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 |
 | I. |
| II. |
| III. |
 | IV. | BOOK IV. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
| XVII. |
| XVIII. |
| XIX. |
| XX. |
| XXI. |
| XXII. |
| XXIII. |
| XXIV. |
| XXV. |
| XXVI. |
| XXVII. |
| XXVIII. |
| XXIX. |
| XXX. |
| XXXI. |
 | Truth in Fiction |  |
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BOOK IV.
FABLE I. The Frogs and Jupiter:
Or, The Malecontents.
The
Frogs, a People Uncontroll'd, and Free,
But ignorant in prising Liberty;
With loud Petitions deaf'ned Jove, to grant
A King; a Favour they had better want.
Straight the Consenting God throws down a Block,
Whose pond'rous Weight the neighb'ring Fens did shock.
The frighted Crowds at awful Distance stand,
And, with due Rev'rence, wait their King's Command.
But when his Silence had dispell'd their Fear,
They gather'd Courage, and came boldly near:
Then, with dull Majesty familiar grown,
They made their King a Stage to sport upon.
This did not please, they new Petitions bring,
Desire a brisker and more active King.
At their Request, the God deputes a Stork,
Who stalking through the Pools, made dreadful Work:
His Subjects Blood the Tyrant daily shed,
And with their Flesh his pamper'd Carcafe fed.
Now their wish'd Change of Government they curse,
(For if the Log was bad, the Stork was worse;)
And of their Grievances again complain,
A new Vicegerent ask, but ask in vain:
They who the Block's more easie Reign despis'd,
By one too Rigid, justly were chastis'd.
But ignorant in prising Liberty;
With loud Petitions deaf'ned Jove, to grant
A King; a Favour they had better want.
Straight the Consenting God throws down a Block,
Whose pond'rous Weight the neighb'ring Fens did shock.
The frighted Crowds at awful Distance stand,
And, with due Rev'rence, wait their King's Command.
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They gather'd Courage, and came boldly near:
Then, with dull Majesty familiar grown,
They made their King a Stage to sport upon.
This did not please, they new Petitions bring,
Desire a brisker and more active King.
At their Request, the God deputes a Stork,
Who stalking through the Pools, made dreadful Work:
His Subjects Blood the Tyrant daily shed,
And with their Flesh his pamper'd Carcafe fed.
Now their wish'd Change of Government they curse,
(For if the Log was bad, the Stork was worse;)
And of their Grievances again complain,
A new Vicegerent ask, but ask in vain:
They who the Block's more easie Reign despis'd,
By one too Rigid, justly were chastis'd.
The MORAL.
‘Restless Desires of Change, our Bliss destroy,‘We still disrelish Blessings we enjoy:
‘But nothing more betrays our Discontent,
‘Than our Dislike of present Government.
‘Kings of all Tempers are alike revil'd;
‘The Sharp seem too severe, too soft the Mild:
‘We think they hold the Reins too loose, or strait;
‘If that, despise them; if the other, hate:
‘The Mind's unsettl'd with this strange Disease;
‘Heav'n neither can with Rain nor Sun-shine please.
281
FABLE II. The Crow and Birds:
Or, Monarchy the best Government.
The
Birds consider'd, that the Eagle's Care
Cou'd scarce extend thro' all the spacious Air;
Its Feather'd Natives were so Num'rous grown,
They thought the Government too large for One:
And, for the better Guidance of the State,
Wou'd a Plurality of Kings create.
But the wise Crow, disliking that Design,
Advis'd, They shou'd the rash Attempt decline;
And told them, (for they wou'd his Reason know)
A less Expence wou'd fill one Sack, than two.
Cou'd scarce extend thro' all the spacious Air;
Its Feather'd Natives were so Num'rous grown,
They thought the Government too large for One:
And, for the better Guidance of the State,
Wou'd a Plurality of Kings create.
But the wise Crow, disliking that Design,
Advis'd, They shou'd the rash Attempt decline;
And told them, (for they wou'd his Reason know)
A less Expence wou'd fill one Sack, than two.
The MORAL.
‘In Common-wealths, where many Lords are found,‘The Peoples Suff'rings equally abound:
‘But shou'd a Monarch Arbitrary grow,
‘His Subjects still but One Oppressor know:
‘And sure, the Suff'rers less perceive the Harm,
‘To glut a single Hornet, than a Swarm.
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FABLE III. The Ass and Horse:
Or, Sweet Meat has Sour Sauce.
An
Ass, with Grief, beheld a pamper'd Steed,
Who, tho' he never Wrought, did always Feed;
And thought him happy in that envy'd State,
But murmur'd at his own severer Fate:
Pinch'd with hard Fare, with heavy Loads oppress'd,
Allow'd as little Time to Eat, as Rest.
But while this deep Concern encreas'd his Care,
The Trumpet summon'd the proud Horse to War;
Who tamely did his Back and Mouth submit
To bear the Rider, and endure the Bit:
Thus press'd to Battle, from the hostile Side,
He soon receiv'd a mortal Wound, and dy'd.
The Ass, that saw him fall, no longer griev'd,
Nor was with false Appearances deceiv'd;
But own'd, the Gods to him had prov'd more kind,
Whom they for mean, but safer Use, design'd.
Who, tho' he never Wrought, did always Feed;
And thought him happy in that envy'd State,
But murmur'd at his own severer Fate:
Pinch'd with hard Fare, with heavy Loads oppress'd,
Allow'd as little Time to Eat, as Rest.
But while this deep Concern encreas'd his Care,
The Trumpet summon'd the proud Horse to War;
Who tamely did his Back and Mouth submit
To bear the Rider, and endure the Bit:
Thus press'd to Battle, from the hostile Side,
He soon receiv'd a mortal Wound, and dy'd.
The Ass, that saw him fall, no longer griev'd,
Nor was with false Appearances deceiv'd;
But own'd, the Gods to him had prov'd more kind,
Whom they for mean, but safer Use, design'd.
The MORAL.
‘The Poor, in judging of his Neighbour's State,‘Is oft' mistaken in his Estimate:
‘He sees the fancy'd Joy, and that commends,
‘But not the Grief which on that Joy attends:
‘Observes the griping Want himself endures,
‘But not the Quiet which that Want secures:
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‘Can pass the Night in Sleep, in Song, the Day.
FABLE IV. The Ass and Calf:
Or, A Useful Life, secure.
An
Ass and Calf in one Enclosure fed,
They meant no Mischief, nor did Mischief dread;
'Till an Alarm-Bell rang, which let them know
The Watch discover'd an approaching Foe.
The frighted Calf cry'd, Neighbour, let us run,
For, if we stay, we shall be both undone.
The Ass reply'd; You, if you please, may flie,
Who are good Meat, and may expect to die:
I fear no change of Fortune; come who will,
My Work will be to carry Burdens still.
They meant no Mischief, nor did Mischief dread;
'Till an Alarm-Bell rang, which let them know
The Watch discover'd an approaching Foe.
The frighted Calf cry'd, Neighbour, let us run,
For, if we stay, we shall be both undone.
The Ass reply'd; You, if you please, may flie,
Who are good Meat, and may expect to die:
I fear no change of Fortune; come who will,
My Work will be to carry Burdens still.
The MORAL.
‘Subjects ill us'd, no change of Princes fear;‘The worst that comes, can only be severe:
‘And rarely Slaves the Axe or Halter dread,
‘Who toil while living, but are free when dead.
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FABLE V. The Beau and his Cat:
Or, Nature unalterable.
A brisk young Beau, to airy Mirth enclin'd,
Did, with a Cat, unknown Diversion find;
For Puss was gay, and sportive too, as he,
As Velvet sleek, and white as Ivory;
Adorn'd with ev'ry Beauty, ev'ry Grace,
And might have look'd a Monarch in the Face:
With various Antick Tricks she pass'd the Day,
And, with whatever she cou'd find, wou'd play;
Or, if she had no other Game in view,
In winding Circles wou'd her Tail pursue:
All Day she strove to heighten his Delight,
And by his Side lay Purring all the Night.
These winning Ways did still her Charms improve,
And gain'd her the Ascendant o'er his Love;
'Till he esteem'd her at a higher Rate,
Than suited with the Merits of a Cat:
And now he wish'd (since he was doom'd to burn)
That Puss cou'd make his Flame a fit Return:
For this his Vows to Venus he address'd;
And she (who still helps Lovers, when distress'd)
Granted the Boon for which he often pray'd,
And metamorphos'd Mouser to a Maid.
The Spark, transported at so vast a Bliss,
With num'rous Scenes of Love caress'd his Miss;
Nothing was wanting that cou'd Joy express,
Raise her Delight, or speak his Happiness.
But Love's bright Goddess, who enclin'd to know
If, with her Shape, her Mind was alter'd too;
Resolv'd to try her with her former Game,
And sent a cheeping Mouse to tempt the Dame.
Scarce had the Animal approach'd the Place,
When Madam, with Impatience, gave her Chase;
Forgot her Shape, her Quality, and Love,
And did as much a Cat, as ever, prove.
The slighted Goddess, much incens'd, to find,
That Cat (in spite of Fate) wou'd to her Kind;
Reduc'd her to the Beast she was before,
And vow'd, she shou'd turn Cat in Pan no more.
Did, with a Cat, unknown Diversion find;
For Puss was gay, and sportive too, as he,
As Velvet sleek, and white as Ivory;
Adorn'd with ev'ry Beauty, ev'ry Grace,
And might have look'd a Monarch in the Face:
With various Antick Tricks she pass'd the Day,
And, with whatever she cou'd find, wou'd play;
Or, if she had no other Game in view,
In winding Circles wou'd her Tail pursue:
All Day she strove to heighten his Delight,
And by his Side lay Purring all the Night.
These winning Ways did still her Charms improve,
And gain'd her the Ascendant o'er his Love;
'Till he esteem'd her at a higher Rate,
Than suited with the Merits of a Cat:
And now he wish'd (since he was doom'd to burn)
That Puss cou'd make his Flame a fit Return:
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And she (who still helps Lovers, when distress'd)
Granted the Boon for which he often pray'd,
And metamorphos'd Mouser to a Maid.
The Spark, transported at so vast a Bliss,
With num'rous Scenes of Love caress'd his Miss;
Nothing was wanting that cou'd Joy express,
Raise her Delight, or speak his Happiness.
But Love's bright Goddess, who enclin'd to know
If, with her Shape, her Mind was alter'd too;
Resolv'd to try her with her former Game,
And sent a cheeping Mouse to tempt the Dame.
Scarce had the Animal approach'd the Place,
When Madam, with Impatience, gave her Chase;
Forgot her Shape, her Quality, and Love,
And did as much a Cat, as ever, prove.
The slighted Goddess, much incens'd, to find,
That Cat (in spite of Fate) wou'd to her Kind;
Reduc'd her to the Beast she was before,
And vow'd, she shou'd turn Cat in Pan no more.
The MORAL.
‘Tho' Men their Climate shift, or cross the Main,‘They Nature's Tincture ev'ry-where retain:
‘Thus he, whose Temper is to Vice enclin'd,
‘By changing Stations, do's not change his Mind:
‘He cannot his primæval Impress lose,
‘Who takes himself along where-e'er he goes.
‘To alter Nature is a vain Device;
‘Cats will be Cats, as long as Mice are Mice.
286
FABLE VI. The Stag and Sheep:
Or, Trick for Trick.
A
Stag before the Wolf a Sheep conven'd,
And falsly did an ancient Debt pretend.
The Sheep, (who nothing of the Matter knew,
But that the Sum demanded, was not due)
Aw'd by the Wolf, durst not the Charge gainsay,
But promis'd Payment, and prefix'd a Day.
The Day soon came; the Stag made his Demand,
And found the Wolf was not so near at hand:
The Sheep deny'd, pleaded Duresse and Force,
Which void extorted Promises, of course.
And falsly did an ancient Debt pretend.
The Sheep, (who nothing of the Matter knew,
But that the Sum demanded, was not due)
Aw'd by the Wolf, durst not the Charge gainsay,
But promis'd Payment, and prefix'd a Day.
The Day soon came; the Stag made his Demand,
And found the Wolf was not so near at hand:
The Sheep deny'd, pleaded Duresse and Force,
Which void extorted Promises, of course.
The MORAL.
‘Reason, and Law on Reason founded, prove‘That legal Arms shou'd lawless Force remove:
‘Then sure, 'tis just, when false Demands are made,
‘An honest Fraud, a base one shou'd evade.
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FABLE VII. Mercury and the Statuary:
Or, Vain-glory mortified.
Ambitious
Mercury, grown fond to know
In what Esteem his Godship was Below;
In Air, resembling Human Form, array'd,
His Visit to a Graver's Work house made.
This Chapman seen, the Man began to cry,
Welcome, Good Sir; What will you please to buy?
Pray, what siz'd Figures do's your Worship want,
To set in Niches, or on Grass-plots plant?
I have of all Sorts, 'tis right Work I sell;
Pray, cheapen something, Sir; I'll use you well.
In what Esteem his Godship was Below;
In Air, resembling Human Form, array'd,
His Visit to a Graver's Work house made.
This Chapman seen, the Man began to cry,
Welcome, Good Sir; What will you please to buy?
Pray, what siz'd Figures do's your Worship want,
To set in Niches, or on Grass-plots plant?
I have of all Sorts, 'tis right Work I sell;
Pray, cheapen something, Sir; I'll use you well.
The curious Feigner, from Discov'ry free,
Desir'd some Statues of the Gods to see.
The Workman smil'd, to hear him so inclin'd,
For he few Customers for them did find.
He had of refuse Stone good store of these,
The first Essays of his raw Prentices;
That did behind the Door all dusty stand,
And long had lain a Drug upon his hand:
These he produc'd, and having brush'd them well,
Thus, in his usual Cant, began to sell:
Here's Jupiter, and very nicely wrought,
But yet Dog-cheap; he's yours, Sir, for a Groat:
Here's Juno too, and graven to the Life,
She'll be a Peny less, because the Wife.
The God, with Smiles, deriding their low Rate,
For his own Statue call'd, and cheapned that:
For, big with Self-conceit, he vainly thought,
A Price much higher wou'd for that be sought:
But he was baulk'd in his Vain-glorious Pride;
The Artist, willing to take Money, cry'd,
Sir, if you like to buy the others thus,
I'll throw you this in for for an Overplus.
Desir'd some Statues of the Gods to see.
The Workman smil'd, to hear him so inclin'd,
For he few Customers for them did find.
He had of refuse Stone good store of these,
The first Essays of his raw Prentices;
That did behind the Door all dusty stand,
And long had lain a Drug upon his hand:
These he produc'd, and having brush'd them well,
Thus, in his usual Cant, began to sell:
Here's Jupiter, and very nicely wrought,
But yet Dog-cheap; he's yours, Sir, for a Groat:
Here's Juno too, and graven to the Life,
She'll be a Peny less, because the Wife.
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For his own Statue call'd, and cheapned that:
For, big with Self-conceit, he vainly thought,
A Price much higher wou'd for that be sought:
But he was baulk'd in his Vain-glorious Pride;
The Artist, willing to take Money, cry'd,
Sir, if you like to buy the others thus,
I'll throw you this in for for an Overplus.
The MORAL.
‘Vain-glorious Men, in Self-opinion great,‘Believe themselves such in the World's Conceit:
‘But, in Attempts to gratifie their Pride,
‘By Disappointments, oft' are mortify'd:
‘They find they are not valu'd as they deem,
‘Their Worth is only in their own Esteem.
FABLE VIII. The Wolf and Mastiff:
Or, Liberty, the best Enjoyment.
A
Wolf, that rambl'd out e're Break-of-Day,
Met in a Wood a Mastiff sleek and gay;
And, after Time allow'd to kind Embrace,
Admir'd to see him in such pamper'd Case.
Met in a Wood a Mastiff sleek and gay;
And, after Time allow'd to kind Embrace,
Admir'd to see him in such pamper'd Case.
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The Dog reply'd; My Master's tender Care,
That still indulges me with plenteous Fare,
And keeps me Nightly in a House inclos'd,
Not to th' inclement Air, like you, expos'd:
'Tis that, my Friend, makes me thus Spruce and Clean,
And gives me this surprising Air and Mien.
That still indulges me with plenteous Fare,
And keeps me Nightly in a House inclos'd,
Not to th' inclement Air, like you, expos'd:
'Tis that, my Friend, makes me thus Spruce and Clean,
And gives me this surprising Air and Mien.
Friend, said the Wolf, you're happy, I protest,
With such a Master, and such Usage, bless'd:
The Gods to me no greater Boon cou'd give,
Than in such Plenty, and such Ease, to live.
With such a Master, and such Usage, bless'd:
The Gods to me no greater Boon cou'd give,
Than in such Plenty, and such Ease, to live.
The Dog, who guess'd his Meaning, gave his Word
To introduce him safely to his Lord;
Provided he, on Honour, wou'd engage
To temper and restrain his Native Rage.
To introduce him safely to his Lord;
Provided he, on Honour, wou'd engage
To temper and restrain his Native Rage.
The Wolf agreed, and tow'rds the House they walk,
And on the Way divert themselves with Talk.
But soon the Light, which openly reveals
The Faults which Night, in friendly Shades, conceals,
Appear'd, and shew'd the Dog, that seem'd so fair,
Had round his Neck a Circle worn, and bare.
The Wolf, that did, with strange Surprize, conclude
It was a Badge of hateful Servitude,
Ask'd what it meant? To whom the Dog reply'd;
My Native Fierceness once I cou'd not hide;
But still on Friends, aswell as Strangers, flew,
Bark'd at them much, and sometimes bit them too:
For which my Lord, my Fury to restrain,
Confin'd me to a Collar and a Chain;
With strict Command, That I shou'd none molest,
But Thieves, or Wolves, that did his Land infest:
Thus I was civiliz'd, and what you see,
Is the old Mark of my Captivity.
At this Relation griev'd, the Wolf withdrew,
Return'd his Thanks, and bid his Friend Adieu:
You boast, said he, your happy Life in vain,
While your High-keeping loads you with a Chain:
Believe me, Friend, I will not change my State,
To purchase Plenty at so dear a Rate:
Enough the bounteous Gods will favour me
With meaner Fare, and sweeter Liberty.
And on the Way divert themselves with Talk.
But soon the Light, which openly reveals
The Faults which Night, in friendly Shades, conceals,
Appear'd, and shew'd the Dog, that seem'd so fair,
Had round his Neck a Circle worn, and bare.
The Wolf, that did, with strange Surprize, conclude
It was a Badge of hateful Servitude,
Ask'd what it meant? To whom the Dog reply'd;
My Native Fierceness once I cou'd not hide;
But still on Friends, aswell as Strangers, flew,
Bark'd at them much, and sometimes bit them too:
For which my Lord, my Fury to restrain,
Confin'd me to a Collar and a Chain;
With strict Command, That I shou'd none molest,
But Thieves, or Wolves, that did his Land infest:
Thus I was civiliz'd, and what you see,
Is the old Mark of my Captivity.
At this Relation griev'd, the Wolf withdrew,
Return'd his Thanks, and bid his Friend Adieu:
You boast, said he, your happy Life in vain,
While your High-keeping loads you with a Chain:
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To purchase Plenty at so dear a Rate:
Enough the bounteous Gods will favour me
With meaner Fare, and sweeter Liberty.
The MORAL.
‘Prefer a Cottage, and its homely Fare,‘To Palaces, and all the Dainties there:
‘In that you can no Injury receive,
‘But may secure, and your own Master live:
‘In these you suffer an abhorr'd Restraint,
‘Oppress'd with Wrongs, and not allow'd Complaint.
FABLE IX. The Mariners:
Or, Devotion misdirected.
On the rough Ocean, with a tempest tost,
Some Mariners expected to be lost:
Their Hopes and Spirits equally grown faint,
Each one address'd his own Tutelar Saint;
Begg'd his Compassion, and invok'd his Aid,
And with great Zeal (for in great Danger) pray'd.
But one, more wise, or pious, than his Mates,
Reprov'd their vain Petitions in their Straits:
Alas! said he, you know not what you ask,
While on the Saints you wou'd impose this Task:
E're they to Heav'n can represent your Grief,
We all shall perish, and be past Relief:
Rather, in time, to their Great Ruler pray,
Who can both sooner hear, and help, than they.
Then to Jehovah they their Pray'rs address'd:
Which done, the Billows fell, and Tempest ceas'd.
Some Mariners expected to be lost:
Their Hopes and Spirits equally grown faint,
Each one address'd his own Tutelar Saint;
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And with great Zeal (for in great Danger) pray'd.
But one, more wise, or pious, than his Mates,
Reprov'd their vain Petitions in their Straits:
Alas! said he, you know not what you ask,
While on the Saints you wou'd impose this Task:
E're they to Heav'n can represent your Grief,
We all shall perish, and be past Relief:
Rather, in time, to their Great Ruler pray,
Who can both sooner hear, and help, than they.
Then to Jehovah they their Pray'rs address'd:
Which done, the Billows fell, and Tempest ceas'd.
The MORAL.
‘Why shou'd wise Man to Saints or Angels Pray,‘Who are not to Command, but to Obey?
‘As if the God we serve, was not so near,
‘Or not so ready, and so kind to hear?
‘Those Creatures cannot like Compassion shew,
‘Nor Wonders, as their Great Creator do:
‘He knows our Wants before we vent our Grief,
‘And often helps us e're we ask Relief:
‘And our High-Priest, tho' plac'd above the Skies,
‘Retains a Sense of our Infirmities;
‘It is His Work alone to Intercede,
‘Who can, on our Behalf, His Merits plead.
‘Saints have Defects, which by His Eyes are seen,
‘Those Eyes, in which the Heavens are not clean:
‘And Angels, humbled by their Fellows Pride,
‘With Folly charg'd, their blushing Faces Hide.
‘How then can they on our Account'prevail,
‘Who for themselves, without His Help, wou'd fail?
292
‘At the same Instant, Myriads of Pray'rs,
‘Do's an Omniscience to them impute,
‘And robs Jehovah of that Attribute.
‘To think they can at once be ev'ry-where,
‘(Or else they cannot all Addresses hear)
‘Do's Omnipresence give to finite Things,
‘Which only suits the Boundless King of kings.
‘To think they can all our Petitions grant,
‘Supply, at once, Ten thousand sorts of Want;
‘Is to ascribe to them Omnipotence,
‘Tho' insufficient for their own Defence;
‘And do's th' Almighty of His Right deprive,
‘Who to no other will His Glory give.
‘They who created Beings thus adore,
‘And, in their Maker's Stead, his Works implore;
‘The Guilt of gross Idolatry contract,
‘Profaning him they worship, in the Act.
‘Angels, indeed, our due Regard shou'd have,
‘Because they serve us, tho' they cannot save:
‘And to the Saints just Honour shou'd be paid,
‘Whose holy Lives are our Examples made:
‘Who Worships either, or to either Prays,
‘To Them too much, to Heav'n too little, pays.
‘Let us their GOD, and ours, alone Adore;
‘His Pow'r is greater, and His Goodness more.
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FABLE X. The Sluggard:
Or, Idleness finds Excuses.
While early Students with the Sun arose,
And to their Studies did themselves dispose:
It was observ'd, that one neglectful Youth
Indulg'd himself in Idleness and Sloth;
And, as if Bed-rid, seldom left that Place,
'Till High-Noon Beams cast Blushes o'er his Face.
His Fellows oft' the drowsie Sluggard blam'd:
But he, who was not of his Fault asham'd,
Reply'd; The Time, you think I lose, is spent
In list'ning to an eager Argument:
For pleasing Sleep no sooner quits my Eyes,
But two in Female-dress before me rise;
Brisk active Industry, and heavy Sloth,
These both approach, and importune me both;
One calls aloud, to raise my drousie Head,
And waste no more my precious Hours in Bed,
But to some useful Work my self apply:
The other blames her Haste, and bids me lie;
Where, by kind Warmth, and grateful Ease, secure,
I neither Cold nor Labour shall endure:
While they continue thus in warm Dispute,
Nor can each other's Arguments confute;
I, who to both Sides give impartial Heed,
Lie unresolv'd, till they are both agreed;
So keep my Bed as long as they Contend,
In Expectation when the Strife will end.
And to their Studies did themselves dispose:
It was observ'd, that one neglectful Youth
Indulg'd himself in Idleness and Sloth;
And, as if Bed-rid, seldom left that Place,
'Till High-Noon Beams cast Blushes o'er his Face.
His Fellows oft' the drowsie Sluggard blam'd:
But he, who was not of his Fault asham'd,
Reply'd; The Time, you think I lose, is spent
In list'ning to an eager Argument:
For pleasing Sleep no sooner quits my Eyes,
But two in Female-dress before me rise;
Brisk active Industry, and heavy Sloth,
These both approach, and importune me both;
One calls aloud, to raise my drousie Head,
And waste no more my precious Hours in Bed,
But to some useful Work my self apply:
The other blames her Haste, and bids me lie;
Where, by kind Warmth, and grateful Ease, secure,
I neither Cold nor Labour shall endure:
While they continue thus in warm Dispute,
Nor can each other's Arguments confute;
I, who to both Sides give impartial Heed,
Lie unresolv'd, till they are both agreed;
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In Expectation when the Strife will end.
The MORAL.
‘Thus lazy Souls, who lie dissolv'd in Ease,‘And find no Life, but the unactive, please;
‘Tho' slow to Bus'ness, and profuse of Time,
‘Are ready at Excuses for the Crime:
‘But while such Drones, who all Employment slight,
‘Oblige the Publick with no Benefit;
‘The useless Things are with neglect pass'd by,
‘Unvalu'd live, and unlamented die.
295
FABLE XI. The Clown and Snake:
Or, Once Injur'd, still Distrust.
A churlish
Rustick long a Snake had bred,
Warm'd in his Breast, and at his Trencher fed;
But, in an angry Mood, with Rage possess'd,
He with an Axe attack'd the harmless Beast.
Hurt as she was, she did with Life escape,
And vow'd no more to venture such Mishap.
The Boor reduc'd, believ'd that fatal Blow
Had been the Cause of his ensuing Woe:
He found the Snake, desir'd her to return,
And told her how he for that Wrong did mourn;
He promis'd too, she shou'd be better us'd:
But wisely she desir'd to be excus'd:
Into his House, she said, she durst not come,
Who kept so broad, so sharp an Axe, at Home:
For tho' kind Time had long remov'd her Pain,
The sad Remembrance still did fresh remain.
Warm'd in his Breast, and at his Trencher fed;
But, in an angry Mood, with Rage possess'd,
He with an Axe attack'd the harmless Beast.
Hurt as she was, she did with Life escape,
And vow'd no more to venture such Mishap.
The Boor reduc'd, believ'd that fatal Blow
Had been the Cause of his ensuing Woe:
He found the Snake, desir'd her to return,
And told her how he for that Wrong did mourn;
He promis'd too, she shou'd be better us'd:
But wisely she desir'd to be excus'd:
Into his House, she said, she durst not come,
Who kept so broad, so sharp an Axe, at Home:
For tho' kind Time had long remov'd her Pain,
The sad Remembrance still did fresh remain.
The MORAL.
‘The Injuries which gen'rous Souls receive,‘They can, with boundless Charity, forgive:
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‘Will run the Risque of being wrong'd, no more.
FABLE XII. The Frogs:
Or, Look before you Leap.
Two
Frogs, all Winter long, a Pool possess'd,
And there enjoy'd themselves, and liv'd at Rest;
But when the Sun's exhaling Beams grew high,
They felt their Residence too hot and dry.
Forc'd from this Seat, they for a new one try'd,
And sound a Pit with Water well supply'd.
The eager Female long'd to taste the Drink,
And, with rash haste, was leaping from the Brink;
'Till, by the Heel, her Spouse his Lady caught,
And stopt her with a more consid'rate Thought:
Forbear, said he; for, shou'd this Water fail,
'Twon'd be our Fate to live and die in Jail.
And there enjoy'd themselves, and liv'd at Rest;
But when the Sun's exhaling Beams grew high,
They felt their Residence too hot and dry.
Forc'd from this Seat, they for a new one try'd,
And sound a Pit with Water well supply'd.
The eager Female long'd to taste the Drink,
And, with rash haste, was leaping from the Brink;
'Till, by the Heel, her Spouse his Lady caught,
And stopt her with a more consid'rate Thought:
Forbear, said he; for, shou'd this Water fail,
'Twon'd be our Fate to live and die in Jail.
The MORAL.
‘In all Attempts, look forward to the End,‘Let That the Act discourage, or commend;
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‘Which, tho' you might prevent, you can't retrieve.
FABLE XIII. The Fisher:
Or, Nothing out of Season.
A
Fisher, not experienc'd in his Trade,
A new Device, for taking Fish, essay'd;
With Pipes and Nets he to the River went,
And hop'd his Musick wou'd his Pains prevent:
Plac'd on the Bank, he sate and play'd a-while,
As if that Method wou'd the Fish beguile:
But when he found they wou'd not so be caught,
He cast his Nets, and took a mighty Draught.
The Scaly Pris'ners, as he took them out,
Danc'd in the Net, and nimbly frisk'd about:
Against whose ill-tim'd Measures he inveigh'd,
And, with no little Indignation, said;
See how the Fools, that let me Pipe alone,
Begin their Galliards now the Tune is done.
A new Device, for taking Fish, essay'd;
With Pipes and Nets he to the River went,
And hop'd his Musick wou'd his Pains prevent:
Plac'd on the Bank, he sate and play'd a-while,
As if that Method wou'd the Fish beguile:
But when he found they wou'd not so be caught,
He cast his Nets, and took a mighty Draught.
The Scaly Pris'ners, as he took them out,
Danc'd in the Net, and nimbly frisk'd about:
Against whose ill-tim'd Measures he inveigh'd,
And, with no little Indignation, said;
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Begin their Galliards now the Tune is done.
The MORAL.
‘All Things are, in their proper Season, best,‘But intempestive Actions are a Jest;
‘And they, who such prepost'rous Works advance,
‘Play out of Time, and, without Musick, Dance.
FABLE XIV. The Old-Man loth to Die:
Or, Consider your Latter-End.
A wretch, that on the World's uneasie Stage
Had acted long, ev'n to decrepit Age;
At the last Scene, thought he too soon had done;
And, when Death call'd him, begg'd he might stay on.
He said, His greatest Bus'ness was to do,
And hop'd the Fates wou'd not surprise him so;
But spare him, that he might Provision make
for that long Journey which he was to take.
Had acted long, ev'n to decrepit Age;
At the last Scene, thought he too soon had done;
And, when Death call'd him, begg'd he might stay on.
He said, His greatest Bus'ness was to do,
And hop'd the Fates wou'd not surprise him so;
But spare him, that he might Provision make
for that long Journey which he was to take.
Death ask'd him why he had that Work deferr'd,
Since he had warn'd him oft' to be prepard.
Since he had warn'd him oft' to be prepard.
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He answer'd, He had never seen his Face,
And hop'd he wou'd allow him Days of Grace.
But Death reply'd; You often saw me near,
My Face in sev'ral Objects did appear;
I have not only your Coævals slain,
'Till but a few, a very few remain;
But Young-Men, Children, New-born Infants too,
And all to caution and admonish you:
All to remind you of your Mortal State,
And that my Coming wou'd be sure, tho' late.
And hop'd he wou'd allow him Days of Grace.
But Death reply'd; You often saw me near,
My Face in sev'ral Objects did appear;
I have not only your Coævals slain,
'Till but a few, a very few remain;
But Young-Men, Children, New-born Infants too,
And all to caution and admonish you:
All to remind you of your Mortal State,
And that my Coming wou'd be sure, tho' late.
When you perceiv'd your Eye-balls sink away,
Your Hearing fail, and ev'ry Sense decay;
When you discern'd your Teeth forsake their Place,
Your wrinkl'd Forehead, and your meagre Face;
Then you my Visage, in your own, might see,
Which ev'ry Day was representing Me.
Your Hearing fail, and ev'ry Sense decay;
When you discern'd your Teeth forsake their Place,
Your wrinkl'd Forehead, and your meagre Face;
Then you my Visage, in your own, might see,
Which ev'ry Day was representing Me.
When you observ'd your Blood begin to freeze,
Your bowing Body, and your bending Knees;
While scarce your feeble Legs your Weight cou'd bear;
Did not these Symptoms tell you I was near?
And can you yet pretend to be surpriz'd?
Then Die, your Folly shou'd be thus chastis'd.
If 'till to-morrow I your Life reprieve,
You 'till to-morrow will deferr to Live:
As you have done, still you, from Day to Day,
Repentance and Amendment will delay.
Your bowing Body, and your bending Knees;
While scarce your feeble Legs your Weight cou'd bear;
Did not these Symptoms tell you I was near?
And can you yet pretend to be surpriz'd?
Then Die, your Folly shou'd be thus chastis'd.
If 'till to-morrow I your Life reprieve,
You 'till to-morrow will deferr to Live:
As you have done, still you, from Day to Day,
Repentance and Amendment will delay.
The MORAL.
‘Since we must Die, but where, is not declar'd,‘We shou'd for Death's Approach be still prepar'd:
‘Our Life's uncertain; Time shou'd so be pass'd,
‘As if each Minute was to be our last:
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‘Our future Joys, or Miseries, depend;
‘They best for Heav'ns reserv'd Abodes prepare,
‘Who, Living, keep their Conversation there.
‘They who in Endless Pleasures wou'd on High
‘For ever Live, to Sin must daily Die.
‘If our Repentance we procrastinate,
‘Our good Desires at last, will be too late.
‘Virtue has got the Start in Life's swift Race,
‘And, to o'ertake her, we must mend our Pace;
‘Else, what we shou'd obtain, we ne'r shall find,
‘While she still keeps before, and we behind.
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FABLE XV. The Dog and Sheep:
Or, Gainful Perjury soon swallow'd.
A
Dog impleads a Sheep, pretends a Debt
Of ancient Standing, and not paid him yet.
The Sheep denies it, in her own Defence,
And bids the Dog produce his Evidence.
He brings a Wolf, a Vulture, and a Kite,
Who swear point-blank the Dog's Demands are right.
Judgment thereon against the Sheep is giv'n;
And she, wrong'd Beast! to Execution driv'n:
While her Accusers at their Falshood smile,
That gain'd them such a rich and easie Spoil.
Of ancient Standing, and not paid him yet.
The Sheep denies it, in her own Defence,
And bids the Dog produce his Evidence.
He brings a Wolf, a Vulture, and a Kite,
Who swear point-blank the Dog's Demands are right.
Judgment thereon against the Sheep is giv'n;
And she, wrong'd Beast! to Execution driv'n:
While her Accusers at their Falshood smile,
That gain'd them such a rich and easie Spoil.
The MORAL.
‘False-Witness strongly backing False-Pretence,‘Prevails to ruin injur'd Innocence;
‘And Villains soon such Testimonies give,
‘Who by their Perjuries expect to thrive.
‘When Things Untrue, in hope of gain, they swear,
‘They no Voir dire, nor Heav'n's just Wrath revere.
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FABLE XVI. The Fowler and Dove:
Or, Harm watch, Harm catch.
A
Fowler, led Abroad, in hope of Game,
Espy'd a Dove, and at the Bird took Aim;
But in the Instant press'd a latent Snake,
And lost his Life, while he the Dove's wou'd take:
Thus was he justly fitted in his kind,
And met the Fate he for the Bird design'd.
Espy'd a Dove, and at the Bird took Aim;
But in the Instant press'd a latent Snake,
And lost his Life, while he the Dove's wou'd take:
Thus was he justly fitted in his kind,
And met the Fate he for the Bird design'd.
The MORAL.
‘Thus Villains, to insidious Mischiefs prone,‘Contriving others Ruin, meet their own:
‘And all the secret Treach'ry they design,
‘Is made abortive by a Countermine.
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FABLE XVII. The Blind Woman and Doctor:
Or, A Rowland for an Oliver.
An
Aged Matron, who had lost her Sight,
Was tir'd with living in perpetual Night;
And with a Quack did, for a Sum, agree
To be restor'd; but if no Cure, no Fee.
The wary Spark, who, for such dubious Gains,
Was not content to spend his Time and Pains;
Resolv'd he wou'd himself before-hand pay,
And still convey'd some Moveable away;
'Till, by his daily undiscover'd Theft,
No Utensil in all the House was left.
At last the Cure was by the Doctor wrought,
But by the Patient still imperfect thought;
For tho' he did her former Sight restore,
She cou'd not see the Goods she saw before:
And therefore, when he claim'd the Promise made,
Refus'd him Payment, who too well was paid.
His Action brought, she did the Contract own,
But pleaded, That the Cure was still undone;
And thus did Proof, from seeming Reason, draw,
To bite the Biter, and evade the Law:
Before my Sight, by Sickness, was destroy'd,
I here a well-replenish'd House enjoy'd;
Nor were my Goods delusive Fallacies,
For then I saw them with these very Eyes:
But now this filching Quack pretends I See,
They are become invisible to me:
And since my Furniture I cannot find,
I either am, or had as good be Blind.
Was tir'd with living in perpetual Night;
And with a Quack did, for a Sum, agree
To be restor'd; but if no Cure, no Fee.
The wary Spark, who, for such dubious Gains,
Was not content to spend his Time and Pains;
Resolv'd he wou'd himself before-hand pay,
And still convey'd some Moveable away;
'Till, by his daily undiscover'd Theft,
No Utensil in all the House was left.
At last the Cure was by the Doctor wrought,
But by the Patient still imperfect thought;
For tho' he did her former Sight restore,
She cou'd not see the Goods she saw before:
And therefore, when he claim'd the Promise made,
Refus'd him Payment, who too well was paid.
His Action brought, she did the Contract own,
But pleaded, That the Cure was still undone;
And thus did Proof, from seeming Reason, draw,
To bite the Biter, and evade the Law:
Before my Sight, by Sickness, was destroy'd,
I here a well-replenish'd House enjoy'd;
Nor were my Goods delusive Fallacies,
For then I saw them with these very Eyes:
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They are become invisible to me:
And since my Furniture I cannot find,
I either am, or had as good be Blind.
The MORAL.
‘The sly Designer, that, to gain his Ends,‘On Knav'ry, and fallacious Arts, depends;
‘Instructs the Men he injures in his Trade,
‘Who learn to Trick him, by the Tricks he play'd.
‘Thus they who Traps for others have prepar'd,
‘Are in their own Contrivances insnar'd;
‘O'er-shoot themselves in all their Policies,
‘And suffer by the Mischiefs they devise.
FABLE XVIII. The Ants and Grass-hopper:
Or, Provide for your self.
Some frugal Ants, that, with unweary'd Pain,
Had fill'd their Stores, in Summer-time, with Grain;
When Winter's pinching Season was begun,
Expos'd their hoarded Treasure to the Sun.
A Grass-hopper, that saw them thus supply'd,
While he lack'd Food, thro' Idleness and Pride;
Besought them to commiserate his Grief,
And, from their Plenty, grant him some Relief.
Had fill'd their Stores, in Summer-time, with Grain;
When Winter's pinching Season was begun,
Expos'd their hoarded Treasure to the Sun.
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While he lack'd Food, thro' Idleness and Pride;
Besought them to commiserate his Grief,
And, from their Plenty, grant him some Relief.
The Ants enquir'd how he himself apply'd,
When he had Time, and shou'd his Stock provide;
Or if in Sloth he the kind Season spent,
When he, by Labour, might his Wants prevent.
He answer'd them; He then employ'd his Care
To chear the Work-man, and the Traveller:
The pleasing Melody he made all Day,
Shortned one's Labour, and the other's Way.
They said, He much Improvidence had shewn,
To mind their Bus'ness, and neglect his own;
And, since he took no Pains to gather Meat,
It was but just, he shou'd have none to eat:
He that did others with his Songs revive,
Shou'd now, with Dancing, keep himself alive.
When he had Time, and shou'd his Stock provide;
Or if in Sloth he the kind Season spent,
When he, by Labour, might his Wants prevent.
He answer'd them; He then employ'd his Care
To chear the Work-man, and the Traveller:
The pleasing Melody he made all Day,
Shortned one's Labour, and the other's Way.
They said, He much Improvidence had shewn,
To mind their Bus'ness, and neglect his own;
And, since he took no Pains to gather Meat,
It was but just, he shou'd have none to eat:
He that did others with his Songs revive,
Shou'd now, with Dancing, keep himself alive.
The MORAL.
‘In Youth and Strength we shou'd our Pains engage,‘To make Provision for our Feeble Age;
‘That Hoary Winter will require a Store,
‘Which we shall seek too late, if not before:
‘And he that does not for himself provide,
‘Shou'd not by others hope to be supply'd:
‘For what the Diligent, by Labour, gain,
‘Wou'd on a Slothful Wretch be spent in vain.
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FABLE XIX. The Priest and Apples:
Or, Hunger, the best Sauce.
A
Priest, who in good Eating took delight,
And serv'd no God, like his nice Appetite;
Was by a Man (who wou'd his Favour win,
And hop'd thereby he might more cheaply Sin)
Invited to partake a Christmas-Feast,
At which he meant to make a hearty Guest.
Mean-time he fancy'd Dishes he thought good,
And by Anticipation chew'd the Cud;
'Till the wish'd Day of Banqueting was come,
And call'd the joyful Epicure from Home.
With Expectation big, he went Abroad,
And found a Hoard of Apples on his Road:
But (tho' for Meat his craving Stomach press'd)
He cou'd not such a homely Treat digest:
The Delicacies he did soon expect,
Made him that mean, tho' present Fare, reject.
And, in Contempt, the supercilious Brute
Play'd a Dog-trick, and piss'd upon the Fruit.
As thence he mov'd to the expected Place,
A new-ris'n River stopt his eager Pace:
Afraid to drown, he durst no farther ride,
But, for his Safety, once his Guts deny'd:
Yet sadly at the Disappointment griev'd,
That had his Belly and his Hopes deceiv'd.
And serv'd no God, like his nice Appetite;
Was by a Man (who wou'd his Favour win,
And hop'd thereby he might more cheaply Sin)
Invited to partake a Christmas-Feast,
At which he meant to make a hearty Guest.
Mean-time he fancy'd Dishes he thought good,
And by Anticipation chew'd the Cud;
'Till the wish'd Day of Banqueting was come,
And call'd the joyful Epicure from Home.
With Expectation big, he went Abroad,
And found a Hoard of Apples on his Road:
But (tho' for Meat his craving Stomach press'd)
He cou'd not such a homely Treat digest:
The Delicacies he did soon expect,
Made him that mean, tho' present Fare, reject.
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Play'd a Dog-trick, and piss'd upon the Fruit.
As thence he mov'd to the expected Place,
A new-ris'n River stopt his eager Pace:
Afraid to drown, he durst no farther ride,
But, for his Safety, once his Guts deny'd:
Yet sadly at the Disappointment griev'd,
That had his Belly and his Hopes deceiv'd.
Now his impatient Hunger pinch'd him sore,
And made him covet what he scorn'd before:
Back in full Gallop to the Place he went
Where first the Apples did themselves present;
And there the Fruit, on the fame Spot of Ground,
In the sweet Pickle he had left it, found.
By pressing Hunger urg'd, he long'd to eat,
Tho' his nice Palate disapprov'd the Meat:
This made him squeamish, and abhor the Food,
That strongly recommended it for good:
But Hunger, that makes all things relish well,
Prevail'd, and, without scruple, to't he fell.
And made him covet what he scorn'd before:
Back in full Gallop to the Place he went
Where first the Apples did themselves present;
And there the Fruit, on the fame Spot of Ground,
In the sweet Pickle he had left it, found.
By pressing Hunger urg'd, he long'd to eat,
Tho' his nice Palate disapprov'd the Meat:
This made him squeamish, and abhor the Food,
That strongly recommended it for good:
But Hunger, that makes all things relish well,
Prevail'd, and, without scruple, to't he fell.
The MORAL.
‘While pamper'd Gluttons wholsom Fruit despise,‘Amidst full Tables, and Varieties;
‘The Men with Hunger pin'd, and thrifty Souls,
‘No poinant Sauces crave, nor Golden Bowls:
‘On what suffices Nature, they can Feast,
‘And relish homely Fare, as meanly dress'd.
‘Necessity, whose Empire all must own,
‘Makes what it recommends, go sweetly down:
‘And in our selves we find the Proverb true,
‘Which lets us know what hungry Dogs will do.
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FABLE XX. The Birds and Beasts:
Or, Once False, still Mistrusted.
The
Birds and Beasts their Strength in Battle try'd,
They press'd, and oft' were press'd on either side:
The Bot, who did his Fellows Weakness fear,
Deserted to the Beasts, and Listed there.
But soon the Birds made their Assailants yield,
And, by the Eagle's Conduct, gain'd the Field:
Then in Court-Martial doom'd the Renegade,
Who basely had the Common Cause betray'd,
To live all Day in some dark Hole confin'd,
And be no longer reckon'd of their Kind.
They press'd, and oft' were press'd on either side:
The Bot, who did his Fellows Weakness fear,
Deserted to the Beasts, and Listed there.
But soon the Birds made their Assailants yield,
And, by the Eagle's Conduct, gain'd the Field:
Then in Court-Martial doom'd the Renegade,
Who basely had the Common Cause betray'd,
To live all Day in some dark Hole confin'd,
And be no longer reckon'd of their Kind.
The MORAL.
‘He who his Friend's Misfortune will not bear,‘Deserves in his Success as little Share:
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‘Unfit for Humane Prospect, and the Light:
‘For 'tis a Maxim, Always to Distrust
‘The faithless Wretch who once has prov'd Unjust.
‘Since the base Soul, whom Honour cou'd not bind,
‘No Hostage for his future Faith can find.
‘But he, whose Friendship, free from Selfish Aim,
‘Remains, in all Vicissitudes, the same;
‘(As the sure Needle never fails its Pole,
‘Tho' Tempests rage, and swelling Billows roll)
‘Deserv'dly is by all Mankind approv'd,
‘And as he still is Faithful, still is lov'd:
‘His Steady Soul, in desp'rate Hazards try'd,
‘Makes all secure, who in his Truth confide.
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FABLE XXI. Mercury's Preparation:
Or, A Tradesman, a Lyar.
Jove
wou'd to each Artificer impart
The Mystery of his respective Art;
And bid his Chymist, Mercury, with Care,
A Lying Powder for that End prepare.
The Composition made, and pulveriz'd,
He gave to each a Quantum that suffic'd:
But had, thro' Haste, the Gentle Craft forgot,
Or thought, at least, 'twas what they needed not.
However, to atone for the Neglect,
And shew it was not caus'd by Disrespect;
He swept the Mortar of what stuck behind,
And to those Sparks a double Dose assign'd.
Hence it proceeds that Tradesmen Lye so fast,
But those, of all, go most beyond the Last.
The Mystery of his respective Art;
And bid his Chymist, Mercury, with Care,
A Lying Powder for that End prepare.
The Composition made, and pulveriz'd,
He gave to each a Quantum that suffic'd:
But had, thro' Haste, the Gentle Craft forgot,
Or thought, at least, 'twas what they needed not.
However, to atone for the Neglect,
And shew it was not caus'd by Disrespect;
He swept the Mortar of what stuck behind,
And to those Sparks a double Dose assign'd.
Hence it proceeds that Tradesmen Lye so fast,
But those, of all, go most beyond the Last.
The MORAL.
‘The mighty Secret, how to Lye, and Cheat,‘Makes ev'ry Tradesman in his Art compleat:
‘But most, the Shooe-maker is given to Stretch,
‘And will his Conscience, like his Leather, retch:
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‘Will Swear it Fits them, who are in his Stocks.
FABLE XXII. The Farmer and Landlord:
Or, Avarice Disappointed.
A grateful
Farmer, in his Rented Ground,
A Tree, well laden with choice Apples, found:
He pull'd the Fruit, and, big with pleasing Thought,
The Present to his City Landlord brought.
A Tree, well laden with choice Apples, found:
He pull'd the Fruit, and, big with pleasing Thought,
The Present to his City Landlord brought.
Citt found the Apples of a gen'rous Kind,
And at his Tenant's Benefit-repin'd:
Then Order'd, That the Tree he so approv'd,
Shou'd to his City Orchard be remov'd.
The Tree, grown old, did not the Soil abide,
But, when transplanted, wither'd soon, and dy'd.
The Landlord, at this Disappointment, griev'd,
And own'd, his Folly had his Hopes deceiv'd:
It was enough, (had he his Int'rest known)
To eat the Fruit, and let the Tree alone.
And at his Tenant's Benefit-repin'd:
Then Order'd, That the Tree he so approv'd,
Shou'd to his City Orchard be remov'd.
The Tree, grown old, did not the Soil abide,
But, when transplanted, wither'd soon, and dy'd.
The Landlord, at this Disappointment, griev'd,
And own'd, his Folly had his Hopes deceiv'd:
It was enough, (had he his Int'rest known)
To eat the Fruit, and let the Tree alone.
The MORAL.
‘Thus Men, when blinded by their Avarice,‘Believe themselves, in their vain Projects, wise:
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‘Impov'rish'd by the Means for Wealth design'd.
‘But he, who wisely limits his Desires,
‘Seeks what is fit, and, what he seeks, acquires.
FABLE XXIII. The One-Ey'd Deer:
Or, Fruitless Precaution.
While browzing by the Sea, a One-Ey'd Deer,
That thought she cou'd from thence no Danger fear,
Did, for her Safety, cautiously provide,
And tow'rds the Land still turn the Seeing-side.
A roving Fowler, whom she did not dread,
Found her Blind-side, and shot her thro' the Head.
The Beast thus wounded, her ill Fate bewail'd,
To find how all her vain Precaution fail'd:
Since where she fear'd most Harm, she none endur'd;
But suffer'd most, where she seem'd most secur'd.
That thought she cou'd from thence no Danger fear,
Did, for her Safety, cautiously provide,
And tow'rds the Land still turn the Seeing-side.
A roving Fowler, whom she did not dread,
Found her Blind-side, and shot her thro' the Head.
The Beast thus wounded, her ill Fate bewail'd,
To find how all her vain Precaution fail'd:
Since where she fear'd most Harm, she none endur'd;
But suffer'd most, where she seem'd most secur'd.
The MORAL.
‘Thus Things, whence most we Danger apprehend,‘By wondrous Turns, our Fortunes most befriend:
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‘Deceive our Caution, and procure our Woes.
FABLE XXIV. The Fly and Ant:
Or, Calumny retorted.
A
Fly upbraids an Ant, compares their Race,
That Her's was Noble, and the Pismire's Base;
That She Aloft on active Wings did flie,
While T'other on the Ground did grov'ling lie:
That She in Courts convers'd; the Other Slave,
Born to Contempt, sculk'd in an humble Cave:
That She on Choice of costly Dishes fed;
The Other meanly far'd, and scarce had Bread:
She took no Pains to be thus nobly serv'd;
The Other, tho' a constant Drudge, was starv'd.
That Her's was Noble, and the Pismire's Base;
That She Aloft on active Wings did flie,
While T'other on the Ground did grov'ling lie:
That She in Courts convers'd; the Other Slave,
Born to Contempt, sculk'd in an humble Cave:
That She on Choice of costly Dishes fed;
The Other meanly far'd, and scarce had Bread:
She took no Pains to be thus nobly serv'd;
The Other, tho' a constant Drudge, was starv'd.
The Ant, the Meanness of her Birth confess'd;
But, with that Meanness pleas'd, averr'd it best:
The Vagrant Fly, she own'd, rov'd ev'ry-where,
But had no Being whither to repair:
While She a settl'd House-keeper was found,
And never stroll'd from her Paternal Ground:
Nor envy'd She the Fly's Ragoo's and Wine,
Who cou'd, more pleas'd, on Pulse and Water dine;
And was delighted with the Pains and Care
She took to get her self that homely Fare:
Whereas the Fly was Insolent and Rude,
Did into ev'ry Dish and Cup intrude;
The Emblem of detested Sloth was known,
That liv'd on other's Labour, not her own:
She was caress'd, commended, and belov'd,
And her Example by the World approv'd:
She never found her mean Provision scant,
And, as she ne'er Abounded, ne'er did Want:
But the unthrifty, idle, useless Fly,
In Winter wou'd be forc'd to Beg, or Die:
Tho' she was now too hot and haughty grown,
She then wou'd find her Courage cool'd, and down;
Then unregarded, and despis'd, wou'd fall,
As nauseous as her vile Original.
But, with that Meanness pleas'd, averr'd it best:
The Vagrant Fly, she own'd, rov'd ev'ry-where,
But had no Being whither to repair:
While She a settl'd House-keeper was found,
And never stroll'd from her Paternal Ground:
Nor envy'd She the Fly's Ragoo's and Wine,
Who cou'd, more pleas'd, on Pulse and Water dine;
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She took to get her self that homely Fare:
Whereas the Fly was Insolent and Rude,
Did into ev'ry Dish and Cup intrude;
The Emblem of detested Sloth was known,
That liv'd on other's Labour, not her own:
She was caress'd, commended, and belov'd,
And her Example by the World approv'd:
She never found her mean Provision scant,
And, as she ne'er Abounded, ne'er did Want:
But the unthrifty, idle, useless Fly,
In Winter wou'd be forc'd to Beg, or Die:
Tho' she was now too hot and haughty grown,
She then wou'd find her Courage cool'd, and down;
Then unregarded, and despis'd, wou'd fall,
As nauseous as her vile Original.
The MORAL.
‘While Noisie Fools their own Indowments vaunt,‘And, in Contempt, upbraid their Neighbour's Want;
‘The Loose-tongu'd Blabs, who, without Wit or Fear,
‘Speak what they shou'd not, what they wou'd not, hear:
‘Recrimination do's their Malice foil,
‘And their Invectives on themselves recoil.
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FABLE XXV. The Prodigal and Swallow:
Or, A Dream of a Dry Summer.
A rich young Spend-thrift, left his Father's Heir,
(Who bought the Fortune, he bequeath'd him, dear)
In the high-road to Poverty made haste,
And, what was long a gath'ring, soon did waste:
His whole Estate he threw away at Dice,
(The Fools first In-let to all other Vice)
The Ord'naries and the Groom-Porter's us'd,
'Till to one thread-bare Sute he was reduc'd.
Thus Shabby, and thus Moneyless, the Spark,
Instead of Dinner, took the Air o'th' Park;
Where, walking pensive, and lamenting sore,
(Not that he lost so much, but cou'd no more)
Before him an untimely Swallow flew;
And, from her Flight, he good Presages drew;
Dreamt of Warm Weather, and that very Day
To Gaming fell, and play'd his Coat away.
But soon he found himself in a Mistake,
And that One Swallow do's no Summer make;
He found the Bird too soon had left her Home,
And a Reserve of Winter was to come;
Then, numb'd with pinching Frosts, and piercing Winds,
In as bad Plight he the false Omen finds,
Pleas'd, that she, by her self, so ill was serv'd,
Since he, by her delusive Hast, was starv'd.
(Who bought the Fortune, he bequeath'd him, dear)
In the high-road to Poverty made haste,
And, what was long a gath'ring, soon did waste:
His whole Estate he threw away at Dice,
(The Fools first In-let to all other Vice)
The Ord'naries and the Groom-Porter's us'd,
'Till to one thread-bare Sute he was reduc'd.
Thus Shabby, and thus Moneyless, the Spark,
Instead of Dinner, took the Air o'th' Park;
Where, walking pensive, and lamenting sore,
(Not that he lost so much, but cou'd no more)
Before him an untimely Swallow flew;
And, from her Flight, he good Presages drew;
Dreamt of Warm Weather, and that very Day
To Gaming fell, and play'd his Coat away.
But soon he found himself in a Mistake,
And that One Swallow do's no Summer make;
He found the Bird too soon had left her Home,
And a Reserve of Winter was to come;
Then, numb'd with pinching Frosts, and piercing Winds,
In as bad Plight he the false Omen finds,
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Since he, by her delusive Hast, was starv'd.
The MORAL.
‘So Fools, who by fair Promises are fed,‘And into mighty Expectations led;
‘Their little Stock, in hope of greater, spend,
‘While some deluding Courtier they attend.
‘Thus, in Pursuit of Wealth, to Want reduc'd,
‘And, by Pretence of Kindnesses, abus'd;
‘When with Dependance and Attendance tir'd,
‘And ne'er the nearer to the Boon desir'd:
‘Deceiv'd by faithless Words, they miss their Aim,
‘And find it all their Comfort to Exclaim:
‘Then they, with heavy Heart, and, what is worse,
‘The greater Burden of an empty Purse;
‘To their obscure Abodes make their Retreat,
‘Ruin'd, by trusting to a specious Cheat.
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FABLE XXVI. The Horse and Stag:
Or, Liberty resign'd.
A
Horse and Stag a desp'rate Combat fought;
The Horse, o'er-pow'r'd, a Man's Assistance sought:
Thus reinforc'd, again he took the Field,
And soon the Vanquish'd made the Victor yield;
But found small Pleasure from his Conquest grow,
By his Ally worse us'd, than by his Foe:
He was compell'd for ever to submit
To a rank Rider, and a servile Bit.
The Horse, o'er-pow'r'd, a Man's Assistance sought:
Thus reinforc'd, again he took the Field,
And soon the Vanquish'd made the Victor yield;
But found small Pleasure from his Conquest grow,
By his Ally worse us'd, than by his Foe:
He was compell'd for ever to submit
To a rank Rider, and a servile Bit.
The MORAL.
‘Thus he, who wou'd afflicting Want avoid,‘By more oppressive Plenty is destroy'd;
‘And while, with eager Haste, he Wealth pursues,
‘Is made a Slave to what he dares not use:
‘But do's too dearly the Enjoyment buy,
‘For which he must resign his Liberty.
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FABLE XXVII. The Trumpeter:
Or, Abettors share the Guilt.
A Swoln-cheek'd Trumpeter, whose fatal Breath
Had oft' excited others to their Death,
While he aloft, and free from Danger, stood,
And thought himself not guilty of their Blood;
In Fight, by the prevailing Enemy,
Was made a Pris'ner, and Condemn'd to Die.
The trembling Captive pleaded Innocence,
And strongly urg'd, He had not giv'n Offence;
Since he in Blood and Wounds took no Delight,
And his Employment was, to Sound, not Fight;
Nor cou'd they sure to him impute their Harms,
Whose hurtless Trumpet was his only Arms.
Had oft' excited others to their Death,
While he aloft, and free from Danger, stood,
And thought himself not guilty of their Blood;
In Fight, by the prevailing Enemy,
Was made a Pris'ner, and Condemn'd to Die.
The trembling Captive pleaded Innocence,
And strongly urg'd, He had not giv'n Offence;
Since he in Blood and Wounds took no Delight,
And his Employment was, to Sound, not Fight;
Nor cou'd they sure to him impute their Harms,
Whose hurtless Trumpet was his only Arms.
To whom the Foe; This Subterfuge you use,
Do's aggravate the Guilt you wou'd excuse:
Since you, who own you are not us'd to Fight,
Do others to the bloody Field excite.
Do's aggravate the Guilt you wou'd excuse:
Since you, who own you are not us'd to Fight,
Do others to the bloody Field excite.
The MORAL.
‘They who advise the Ills which others act,‘An equal Guilt, a diff'rent Way contract:
‘As when ill Counsellors misguide a Prince,
‘They bear the just Reproach of his Offence;
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‘As he, who, rul'd by them, mistook his Way:
‘While they persuade him to infringe the Law,
‘They on themselves its heavy'st Censures draw.
FABLE XXVIII. The Beasts and Fishes:
Or, Remote Alliances, useless.
The
Beasts, resolv'd they wou'd the Birds invade,
A shrict Alliance with the Fishes made;
Much in their Scaly Armour did confide,
And fear'd no Foe, while they were on their Side.
But when the Time to take the Field drew near,
The new Allies did not in Camp appear;
But from Land-service pray'd to be excus'd,
For they had only to the Sea been us'd.
This was the Cause their Forces were not sent,
They cou'd not Fight out of their Element.
A shrict Alliance with the Fishes made;
Much in their Scaly Armour did confide,
And fear'd no Foe, while they were on their Side.
But when the Time to take the Field drew near,
The new Allies did not in Camp appear;
But from Land-service pray'd to be excus'd,
For they had only to the Sea been us'd.
This was the Cause their Forces were not sent,
They cou'd not Fight out of their Element.
The MORAL.
‘Princes in vain seek such remote Allies,‘Who, in their Need, can send them no Supplies:
‘The safest Treaties, with near States are made,
‘Whose ready Troops can bring expected Aid.
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FABLE XXIX. Jupiter:
Or, Lust and Modesty incompatible
Jove
, to Compleat his Creature Man, impress'd
All requisite Affections in his Breast;
But, in the Throng, he had omitted Shame,
And knew not how to introduce the Dame:
He found, her Presence there was much requir'd;
A needful Virtue, tho' not oft' desir'd;
And bid her justle in among the Crow'd:
Whereat she blush'd, and the Command withstood:
But, urg'd by Jove, reply'd; I will Obey,
If you will keep that Monster, Lust, away:
For he will all the Microcosm inflame
With burning Passions, which I blush to name:
And if he enters, I must straight retire,
As Men from Houses that are all on-Fire.
All requisite Affections in his Breast;
But, in the Throng, he had omitted Shame,
And knew not how to introduce the Dame:
He found, her Presence there was much requir'd;
A needful Virtue, tho' not oft' desir'd;
And bid her justle in among the Crow'd:
Whereat she blush'd, and the Command withstood:
But, urg'd by Jove, reply'd; I will Obey,
If you will keep that Monster, Lust, away:
For he will all the Microcosm inflame
With burning Passions, which I blush to name:
And if he enters, I must straight retire,
As Men from Houses that are all on-Fire.
The MORAL.
‘Where Modesty vouchsafes to fix her Seat,‘Lust must withdraw, or she will soon retreat:
‘The diff'rent Passions will not brook one Sphere,
‘And never in each other's Bounds appear:
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‘And Converse, by Antipathy, refrain.
‘Whoever is to Modesty enclin'd,
‘Do's against Lust a strong Cathartick find;
‘And he, whose loose Desires by Lust are sway'd,
‘Do's Modesty, with open Force, invade:
‘Thus as, to either, Men themselves devote,
‘They chuse a Poison, or an Antidote.
FABLE XXX. The Impostor-Priest:
Or, 'Ware Geese, when the Fox Preaches.
A
Fox, that long, against his Will, kept Fast,
And was in pressing Want of some Repast;
Crept to a Hovel where much Poultry fed,
But found them safely roosted in their Shed:
Tho' his Chops water'd to be at the Fowl,
He cou'd not reach them, for his Heart and Soul:
In vain he mighty Friendship did pretend,
And, with sweet Words, desir'd them to descend.
And was in pressing Want of some Repast;
Crept to a Hovel where much Poultry fed,
But found them safely roosted in their Shed:
Tho' his Chops water'd to be at the Fowl,
He cou'd not reach them, for his Heart and Soul:
In vain he mighty Friendship did pretend,
And, with sweet Words, desir'd them to descend.
They, who knew all his seeming Love a Cheat,
Refus'd, and not a Hen wou'd leave her Seat.
Refus'd, and not a Hen wou'd leave her Seat.
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Reynard, who found he cou'd not thus prevail,
Resolv'd on Measures which but rarely fail:
In Priestly Vestments he himself disguis'd,
A Garb for which th' unworthy Wearer's pris'd;
And then, with Look demure and sanctify'd,
He to the Pullen thus himself apply'd:
Sisters, My Zeal, which seeks not yours, but you,
Has made me seek this pious Interview;
That you your Sins may to remembrance call,
And I may Shrive you, and Absolve you all:
Then leave, ah! quickly leave your lazy Beds,
And take my Hands and Blessing on your Heads.
Resolv'd on Measures which but rarely fail:
In Priestly Vestments he himself disguis'd,
A Garb for which th' unworthy Wearer's pris'd;
And then, with Look demure and sanctify'd,
He to the Pullen thus himself apply'd:
Sisters, My Zeal, which seeks not yours, but you,
Has made me seek this pious Interview;
That you your Sins may to remembrance call,
And I may Shrive you, and Absolve you all:
Then leave, ah! quickly leave your lazy Beds,
And take my Hands and Blessing on your Heads.
Th' unwary Hens, deluded by his Gown,
And Sanctimonious Cant, came quickly down;
But found the Hypocritick Zealot's Drift,
Aim'd rather at their Ruin than their Shrift:
And thus the Fools, by his False Shews betray'd,
Their Lives, for Hopes of Absolution, paid.
And Sanctimonious Cant, came quickly down;
But found the Hypocritick Zealot's Drift,
Aim'd rather at their Ruin than their Shrift:
And thus the Fools, by his False Shews betray'd,
Their Lives, for Hopes of Absolution, paid.
The MORAL.
‘Religion, Villany's successful Stale,‘Do's with its Name, to cheat Mankind, prevail:
‘And a Pretence to Goodness, tho unjust,
‘Extorts Belief, and rarely meets Distrust.
‘Where such dissembl'd Sanctity appears,
‘The chous'd Admirer no Delusion fears;
‘But those, who most deceive him, most do's love,
‘And thinks them honestest, who falsest prove.
‘Hence 'tis that Knaves, for Irreligion's sake,
‘Too often the Religious Habit take;
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‘And, undetected, Sin in that Disguise:
‘So, unsuspected in the Rev'rend Gown,
‘Blood gain'd admittance to, and stole the Crown.
FABLE XXXI. The Old Man, his Son, and Ass:
Or, No pleasing all Men.
An
Aged Sire, frosted with Hoary Hairs,
And a young Stripling in his Blooming Years,
Went to a Fair, where Gazers seldom fail,
And drove an Empty Ass, design'd for Sale.
The People, who observ'd them on the Road,
And saw the useless Beast without a Load;
Laugh'd at their Folly, That, since both were tir'd,
Each did neglect the Help his Age requir'd:
And said, They spar'd in vain the abler Beast,
'Twas reasonable one shou'd ride, at least.
The tender Father gave his Son the Place,
And by his Side walk'd on with sober Pace:
But this the murm'ring Croud severely blames,
Condemns the Senior, and the Youngster shames;
Since, without just Regard to either's Age,
They had misplac'd the Rider and the Page:
They said, The Sire shou'd ride, whom Years oppress'd;
The Son was stronger, and cou'd foot it best.
The Youth alights, and lets his Father ride,
And walks, with humble Rev'rence, by his Side:
But this as little Satisfaction gave,
The fickle Mob the censur'd Parent slave;
Say, He shou'd walk, whose Limbs were tough and strong,
And mount the Lad, who was but soft and young.
The Sire, to please them, takes his Son behind:
But at this Course the People more repin'd;
And said, The Ass, which with such Weight they tir'd,
Was not their own, but borrow'd sure, or hir'd.
The Old Man, with their diff'rent Censures teaz'd,
Since neither Riding, neither Walking, pleas'd,
Nor Mounting both, nor driving both the Ass,
Cou'd through the Throng, without Reflection, pass;
(In hope they wou'd at last be satisfy'd)
The Ass's Feet with Cords together ty'd,
And, on a Pole, on both their Shoulders laid,
They through the Fair the Raree-Show convey'd.
But this ridiculous Attempt, when seen,
Extremely tickl'd the Beholders Spleen;
Who thus made merry at the Father's Cost,
Tax'd both with Folly, but the Father most:
For tho' the Boy, in Duty, did submit;
They said, The Senior shou'd have had more Wit.
He, (vex'd at their Reproach) with just Disdain,
Resolv'd no more to humour them in vain;
But this last Way, to 'scape their Laughter, found,
He in a Pond, the Ass, that caus'd it, drown'd.
Thus, striving to please All, and pleasing None,
He lost his useful Beast, and was undone.
And a young Stripling in his Blooming Years,
Went to a Fair, where Gazers seldom fail,
And drove an Empty Ass, design'd for Sale.
The People, who observ'd them on the Road,
And saw the useless Beast without a Load;
Laugh'd at their Folly, That, since both were tir'd,
Each did neglect the Help his Age requir'd:
And said, They spar'd in vain the abler Beast,
'Twas reasonable one shou'd ride, at least.
The tender Father gave his Son the Place,
And by his Side walk'd on with sober Pace:
But this the murm'ring Croud severely blames,
Condemns the Senior, and the Youngster shames;
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They had misplac'd the Rider and the Page:
They said, The Sire shou'd ride, whom Years oppress'd;
The Son was stronger, and cou'd foot it best.
The Youth alights, and lets his Father ride,
And walks, with humble Rev'rence, by his Side:
But this as little Satisfaction gave,
The fickle Mob the censur'd Parent slave;
Say, He shou'd walk, whose Limbs were tough and strong,
And mount the Lad, who was but soft and young.
The Sire, to please them, takes his Son behind:
But at this Course the People more repin'd;
And said, The Ass, which with such Weight they tir'd,
Was not their own, but borrow'd sure, or hir'd.
The Old Man, with their diff'rent Censures teaz'd,
Since neither Riding, neither Walking, pleas'd,
Nor Mounting both, nor driving both the Ass,
Cou'd through the Throng, without Reflection, pass;
(In hope they wou'd at last be satisfy'd)
The Ass's Feet with Cords together ty'd,
And, on a Pole, on both their Shoulders laid,
They through the Fair the Raree-Show convey'd.
But this ridiculous Attempt, when seen,
Extremely tickl'd the Beholders Spleen;
Who thus made merry at the Father's Cost,
Tax'd both with Folly, but the Father most:
For tho' the Boy, in Duty, did submit;
They said, The Senior shou'd have had more Wit.
He, (vex'd at their Reproach) with just Disdain,
Resolv'd no more to humour them in vain;
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He in a Pond, the Ass, that caus'd it, drown'd.
Thus, striving to please All, and pleasing None,
He lost his useful Beast, and was undone.
The MORAL.
‘He, who his Actions by Opinion rules,‘Condemns himself to live a Slave to Fools:
‘To humour those whose Humours disagree,
‘Is to attempt Impossiblity.
‘The Mob, by various Sentiments inclin'd,
‘Is fickle, and uncertain as the Wind:
‘Each has a diff'rent Object of his Love,
‘And some despise what other some approve.
‘Whoe'er himself to sure such Tempers strains,
‘Do's to no Purpose lavish Time and Pains.
‘Let Reason and Discretion guide thy Ways,
‘Thou need'st not care what Fools condemn, or praise.
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FINIS.
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