degrees,
His Counsel did not Leisure want, but Fees,
Cull'd a fat Suckling from his slender Flock,
And recommended thus, made bold to knock:
Then pinch'd the Kid, whose Bleating did proclaim,
That he who Entrance sought, Full-handed came.
The docile Porter, by his Master taught
To let in all who grateful Presents brought,
Open'd the Gate, and with a fawning Grin,
Welcom'd the Man, and pray'd him to walk in.
The Peasant smil'd, and pleas'd at this Access,
Thus to the Means did his just Thanks address;
To you, Dear Kid, my Gratitude is due,
For my Admittance was procur'd by you.
To such dry Clients was but ill enclin'd:
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Pretended always want of Time, or Place.
He often came, but still was forc'd to wait,
And cool his Heels, before the Lawyer's Gate.
The Porter, who his Face and Bus'ness knew,
And how his Master stood affected too,
Said, He was busie still, or not at home,
And that 'twas best some other time to come.
The slighted Client, guessing, by degrees,
His Counsel did not Leisure want, but Fees,
Cull'd a fat Suckling from his slender Flock,
And recommended thus, made bold to knock:
Then pinch'd the Kid, whose Bleating did proclaim,
That he who Entrance sought, Full-handed came.
The docile Porter, by his Master taught
To let in all who grateful Presents brought,
Open'd the Gate, and with a fawning Grin,
Welcom'd the Man, and pray'd him to walk in.
The Peasant smil'd, and pleas'd at this Access,
Thus to the Means did his just Thanks address;
To you, Dear Kid, my Gratitude is due,
For my Admittance was procur'd by you.
The MORAL.
‘Prevailing Gifts, that often blind the Wise,‘Open the Miser's Gates, his Ears, and Eyes.
‘The Men, who back'd with such Credentials come,
‘Force their own Way, and for themselves make Room.
‘Whoe'er with such persuasive Rhet'rick Plead,
‘Must gain their Point, and in their Cause succeed.
‘None can those pow'rful Arguments withstand,
‘Which still the Grants they wou'd obtain, command.
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FABLE XXXIX. The Ewe and Shepherd:
Or, Repining, adds to Misery.
A Murm'ring
Ewe did on the Shepherd rail:
For, tho' her swelling Udders fill'd his Pail,
The daily Tribute cou'd not buy her Peace,
But ev'ry Year he stript her of her Fleece.
The Swain, incens'd at the repining Dam,
Slew, in her sight, her tender Infant-Lamb.
At which, she cry'd, You now can do no more,
You have no greater Punishment in Store.
For, tho' her swelling Udders fill'd his Pail,
The daily Tribute cou'd not buy her Peace,
But ev'ry Year he stript her of her Fleece.
The Swain, incens'd at the repining Dam,
Slew, in her sight, her tender Infant-Lamb.
At which, she cry'd, You now can do no more,
You have no greater Punishment in Store.
Yes, he reply'd, I can my Rage pursue,
And, as I kill'd your Son, can slaughter you;
Flea off your Skin, as I your Wool do shear,
And throw your Carcase for the Wolves to tear.
And, as I kill'd your Son, can slaughter you;
Flea off your Skin, as I your Wool do shear,
And throw your Carcase for the Wolves to tear.
The Ewe, thus aw'd, and for her Life afraid,
No more her pow'rful Master durst upbraid.
No more her pow'rful Master durst upbraid.
The MORAL.
‘If Heav'n, that amply do's supply our Wants,‘To try, or punish us, resumes its Grants;
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‘We humbly must with Providence comply.
‘The Blessings we enjoy are all God's Loan,
‘Nor shou'd we murmur, if he claims his own:
‘Repining can so little give us Ease,
‘That what it seeks to lessen, 'twill encrease:
‘For Murm'ring Wretches do Heaven's Wrath provoke
‘To punish them with a severer Stroke.
‘Whoe'er dares question God's Prerogative,
‘And will not let him take, aswell as give;
‘Draws his resenting Vengeance on his Head,
‘And feels the heavy Blow, alive, or dead:
‘But all who to its Will do theirs resign,
‘And ne'er at its Correcting Hand repine,
‘Lighten the Weight they, with Submission, bear,
‘And find Rewards above, for Suff'rings here.
FABLE XL. The Wolf and Crane:
Or, Favours lost on the Unthankful.
A
Wolf, half-throttl'd with a cragged Bone,
When he had long, unpity'd, made his Moan;
Implor'd Assistance from a neighb'ring Crane,
To clear his Throat, and ease his raging Pain:
And, to induce her to perform the Cure,
Did, for the Service, large Rewards assure.
By Expectation of his Bounty led,
Unwisely she intrusts him with her Head,
While down his Throat she gently thrusts her Bill,
Draws the rough Bone, and magnifies her Skill.
This done, she for her Work her Fee demands,
Expecting Wonders at her Patient's Hands.
But he, who did no longer want her Aid,
With grinning Scorn his kind Physician paid;
And bid her take it for a high Reward,
That he her Life, for saving his, had spar'd.
When he had long, unpity'd, made his Moan;
Implor'd Assistance from a neighb'ring Crane,
To clear his Throat, and ease his raging Pain:
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Did, for the Service, large Rewards assure.
By Expectation of his Bounty led,
Unwisely she intrusts him with her Head,
While down his Throat she gently thrusts her Bill,
Draws the rough Bone, and magnifies her Skill.
This done, she for her Work her Fee demands,
Expecting Wonders at her Patient's Hands.
But he, who did no longer want her Aid,
With grinning Scorn his kind Physician paid;
And bid her take it for a high Reward,
That he her Life, for saving his, had spar'd.
The MORAL.
‘Service on thankless Men in Pow'r, is lost,‘They least reward those who oblige them most:
‘Displeas'd that they for Benefits shou'd owe,
‘They hate the Hand that do's the Gift bestow;
‘And think the Gratitude may well suffice,
‘That binds them to refrain from Injuries.
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FABLE XLI. The Hart and Fountain:
Or, Few know their own Interest.
A
Hart, that at a Fountain smooth and clear,
Quenching his Thirst, saw his Reflexion there;
Admir'd his branching Horns, and portly Gate,
But scorn'd his slender Legs that bore the Weight.
In Contemplation long he had not stood,
When a loud Hollow echo'd from the Wood:
He soon resum'd his wonted Fear, and fled,
With more Dependance on his Heels, than Head:
But, as in haste he through a Thicket press'd,
Entangling Briars did his Horns arrest:
Thus seiz'd, he slighted what before he pris'd,
And valu'd now the Shanks he had despis'd;
For they, he found, did not his Horns oppose,
Wou'd bear him off in safety from his Foes.
Quenching his Thirst, saw his Reflexion there;
Admir'd his branching Horns, and portly Gate,
But scorn'd his slender Legs that bore the Weight.
In Contemplation long he had not stood,
When a loud Hollow echo'd from the Wood:
He soon resum'd his wonted Fear, and fled,
With more Dependance on his Heels, than Head:
But, as in haste he through a Thicket press'd,
Entangling Briars did his Horns arrest:
Thus seiz'd, he slighted what before he pris'd,
And valu'd now the Shanks he had despis'd;
For they, he found, did not his Horns oppose,
Wou'd bear him off in safety from his Foes.
The MORAL.
‘Our Ruin often in our Wishes lies,‘And most we suffer by what most we prise:
‘Slighting the better Part, we chuse the worse,
‘Neglect a Blessing, and pursue a Curse:
‘We still are to our real Int'rest blind,
‘And grope for Pleasures which we rarely find.
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FABLE XLII. The Old Batchelor:
Or, Marriage out of Season.
A wretched
Dotard, who, 'till past Threescore,
Had liv'd, and shou'd have dy'd, a Batchelor;
For the Support of his Decrepit Life,
Took that deceitful, bending Crutch, a Wife:
But soon the Dolt his sad Mistake perceiv'd;
His Need was not so great as he believ'd:
For, howsoever useful she might seem,
The Lady had not a Meet-help in him.
Had liv'd, and shou'd have dy'd, a Batchelor;
For the Support of his Decrepit Life,
Took that deceitful, bending Crutch, a Wife:
But soon the Dolt his sad Mistake perceiv'd;
His Need was not so great as he believ'd:
For, howsoever useful she might seem,
The Lady had not a Meet-help in him.
Asham'd and griev'd at what his Age had done,
Since he too late had Marry'd, and too soon;
He said, I have but ill address'd my Life
To answer my Occasions for a Wife:
When fit to Marry, I declin'd the State;
But enter on it now, when out of Date.
Since he too late had Marry'd, and too soon;
He said, I have but ill address'd my Life
To answer my Occasions for a Wife:
When fit to Marry, I declin'd the State;
But enter on it now, when out of Date.
The MORAL.
‘A proper Time to all Things is decree'd,‘Which they attempt too late, who that exceed:
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‘Care for the Old, and for the Young, Delight:
‘And they who will not this Decorum keep,
‘Force Nature's Rule, and wake when they shou'd sleep.
‘So he that Marry's in Declining Age,
‘His Entrance makes when he shou'd quit the Stage.
FABLE XLIII. The Fox, Hare, and Hounds:
Or, Praise ill design'd.
A wily
Fox, by eager Hounds pursu'd,
Who sought all Means their Fury to elude;
Observ'd a Hare close sitting in her Form,
And hop'd he might on her divert the Storm:
Then to the Dogs he makes her Covert known,
Applauds her Flesh, and vilifies his own;
Assures them, she is most delicious Meat,
And fit for Dogs of Quality to eat.
The Hounds to seize the nobler Game prepare,
Quit the glad Fox, and start the list'ning Hare;
But her light Heels from their Pursuit convey
The Doubling Puss, and baulk their Hopes of Prey.
Kayward, when free'd, her false Commender meets,
And with just Taunts the treach'rous Villain greets.
To whom the Fox; Since thus you Praise resent,
How wou'd you bluster at Disparagement?
Who sought all Means their Fury to elude;
Observ'd a Hare close sitting in her Form,
And hop'd he might on her divert the Storm:
Then to the Dogs he makes her Covert known,
Applauds her Flesh, and vilifies his own;
Assures them, she is most delicious Meat,
And fit for Dogs of Quality to eat.
The Hounds to seize the nobler Game prepare,
Quit the glad Fox, and start the list'ning Hare;
But her light Heels from their Pursuit convey
The Doubling Puss, and baulk their Hopes of Prey.
Kayward, when free'd, her false Commender meets,
And with just Taunts the treach'rous Villain greets.
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How wou'd you bluster at Disparagement?
The MORAL.
‘Insidious Knaves, who base Designs pursue,‘Commend the Virtue which they wou'd undo:
‘They raise your Character, to sink your Fate;
‘For Envy waits on Praise, on Envy Hate.
FABLE XLIV. The Herd:
Or, The Wish recall'd.
Missing a Calf intrusted to his Care,
The troubl'd Herd sought for it ev'ry-where;
And in his Search, from Jove implor'd Relief,
With Promise of a Kid, to find the Thief.
Led on by Hope, he through a Thicket press'd,
And found a Lion preying on his Beast:
Then scar'd, and trembling at the dreadful Sight,
He thus address'd the God, in dismal Fright:
I, who to find the Thief, a Kid did vow,
Wou'd give a Bull, I might avoid him now.
The troubl'd Herd sought for it ev'ry-where;
And in his Search, from Jove implor'd Relief,
With Promise of a Kid, to find the Thief.
Led on by Hope, he through a Thicket press'd,
And found a Lion preying on his Beast:
Then scar'd, and trembling at the dreadful Sight,
He thus address'd the God, in dismal Fright:
I, who to find the Thief, a Kid did vow,
Wou'd give a Bull, I might avoid him now.
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The MORAL.
‘Instable Mortals, who a Loss sustain,‘Teaze Heav'n with Pray'rs, till they the Thing regain:
‘When 'tis recover'd, it afflicts them more;
‘Now they grow tir'd, of what they sought before.
‘So Parents oft' Pray for their Childrens Life,
‘Which, more than Death, wou'd aggravate their Grief.
FABLE XLV. The Fox and Farmer:
Or, The Double-Dealer.
A
Fox, whose Flight a deep-mouth'd Pack did warn,
Took Sanctuary in a Farmer's Barn;
And, since no other Remedy he saw,
Besought the Boor to hide him in the Straw;
With Promises, That, to requite his Care,
He wou'd hereafter all his Poultry spare.
The Man agreed; and, when the following Cry
Of Huntsmen ask'd if Reynard was gone by,
Stiffly averr'd, He saw him pass that way;
But pointed at the Covert where he lay.
The eager Sportsmen, on their Game intent,
Knew what his Words, but not his Gestures, meant;
And, in belief that what he said was true,
Follow'd the Chase, and bid the Boor adieu.
Took Sanctuary in a Farmer's Barn;
And, since no other Remedy he saw,
Besought the Boor to hide him in the Straw;
With Promises, That, to requite his Care,
He wou'd hereafter all his Poultry spare.
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Of Huntsmen ask'd if Reynard was gone by,
Stiffly averr'd, He saw him pass that way;
But pointed at the Covert where he lay.
The eager Sportsmen, on their Game intent,
Knew what his Words, but not his Gestures, meant;
And, in belief that what he said was true,
Follow'd the Chase, and bid the Boor adieu.
The Danger past, the Man call'd forth his Guest,
And just Performance of his Promise press'd.
And just Performance of his Promise press'd.
The Fox, who did his faithless Carriage see,
Reply'd; Yes, Sir, as you perform'd to me:
Your Double-Dealing in my desp'rate Case,
And Ills design'd, the Kindness done deface.
Reply'd; Yes, Sir, as you perform'd to me:
Your Double-Dealing in my desp'rate Case,
And Ills design'd, the Kindness done deface.
The MORAL.
‘Wisely of Double-Dealing Knaves beware,‘Whose Words and Actions inconsistent are:
‘With fair Pretence your Ruin they desire,
‘And yet expect you shou'd their Faith admire.
‘But they who with ambiguous Help deceive,
‘Deny the Safety they wou'd seem to give.
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FABLE XLVI. The Fishermen:
Or, Hope the Best, Expect the Worst.
Some
Fishers, as they drew their Net a-Shore,
And felt a Weight they ne'er observ'd before,
Believ'd they had a mighty Purchase caught,
And hugg'd themselves with the transporting Thought:
But when they hal'd the winding Sain a-ground,
A pond'rous Stone was all the Draught they found.
The Fellows, at the Disappointment griev'd,
Which had their Labour and their Hopes deceiv'd;
'Till one, whose Age and Sense surpass'd the rest,
His discontented Partners thus address'd:
Chear up, my Mates, and grieve not at your Fate;
Since Sorrow always do's on Pleasure wait,
We shou'd provide for ev'ry Chance, if wise:
Expected Storms occasion no Surprize.
And felt a Weight they ne'er observ'd before,
Believ'd they had a mighty Purchase caught,
And hugg'd themselves with the transporting Thought:
But when they hal'd the winding Sain a-ground,
A pond'rous Stone was all the Draught they found.
The Fellows, at the Disappointment griev'd,
Which had their Labour and their Hopes deceiv'd;
'Till one, whose Age and Sense surpass'd the rest,
His discontented Partners thus address'd:
Chear up, my Mates, and grieve not at your Fate;
Since Sorrow always do's on Pleasure wait,
We shou'd provide for ev'ry Chance, if wise:
Expected Storms occasion no Surprize.
The MORAL.
‘They who consider Man's uncertain State,‘Expos'd to swift Vicissitudes of Fate,
‘In all Events shou'd reckon nothing strange,
‘Nor, with their Luck, their Resolution change:
‘Such as Expect the Worst, and Hope the Best,
‘Are ne'er too much Exalted, or Depress'd.
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FABLE XLVII. The Sharpers and Cook:
Or, Nothing hid from Heaven.
To a Cook's Shop two needy Sharpers go,
With empty Maws, and empty Stomachs too:
There busily they cheapen all his Meat,
Tho', without paying, they design'd to eat:
For while one banter'd the embarrass'd Cook,
The other from his Shelf a Capon took;
Which privately he to his Friend convey'd,
Who wore a Cloak to carry on the Trade.
With empty Maws, and empty Stomachs too:
There busily they cheapen all his Meat,
Tho', without paying, they design'd to eat:
For while one banter'd the embarrass'd Cook,
The other from his Shelf a Capon took;
Which privately he to his Friend convey'd,
Who wore a Cloak to carry on the Trade.
The injur'd Cock, thus of his Fowl bereft,
Soon miss'd it, and accus'd them of the Theft.
But he who stole the Bird, did stiffly swear
He had it not, and therefore must be clear:
And he who had it, did Heav'n Witness call,
That he was free, and stole it not at all.
The honest Man, who cou'd not apprehend
What their Equivocations did intend;
But knew, tho' both their Innocence did boast,
That he, between them, had his Capon lost;
Reply'd; Well, Sirs, tho' of the Thief I doubt,
Just Heav'n, by whom you swear, will find it out.
Soon miss'd it, and accus'd them of the Theft.
But he who stole the Bird, did stiffly swear
He had it not, and therefore must be clear:
And he who had it, did Heav'n Witness call,
That he was free, and stole it not at all.
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What their Equivocations did intend;
But knew, tho' both their Innocence did boast,
That he, between them, had his Capon lost;
Reply'd; Well, Sirs, tho' of the Thief I doubt,
Just Heav'n, by whom you swear, will find it out.
The MORAL.
‘Villains, that can from Men their Mischiefs hide,‘The stronger Evidence of Heav'n deride;
‘And their black Crimes with Perjury conceal,
‘Nor fear Omniscience shou'd the Guilt reveal.
‘But Sins that may be skreen'd from human Eyes,
‘All-seeing Heav'n, in the Commission, spies;
‘Observes our secret Faults, with strict Regard,
‘And will close Rogues with open Shame reward:
‘Equivocations then, tho' nicely made,
‘Shall not the Guilt, nor Punishment, evade.
‘Receivers, who're with Thieves in Stealths combin'd,
‘Shall be with Thieves in Condemnation join'd.
160
FABLE XLVIII. The Polygamist:
Or, Two Wives, two Woes.
A Man of Middle Age, nor Young, nor Old,
Whose luke-warm Blood was neither hot nor cold;
To sute his Constitution, and his Years,
Bore, Countercharg'd, Argent, and Sable Hairs.
At this Half-bent he cou'd not live alone,
But two Wives marry'd, tho' scarce fit for one:
His Linsey-woolsey Temper both did crave;
One Young and Gay, the other Old and Grave:
Between these two he did himself divide,
That warm'd his cold, this cool'd his warmer Side:
As if they had a Coat in Blazon been;
The Partys They, and He the Pale between.
But the two Ladies, of unequal Age,
Strove who shou'd most her Husband's Love engage;
And, while they diff'rent Humours sought to please,
They kept the bandy'd Fool at little Ease:
The Elder Wife pick'd his Black Hairs away,
The Younger pull'd as busily the Grey;
And that they with each other might be ev'n.
They left him not a Hair 'twixt him and Heav'n.
Which made the Neighbours say, His Skull, no doubt,
Within as empty was, as bare without.
Whose luke-warm Blood was neither hot nor cold;
To sute his Constitution, and his Years,
Bore, Countercharg'd, Argent, and Sable Hairs.
At this Half-bent he cou'd not live alone,
But two Wives marry'd, tho' scarce fit for one:
His Linsey-woolsey Temper both did crave;
One Young and Gay, the other Old and Grave:
Between these two he did himself divide,
That warm'd his cold, this cool'd his warmer Side:
As if they had a Coat in Blazon been;
The Partys They, and He the Pale between.
But the two Ladies, of unequal Age,
Strove who shou'd most her Husband's Love engage;
And, while they diff'rent Humours sought to please,
They kept the bandy'd Fool at little Ease:
The Elder Wife pick'd his Black Hairs away,
The Younger pull'd as busily the Grey;
And that they with each other might be ev'n.
They left him not a Hair 'twixt him and Heav'n.
Which made the Neighbours say, His Skull, no doubt,
Within as empty was, as bare without.
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The MORAL.
‘Men grown in Years, shou'd wisely Wives decline,‘For they but vex each other when they join;
‘But shou'd unequal Matches most avoid,
‘By which their Peace and Freedom are destroy'd:
‘For where prevailing Humours disagree,
‘That jarring Discord drowns all Harmony.
‘Such hapless Husbands no Proportion hold;
‘Too young for old Wives, and for young too old.
‘He that, while Young, betroths an Elder Wife,
‘Turns Tenant, to a falling House, for Life:
‘And he that takes, when Old, a Younger Mate,
‘Erects a Pile too large for his Estate.
‘When the Match suits, the House nor Wants Repair,
‘Nor Furniture, but what his Stock can spare.
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FABLE XLIX. The Fox and Cat:
Or, One Shift better than Many.
A
Fox and Cat, bound tow'rds a Wood, for Prey,
Shortned, with pleasing Chat, the Time and Way:
The Fox began his crafty Wiles to boast,
Which still were Help at hand, when needed most:
He said, He cou'd the Dogs and Huntsmen gull,
For he had Shifts at least a Budget full.
The Cat reply'd, She had but one Retreat
To save her self, and that ne'er fail'd her yet.
Shortned, with pleasing Chat, the Time and Way:
The Fox began his crafty Wiles to boast,
Which still were Help at hand, when needed most:
He said, He cou'd the Dogs and Huntsmen gull,
For he had Shifts at least a Budget full.
The Cat reply'd, She had but one Retreat
To save her self, and that ne'er fail'd her yet.
While thus they talk'd, and had forgot their Fears,
A sudden Cry of Hounds alarm'd their Ears:
Tybert to her old Method had recourse,
Climb'd a tall Tree, and there defy'd their Force.
Reynard, by Shifts, to save his Bacon thought,
But whi e he doubted which to try, was caught.
A sudden Cry of Hounds alarm'd their Ears:
Tybert to her old Method had recourse,
Climb'd a tall Tree, and there defy'd their Force.
Reynard, by Shifts, to save his Bacon thought,
But whi e he doubted which to try, was caught.
The MORAL.
‘He whose uncertain Mind has various Drifts,‘Trusts to vain Counsels, and deceitful Shifts;
‘Is in a Maze, when most with Danger press'd,
‘And lost, while he demurrs what Course is best.
‘But he who still by one sure Method steers,
‘Is unperplex'd with Doubts, and safe from Fears:
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‘As Vessels, by the Compass, make their Port.
FABLE L. The Fisher and young Fish:
Or, A Bird in the Hand, worth two in the Bush.
A
Fisher, Trolling with his Baited Hook,
Deceiv'd a poor young Native of the Brook.
The puny Captive pray'd him to excuse
Her Youth, that render'd her unfit for Use;
And when she to a larger Size was grown,
She pass'd her Word, she wou'd be all his own.
The Man reply'd, Forbear in vain to prate,
I will not purchase Hope at such a Rate;
For shou'd I now your Liberty restore,
'Tis ten to one I never hook you more:
Excuse me then, that I your Suit deny;
For, Friend, I have no other Fish to fry.
Deceiv'd a poor young Native of the Brook.
The puny Captive pray'd him to excuse
Her Youth, that render'd her unfit for Use;
And when she to a larger Size was grown,
She pass'd her Word, she wou'd be all his own.
The Man reply'd, Forbear in vain to prate,
I will not purchase Hope at such a Rate;
For shou'd I now your Liberty restore,
'Tis ten to one I never hook you more:
Excuse me then, that I your Suit deny;
For, Friend, I have no other Fish to fry.
The MORAL.
‘Such stolid Mortals are for Bedlam fit,‘Who Certainties, for Expectation, quit;
‘Or think it can the Rate of Joys inhance,
‘Whose sole Attainment must depend on Chance:
‘Since what we seek, we possibly may miss,
‘Fruition only makes a certain Bliss;
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‘And of the Present Time shou'd make our Use:
‘Well may his disappointed Hopes grow stale,
‘Who lets a Crampus go, to take a Whale.
FABLE LI. Arion:
Or, Men worse than Brutes.
Of all Musicians by Historians nam'd,
Whose celebrated Skill made Lesbos fam'd,
Admir'd Arion justly challeng'd Place,
None Sang or Play'd with equal Art or Grace;
Not the sweet Thracian Bard, whose pow'rful Hand
Made Mountains move, and rapid Torrents stand;
Nor he whose Harp's attractive Sound did call
The hast'ning Stones to form the Theban Wall;
Were more renown'd, or more did merit Praise:
So soft his Airs, so charming were his Lays.
The Inspiration in each Note and String
Ravish'd the Heart of the Corinthian King;
So highly Periander did admire
The conqu'ring Musick of his Voice and Lyre.
Whose celebrated Skill made Lesbos fam'd,
Admir'd Arion justly challeng'd Place,
None Sang or Play'd with equal Art or Grace;
Not the sweet Thracian Bard, whose pow'rful Hand
Made Mountains move, and rapid Torrents stand;
Nor he whose Harp's attractive Sound did call
The hast'ning Stones to form the Theban Wall;
Were more renown'd, or more did merit Praise:
So soft his Airs, so charming were his Lays.
The Inspiration in each Note and String
Ravish'd the Heart of the Corinthian King;
So highly Periander did admire
The conqu'ring Musick of his Voice and Lyre.
But this great Artist, whose capacious Mind
In narrow Limits cou'd not be confin'd,
Resolv'd the Triumphs of his Skill to boast
In the Italian and Sicilian Coast;
Where he to such advantage Sang and Play'd,
That all his Hearers were his Captives made:
His influencing Tunes, in either Land,
Their Ears and Purses did alike command:
So much the Crouds his rare Performance pris'd,
That, for its Raptures, they their Gold despis'd.
Enrich'd, and laden with the shining Spoil,
He wou'd re-visit Corinth's dearer Soil;
And hir'd a Vessel, by its Natives Mann'd,
To bear him back to the delightful Land.
But they, who knew how rich a Fraight they bore,
Had scarcely left the hospitable Shore,
When, for the Lucre of the tempting Prize,
They had design'd his Life a Sacrifice.
He begg'd Compassion; but, alas! in vain,
His Rhetorick no Favour cou'd obtain:
That Voice, whose Pow'r, 'till then, did never fail,
Cou'd not on their obdurate Hearts prevail:
As soon its Sounds the flinty Rocks might pierce,
Or calm the Sea, with which they did converse:
All that their conscientious Souls allow'd,
Was, not to have their Hands imbrew'd in Blood:
He therefore must his own Assassine be,
And leap (to save their Guilt) into the Sea.
(Tho' this Evasion of their Crime was vain,
Not all its Water cou'd remove the Stain.)
In narrow Limits cou'd not be confin'd,
Resolv'd the Triumphs of his Skill to boast
In the Italian and Sicilian Coast;
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That all his Hearers were his Captives made:
His influencing Tunes, in either Land,
Their Ears and Purses did alike command:
So much the Crouds his rare Performance pris'd,
That, for its Raptures, they their Gold despis'd.
Enrich'd, and laden with the shining Spoil,
He wou'd re-visit Corinth's dearer Soil;
And hir'd a Vessel, by its Natives Mann'd,
To bear him back to the delightful Land.
But they, who knew how rich a Fraight they bore,
Had scarcely left the hospitable Shore,
When, for the Lucre of the tempting Prize,
They had design'd his Life a Sacrifice.
He begg'd Compassion; but, alas! in vain,
His Rhetorick no Favour cou'd obtain:
That Voice, whose Pow'r, 'till then, did never fail,
Cou'd not on their obdurate Hearts prevail:
As soon its Sounds the flinty Rocks might pierce,
Or calm the Sea, with which they did converse:
All that their conscientious Souls allow'd,
Was, not to have their Hands imbrew'd in Blood:
He therefore must his own Assassine be,
And leap (to save their Guilt) into the Sea.
(Tho' this Evasion of their Crime was vain,
Not all its Water cou'd remove the Stain.)
Since Death was irreversibly decree'd,
And no smooth Oratory cou'd succeed;
He ask'd their Leave to take his Harp along,
And, Swan-like, die with an expiring Song.
This small Request they did with ease allow,
For, so he was but dead, they car'd not how:
And they, who never lik'd his Tunes before,
Rejoyc'd to hear what they shou'd hear no more.
And no smooth Oratory cou'd succeed;
He ask'd their Leave to take his Harp along,
And, Swan-like, die with an expiring Song.
This small Request they did with ease allow,
For, so he was but dead, they car'd not how:
And they, who never lik'd his Tunes before,
Rejoyc'd to hear what they shou'd hear no more.
To lofty Notes he rais'd his Strings and Voice,
And took his Leap, not as by Force, but Choice.
With Joy the brisk Levalto they behold,
Pleas'd they had lost him, and secur'd his Gold;
And when they thought him past discov'ring Tales,
Before the fav'ring Breezes hoist their Sails.
And took his Leap, not as by Force, but Choice.
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Pleas'd they had lost him, and secur'd his Gold;
And when they thought him past discov'ring Tales,
Before the fav'ring Breezes hoist their Sails.
But Heav'n, that Melody with Pleasure hears,
And keeps a tuneful Consort in its Spheres;
(His Ruin, and their Malice, to prevent)
To his Relief a Swift-Finn'd Dolphin sent:
Which, by him charm'd, and proud of such a Fraight,
Himself presented to support his Weight.
And keeps a tuneful Consort in its Spheres;
(His Ruin, and their Malice, to prevent)
To his Relief a Swift-Finn'd Dolphin sent:
Which, by him charm'd, and proud of such a Fraight,
Himself presented to support his Weight.
Arion, who no better Chance cou'd wish,
With active Vigour back'd the yielding Fish;
And, mounted thus, o'er the curl'd Billows rode,
Safe and triumphant, like a Water-God;
'Till by his scaly Courser's kindly Aid,
He was to the Laconick Shore convey'd.
When there arriv'd, on Corinth still intent,
He to his Patron, Periander, went;
And to the wond'ring Monarch did relate
The sudden Turns of his surprizing Fate.
With active Vigour back'd the yielding Fish;
And, mounted thus, o'er the curl'd Billows rode,
Safe and triumphant, like a Water-God;
'Till by his scaly Courser's kindly Aid,
He was to the Laconick Shore convey'd.
When there arriv'd, on Corinth still intent,
He to his Patron, Periander, went;
And to the wond'ring Monarch did relate
The sudden Turns of his surprizing Fate.
The King, who scarce cou'd think the Story true,
Since History no Parallel did shew,
Conceal'd Arion, and the Sailors sought,
Who were into his awful Presence brought,
And ask'd, If in the Coast from whence they came,
They were acquainted with Arion's Fame?
They answer'd. He in Italy was well,
And did the greatest Masters there excell;
With vast Respect and Honour was caress'd,
And an Estate, he purchas'd there, possess'd.
This false Account conceal'd Arion heard,
And, to confront their Impudence, appear'd:
Convicted thus, each hid his guilty Face,
Tho' harden'd far beyond their Native Brass.
Since History no Parallel did shew,
Conceal'd Arion, and the Sailors sought,
Who were into his awful Presence brought,
And ask'd, If in the Coast from whence they came,
They were acquainted with Arion's Fame?
They answer'd. He in Italy was well,
And did the greatest Masters there excell;
With vast Respect and Honour was caress'd,
And an Estate, he purchas'd there, possess'd.
This false Account conceal'd Arion heard,
And, to confront their Impudence, appear'd:
Convicted thus, each hid his guilty Face,
Tho' harden'd far beyond their Native Brass.
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The MORAL.
‘Heav'n did to Man, its Noblest Work, impart
‘A yearning Pity, and a tender Heart:
‘This gen'rous Quality, in Tears express'd,
‘Is what adorns, and recommends him best.
‘But Men, with their Creator's Image grac'd,
‘By Cruelty, the Sacred Stamp defac'd:
‘Now Nature's peaceful Laws they disobey,
‘And spoil each other worse than Beasts of Prey.
‘A yearning Pity, and a tender Heart:
‘This gen'rous Quality, in Tears express'd,
‘Is what adorns, and recommends him best.
‘But Men, with their Creator's Image grac'd,
‘By Cruelty, the Sacred Stamp defac'd:
‘Now Nature's peaceful Laws they disobey,
‘And spoil each other worse than Beasts of Prey.
‘While Beasts, by nobler Principles enclin'd,
‘Abstain (tho' urg'd by Hunger) from their Kind;
‘More savage Men no soft Compassion shew,
‘But, as their Foes, insult their Fellows too:
‘They act Barbarities that Brutes disdain,
‘And nothing Human, but the Shape, retain.
‘Abstain (tho' urg'd by Hunger) from their Kind;
‘More savage Men no soft Compassion shew,
‘But, as their Foes, insult their Fellows too:
‘They act Barbarities that Brutes disdain,
‘And nothing Human, but the Shape, retain.
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FABLE LII. The Thief and Mastiff:
Or, Honour and Honesty.
A gen'rous
Mastiff, to whose try'd Regard
His Master trusted all his House and Yard,
Was tempted by a Thief to prove Unjust,
And, for a hearty Meal, betray his Trust.
But he, Great Soul! that wou'd on no Pretence
Indulge his Belly, at his Fame's Expence;
Reply'd, No, Sir, your base Design I hate;
You'd stop my Mouth, to open yonder Gate;
That you may safely prey on what you see,
And empty all the House, by silling me:
But I alike your Bribe and you despise,
And less my Life, than Reputation prise.
His Master trusted all his House and Yard,
Was tempted by a Thief to prove Unjust,
And, for a hearty Meal, betray his Trust.
But he, Great Soul! that wou'd on no Pretence
Indulge his Belly, at his Fame's Expence;
Reply'd, No, Sir, your base Design I hate;
You'd stop my Mouth, to open yonder Gate;
That you may safely prey on what you see,
And empty all the House, by silling me:
But I alike your Bribe and you despise,
And less my Life, than Reputation prise.
The MORAL.
‘No tempting Profit can Great Souls entice‘To hazard Fame, of nobler Worth and Price.
‘Who Faith, or Honour, truck for an Estate,
‘Will find it purchas'd at too dear a Rate.
‘They Life o'er-value, who, to save it, give
‘The only Good for which they ought to live.
‘Integrity, above Allurements rais'd,
‘Contemns false Honours, to be justly prais'd;
‘With greatest Pleasure do's its Merit boast,
‘When its untainted Virtue costs it most.
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FABLE LIII. The Eagle and Crow:
Or, Fatal Imitation.
A soaring
Eagle, from her lofty Flight,
Swoop'd a young Lamb, to stay her Appetite:
Sure of her Prey, she Homeward did repair,
And bore her Burden bleating through the Air.
Swoop'd a young Lamb, to stay her Appetite:
Sure of her Prey, she Homeward did repair,
And bore her Burden bleating through the Air.
An envious Crow, that her own Parts preferr'd,
With vain Ambition, Ap'd the Royal Bird:
She soar'd aloft, and made a clam'rous Noise,
As if she did at sure Success rejoyce:
But in the great Effort mistook her Aim,
And made her bold Descent upon a Ram;
And in his shaggy Fleece engag'd her Claw,
Beyond her Pow'r or Cunning to withdraw.
With vain Ambition, Ap'd the Royal Bird:
She soar'd aloft, and made a clam'rous Noise,
As if she did at sure Success rejoyce:
But in the great Effort mistook her Aim,
And made her bold Descent upon a Ram;
And in his shaggy Fleece engag'd her Claw,
Beyond her Pow'r or Cunning to withdraw.
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The Shepherd, who observ'd her thus embroild,
Of Wings and Tail the flutt'ring Captive spoil'd:
And having us'd her in this scurvy sort,
Threw her abroad, to make his Children Sport.
Of Wings and Tail the flutt'ring Captive spoil'd:
And having us'd her in this scurvy sort,
Threw her abroad, to make his Children Sport.
They, who scarce knew her, in that alter'd Case,
Ask'd, of what Species of the Birds she was?
The humbled Creature, sensible her Pride
Had been her Ruin, with a Sigh, reply'd;
I thought I was (e're I my self did know)
An Eagle, but now find I am a Crow.
Ask'd, of what Species of the Birds she was?
The humbled Creature, sensible her Pride
Had been her Ruin, with a Sigh, reply'd;
I thought I was (e're I my self did know)
An Eagle, but now find I am a Crow.
The MORAL.
‘When Men, whom pow'rful Means capacitate,‘Attempt Exploits above the common Rate;
‘The Vulgar, not so qualify'd, mistake,
‘If they such Measures their Examples make.
‘What may be practicable, must be known,
‘Not from another's Virtue, but their own:
‘Lest they, who imitate such noble Deeds,
‘Fail, in attempting what their Pow'r exceeds.
‘For justly we their Vanity impeach,
‘Who dare aspire to Heights beyond their Reach:
‘Unable for the lofty Flight, they fall,
‘Pity'd by none, but ridicul'd by all.
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FABLE LIV. The Fowler and Owzel:
Or, The Multitude of Subjects, the Prince's Safety.
An expert Fowler did his Nets prepare
For some unwary Natives of the Air.
An Owzel, that was on his Work intent,
Demanded what his Preparations meant?
The Man reply'd, I build a Town for you:
And, having finish'd his Design, withdrew.
For some unwary Natives of the Air.
An Owzel, that was on his Work intent,
Demanded what his Preparations meant?
The Man reply'd, I build a Town for you:
And, having finish'd his Design, withdrew.
The easie Bird, that his Pretence believ'd,
Flew to the Bait, and found her self deceiv'd.
When she observ'd the false Deluder come
To seize his Captive, and pronounce her Doom;
She thus to him her dying Speech address'd,
And her true Notion of his Cheat express'd:
If this be, Sir, the Town you have design'd,
You but a few Inhabitants will find.
Flew to the Bait, and found her self deceiv'd.
When she observ'd the false Deluder come
To seize his Captive, and pronounce her Doom;
She thus to him her dying Speech address'd,
And her true Notion of his Cheat express'd:
If this be, Sir, the Town you have design'd,
You but a few Inhabitants will find.
The MORAL.
‘Tyrannick Princes, who delight in Blood,‘For private Ends, destroy the Publick Good;
‘And sacrifice to their wild Insolence,
‘Their People's Lives, which are their chief Defence.
‘Then, weaken'd by their Arbitrary Sway,
‘To ev'ry Foe they are expos'd a Prey:
‘And their Dispeopl'd Kingdoms make it known,
‘Their Subjects Safety was no less their own.
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FABLE LV. The Viper and File:
Or, No Striving against the Stream.
A
Viper, seizing on a harden'd File,
Gnaw'd the rough Tool, that did her Hopes beguile;
And, in Derision, cry'd, Vain Fool, Forbear;
Thy Teeth thou may'st, but me thou can'st not wear:
I, that on Brass and Steel am daily fed,
From thy soft Grinders no Impression dread.
Gnaw'd the rough Tool, that did her Hopes beguile;
And, in Derision, cry'd, Vain Fool, Forbear;
Thy Teeth thou may'st, but me thou can'st not wear:
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From thy soft Grinders no Impression dread.
The MORAL.
‘Be always cautious whom thou do'st engage,‘Lest thou repent thy insuccessful Rage:
‘He who encounters with too potent Foes,
‘Mis-spends his Anger, and himself undoes.
FABLE LVI. The Linnet and Boy:
Or, Every Man to his Mind.
A
Linnet, cocker'd by too fond a Boy,
(Her Master's only Care, and only Joy)
With all his kind Indulgence not content,
Made an Escape, and to her Fellows went.
He call'd, and ask'd her why from him she fled,
By whom she was so highly lov'd, and fed?
She answer'd, I wou'd Liberty retrieve,
And at my own, not your Discretion, live.
(Her Master's only Care, and only Joy)
With all his kind Indulgence not content,
Made an Escape, and to her Fellows went.
He call'd, and ask'd her why from him she fled,
By whom she was so highly lov'd, and fed?
She answer'd, I wou'd Liberty retrieve,
And at my own, not your Discretion, live.
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The MORAL.
‘Men, to their Native Liberty enclin'd,‘Disrelish Joys to which they are confin'd:
‘But Freedom do's the meanest Life advance,
‘Its Trouble lessen, and its Bliss enhance:
‘And he, whose Will no Master can dispute,
‘While Kings are Slaves, is truly Absolute.
FABLE LVII. The Curate and Sick Man:
Or, Godliness for Gain.
An Aged Man, and very Ignorant,
Labour'd at once with Sickness and with Want:
The Wretch, too much addicted to complain,
And fretting at his Poverty and Pain;
To Patience, by the Curate, was advis'd,
Because, whom Heav'n lov'd best, it most chastis'd.
Then 'tis not strange, said he, its Friends are few;
They daily must decrease, if that be true.
Labour'd at once with Sickness and with Want:
The Wretch, too much addicted to complain,
And fretting at his Poverty and Pain;
To Patience, by the Curate, was advis'd,
Because, whom Heav'n lov'd best, it most chastis'd.
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They daily must decrease, if that be true.
The MORAL.
‘Gainful Religion, Men the best conclude;‘Still Loaves and Fishes draw the Multitude:
‘And they whose Godliness is only Gain,
‘Will, as that fails, their forward Zeal refrain:
‘Rarely their Love to that high Pitch is brought,
‘To serve the Lord, like holy Job, for nought.
‘Few, while his Hand do's heavy on them lie,
‘Beneath their Stripes, keep their Integrity.
FABLE LVIII. The Cocks and Partridge:
Or, Patience from Experience.
A nobleman, who did in Cocks delight,
And pleas'd himself to see the Bullies fight;
Bought a young Partridge, which he meant to breed,
And turn'd the Bird among his Cocks to feed:
They did the new-come Guest unkindly treat,
Peck'd at him still, and forc'd him from his Meat.
He guess'd, his being of a diff'rent Kind,
Was the true Cause he did this Hardship find;
And griev'd, to think such Usage shou'd be shown
To him, that was a Stranger, and alone:
But soon did his immod'rate Grief asswage,
When he consider'd their intestine Rage;
How eagerly they with each other fought,
And more than his, their mutual Ruin sought.
This made him bear what did before displease;
With this Remark he did his Trouble ease:
Since they among themselves so ill agree,
It is not strange they All shou'd harass Me.
And pleas'd himself to see the Bullies fight;
Bought a young Partridge, which he meant to breed,
And turn'd the Bird among his Cocks to feed:
They did the new-come Guest unkindly treat,
Peck'd at him still, and forc'd him from his Meat.
He guess'd, his being of a diff'rent Kind,
Was the true Cause he did this Hardship find;
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To him, that was a Stranger, and alone:
But soon did his immod'rate Grief asswage,
When he consider'd their intestine Rage;
How eagerly they with each other fought,
And more than his, their mutual Ruin sought.
This made him bear what did before displease;
With this Remark he did his Trouble ease:
Since they among themselves so ill agree,
It is not strange they All shou'd harass Me.
The MORAL.
‘He that reads Men, and grows, by Converse, wise,‘In Fortune's Traverses finds no Surprize:
‘He knows how Mankind's Pulse is wont to beat,
‘And with what Usage they each other treat:
‘Hence Patience arms him to support each Change,
‘And think no Turns or Alterations strange:
‘Without Regret he bears uncertain State,
‘In which he only shares the Common Fate.
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FABLE LIX. The Fox and Carv'd Head:
Or, Fair and Foolish.
A
Fox, that search'd a Carver's Shop for Food,
Found a Man's Head cut to the Life, in Wood:
He turn'd, admir'd, and prais'd the Counterfeit,
But thought the Block had neither Sense nor Wit:
Fine thing, said he, thy Maker play'd his Part,
And in thy Sculpture has express'd much Art;
But still thou art a stupid Log, I see,
And senseless as the Tools that fashion'd thee:
How has the Artist lost his curious Pains,
Who, with thy Beauty, did not give thee Brains?
Found a Man's Head cut to the Life, in Wood:
He turn'd, admir'd, and prais'd the Counterfeit,
But thought the Block had neither Sense nor Wit:
Fine thing, said he, thy Maker play'd his Part,
And in thy Sculpture has express'd much Art;
But still thou art a stupid Log, I see,
And senseless as the Tools that fashion'd thee:
How has the Artist lost his curious Pains,
Who, with thy Beauty, did not give thee Brains?
The MORAL.
‘When Lovely Features want an Equal Mind,‘And Beauty is not with Discretion join'd;
‘The Body seems an undigested Mass,
‘The Head is Wooden, tho' well Turn'd the Face:
‘But a bright Soul, which meaner Cov'rings shroud,
‘Will gild its Out-side, as the Sun a Cloud.
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FABLE LX. The Kid and Wolf:
Or, Childrens Safety in Obedience.
A
Goat, by Hunger call'd Abroad to feed,
Lock'd carefully at Home her tender Kid;
And charg'd the Suckling, as he wish'd to live,
He shou'd to none, but her, Admittance give.
Lock'd carefully at Home her tender Kid;
And charg'd the Suckling, as he wish'd to live,
He shou'd to none, but her, Admittance give.
A Wolf, that near in secret Covert lay,
Heard the Command, and saw the Dam away;
Then knock'd, and counterfeiting her shrill Tone,
Cry'd, in false Accents, Let me in, my Son.
The Kid, who, through the Door, perceiv'd the Cheat,
Reply'd, I cannot give you Entrance yet:
For, tho' methinks my Mother's Voice I hear,
By what I see, you are a Wolf, I fear.
Heard the Command, and saw the Dam away;
Then knock'd, and counterfeiting her shrill Tone,
Cry'd, in false Accents, Let me in, my Son.
The Kid, who, through the Door, perceiv'd the Cheat,
Reply'd, I cannot give you Entrance yet:
For, tho' methinks my Mother's Voice I hear,
By what I see, you are a Wolf, I fear.
The MORAL.
‘Children, observe your Parents sound Advice,‘Your Safety in your just Obedience lies:
‘They know the Ills to which you open lie,
‘And, to prevent them, all their Care apply:
‘But if their wise Commands you disobey,
‘You make them wretched, and your selves a Prey.
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FABLE LXI. The Bitch and Sow:
Or, Reproach improv'd.
An angry Sow and snarling Bitch fell out,
And had a very eager Scolding-bout.
The Sow by Venus swore, that for a Groat
She'd dash the Bitch's Grinders down her Throat.
What, said the Bitch, do you by Venus swear,
You nasty Trull? Are you to her so dear?
No Hussy; at her Rites she'll not allow
One that e'er tasted such a Beast as you.
Fool, says the Sow, this shews her greater Love,
She thus do's all, that injure me, reprove:
To see me slaughter'd, gives her so much Grief,
That she, to save her Tears, preserves my Life:
But you, proud Minks, not so well taught as fed,
Stink while alive, and feed the Crows, when dead.
And had a very eager Scolding-bout.
The Sow by Venus swore, that for a Groat
She'd dash the Bitch's Grinders down her Throat.
What, said the Bitch, do you by Venus swear,
You nasty Trull? Are you to her so dear?
No Hussy; at her Rites she'll not allow
One that e'er tasted such a Beast as you.
Fool, says the Sow, this shews her greater Love,
She thus do's all, that injure me, reprove:
To see me slaughter'd, gives her so much Grief,
That she, to save her Tears, preserves my Life:
But you, proud Minks, not so well taught as fed,
Stink while alive, and feed the Crows, when dead.
The MORAL.
‘When loaded with reproachful Taunts, the Wise‘Improve their Credit, from the Obloquies:
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‘Convert to Means of heightning their Respect.
FABLE LXII. The Miser robb'd:
Or, Hid Treasure useless.
A greedy Wretch his Patrimony sold,
And turn'd his fruitful Land to barren Gold;
And, lest the Sum, by using, shou'd decay,
Committed Earth to Earth, and Clay to Clay.
His Wealth thus bury'd in a secret Hole,
And, with his Bags, his very Heart and Soul;
To their dear Tomb he daily Visits made,
And at that Shrine his whole Devotion paid.
A Needy Fellow, that observ'd his Walk,
And guess'd the Ghost did near some Treasure stalk,
Came to the Place; and, when he try'd the Ground,
The rich Depositum, rejoycing, found:
He bless'd his Fortune, and the Booty bore
(To spend it safely) to a foreign Shore.
And turn'd his fruitful Land to barren Gold;
And, lest the Sum, by using, shou'd decay,
Committed Earth to Earth, and Clay to Clay.
His Wealth thus bury'd in a secret Hole,
And, with his Bags, his very Heart and Soul;
To their dear Tomb he daily Visits made,
And at that Shrine his whole Devotion paid.
A Needy Fellow, that observ'd his Walk,
And guess'd the Ghost did near some Treasure stalk,
Came to the Place; and, when he try'd the Ground,
The rich Depositum, rejoycing, found:
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(To spend it safely) to a foreign Shore.
The Owner soon return'd to watch his Coin,
But found another Hand had digg'd the Mine:
Sad Signs inform'd him his Delight was gone,
His Yellow-hammers from the Nest were flown.
Sunk by this Loss into profound Despair,
He beat and tore his guiltless Breast and Hair:
His raging Sorrow, in no Bounds restrain'd,
Gave a convincing Proof it was not feign'd.
But found another Hand had digg'd the Mine:
Sad Signs inform'd him his Delight was gone,
His Yellow-hammers from the Nest were flown.
Sunk by this Loss into profound Despair,
He beat and tore his guiltless Breast and Hair:
His raging Sorrow, in no Bounds restrain'd,
Gave a convincing Proof it was not feign'd.
A Friend, that saw him in this Transport rave,
Bid him his Grief for better Purpose save;
And said, You vainly your lost Hoard deplore,
Which, since you kept it hid, was yours no more:
Bury a Stone where your dear Idol lay,
And there, as formerly, your Visits pay;
Imagination will Effects produce
Of equal Value, since of equal Use.
Bid him his Grief for better Purpose save;
And said, You vainly your lost Hoard deplore,
Which, since you kept it hid, was yours no more:
Bury a Stone where your dear Idol lay,
And there, as formerly, your Visits pay;
Imagination will Effects produce
Of equal Value, since of equal Use.
The MORAL.
‘How vainly Men, with restless Industry,‘Acquire the Wealth they to themselves deny?
‘While what is theirs, they, by not using, want,
‘The Property is insignificant.
‘Riches are lost to them who live in Need;
‘Use, not Possession, makes us Rich indeed.
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FABLE LXIII. The Lion and Man:
Or, Every Tongue its own Trumpet.
A
Man and Lion held a long Dispute,
Which Kind excell'd, the Human, or the Brute.
The Man, all further Contests to prevent,
Shew'd his Antagonist a Monument,
On which the artful Graver's Hand express'd
A Man insulting o'er the Princely Beast.
The Lion argu'd, That was not enough,
For Parties shou'd not be allow'd for Proof.
Men, who a Pride in their own Praises take,
Might Monuments, to serve their Int'rest, make:
But if among the Lions had been known
Artists as dext'rous to ingrave in Stone,
He wou'd with more, and truer Sculptures, meet,
Where Men were prostrate laid at Lions Feet.
Which Kind excell'd, the Human, or the Brute.
The Man, all further Contests to prevent,
Shew'd his Antagonist a Monument,
On which the artful Graver's Hand express'd
A Man insulting o'er the Princely Beast.
The Lion argu'd, That was not enough,
For Parties shou'd not be allow'd for Proof.
Men, who a Pride in their own Praises take,
Might Monuments, to serve their Int'rest, make:
But if among the Lions had been known
Artists as dext'rous to ingrave in Stone,
He wou'd with more, and truer Sculptures, meet,
Where Men were prostrate laid at Lions Feet.
The MORAL.
‘Men, who their own Atchievements love to boast,‘To gain their Point, alledge what serves it most:
‘Careless what Truth or Reason may suggest,
‘They chuse what colours their Pretensions best.
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FABLE LXIV. The Funeral:
Or, Mercenary Mourners.
A wealthy Man, with two fair Daughters bless'd,
By Death, of half his Stock was dispossess'd;
And (as if real Woe cou'd find Relief
In the false Sounds of Artificial Grief)
Did a vast Tribe of Hackney-Mourners call,
With their strain'd Notes, to grace the Funeral:
Which they perform'd with such dissembl'd Shew,
That their feign'd Sorrow soon outvy'd the true.
When the surviving Sister heard their Cries,
That to a Pitch she cou'd not reach, did rise;
She said, Alas! Why are not we as learn'd,
To vent our Passion, who are more concern'd?
Her Mother answer'd, They may best complain,
Whose mercenary Plaints are hir'd for Gain:
For diff'rent Reasons we our Tears employ;
Ours spring from Trouble, theirs proceed from Joy:
Those Counterfeits, by Noise, promote their Trade;
For that are better lik'd, and better paid:
We need no Witness to attest our Moan;
True Mourners grieve in silence, and alone.
By Death, of half his Stock was dispossess'd;
And (as if real Woe cou'd find Relief
In the false Sounds of Artificial Grief)
Did a vast Tribe of Hackney-Mourners call,
With their strain'd Notes, to grace the Funeral:
Which they perform'd with such dissembl'd Shew,
That their feign'd Sorrow soon outvy'd the true.
When the surviving Sister heard their Cries,
That to a Pitch she cou'd not reach, did rise;
She said, Alas! Why are not we as learn'd,
To vent our Passion, who are more concern'd?
Her Mother answer'd, They may best complain,
Whose mercenary Plaints are hir'd for Gain:
For diff'rent Reasons we our Tears employ;
Ours spring from Trouble, theirs proceed from Joy:
Those Counterfeits, by Noise, promote their Trade;
For that are better lik'd, and better paid:
We need no Witness to attest our Moan;
True Mourners grieve in silence, and alone.
The MORAL.
‘So some false-Friends, who, for base Lucre's sake,‘A Profit of their Neighbour's Losses make;
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‘Tho', in his Suff'rings, they find true Content;
‘Hug the Mishaps by which their Fortunes thrive,
‘And best are pleas'd, when most they seem to grieve.
FABLE LXV. The Goose:
Or, Haste makes Waste.
A
Goose, well worth her Meat, Lay'd ev'ry Day
A Golden Egg, that did her Quarters pay.
Her Dame, that thought the Fowl with Gold was lin'd,
And hop'd she shou'd, within, the Indies find;
Impatient to be Rich, her Death contriv'd,
And kill'd the Creature by whose Fruit she liv'd.
But when she ript her up, with eager haste,
A wretched Bilk did all her Projects blast;
She found no Treasure in the Carkass lie,
But some Materials for a Giblet Pie:
Yet on the right Horse she wou'd lay the Saddle,
And own'd, 'twas her own fault her Eggs were Addle.
A Golden Egg, that did her Quarters pay.
Her Dame, that thought the Fowl with Gold was lin'd,
And hop'd she shou'd, within, the Indies find;
Impatient to be Rich, her Death contriv'd,
And kill'd the Creature by whose Fruit she liv'd.
But when she ript her up, with eager haste,
A wretched Bilk did all her Projects blast;
She found no Treasure in the Carkass lie,
But some Materials for a Giblet Pie:
Yet on the right Horse she wou'd lay the Saddle,
And own'd, 'twas her own fault her Eggs were Addle.
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The MORAL.
‘Impatient Fools, not with slow Gains content,‘By hasty Methods wou'd Heaven's Pace prevent;
‘But, while with luckless Speed they run too fast,
‘Stumble, and miss what did excite their Haste.
‘Such Disappointments justly prove their Fate,
‘Who will not Providence's Leisure wait.
FABLE LXVI. The Bull and Mouse:
Or, Small Enemies not contemptible.
A wanton
Bull, that through the Fields did stray,
Trod on a Mouse that happen'd in his Way:
The little Creature, with Resentment fir'd,
Bit him, and quickly to her Hole retir'd.
With brandish'd Horns he sought the threatned Foe,
But cou'd not find what had disturb'd him so:
While she in Safety did his Rage deride,
And thus provok'd the Anger she defy'd;
Tho' you are strong, and of a bulky Size,
Do not, Great Sir, mean Enemies despise;
Since a small Mouse, protected by her Cave,
Can hurt you, and, unharm'd, your Fury brave.
Trod on a Mouse that happen'd in his Way:
The little Creature, with Resentment fir'd,
Bit him, and quickly to her Hole retir'd.
With brandish'd Horns he sought the threatned Foe,
But cou'd not find what had disturb'd him so:
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And thus provok'd the Anger she defy'd;
Tho' you are strong, and of a bulky Size,
Do not, Great Sir, mean Enemies despise;
Since a small Mouse, protected by her Cave,
Can hurt you, and, unharm'd, your Fury brave.
The MORAL.
‘Let not thy Strength make thee Injurious grow,‘'Tis dang'rous to provoke the meanest Foe:
‘They most may vex thee, whom thou most do'st slight,
‘And scorn thy Pow'r, while they exert their Spight.
FABLE LXVII. The Dog:
Or, Sweet Meat must have Sour Sauce.
A gen'rous Soul, whose Bottle and his Friend
Made Life sit well, and did its Cares unbend,
Invited, to a Dish or two of Meat,
An old Acquaintance, worthy of the Treat.
Made Life sit well, and did its Cares unbend,
Invited, to a Dish or two of Meat,
An old Acquaintance, worthy of the Treat.
His Spaniel, who the Proverb oft' had prov'd,
That, As the Master, so the Dog, is lov'd;
An equal Strain of Courtesy express'd,
And pray'd his Neighbour-Dog to be his Guest.
The ready Curr, that did no Pressing need,
To please his Friend, but more himself agreed;
And when his Master thought it Time to go,
He stretch'd himself, and yawn'd, and travel'd too.
He came, was introduc'd by his Comrade,
And to the Kitchin his Devotion paid.
He saw there was a noble Bill of Fare,
And, when his Dishes he had chose with Care,
He lick'd his Lips, and wagg'd his Tail, for Joy,
To think how well he shou'd his Teeth employ:
At last, discover'd by the hasty Cook,
Who wou'd not there such loose Companions brook,
He found Dame Fortune's Smiles a meer Caprice,
His Hopes were disappointed in a trice:
He got a Knock or two, without a Bit,
And, e're he tasted Roast-Meat, felt the Spit;
Then by the Tail was three times hurl'd about,
And, like a Dog that Pudding stole, thrown out.
Asham'd, and troubl'd that his Stars so lour'd,
He yaul'd, betook him to his Heels, and scour'd;
But told his Fellow-Currs, (who soon repair'd
To know how well their Brother-Scrambler far'd)
That he had Eat and Drunk to such Excess,
'Twas past his Skill to tell, or theirs to guess.
That, As the Master, so the Dog, is lov'd;
An equal Strain of Courtesy express'd,
And pray'd his Neighbour-Dog to be his Guest.
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To please his Friend, but more himself agreed;
And when his Master thought it Time to go,
He stretch'd himself, and yawn'd, and travel'd too.
He came, was introduc'd by his Comrade,
And to the Kitchin his Devotion paid.
He saw there was a noble Bill of Fare,
And, when his Dishes he had chose with Care,
He lick'd his Lips, and wagg'd his Tail, for Joy,
To think how well he shou'd his Teeth employ:
At last, discover'd by the hasty Cook,
Who wou'd not there such loose Companions brook,
He found Dame Fortune's Smiles a meer Caprice,
His Hopes were disappointed in a trice:
He got a Knock or two, without a Bit,
And, e're he tasted Roast-Meat, felt the Spit;
Then by the Tail was three times hurl'd about,
And, like a Dog that Pudding stole, thrown out.
Asham'd, and troubl'd that his Stars so lour'd,
He yaul'd, betook him to his Heels, and scour'd;
But told his Fellow-Currs, (who soon repair'd
To know how well their Brother-Scrambler far'd)
That he had Eat and Drunk to such Excess,
'Twas past his Skill to tell, or theirs to guess.
The MORAL.
‘When Sensu'lists do False-Delights pursue,‘They lose the nobler Blessings of the True:
‘When on their Lusts their Time and Care they spend,
‘Their fading Joys in lasting Torments end.
‘The Libertines indulge themselves in vain,
‘To buy short Pleasures with eternal Pain.
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FABLE LXVIII. The Spider and Gout:
Or, Delicacy breeds Distempers.
A busie
Spider, that had long kept Home,
And labour'd tightly at her Native Loom;
The Web compleated, wou'd relax her Care,
And walk'd to view the Fields, and take the Air.
To her the Gout, originally Lame,
And by a Crutch supported, limping came.
Thus join'd, in pleasing Talk they pass'd the Day,
And, while intent on that, mistook their Way;
'Till Night approaching, made them recollect,
And to next Town in view their Course direct;
Resolv'd, that each shou'd for himself provide,
As each expected to be best supply'd.
And labour'd tightly at her Native Loom;
The Web compleated, wou'd relax her Care,
And walk'd to view the Fields, and take the Air.
To her the Gout, originally Lame,
And by a Crutch supported, limping came.
Thus join'd, in pleasing Talk they pass'd the Day,
And, while intent on that, mistook their Way;
'Till Night approaching, made them recollect,
And to next Town in view their Course direct;
Resolv'd, that each shou'd for himself provide,
As each expected to be best supply'd.
The Spider made a Rich Man's House her Inn,
And there, tho' tir'd, did a new Task begin;
But e're she cou'd compleat her curious Loom,
She found the Work demolish'd by a Broom:
The cleanly Maids, (to Strangers often rude)
From Hole to Hole th' unwelcom Guest pursu'd;
And, like Penelope revers'd, their Spight
Undid by Day, what she had wrought by Night.
Finding no Safety cou'd be there enjoy'd,
Where Maids and Besoms were so much employ'd,
She left her Lodging, with Regret, to see
That all liv'd there in Peace, and Ease, but she.
Mean-while her Fellow-Traveller, the Gout,
From Door to Door had halted long about,
And begg'd Admittance; but, alas! in vain,
None wou'd the weary Cripple entertain:
'Till a poor Wretch, more tenderly enclin'd,
Part of his Cabin, and his Bed, resign'd:
But there the dainty Inmate sadly far'd,
His Food was coarse, his Lodging very hard;
A dry, brown, mouldy Crust was all his Meat,
Which Hunger scarce cou'd tempt a Mouse to eat;
His Drink was Puddle, from a dirty Bowl,
Which, what shou'd cleanse it, rather help'd to foul:
The hard, cold Ground, with Chaff, and thinly spread,
Was all the poor Provision for his Bed;
Where, vex'd with prickly Awns, and hungry Fleas,
Toil was his Rest, and Torment all his Ease:
This made his early Haste the Sun prevent,
And, when his Legs were dress'd, Abroad he went:
Where, as he hopt along the rugged Street,
He, and his worthy Friend, Arachne, meet.
Good-morrow's giv'n; they to a Porch retir'd,
And of each other's good Success enquir'd.
Now both, with Grief, alternately relate
The mournful Stories of their dismal Fate.
The Spider, with their Cleanliness, upbraids
The Curious Mistress, and her Dainty Maids.
The Gout, in sad Return, his Lodging blam'd,
And said, his Feet were more than ever Lam'd.
From these Accounts, their Thoughts were next employ'd,
How they such future Suff'rings might avoid.
The Spider, what the Gout dislik'd, approv'd;
And He, what most She discommended, lov'd.
Since neither cou'd with his first Lot dispense,
They therefore chose to change their Residence.
All Day they skulk'd, and when retiring Light
Left them the fav'ring Shelter of the Night,
The Spider travel'd to the Beggar's Crate,
The Gout went boldly to the Rich-Man's Gate;
Which soon the ready Porter did unlock,
Alarm'd by his Authoritative Knock.
His Quality made known, the Lordly Guest
Was with the height of Compliment caress'd:
The Master treated him with vast Expence,
As if he was to entertain a Prince:
A costly Bath for his swoln Feet was made,
And Velvet Cushions, to support them, laid.
The hurry'd Servants, with officious Haste,
Strove who shou'd most with his Commands be grac'd:
All that nice Palates reckon dainty Chear,
From Parts remote was sought, and purchas'd dear:
The richest Grapes contributed their Wine
To whet his Stomach, and his Blood refine:
Swan's softest Down was crouded in his Bed,
And light rich Indian Quilts were on it spread:
Her utmost Skill the busie Lady try'd,
And to his Feet warm Poultices apply'd:
She fear'd to hurt him by too rude a Touch,
And thought her own soft Hand transgress'd too much:
Her Cook'ry too as nicely she display'd,
Soops, Caudles, Creams, Tisanes, and Jelleys made:
All Things were thought on that cou'd give him Ease,
His Wants supply, or wanton Fancy please.
And there, tho' tir'd, did a new Task begin;
But e're she cou'd compleat her curious Loom,
She found the Work demolish'd by a Broom:
The cleanly Maids, (to Strangers often rude)
From Hole to Hole th' unwelcom Guest pursu'd;
And, like Penelope revers'd, their Spight
Undid by Day, what she had wrought by Night.
Finding no Safety cou'd be there enjoy'd,
Where Maids and Besoms were so much employ'd,
She left her Lodging, with Regret, to see
That all liv'd there in Peace, and Ease, but she.
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From Door to Door had halted long about,
And begg'd Admittance; but, alas! in vain,
None wou'd the weary Cripple entertain:
'Till a poor Wretch, more tenderly enclin'd,
Part of his Cabin, and his Bed, resign'd:
But there the dainty Inmate sadly far'd,
His Food was coarse, his Lodging very hard;
A dry, brown, mouldy Crust was all his Meat,
Which Hunger scarce cou'd tempt a Mouse to eat;
His Drink was Puddle, from a dirty Bowl,
Which, what shou'd cleanse it, rather help'd to foul:
The hard, cold Ground, with Chaff, and thinly spread,
Was all the poor Provision for his Bed;
Where, vex'd with prickly Awns, and hungry Fleas,
Toil was his Rest, and Torment all his Ease:
This made his early Haste the Sun prevent,
And, when his Legs were dress'd, Abroad he went:
Where, as he hopt along the rugged Street,
He, and his worthy Friend, Arachne, meet.
Good-morrow's giv'n; they to a Porch retir'd,
And of each other's good Success enquir'd.
Now both, with Grief, alternately relate
The mournful Stories of their dismal Fate.
The Spider, with their Cleanliness, upbraids
The Curious Mistress, and her Dainty Maids.
The Gout, in sad Return, his Lodging blam'd,
And said, his Feet were more than ever Lam'd.
From these Accounts, their Thoughts were next employ'd,
How they such future Suff'rings might avoid.
The Spider, what the Gout dislik'd, approv'd;
And He, what most She discommended, lov'd.
Since neither cou'd with his first Lot dispense,
They therefore chose to change their Residence.
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Left them the fav'ring Shelter of the Night,
The Spider travel'd to the Beggar's Crate,
The Gout went boldly to the Rich-Man's Gate;
Which soon the ready Porter did unlock,
Alarm'd by his Authoritative Knock.
His Quality made known, the Lordly Guest
Was with the height of Compliment caress'd:
The Master treated him with vast Expence,
As if he was to entertain a Prince:
A costly Bath for his swoln Feet was made,
And Velvet Cushions, to support them, laid.
The hurry'd Servants, with officious Haste,
Strove who shou'd most with his Commands be grac'd:
All that nice Palates reckon dainty Chear,
From Parts remote was sought, and purchas'd dear:
The richest Grapes contributed their Wine
To whet his Stomach, and his Blood refine:
Swan's softest Down was crouded in his Bed,
And light rich Indian Quilts were on it spread:
Her utmost Skill the busie Lady try'd,
And to his Feet warm Poultices apply'd:
She fear'd to hurt him by too rude a Touch,
And thought her own soft Hand transgress'd too much:
Her Cook'ry too as nicely she display'd,
Soops, Caudles, Creams, Tisanes, and Jelleys made:
All Things were thought on that cou'd give him Ease,
His Wants supply, or wanton Fancy please.
While he was pamper'd thus, his happy Friend
Did all her Time in equal Pleasure spend;
Within the Poor-Man's Hut she liv'd at rest,
No curious Dames did there her Work molest:
In ev'ry Corner her fine Nets she spread,
And on intangl'd Flyes of all sorts fed;
She wrought her circling Cobweb free from Care,
And fear'd no Breaches but from ruffling Air:
Thus she Sole Empress of the Cottage reign'd,
And all Insults of Whisks and Brooms disdain'd.
The Friends thus pleas'd, an Interview contriv'd,
To tell each other in whar Bliss they liv'd:
When met, each prais'd what to his Thought seem'd best;
The Gout, his Fare, Attendance, Ease, and Rest.
The Spider, who enjoy'd what she desir'd,
Her Safety, and her Liberty, admir'd.
Each did unspeakable Enjoyments find,
And to pursue his pleasing Course design'd;
To take their Quarters, as they stroll'd about,
In Crates the Spider, and in Courts the Gout.
Did all her Time in equal Pleasure spend;
Within the Poor-Man's Hut she liv'd at rest,
No curious Dames did there her Work molest:
In ev'ry Corner her fine Nets she spread,
And on intangl'd Flyes of all sorts fed;
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And fear'd no Breaches but from ruffling Air:
Thus she Sole Empress of the Cottage reign'd,
And all Insults of Whisks and Brooms disdain'd.
The Friends thus pleas'd, an Interview contriv'd,
To tell each other in whar Bliss they liv'd:
When met, each prais'd what to his Thought seem'd best;
The Gout, his Fare, Attendance, Ease, and Rest.
The Spider, who enjoy'd what she desir'd,
Her Safety, and her Liberty, admir'd.
Each did unspeakable Enjoyments find,
And to pursue his pleasing Course design'd;
To take their Quarters, as they stroll'd about,
In Crates the Spider, and in Courts the Gout.
The MORAL.
‘Distempers oft'nest on the Wealthy seize,‘First bred by Softness, then encreas'd by Ease:
‘Where Action least is us'd, they most abound,
‘Like Thistles in uncultivated Ground.
‘But, as the frequent Tillage of a Soil
‘Do's banish Weeds, and all rank Products spoil;
‘So he, whose Fortune craves laborious Pains,
‘Prevents Diseases, and long Health maintains.
‘Nor are high Titles, or abundant Wealth,
‘To Liberty more friendly than to Health:
‘The Great, restrain'd from Life's more easie Rate,
‘Are Ceremonious Slaves, confin'd to State;
‘While Happy Men, in meaner Stations bless'd,
‘Live by no Rules but what are truly best:
‘Govern'd by Nature's Law, and Reason's Sway,
‘(Which 'tis the noblest Freedom to obey)
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‘With which all Pomp is clogg'd, and Grandeur cloy'd.
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