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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| VIII. | FABLE VIII. The Wolf and Mastiff:
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 | Truth in Fiction |  |
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.
| Truth in Fiction | |