Truth in Fiction :: :: University of Virginia Library

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

Arwaker, Edmund

[epigraph]

BOOK I.

FABLE I. The Peasant and Hercules:

II.

FABLE II. Jupiter and the Tortoise:

III.

FABLE III. The Ass, Ape, and Mole:

IV.

FABLE IV. The Poet and Clown:

FABLE V. The Mule:

VI.

FABLE VI. The Fox and Hare:

VII.

FABLE VII. The Oak and Reed:

VIII.

FABLE VIII. The Crab and Fox:

IX.

FABLE IX. The Daw:

FABLE X. The Crow and Wolves:

XI.

FABLE XI. The Dog and Shadow:

XII.

FABLE XII. The Lion superannuated:

XIII.

FABLE XIII. The Ape and her Whelps:

XIV.

FABLE XIV. The Elm and Oxen:

XV.

FABLE XV. The Gnat and Bee:

XVI.

FABLE XVI. The Sun, and Wind:

XVII.

FABLE XVII. The Fox, and Sick Hen:

XVIII.

FABLE XVIII. The Kid and Wolf:

XIX.

FABLE XIX. The Peacock and Nightingale:

XX.

FABLE XX. The Lion and Frog:

XXI.

FABLE XXI. The Wolf disguised:

XXII.

FABLE XXII. The Fox and Lionness:

XXIII.

FABLE XXIII. The Horse and Ass:

XXIV.

FABLE XXIV. The Sick Impostor:

XXV.

FABLE XXV. The Hares and Eagles:

XXVI.

FABLE XXVI. The Wolf and Ram:

XXVII.

FABLE XXVII. The Mourning Widow:

XXVIII.

FABLE XXVIII. The Cock and Jewel:

XXIX.

FABLE XXIX. The Wolf and Lamb:

XXX.

FABLE XXX. The Mouse in a Chest:

XXXI.

FABLE XXXI. The Young Man and the Old:

XXXII.

FABLE XXXII. The Mad-house:

XXXIII.

FABLE XXXIII. The Gardener and his Dog:

XXXIV.

FABLE XXXIV. The Dog and Butcher:

XXXV.

FABLE XXXV. The Ape and Jupiter:

XXXVI.

FABLE XXXVI. The Peasant and Fortune.

XXXVII.

FABLE XXXVII. The Boy and Fortune.

XXXVIII.

FABLE XXXVIII. The Sheep and Crow:

XXXIX.

FABLE XXXIX. The Crow and Mule:

XL.

FABLE XL. The Eagle and Pye:

XLI.

FABLE XLI. The Lion's Choice:

XLII.

FABLE XLII. The Elm and Osier:

XLIII.

FABLE XLIII. The Peacock and Crane:

XLIV.

FABLE XLIV. The Bear and Bees.

XLV.

FABLE XLV. The Wolves and Sheep:

XLVI.

FABLE XLVI. The Country Fidler:

XLVII.

FABLE XLVII. The Clown and Clyster:

XLVIII.

FABLE XLVIII. The Old Weesel, and Mice:

XLIX.

FABLE XLIX. The Fox and Cock:

FABLE L. The Graceless Son:

LI.

FABLE LI. The Hound:

LII.

FABLE LII. The Fishes:

LIII.

FABLE LIII. The Boor and Wood:

LIV.

FABLE LIV. The Drown'd Wife:

LV.

FABLE LV. The Doves and Kite:

LVI.

FABLE LVI. The Ass in a Lion's Skin:

LVII.

FABLE LVII. The Wolf and Lamb:

LVIII.

FABLE LVIII. The Father and his Sons:

LIX.

FABLE LIX. The Fox and Lion:

LX.

FABLE LX. The Eagle and Fox:

LXI.

FABLE LXI. The Fox and Weesel:

LXII.

FABLE LXII. The City Mouse and Country Mouse:

LXIII.

FABLE LXIII. The Lion and Mouse:

LXIV.

FABLE LXIV. The Vulture's Treat:

LXV.

FABLE LXV. The Dog and Ass:

LXVI.

FABLE LXVI. The Members and Stomach:

LXVII.

FABLE LXVII. The Sick Kite:

LXVIII.

FABLE LXVIII. The Crow and Fox:

II.

BOOK II.

III.

BOOK III.

IV.

BOOK IV.

Collapse All | Expand All expand section

BOOK I.

FABLE I. The Peasant and Hercules:

Or, No Pains, no Profit.

A Peasant stock'd his Waggon in a Slough,
And saw no likely Prospect to get through;
Down on a Bank the lazy Lubber lay,
And, when he should have Labour'd, fell to Pray:
Thus did himself from Toil and Trouble spare,
And on the easie Gods cast all his Care:
But most to Hercules his Suit address'd,
For he was strongest, and cou'd help him best.

The God reply'd, You seek my Help in vain,
While, for your own Relief, you take no Pain:
Fall to your Work, and cease your idle Pray'r;
Actions, not Words, must manage this Affair:
Your busie Shoulders to the Wheel apply,
And when you strive to move it, so will I.

The MORAL.

‘Unactive Wishes, slow Concessions find;
‘Heav'n hears no Pray'rs, but with Endeavours join'd:
‘He who from thence hopes to obtain his End,
‘Must, by his own Efforts, himself befriend.
‘The Wretch, who ne'er exceeds a faint Desire,
‘Goes but half-way to what he would acquire.
‘He that to Vertue's high Rewards would rise,
‘Must run the Race, before he gains the Prize.
‘Alcides thus was for his Labours fam'd,
‘His Trophies rose from Monsters which he tam'd:
‘He his Renown by great Exploits enhanc'd,
‘And bore the Heav'n to which he was advanc'd.

FABLE II. Jupiter and the Tortoise:

Or, Home is Home.

Jove treated all his Creatures at a Feast,
Only the Tortoise came not with the rest:
The angry God resented her Delay,
And sent to know the reason of her Stay.
She answer'd him, That in her homely Shell
She rather wish'd, than in his Court, to dwell.
Then on your Back, said he, where-e'er you go,
You still shall carry what you value so.

The MORAL.

‘The Wise, that are enclin'd to live at Ease,
‘And Reason, more than Appetite, do please,
‘Relish the mean Repasts their Home affords,
‘More than the Dainties of luxuriant Boards:
‘Their Liberty does their coarse Fare digest,
‘And makes each homely Meal a sumptuous Feast.

FABLE III. The Ass, Ape, and Mole:

Or, Sufferings lightned by Comparison.

An Ass, an Ape, and Mole, by diff'rent fates,
In joint Affliction made Associates,
From the gay Crowd of happy Beasts withdrew,
To tell their Grievances, and mourn them too.

The Ass, his Ears, as what expos'd him, scorns,
And blames his Stars, he was not arm'd with Horns;
For so he might himself from Wrongs defend,
Repel his Foe, and vindicate his Friend.

The Ape reply'd, She thought that Want but slight,
Since he was made for Burden, not for Fight;
But she had greater reason to repine,
Worse us'd by Nature than the filthy Swine;

For while on them, a Tail, tho' little, grew,
Her Nakedness was made a publick Shew.

The Mole, who heard them thus themselves bemoan,
And thought their Suff'rings lighter than her own;
Desir'd they wou'd their Troubles calmly bear,
And turn a while their murm'ring Thoughts to her,
Who spent in horrid Darkness all her days,
And saw no Objects to dislike, or praise.

The MORAL.

‘Men, who their own Misfortunes only weigh,
‘Think none so wretched, so oppress'd as they;
‘But when their Woes with others they compare,
‘With greater Patience their Afflictions bear;
‘And less, the Loads themselves sustain, regret,
‘Because their Neighbours under greater sweat.

FABLE IV. The Poet and Clown:

Or, Least alone, when alone.

A Country Bumpkin, unrefin'd and rude,
Disturb'd a Poet's pleasing Solitude;
And finding him, as he suppos'd, alone,
(Tho' in the noblest Conversation)
Ask'd, Why that solitary Life he lov'd,
From the Delights of Company remov'd?

The Student, thus diverted from his Books,
Reply'd, (and back'd his Words with angry Looks)
Till you intruded, I was less alone,
But find your Company is worse than none.

The MORAL.

‘They who in Study do their Time employ,
‘And with their Books, or Thoughts, themselves enjoy:
‘Each pleasing Minute to Retirement gain'd,
‘Are with delightful Converse entertain'd:
‘But when by strong Necessity drawn thence,
‘And forc'd into the World's Impertinence;
‘In Crowds most lonesome to themselves appear,
‘And find their only Solitude is there.

FABLE V. The Mule:

Or, The Boaster humbled.

A pamper'd Mule fat with High keeping grew,
And (as 'tis usu'l) was grown haughty too;
His Birth and Parentage did highly boast,
And what a Price the Horse his Father cost;
How often on New-market-Heath he run,
How many Plates and Guinea's he had won:
Hence the vain Fopling did himself admire,
Because he was so like his noble Sire.

But, in the height of all his vaunting Pride,
He was led out on Bansted-Downs to ride;
Where (tho' he vainly to the Course aspir'd,)
E're half a Heat was run, he sunk and tir'd.

This check'd his Pride; and thus, in doleful tone,
The humbled Creature did himself bemoan;
I must acknowledge, my Descent was base,
And what I call'd an Horse, was but an Ass.

The MORAL.

‘Thus prosp'rous Fools, like Bladders newly blown,
‘Swell high, and hardly by themselves are known;
‘Forget the Dunghills whence the Mushrooms grew,
‘And boast themselves to be the Lord knows who:
‘When crush'd by Fate, like Bladders broke, they fall,
‘And sink into their mean Original;
‘Own their Mistake; and all their Vapours past
‘Prove but a noisie and a noisom Blast.

FABLE VI. The Fox and Hare:

Or, Prize what you have.

A Fox and Hare to Jove their Wants make known;
Each seeks the other's Parts, and slights his own:
The crafty Reynard, Kayward's Speed desires;
And nimble Kayward, Reynard's Craft requires.

But Jove reply'd, My Favours I dispense
To all, according to their Exigence:
Reynard, your Craft, your Want of Speed supplies;
And Kayward's Safety in her Swiftness lies:
Her Head your Craft, your Heels her Speed refuse;
Let each the Gift adapted to him use:
Or, when your mortal Foes your Lives invade,
By wrong Dependance, both will be betray'd.

The MORAL.

‘Impartial Heav'n has so its Gifts address'd,
‘That all are favour'd with what suits them best;
‘And in peculiar Ornaments excell,
‘Which, plac'd on others, wou'd not sit so well.
‘In Beauty some, and some in Honour shine;
‘To Labour some, and some to Mirth encline;
‘The Slow are Steady; the Unhealthy, Learn'd;
‘The Homely, Wise; the Simple, Unconcern'd;

‘Wealth keeps the Rich at Ease; Content, the Poor;
‘Each has his Talent, and in that a Store.
‘But where the Lot appointed does not please,
‘Desire of Change, destroys Content and Ease:
‘As when the Shooe too strait, or wide is grown,
‘The restless Wearer's pinch'd, or tumbl'd down.

FABLE VII. The Oak and Reed:

Or, The Bully slighted.

An Oak, that much his Bulk and Stature priz'd,
And all his Fellows of the Wood despis'd,
Did haughtily a slender Reed defie,
And wish'd they might their Strength in Combat try:
To whom the Reed (regardless of his Pride,
And vain Bravado's) modestly reply'd;
The Challenge you have offer'd, I refuse,
Contented with the Weakness you abuse;
While pliantly I bend to ev'ry side,
I all the Rage of fiercest Storms deride;
But you who dare their Fury, I shall see
Soon levell'd with the Ground, and scorn'd by me.

The MORAL.

‘Courage is least in noisie Rant express'd,
‘A modest Silence recommends it best:
‘Insulting Bravo's, who their Prowess boast,
‘Find it least helpful, when they need it most:
‘And they who give Affronts, less Honour gain,
‘Than they who pass them by with wise Disdain.

FABLE VIII. The Crab and Fox:

Or, Beside the Mark.

A gadding Crab, that in the Sea was bred,
Rambl'd a-shore, and like a Farmer fed;
But, by a Fox unfortunately spy'd,
And made his Prey, own'd, she deserv'dly dy'd;
She justly bore the Fate she might prevent,
Had she not wander'd from her Element.

The MORAL.

‘Unsettl'd Fools, who their own Bus'ness quit,
‘Atchieving things for which they are unfit,
‘The Punishment of sure Miscarriage bear,
‘For rash Attempts beyond their proper sphere.

FABLE IX. The Daw:

Or, Affected Quality exploded.

A Daw, in Peacock's pilfer'd Plumes array'd,
Thought she a more than common Figure made:
She proudly did her fellow-Daws contemn,
And to the Peacocks fled, and flock'd with them:
But there out-acted what she seem'd to be;
None strutted so, or look'd so big as she.

The wiser Birds, who knew excessive Pride
Did not true Worth express, but Meanness hide,
Found the Impostor out, and with disdain,
Unrigg'd, and sent her to her Mates again.

The MORAL.

‘When Men of Mean Extraction ape the Great,
‘(Tempted by Riches to that vain Conceit)
‘They fondly over-act the Part they Play,
‘And Baseness, in affecting State, betray:
‘While all the truly Noble, free from Pride,
‘The aukward Mimicks, in their Height, deride:

‘Who (thinking Merit is in Pomp express'd)
‘Out-run their Fortunes, and become a Jest.

FABLE X. The Crow and Wolves:

Or, Service for Self-Ends.

While an officious Crow, for private Ends,
With diligence a Herd of Wolves attends,
She asks to be Partaker of their Prey,
As she was their Companion all the Way;
Alledging, She did duly on them wait,
And bore her Part in all their turns of Fate.

The angry Wolves thus her Demands reprove;
It is our Booty, not our Selves you love:
You, if the Gods our Ruin had decreed,
As soon on us, as on our Prey, wou'd feed.

The MORAL.

‘Thus Selfish Men their whole Devoir direct
‘To those, from whom they Benefits expect;
‘But, when their Hopes are baulk'd, it will appear,
‘If they are real Friends, or unsincere:

‘Occasion sets them in the truest light,
‘And shews the Knave behind the Parasite:
‘For they, if Fortune did a Turn afford,
‘Wou'd prey on those they seemingly ador'd.

FABLE XI. The Dog and Shadow:

Or, All covet, all lose.

A hungry Dog, that to the Shambles went,
Sharp-set, and with felonious Intent,
Saw there the Meat was very fresh and good,
And found Temptations not to be withstood;
Then, on what's next to hand, commits a rape,
And takes a Pond, to favour his escape.

While there he swam, and bore along his Prey,
He saw its Shadow in the Water play;
Unwisely this, another Joint he thought,
And dropt the true, as at the false he caught.

Thus, with vain Hope, pursuing greater Gains,
He lost the Purchase of his former Pains;
Then vents, in howling tone, this just Complaint,
To find himself so cheated by a Feint:

Fool that I was, who vainly seeking more,
Lost the sufficient Food I had before!
Now to my Kennel I must sneaking go,
With empty Hopes, and empty Stomach too.

The MORAL.

‘Contented Men no Disappointment dread,
‘Their Wishes ne'er Sufficiency exceed:
‘But they, whose vast Desires no limits know,
‘Miss what they seek; and what they have, forego.
‘Ixion-like, baulk'd of their Juno's Charms,
‘They find a Cloud in their deluded Arms.

FABLE XII. The Lion superannuated:

Or, False Friends, base Enemies.

A Lion, that in heat of Youth and Blood,
With fierce Exorbitance disturb'd the Wood,
Injur'd his Fellows, and provok'd their Rage,
Met just Revenge in his declining Age.
The Boar and Bull, with pointed Tusk and Horn,
Defie his Anger, and his Weakness scorn:
Ev'n the dull Ass, to give unusu'l Proof
Of active Warmth, insults him with his Hoof.

At which Indignity, the gen'rous Beast
Thus his Resentment, with deep sighs, express'd:

I justly bear return'd Affronts, from those
Whom former Injuries have made my Foes;
But by this Sluggard to be thus abus'd,
Whom I have always serv'd, and kindly us'd,
This pierces deeper than the Wounds they give:
In what mistaken Measures did I live,
That while such pow'rful Enemies I made,
I chose no Friends, but who my Choice upbraid?

The MORAL.

‘While thou art Great, be Good; on no Pretence
‘Exert thy Pow'r to offer Violence:
‘For injur'd Sufferers will wait a Change,
‘And find their time to take a sharp Revenge.
‘Be therefore cautious to distinguish Friends,
‘Who seek thy Int'rest, who their private Ends:
‘For they who court thee only on Design,
‘Will prove thy Fortune's Followers, not thine:
‘Shadows they are, that, when the Sun declines,
‘Forsake the Things they wait on, while it shines.

FABLE XIII. The Ape and her Whelps:

Or, The Fondling ruin'd.

An Ape, that Twins into the World had brought,
Lov'd one, and hated t'other, to a fault:
For the Rejected Whelp she took no care;
The Darling, from her Arms cou'd never spare:
Till, in her sleep, she, by too close a hug,
In height of Fondness, Overlaid her Pug.
The Dam, thus of her Favourite depriv'd,
Express'd some small Concern for him that liv'd;
Who soon grew up, and very hopeful prov'd,
Because, tho' less, with greater Prudence lov'd.

The MORAL.

‘Parents, whose Love to Children oft' is blind,
‘To those they most Indulge, are most Unkind:
‘For Youth, that wants Discretion what to choose,
‘Declines to Vice, when giv'n too great a Loose,
‘Hence the fond Father, by his sad Mistake,
‘Finds his Hopes blasted, and his Son a Rake:
‘But stricter Discipline to Virtue tends,
‘Improves the Child, and gains the Parent's Ends.

FABLE XIV. The Elm and Oxen:

Or, Involuntary Harms, excusable.

A stately Elm, that many Years had stood,
And over-top'd his Neighbours of the Wood;
Cut down at last, and order'd to be sawn,
Was to the Pit, by sweating Oxen, drawn.
The Tree believ'd himself unkindly us'd,
And of Ingratitude the Beasts accus'd;
That they, whom he had fed, and shelter'd long,
Unmindful of his Kindness, did him Wrong,
And, void of Pity, drag'd him through the Mire,
Whose Age, and Love, did more Respect require.

The faultless Beasts, to sooth his Woe, reply'd,
Our Sighs, our Groans, and ev'ry goaded Side,

Shew how in all your Pains we sympathize,
Whose weighty Grief on us more heavy lies.
This soft, kind Answer, pacify'd the Beam,
And he no more griev'd for himself, but them.

The MORAL.

‘The Harms which Men, by loath'd Compulsion, do,
‘Are not their Act, nor shou'd we think them so:
‘And all who with unjust Reproach, and Cries,
‘Condemn involuntary Injuries,
‘Their Reason, less than Children whipt, command,
‘Who burn the Rod, but soon forgive the Hand.

FABLE XV. The Gnat and Bee:

Or, Young Idlers, Old Beggars.

An airy Gnat, bred by the Sun's warm Rays,
That had no thought of feeling colder days;
And no Provision made all Summer long,
But trifl'd it away in empty Song;
With want of Food, and Winter's piercing Frost,
Famish'd, and chill'd, and ready to be lost;
From an industrious Bee Relief implor'd,
Whose House she saw was plentifully stor'd;
And, for the Favour, offer'd to impart
To all the Young Ones, her melodious Art.
But the more frugal Bee, who well observ'd
The reason why this Idler justly starv'd,
The pressing Unthrift modestly deny'd,
And with this mild, but home Rebuke, reply'd:
Elsewhere, my Friend, your vain Instructions try,
My Off-spring shall on mine alone rely;
Bred to such Work as is its own Reward,
And will from Cold and Hunger be their Guard.

The MORAL.

‘While early Industry, and timely Cares,
‘Provide Supports for our declining Years;
‘An idle, thriftless Youth, gives sure Presage
‘Of an unpity'd Penury in Age.

FABLE XVI. The Sun, and Wind:

Or, Virtue heightned by Adversity.

Between the boistrous Wind, and scorching Sun,
A warm Dispute for Preference begun:
And both agreed, the Right on either side,
By a decisive Issue should be try'd;
That he, whose Influence, with most Success,
Cou'd make a Traveller himself Undress,
Shou'd be acknowledg'd the Superiour Pow'r,
And bear the Trophies of a Conquerour.

The hasty Wind begun with blustring Rage,
And in a Tempest did the Man engage:
But as the Storm with greater fury blew,
He closer still his ruffl'd Garments drew;
Mended his pace, impatient of the Cold,
And, as the Wind encreas'd, kept faster hold.
To be thus baffl'd, angry Boreas storm'd,
And, since his fiercest Blasts no more perform'd,

No longer of his Breath wou'd be profuse,
For which his Porridge had more pressing Use.

This Disappointment smiling Phœbus saw,
And when his Rays had made the Clouds withdraw,
Pointed the Vigour of his fiery Beams
Against the Man, distracted with Extreams.
At first he brought him to a gentle Heat,
Then, by degrees, improv'd it to a Sweat;
And soon, a Fire, too hot to be withstood,
Glow'd in his Face, and swelter'd in his Blood:
He panted, breathless grew, began to faint,
And sought a Shade to favour his Complaint;
Then threw his Cloaths, that burden'd him, away,
And gave the Sun the Honour of the Day.

The MORAL.

‘When Blasts of adverse Fortune, like the Wind,
‘Wou'd shock the Temper of a steady Mind,
‘The Brave, their firm Resolves, unalter'd, hold,
‘Taught by the rustling Tempest to be Bold;
‘And, in a dark Eclipse, give greatest light,
‘As Stars display their Lustre most by Night.

‘But when Prosperity, with soft'ning Rays,
‘Too warm a Sun-shine round the Soul displays,
‘Its yielding Virtue, less severe and nice,
‘Insensibly becomes dissolv'd in Vice:
‘So Iron, pliant, through excess of Heat,
‘Into all Forms is eas'ly cast, or beat.

FABLE XVII. The Fox, and Sick Hen:

Or, Self-Preservation natural.

A Fox, when visiting the Poultrey's Shed,
Observ'd a groaning Hen, that kept her Bed,
And, with feign'd Friendship, cloaking deadly Hate,
Wou'd fain have felt her Pulse, to know her State.
To whom Dame Partlet, almost dead with Fear,
Reply'd, I cannot bring my self so near,
Through all my Limbs such feeble Shiverings go;
But were you gone, the Fit wou'd leave me too.

The MORAL.

‘Self-Preservation none neglect, but Fools;
‘'Tis the first Lesson taught in Nature's Schools:
‘From thence we learn all noxious things to shun,
‘By whose Insults we fear to be undone;
‘And restless, at their dreaded Presence, grow;
‘Which, if we are not Sick, will make us so.
‘At thoughts of Dying, we become shagreen,
‘And start at Death, in any Object seen:
‘But such base Cowards just Reproaches bear,
‘Who kill themselves, to shun the Fate they fear.

FABLE XVIII. The Kid and Wolf:

Or, Mistaken Measures.

A rambling Kid, that from his Dam had stray'd,
Was by a Wolf an easie Captive made:
The trembling Creature, young, and fond to live,
Devis'd this Shift, his Freedom to retrieve:
Since, Sir, said he, I cannot be repriev'd,
Pray let me Die as jocund as I Liv'd:
Sing one brisk Air, that I may shew my Skill,
And Dance a Fit, then eat me at your Will.

Sure of his Prey, the Wolf did soon comply,
Nor wou'd so modest a Request deny:

But he, whose Voice was hoarse, and Throat was foul,
In his Attempts to Sing, began to Houl.
A Pack of Hounds, that just were running by,
Knew his harsh Note, and follow'd him, Full-Cry.
Alarm'd at this, he had no time to stay;
(His Safety more concern'd him, than his Prey)
He left the Kid, to shake his Heels alone,
And rather chose to exercise his own.
Freed from his Fear, and of his Fault asham'd,
He thus himself, for his Miscarriage, blam'd:
Ah, wretched Fool! that such wrong Measures took,
To turn Musician, who was bred a Cook!
Aiming to Sing, I let my Booty go,
And now I may go Whistle for it too.

The MORAL.

‘Thus Fools, who indiscreetly slight the Arts
‘To which wise Nature do's adapt their Parts;
‘And Works, for which they are unfit, pursue;
‘Miscarry in their Pains and Credit too.

FABLE XIX. The Peacock and Nightingale:

Or, Enough's a Feast.

The rich plum'd Peacock, kept by Juno's side,
(With those Advantages not satisfy'd)
Complain'd, That Philomel's melodious Voice
Charm'd all the Groves, and made the Swains rejoyce;
All list'ned, her delightful Songs to hear,
While his harsh Note offended ev'ry Ear.

Juno reply'd, You may with this dispense,
Since Each has his peculiar Excellence:
Her Tunes to more advantage are express'd,
But you, my Bird, in nobler Plumes are dress'd.

The MORAL.

‘Since Providence do's best for Mortals chuse,
‘Covet no Good reserv'd; none giv'n, refuse.
‘Heav'n largely will our real Wants supply,
‘And not our Lust, but Reason, gratifie.
‘Why shou'd we Grief, at others Joys, express,
‘Who have enough wherein to acquiesce?

FABLE XX. The Lion and Frog:

Or, A great Noise, a great Nothing.

A Lion, by surprizing Noise, alarm'd,
Rowz'd; and himself for sharp Encounter arm'd:
He thought it a Rhinoceros at least,
Or some unknown and more Gigantick Beast:
Long time he list'ned, and almost did fear,
'Till he beheld the Enemy appear:
But when he found a Frog made all that Noise,
A puny Creature, little else but Voice;
He spurn'd the slimy Insect with disdain,
And said, Thou shalt not tempt my Rage again.

The MORAL.

‘When you loud Rant, or noisie Boastings, hear,
‘Despise the Authors, and suppress the Fear.
‘Such Rodomonts can do you little wrong,
‘Whose only dang'rous Weapon is their Tongue.
‘From loaded Cannon Men may dread a Wound,
‘Where Execution still precedes the Sound:

‘But Stent'rophonick Tubes offenceless roar,
‘They do no mischief after, nor before.

FABLE XXI. The Wolf disguised:

Or, A Saint without, a Devil within.

A rav'nous Wolf, addicted much to steal,
(That he might better his Designs conceal)
In borrow'd Sheep-skin Dress himself array'd,
And thus disguis'd, his Pranks securely play'd.
The Shepherd, who observ'd his Flock decay,
And thought their Number lessen'd ev'ry Day,
A stricter Watch about his Folds did keep,
And found the Wolf in the dissembled Sheep:
He seiz'd the Thief, and hang'd him on a Tree,
A sad Example for all Wolves to see.
The Neighbours wonder'd what the Man design'd,
To hang his Sheep; and said, He sure was blind:
For so much Rigour they ne'er saw before,
And thought he cou'd not use a Wolf with more.
But he reply'd, This Sheep in outward Shew,
Prov'd a meer Wolf when he my Weathers slew.

The MORAL.

‘No Credit to Appearance shou'd be giv'n,
‘Since harden'd Wretches wou'd impose on Heav'n:
‘Their rotten Hearts with specious Shew they paint,
‘And hide the Dev'l behind the seeming Saint.
‘Unmask the Hypocrites, and look within,
‘Their Virtue goes no deeper than the Skin:
‘And Wise Men never will Appearance prize,
‘But fair Pretences, for foul Ends, despise.

FABLE XXII. The Fox and Lionness:

Or, Rarity heightens Pleasures.

A saucy Bitch-Fox durst her Queen upbraid,
That but one Whelp at ev'ry Birth she had.
The Lioness reply'd, But One indeed,
But that a Lion, and of Royal Breed.

The MORAL.

‘We shou'd not Things by their Abundance rate,
‘'Tis Merit gives them their true Estimate:

‘The Firmament do's many Stars display,
‘But 'tis one Sun alone that gives us Day.
‘Tir'd with the frequent Use, we Pleasures slight;
‘Their Rarity inhances their Delight.
‘Tho' from one Sun we Light's great Blessing find;
‘The Favour multiply'd, wou'd strike us blind.

FABLE XXIII. The Horse and Ass:

Or, Pride must have a Fall.

A Horse, with stately Trappings proud and gay,
Neighing aloud, and scouring o'er the Way,
Was by a burden'd Ass stopt on his Road,
And forc'd to wait on the obstructing Load.
Enrag'd such Dulness shou'd his Speed arrest,
He champt the Bit, and rated thus the Beast:
Sluggard, Make Way, or thy dull Sides shall feel
My sharp Resentment, from my active Heel.

The Ass was frighted so, he durst not Bray,
But, with due Rev'rence, gave his Honour Way:
Who, in his Course, (straining himself too sore)
Soon broke his Wind, and was of Use no more:
No more rich Furniture adorn'd his Back,
Condemn'd to cary an ignoble Pack.

The Ass, arriving at the Carrier's Stage,
Beheld him in this homely Equipage,
And said, Great Sir, What did this Change produce?
Where's your Lac'd Saddle, and Embroider'd Hoose?
Where your Gilt Bosses, and your Studded Reins?
Can you submit to take such slavish Pains?
Can you be with a Pack and Bells content,
An Ass's Load, and a Fool's Ornament?
Think, when this Burden do's your Shoulders gall,
Your lofty Pride deserv'd so great a Fall.

The MORAL.

‘Thus Men of Wealth and Honour, vainly Proud,
‘Look with Contempt on the Inferior Croud;
‘But (rifled of their Titles and their Store)
‘Meet just Disdain from those they Scorn'd before:
‘The Insolence which in their Height they shew,
‘Makes them Despis'd, when Fortune brings them Low.

FABLE XXIV. The Sick Impostor:

Or, Prevarication Punish'd.

An Impious Wretch, and Poor, as Wicked too,
By Sickness, found Just Heav'n gave Vice its due:
He pray'd the Gods, with more than usual Zeal,
To spare his Life, and his Distemper heal;
And promis'd, if they wou'd reverse his Doom,
To load their Altars with an Hecatomb.
The Gods, to try how he wou'd keep his Word,
Granted his Suit, and former Health restor'd.
But he, that had not any Beast to give,
Did more to break, than pay his Vow, contrive:
With that Design, he trac'd vast Tracts of Ground,
And gather'd all the scatter'd Bones he found;
And, when the promis'd Number was compleat,
Hop'd, with that Sham, the Deities to cheat;
Then on an Altar the bare Off'ring laid,
And thought his Vow sufficiently was paid.
The Pow'rs thus mock'd, on sharp Revenge conclude,
To suit his Falshood and Ingratitude:
And, by his Bed, appearing in a Dream,
Bid him repair to an adjacent Stream;
And near its Bank a certain Place assign'd,
Where he shou'd dig, and mighty Treasures find.
The Fellow, on this sleeveless Errand sent,
(Like April-Fool, on Wild-Goose Chase intent)

With haste, that wou'd admit of no delay,
Went on, but took a Tartar by the Way:
Among a Pack of roving Thieves he fell,
Who made him Pris'ner, stript, and drub'd him well:
To whom the greater Cheat, to buy his Peace,
Promis'd a Thousand Pound for his Release.

The MORAL.

‘Liars, embolden'd by strange Impudence,
‘Are always ready at a coin'd Pretence:
‘To gain their Ends, all Falshoods they devise,
‘Play foul with Heav'n, and glory in their Lies.
‘But they who with the Gods prevaricate,
‘Are justly punish'd with a proper Fate:
‘The angry Pow'rs infatuate the Cheats
‘To Credit, and to Perish, by Deceits.

FABLE XXV. The Hares and Eagles:

Or, Every one for Himself.

The Hares a Battle with the Eagles sought,
And Succours from the wary Foxes sought.
They answer'd; We wou'd scarce our selves expose,
But that we know your Courage, and your Foes.

The MORAL.

‘Some Men on Camps their close Attendance pay,
‘And wait, like Vultures, there, in hopes of Prey:
‘For they (however Victory enclines)
‘By gainful Plunder, compass their Designs.
‘The Needy Wretch, that scarce is worth a Groat,
‘To raise himself, do's baneful War promote:
‘He ventures nothing, yet obtains his Wish;
‘As Anglers best in troubl'd Waters fish.

FABLE XXVI. The Wolf and Ram:

Or, Suspicion gives Security.

A Wolf, that hardly scap'd pursuing Hounds,
And cou'd do little else but lick his Wounds,
Desir'd a Ram, that at a distance stood,
To bring him Water from the neighb'ring Flood:
For if he might some help for Drink entreat,
Himself, he said, wou'd make a shift for Meat.

The Ram, that guess'd what Shift he meant, reply'd,
That friendly Office should not be deny'd;
But that I fear, if I should prove so kind,
The Meat you mean, wou'd not be far to find.

The MORAL.

‘Dissembling Villains wou'd, by Art, prevail
‘To gain their Ends, when open Measures fail:
‘But Wise Men (apprehensive of the Cheat)
‘Taught by Suspicion, their Designs defeat.

FABLE XXVII. The Mourning Widow:

Or, In Dock, Out Nettle.

A brisk young Lady, of good Air and Mien,
Who had not much exceeded sweet Fifteen,
But a whole brace of Weeks had been a Wife,
And lik'd the Pleasures of a Marry'd Life;
(Nor cou'd she chuse, 'twas yet but Honey-Moon,
And Wedlock seldom shews its Sting so soon)
Found all her dawning Joys with Clouds o'erspread;
Her Husband Dying on his Nuptial-Bed.

She Sigh'd, Lamented, and by fits would Roar;
(But less had Mourn'd him, had she Known him more)
No Med'cine cou'd be found for her Relief;
The very Name of Comfort, rais'd her Grief:
She kill'd the Birds that in her Windows hung,
Not conscious of what past, because they sung.

Her Mother, who was griev'd to hear her Cries,
And did in all her Sorrows sympathize,
The Remedy of good Advice apply'd,
And thus, to lessen her Affliction, try'd:
Spend not profusely, Child, your precious Tears;
Take some Compassion on your tender Years;
Be not injurious to those Cheeks and Eyes,
Which all who see them (but your self) will prize:
You need not long Affliction's Weight endure;
The Hand that gives the Wound, will find a Cure:
For, if your Dear (which Fate forbid) shou'd die,
I have another Husband in my Eye.

At this, like one to Bedlam newly brought,
She Rag'd, she Swell'd, she Foam'd, she Heav'd, and Wrought;
And, when Respiring had restor'd her Breath,
Husband! she cry'd; My Husband shall be Death.

Thus she continu'd till her Husband dy'd,
And Death the Matrimonial-Knot unty'd:
But her Affection liv'd to the Deceas'd,
And as he Colder grew, its Warmth encreas'd:
Extended by his senseless Corps she lay
To warm the Lump of abdicated Clay;
'Till Grief exhausted in the wild Extreme,
Left her to descant on a sweeter Theme:
And, wisely recollecting 'twas in vain
To call a Soul Departed back again;
She to the Living her best Thoughts affords,
With pleas'd Reflections on her Mother's Words,
Whom thus she gently whispers in the Ear;
What last you said, Pray Madam, let me hear:
I will obey your Dictates, if I can,
But wou'd be willing first to know the Man.

The MORAL.

‘Surviving Wives such to dead Husband's prove;
‘Death, with the Man, annihilates the Love:
‘For who can still desire what is no more?
‘No more the thing for which 'twas lov'd before?
‘And where the Objects of Affection cease,
‘The Passion must by consequence decrease:
‘For, by the stated Rules of Nature's Laws,
‘Effects are hinder'd to survive their Cause.

‘What is a Husband but an empty Name,
‘When he, who bore it, is no more the same?
‘And she, who wou'd his Memory retain,
‘Enjoins her self a wretched Life, in vain;
‘As fondly acts, as one that wou'd embrace
‘A Shadow, when the Substance quits the Place.
‘This only Good to Widows Tears is due,
‘Grief for old Husbands, oft' procures them new.

FABLE XXVIII. The Cock and Jewel:

Or, Pearls before Swine.

As once a Cock of the Plebeian Brood,
Scrap'd o'er a Dunghil for his daily Food,
He found a Jewel from the Rubbish rise,
Of dazling Lustre, and transcending Price:
But at this Baulk displeas'd, the Craven said,
Why are my Pains with this bright Trifle paid?
Some Lapidary might (with real Joy)
Have found, and justly priz'd the shining Toy;
But I a single Grain of Corn prefer
To all the Jewels Eastern Monarchs wear:
Let them with fancy'd Worth themselves delight,
Give me what feeds my craving Appetite.

The MORAL.

‘The Mean-soul'd Wretch, whose low and grov'ling Mind
‘Is to the Dunghil of the World confin'd,
‘In sordid Pleasures centers his Delight,
‘To gratifie his sensual Appetite:
‘While (in their Worth unskill'd) he treats, with Scorn,
‘The Gems that shou'd his nobler Part adorn;

‘They, whose rais'd Thoughts to Virtue's Heights aspire,
‘Its Value know, and, as they know, admire.

FABLE XXIX. The Wolf and Lamb:

Or, Might overcomes Right.

As at a Spring a Wolf his Thirst allay'd,
A Lamb, to taste the distant Stream, essay'd;
Whereat fierce Isgrim (pleas'd to take Offence)
Said, He disturb'd the Fountain-head from thence.
The trembling Lamb, with apprehensive Dread,
His Pardon crav'd, and did, Not Guilty, plead:
For such a Crime, he urg'd, cou'd ne'er be done,
'Till Streams did backward to their Sources run.
To whom the Wolf; In vain, presumptuous Thing,
Thou do'st to me thy feign'd Excuses bring:
Thou art obnoxious; I thy Race abhor;
Thy Sire and Dam have wrong'd me heretofore:
And now my just Resentment shall be shown
On thee, for their Offences, and thy own.

The MORAL.

‘Oppressors, bent on wronging Innocence,
‘When Will and Pow'r conspire, ne'er want Pretence:

‘No Arguments from Law or Reason draw;
‘Their Will's their Reason, and their Pow'r their Law.

FABLE XXX. The Mouse in a Chest:

Or, The World a Wise Man's Home.

A Mouse, that in a Chest was born and bred,
And there on homely Cheese and Bisket fed,
Fell from the Edge, while too intent on Play,
And wou'd return, but cou'd not find the Way.
Driv'n by her Fear, she sought a safe Retreat;
And in her Search, found more delicious Meat.
By this she saw she had kept Home too long,
And did her Palate and her Freedom wrong:
She thought, at first, all Joys to Home confin'd,
But, as she chang'd her Station, chang'd her Mind;
And bless'd the Chance, that in another Air,
Gave her more Liberty, and better Fare.

The MORAL.

‘Uncurious Men, fond of their Native Ground,
‘Their whole Desires within its Limits bound:
‘While others, Wiser, for Improvement, roam,
‘And find Abroad a more delightful Home.
‘By Prudence govern'd, and with Sense endu'd,
‘They suit themselves to ev'ry Latitude.
‘These Trees revers'd, by Transplantation thrive,
‘That scarce were, in their Nurs'ries, kept alive:
‘No change of Climate disappoints their aim,
‘Since they, and Heav'n, are ev'ry-where the same.

FABLE XXXI. The Young Man and the Old:

Or, The Scoffer scoff'd.

A Brisk Young Stripling, as an Arrow straight,
Who ne'er of Cares or Years had felt the weight,
Saw a decrepit Senior bending go,
And ask'd, in scorn, if he wou'd sell his Bow.
To whom the Sage; Waste not your Stock, to buy
What kindly Nature gratis will supply:
When you, young Fopling, to my Age are come,
You will be furnish'd with a Bow at Home:
But, if you are resolv'd to take your swing,
You may be sooner fitted with a String.

The MORAL.

‘Make not Infirmities of Age your Sport,
‘Which others may on you, in time, retort:
‘For Heav'n has Length of Days a Blessing made,
‘And curs'd the Fools who its Defects upbraid.

FABLE XXXII. The Mad-house:

Or, Expensive Sports, destructive Folly.

A grave Physician, for his Skill renown'd,
Had, by long Study and Experience, found
For Frenzy an infallible Relief;
Frenzy, that is of all Distempers chief:
Frenzy, that in the Hypochondria bred,
Scorns its mean Country, and affects the Head:
And, when, in fact, Possessor of the Brain,
Do's there exert an Arbitrary Reign.

This Universal Tyrant o'er Mankind,
To no Degree, no Sex, or Age confin'd;
Is in the Palace and the Cottage found,
Among the Old, the Young, the Sick and Sound:
Alike its wild, ungovern'd Rage prevails
O'er feeble Females, and robuster Males:
Alike enslaves the Simple, and the Wise;
And whom it captivates, do's still disguise:

Who, strangely metamorphos'd into Apes,
Act various Follies, in as various Shapes.

This fierce, this savage Monster to subdue,
Was what the Doctor most profess'd, and knew.
His Remedy was this. Within his Court,
Accommodated to the vast Resort,
He had a spacious, deep, unwholsom Pool;
No Common-shore so nauseous, or so foul;
Its Filth so nasty, and its Stench so bad,
As wou'd make all Men, in their Wits, run Mad.
But all who thither Frantick came, were sure
In this Bethesda to receive a Cure:
Which the wise Doctor, for their quick Relief,
Proportion'd to the measure of their Grief.
Some, less distracted, he confin'd therein
Only above the Ancle, or the Shin:
Others, distemper'd to a worse degree,
He further drove, and wetted to the Knee.
But those, in whom the Frenzy did aspire,
He forc'd Chin-deep into the hateful Mire;
And, as Occasion did require it most,
Gave each a deeper or a shallow'r Post.

His fam'd Success, and happy Cures he wrought,
A num'rous Concourse to his Bedlam brought;
That in his Court appear'd, with mimick Pride,
Madness in all its Forms diversify'd:
For each, in height of Raving, seem'd intent
On that, to which his sober Thoughts were bent.
There pining sate the Wretch with Want oppress'd;
And there he vaunted, whom kind Plenty bless'd:
There was the proud Opiniator found,
And still did in his own vain Sense abound:
Thither was the Diffiding Mortal brought,
Who of himself as much too meanly thought:
The Atheist there did Heav'n and Hell despise:
There the Enthusiast rag'd in Ecstasies:

There he Complain'd, whom Sorrow did destroy;
And there he Laugh'd, who cou'd not bear his Joy:
There to hoard Treasure was the Miser's Care;
And vain Expences pleas'd the thriftless Heir:
There the Grave Blockhead made his dull Remark;
And empty Jests tickl'd the Witty Spark:
The poring Student there was learnd'ly Mad;
And there he rav'd, who never Learning had:
The Bankrupt Tradesman there design'd his Shop,
And there a fancy'd Mistress pleas'd the Fop:
The Jilt thought there she had her Cully met;
And he did there at Disappointments fret:
There the projecting Statesman form'd Intrigues,
And, for his Pension, broke, or patch'd up Leagues:
The Lawyer there contriv'd to split a Cause,
Find Flaws in Deeds, or double Sense in Laws:
The Patron there his vacant Livings sold,
And still presented leaden Clerks, for Gold:
The Parson there the Dev'l and Pope deny'd,
Tho' they his Tythe, and Matter too, supply'd:
There the great Lord his Chaplain's Service paid
With a guelt Parish, and crack'd Chamber-Maid:
The Broken Officer did there Parade,
And curs'd the fatal Peace that spoil'd his Trade:
The Lover there did his Amours reherse;
And there the Poet play'd the Fool in Verse:
The Merchant there, as shameless as unjust,
Sold, at dear Rates, his cheap-bought Goods, on Trust;
While there the Fools, undone by that Abuse,
Rail'd at ill Bargains, clogg'd with Use on Use:
There were the High, the Low, the Rich, the Poor,
'Till the throng'd Mansion cou'd receive no more.
Well might the Doctor have enlarg'd his Room,
Since all Mankind, in some respect, shou'd come.

Among the Crouds, who there their Senses sought,
A pert Attorney, for a Cure, was brought;

This Spark no mighty stock of Wit had lost,
Because his portion was but small, at most;
And ev'n when with the height of Madness seiz'd,
He had as much as for his Use suffic'd.
The Doctor found he wou'd be compos soon,
Since half the Bus'ness to his hand was done;
He therefore did the slighter Means apply,
And launch'd him in no deeper than the Thigh:
This cool'd him so, that soon he ceas'd to rave,
And sure Prognosticks of Recov'ry gave.

The pleas'd Physician freed him from his Hole,
And gave him leave about the Court to strole:
Then, as he found his Frenzy more abate,
Enlarg'd his Limits to the Outer Gate.

There, as one day he stood, and gaz'd about,
Admiring at the madder Crouds Without,
An uncouth Object did his sight engage;
A brisk young Gallant, with fine Equipage:
Well mounted on a mettl'd Horse he rode,
That hardly touch'd the Ground whereon he trod:
Two Brace of coupl'd Spaniels ran before,
His Fist a Cast of hooded Marlins bore,
Adorn'd with Jesses, Varvels, and with Bells,
That rung their dying Captives mournful Knells:
Behind two Grooms, on able Geldings, came;
Their Liv'ries rich, the Cloth and Lace the same.

The Mad-man thought the Sight surprizing new,
For he forgot what he, e're frantick, knew:
(To him the Pond a real Lethe prov'd,
And most Idea's of things past, remov'd)
Then, as the sprightly Beau approach'd, he cry'd,
Fine Thing, let me intreat you to abide:
Which done, with twenty Questions he ran on,
Without allowing time to answer one.
He ask'd, what that was call'd on which he sate;
And what they were that did behind him wait:

What were the little Things that ran before;
And what strange Creatures on his Fist he bore:
What was each one's peculiar Use and Trade;
And what Advantage of them all he made?

The Spark, who guess'd his Case, and thought the Wise
Shou'd humour Mad-men in their Fooleries;
As soon as he wou'd give him leave, reply'd,
This, Sir, is call'd a Horse, on which I ride:
The other two, whom you behind me see,
Are Grooms that dress my Horse, and tend on me:
These on my Hand are Hawks, that, when I please,
Will kill me Larks, or Quails, or Partridges:
And those, which foremost in the Couples came,
Are Spaniels, train'd to range, and spring my Game:
All these to my Divertisement conduce;
This is their Service, Sir, and this their Use.

The Mad-man thought it was no little Charge
That cou'd maintain an Equipage so large;
And ask'd him what his Game was worth a Year,
And what his Annual Expences were?

The courtly Gentleman (pleas'd to dispense
With his inquisitive Impertinence)
Reply'd; My Game's scarce worth Five Crowns, at most;
My Sport as many Hundred Pounds do's cost.
Tickl'd at this Account, the Man of Laws
Laugh'd out, as tho' he just had gain'd a Cause;
And said, Since you so dearly buy your Sport,
You shou'd be hamper'd in our Doctor's Court:
For never was a more egregious Fool
Brought to be Compos Mentis in his Pool.
Be gone in time; for if this Tale he hears,
In sooth, he'll plunge you over head and ears

The MORAL.

‘They who on Sports their Time and Wealth bestow,
‘With Cost themselves industriously undo;
‘Consume their Substance by the vain Expence;
‘And waste their Lives in an Impertinence:
‘They need some wise Physician's timely Care,
‘Their broken Brains and Fortune's to repair:
‘Such wild Extravagancies will require
‘The deepest Station in the Doctor's Mire.

FABLE XXXIII. The Gardener and his Dog:

Or, Save a Thief, and he will cut your Throat.

A Gard'ner's Dog, while drinking at a Well,
For want of Caution, to the bottom fell.
The Owner, troubl'd that his Dog shou'd drown,
Ran quickly to his help, and hasten'd down.
But the curs'd Cur, suspecting all that Care
Was not to free him thence, but keep him there;
Requites the Kindness with an ill Amends,
And fastens on his Legs, as he descends.
The Master, vex'd at such a base Return,
Left him to sink, and thus himself did mourn:
I justly smart, who did my Pains employ
To save a Wretch that wou'd himself destroy.

The MORAL.

‘Ungrateful Souls at Benefits repine,
‘And injure those who their Relief design:
‘They from their own ill Meanings learn Distrust,
‘And think all others, like themselves, Unjust.

FABLE XXXIV. The Dog and Butcher:

Or, Fore-warn'd, Fore-arm'd.

A prowling Dog, at Hunger's urgent Call,
Snatch'd a fair Purchase from a Butcher's Stall;
Then, press'd by Guilt, and apprehensive Dread,
Took to his heels, and with his Booty fled.
The Butcher, lost in the Surprize, stood mute,
No Out-cry made, nor offer'd at Pursuit:
But, gaining time for Thought, he rais'd his Voice,
And cry'd, Run Thief, and in thy Prize rejoyce:
Now thou art safe, and do'st unpunish'd go;
Another time thou shalt not serve me so.

The MORAL.

‘A Loss receiv'd, do's Men with Caution arm,
‘To hinder or revenge a second harm:
‘Without their fault, they the first Wrong sustain;
‘But, for the next, shou'd on themselves complain.
‘The Stroke that's giv'en us e're we are aware,
‘Shews us our Danger, and awakes our Care:
‘Instructs us where we open lay, and how
‘To ward the Danger of another Blow.
‘Thus, from the Injuries of Foes, we learn,
‘For our own Safety, to shew more Concern.

FABLE XXXV. The Ape and Jupiter:

Or, The Crow thinks her own Bird whitest.

The Beasts were summon'd, by Command from Jove,
To try whose Off-spring he wou'd most approve:
Among the various Kinds, the Comick Ape,
With horrid Visage, and ungainly Shape,
Produc'd her aukward Whelps to pass the Test;
And thought the God, like her, wou'd judge them best.
Tickl'd at so ridiculous a Sight,
The Beasts forgot Respect, and Laugh'd outright.

Laugh on, said she; Let Jove think what he will,
Mother's own Pictures are the fairest still,
This put them all upon the second Strain;
Nor cou'd ev'n Jove his Gravity retain.

The MORAL.

‘Fond of themselves, and blinded with that Love,
‘Men ev'n their own Infirmities approve:
‘But what we are, or what we do, 'tis fit
‘We to more equal Censures shou'd submit;
‘Lest, by our Partiality betray'd,
‘The Judgment shou'd our want of Sense upbraid.

FABLE XXXVI. The Peasant and Fortune.

Or, Heaven slighted in Prosperity.

A lab'ring Peasant, as he Plough'd his Ground,
In the deep Furrow a rich Treasure found:
Pleas'd with his Luck, he prais'd the fertil Earth,
Whose pregnant Womb gave the bright Product birth.
Now slighted Fortune, (vex'd at his Neglect,
Who took her Gift, and paid her no Respect)
Said; See, the thankless Wretch enjoys his Prize,
And to my Altar brings no Sacrifice:
But when the Blessing, as it came, is gone,
He will exclaim, and rail on me alone.

The MORAL.

‘When Heav'n on Men has Benefits conferr'd,
‘The Benefactor seldom they regard;

‘'Till the same Hand that did the Gift dispense,
‘Resumes it, to chastize their Negligence:
‘Then (griev'd for what they so deserv'd to lose)
‘They fret at Heav'n, and Providence accuse.

FABLE XXXVII. The Boy and Fortune.

Or, Self do, Self have.

A careless Boy, who wou'd no Bus'ness mind,
And more to Sleep, than Labour, was enclin'd,
Close on the Brink of an impetuous Stream
Securely slept, nor did of Hazards dream:
'Till Fortune, coming timely, to prevent
Ris Ruin, which she saw was imminent,
Rouz'd him from Sleep, which might have prov'd his last;
And thus rebuk'd him for Incaution past:
Young Man, you on a dang'rous Bed was plac'd,
Which might have cost your Life, and me disgrac'd:
Had you been drown'd, Men wou'd of me complain,
And not your Negligence, but mine, arraign:
The Inquest then, with one Consent and Breath,
Wou'd find me only guilty of your Death:
Tho', were a Melius Inquirendo sought,
Felo de se, shou'd be the Verdict brought.

The MORAL.

‘Thus, by the fatal Courses they pursue,
‘Unhappy Mortals oft' themselves undo:
‘But, while they suffer, (to avoid the Shame)
‘Pretend another Cause, and Fortune blame.
‘Their Indiscretion is their Overthrow,
‘And to themselves they each Miscarriage owe:
‘But he who manages with prudent Skill,
‘Leads Fortune bound, and guides her as he will.

FABLE XXXVIII. The Sheep and Crow:

Or, Easiness invites Insults.

On a Sheep's Back a Crow triumphant sate,
And fill'd the Plain with her obstrep'rous Prate.
The passive Sheep, without Resistance made,
Bore the Insult, and no Concern betray'd;
But told a Spaniel, that stood grinning by,
He wou'd be soundly drubb'd for such a Cry.
The Crow reply'd; But I know what I do,
And dare make bold with such tame Things as you.

The MORAL.

‘Vexatious Knaves, the patient Man despise,
‘And load him with repeated Injuries:
‘But to the Man whose Anger kindles soon,
‘And will not bear Affronts, they offer none.
‘The Passive, by their Easiness betray'd,
‘Are thought, and us'd, as Beasts for Burden made:
‘While mettl'd Souls, who dare Resentment shew,
‘Make bold Insulters their due Distance know.
‘So Fortune do's the yielding Wretch enslave,
‘But stands in awe, and truckles to the Brave.

FABLE XXXIX. The Crow and Mule:

Or, Distinguish'd Malefactors.

A Crow, alighting on a Mule's raw Back,
(That had been gall'd by a too heavy Pack)
To feast her self, the angry Sore did pinch,
And made the restless Creature bray and winch:
Which gave rare Pastime to the Muletier,
Who twitter'd at the Sport she bought so dear.
A Wolf, that saw him in this merry vain,
Did of his own Misfortune thus complain:
That grinning Fellow, if he did but see,
With might and main wou'd quickly fall on me;
But while the saucy Crow torments his Beast,
Allows it, and is tickl'd at the Jest.

The MORAL.

‘Villains, whose only Bent to Mischief lies,
‘Like Beasts of Prey; are Common Enemies;
‘And, tho' not guilty of a present Harm,
‘Where-e'er they come, all honest Men alarm.
‘Such, when by Pow'r enabl'd to do ill,
‘Are justly fear'd; for if they can, they will.
‘Small Rogues, like Crows, can only fret a Sore;
‘And, when they spend their Malice, hurt no more.
‘The Great, like Wolves, make a too bold Effort;
‘They drive the Just too far, and spoil the Sport:

‘And what we slight, or wink at, in a Crow,
‘We hate, and will not in a Wolf allow.

FABLE XL. The Eagle and Pye:

Or, No trusting Tattlers.

A Pye, whose voluble and flippant Tongue,
For quaint Harangue, was excellently hung,
Fain on the Eagle wou'd her self obtrude,
And for a Place at Court had often su'd.
She earnestly sollicited her Cause,
And spar'd no Rhet'rick in her own Applause:
But what did most encourage her Pretence,
Was fluent Speech, and pow'rful Eloquence.

The Royal Bird, tir'd with her Noise, reply'd;
Friend, your Petition shou'd not be deny'd,
But that you are so Talkative, I fear
You cannot keep the Secrets which you hear.

The MORAL.

‘Men, fond of Talk, occasion still Desire
‘To shew the Talent which themselves admire:
‘With Secrets trusted, they are chiefly bless'd;
‘Those furnish Matter, and draw Hearers best.
‘The leaky Fools, whatever they receive,
‘Let out as fast as Water through a Sieve;
‘And still are bursting, 'till they give it vent,
‘As if 'twas Wind in their Intestines pent.
‘Such Echo's are for Prince's Courts unmeet,
‘Who, instantly what's whisper'd there, repeat:
‘There Men shou'd more the Fishes Temper suit,
‘Shou'd be as quick in Bus'ness, and as mute:
‘Manag'd by such, Designs go smoothly on;
‘The Work's accomplish'd e're the Project's known:
‘For they, like Powder, by no Warning-blast,
‘Betray the Aim, till Execution's past:
‘But noisie Blabs, like Drums, alarm the Foe;
‘And what's as loud, must be as hollow too.

FABLE XLI. The Lion's Choice:

Or, A Friend loves at all times.

The Lion, who was vers'd in State-Affairs,
And knew how Princes best support their Cares;
Order'd his Subjects shou'd at Court attend,
That from the Herds he might select a Friend;
By whom, when Bus'ness or Diversion pleas'd,
He might with Counsel, or Delight, be eas'd:
A Friend, to whom he might his Heart disclose,
And fear no false Discov'ries to his Foes:
A Friend, who wou'd in all his Fortunes share;
In Peace, Advise, and Fight for him in War.
The Beasts, who all to that high Rank aspir'd,
(For Princes Favourites are still admir'd)
Paid glad Obedience to their King's Decree;
Each urg'd, by hope to be the happy He.

Their Sov'reign view'd the vast Assembly round;
And what he sought, by piercing Judgment, found:
He found what best wou'd answer his Design;
And, to their great Amazement, chose a Swine.
Then, to declare what thus his Thoughts enclin'd,
This weighty Reason for his Choice assign'd:
This faithful Creature to his Friends adheres
Tho' Life and Fortune run all Risques with theirs.

The MORAL.

‘Men may safe Friendship easily pretend;
‘But Times of Danger, only try a Friend:
‘No happy Man is sure he is belov'd,
‘Because his Creatures cannot then be prov'd.
‘They who dare Faith (when hazardous) express,
‘And Wretches, on whom Fortune frowns, caress;
‘Give ample Proof their Friendship is not cold;
‘And are deserv'dly valu'd more than Gold.

FABLE XLII. The Elm and Osier:

Or, Submit, and Conquer.

A Stately Elm, that num'rous Years had stood,
And grac'd the Margin of a Rapid Flood;
(By its large Bulk, to Vanity betray'd)
A neighb'ring Osier's Weakness did upbraid;
That still it yielded to the Water's Course,
While his fix'd Root withstood its strongest Force.

But Pride do's seldom a sure Station know;
A sudden Change brought the vain Boaster low:

The swelling Torrent, too impetuous grown,
O'er-turn'd the Elm, and bore its Trophy down.
Thus, by a just Return, its Pride was quell'd,
And fell, by what it had been long upheld:
While still the pliant Osier kept its ground,
And smiling saw its first Despiser drown'd.

Then said; You act unkindly, I profess,
To leave your Friend and Neighbour in Distress:
Why shou'd your Greatness flinch, while I stand fast?
Are your Bravado's come to this at last?

The MORAL.

‘Wisely the Men, who their own Weakness know,
‘Yield to the Vigour of a stronger Foe:
‘Submission calms and temperates the Rage
‘By which they fall, who dare its Force engage:
‘Resistance causes a more furious Shock;
‘As Waves dash most on an opposing Rock.

FABLE XLIII. The Peacock and Crane:

Or, Fine Feathers make fine Birds.

A Peacock, in his gaudy Feathers, vain,
Upbraids, with her more homely Dress, a Crane.
The Crane replies; Your Plumes, 'tis true, are fine,
But not so useful, haughty Sir, as mine:

With them you only o'er low Houses fly,
While my strong Pinions bear me to the Sky.

The MORAL.

‘Boast not your own, nor others Worth despise;
‘The Rate of Things in their Advantage lies:
‘And they who want what you esteem too well,
‘In some more rare Perfection may excell.

FABLE XLIV. The Bear and Bees.

Or, Touch One, touch All.

Stung by a peevish Bee, a Bear, enrag'd,
With angry Paws, the Family engag'd;
Flung down their Hive, and all their Combs destroy'd;
But in his Fury short Delight enjoy'd.
The injur'd Insects round about him swarm,
And with their pointed Darts revenge the Harm.
He (from their Outrage scarce escap'd with Life)
Thus blam'd the Folly that encreas'd his Grief:
Since from One Sting I so much Anguish bore,
'Twas Madness to provoke a Thousand more.

The MORAL.

‘More wisely Men a single Wrong endure,
‘Than, by Impatience, greater Ills procure:
‘He that, where many potent Friends combine,
‘On one Aggressor do's Revenge design:
‘In vexing him, incenses all the rest,
‘And is with num'rous Injuries oppress'd.

‘United Friends together fall and rise,
‘And, like embody'd Members, sympathize:
‘If ev'n the most Extream receives a Smart,
‘The tingling Anguish runs through ev'ry Part:
‘At his Complaint, all take the quick Alarm,
‘And, for their Fellow's Succour, jointly arm.

FABLE XLV. The Wolves and Sheep:

Or, Reconcil'd Enemies, seldom Friends.

The Wolves and Sheep, that long did disagree,
Made Peace, and pass'd a gen'ral Amnesty:
For this they mutual Hostages receive;
The Wolves their Cubs, the Sheep their Mastiffs give.
The easie Sheep, secure by this Exchange,
Feed safe, and fearless through the Pastures range:

'Till the false Cubs, (as if the Sheep play'd foul)
Taught by their Dams, set up a doleful Houl.
The Wolves, that only for this Signal stay'd,
With breach of Faith the guiltless Sheep upbraid;
And make them feel (upon this slight Pretence)
The sad Effects of quitting their Defence.

The MORAL.

‘He that's deceiv'd by specious Shews of Peace,
‘And (lull'd in deep Security and Ease)
‘Disbands his Guards; is by himself betray'd;
‘Expos'd to Danger, and depriv'd of Aid.
‘Where open Enmity has been profess'd,
‘To hope for real Friendship, is a Jest:
‘Such Reconcilements are a bare Pretence,
‘And gain Advantage for a new Offence.

FABLE XLVI. The Country Fidler:

Or, Unseen, Unknown.

A Country Scraper, who at Weddings play'd,
And was, beyond his Merit, prais'd and paid;
Proud of his Parts, wou'd needs himself prefer
To grace the Consort at the Theater:

But there (when he a Tune or two had play'd)
His Impudence, and want of Skill betray'd:
And the affronted Audience, in a Rage,
Hiss'd the pretending Blockhead off the Stage.

The MORAL.

‘So some grave Doctors, who in Schools dispute,
‘And, in conceit, ev'n Bellarmine confute;
‘When they in Paul's or Westminster appear,
‘Make but a dull and awkward Figure there.
‘Learning, without brisk Parts to set it forth,
‘Like hidden Treasure, is but little worth:
‘And the rich Soil, while it conceals the Gold,
‘Is in no more esteem than common Mould.

FABLE XLVII. The Clown and Clyster:

Or, Invincible Ignorance.

A des'prate Head-ach seiz'd a surly Boor,
(Rich in his Purse, but in his Spirit poor)
To visit him the glad Physicians trot;
As Flyes still swarm about a Honey-pot.
The Consult held; one wiser than the rest,
Or, in his own Opinion so, at least,
Prescrib'd a Clyster, to remove his Pain,
And did, by Arguments, that Course maintain.
But the rude Fellow, to such Cures unus'd,
Their Applications, and themselves, abus'd:
Be gone, said he; I see your Skill does fail,
Who, when my Head's disturb'd, wou'd drench my Tail.

The MORAL.

‘Thus rude, and unexperienc'd Fools, despise
‘The best Prescriptions giv'n 'em by the Wise;
‘And, as mistaken Measures, discommend
‘What their dull Reason cannot comprehend;
‘Their Ignorance still keeps them in a Mist,
‘And makes them in their Self-conceit persist.

FABLE XLVIII. The Old Weesel, and Mice:

Or, Policy beyond Strength.

A Weesel, brought, by Age, to great Decay,
And grown too feeble to attempt her Prey;
Resolv'd some subtle Artifice to try,
That might her want of Strength and Speed supply.
To compass this, and easie Conquests gain,
She lay conceal'd within a Heap of Grain;
That, when Marauders did the Corn invade,
She might surprize them, from her Ambuscade.
The Mice, who saw no Danger to avoid,
Came fearless thither, and were all destroy'd.

The MORAL.

‘Where Strength, to gain the Point we labour, fails,
‘Our more successful Policy prevails.
‘Precaution'd Men, from open Dangers run;
‘But what are unforeseen, they rarely shun.

FABLE XLIX. The Fox and Cock:

Or, The Shammer shamm'd.

A hungry Fox, in great distress for Food,
Came prowling where a lonely Cottage stood;
And on the Branches of its shelt'ring Trees,
A Cock, at roost among his Misses, sees:
With friendly Tone he call'd to Chanticleer,
And ask'd the reason he was mounted there,
As if he was a Stranger to the Joy,
That pleas'd all Hearts, and did all Tongues employ.
The Cock reply'd, He liv'd remote from Court,
And rarely heard, or listen'd to, Report;
But if he ought of Moment cou'd impart,
He wou'd give ear to that, with all his heart.

Then answer'd Reynard; Know, my noble Friend,
All Wrong and Violence are at an end:
At Court, a great Assembly has been held
Of all the sage Free-holders of the Field;
Who have decree'd, Hostilities shall cease,
And end in gen'ral Amnesty and Peace:
Now ev'n the Weakest may unguarded go,
And fear no Danger, for they have no Foe.
Pleas'd with the News, I came express away,
To celebrate, with you, this joyful Day.

The Cock, too wise to be with Words deceiv'd,
Knew Reynard was too false to be believ'd:

But, not to seem distrustful or surpriz'd,
With Complaisance his Jealousy disguiz'd;
And said, My Friend, you happy Tidings bring;
This Day will make us, O be joyful, sing:
Then rais'd his Crest, as if he meant to Crow;
But some Concern, that spoil'd his Note, did show.
Whereat, the Fox demanding what he saw;
Two Hounds, said he, that tow'rds this Mansion draw:
With open Mouths, and eager Speed they move;
Sure, the same Message do's their Haste improve.

The Fox alarm'd, and conscious of his Cheat,
Began to think it time for a Retreat;
And said, Good Friend, Adieu; I dare not stay;
These plaguy Currs have frighted me away.
How! said the Cock; Have you forgot the Peace?
Are not Hostilities decree'd to cease?
'Tis true, said Reynard; nor do I forget,
But fear these Teazers have not heard it yet.

The MORAL.

‘Impostors thus (who others wou'd deceive)
‘Suspected in the false Accounts they give,
‘Are justly by a Counter-plot betray'd,
‘And fall themselves into the Snares they laid.

FABLE L. The Graceless Son:

Or, Unseasonable Mirth.

A tender Husband lost a faithful Wife,
The kind Support of his declining Life:
But when the Bell, before her Fun'ral, rung,
His Graceless Son, instead of Weeping, Sung.
Displeas'd at such unseasonable Mirth,
(When she was lifeless who had giv'n him Birth)
The mourning Father did his Folly chide:
To whom th' incorrigible Rake reply'd,
You hire the Priests to sing, without offence;
Then blame not me, who save you some Expence.
His Sire rejoin'd, The Priests their Office do;
You are too mad, to make a Priest of you.

The MORAL.

‘Decorum, that gives every thing its Grace,
‘With Circumstances alters still its Face:
‘The very Act, which we in some approve,
‘In others wou'd our Indignation move.
‘When Parents Die, to Sing at such a time,
‘In Priest, is Piety; in Sons, a Crime:
‘And he who Laughs, when Sorrow claims his Tears,
‘Acts the wrong Part, and just Reproaches bears.

FABLE LI. The Hound:

Or, Eaten Bread forgotten.

A Hound, once stanch, and forward at the Chase
As any He of all the Motly Race;
But, by his long Fatigue, and Age, oppress'd,
Was in the Field thrown off by all the rest.
His angry Lord, regardless of his Age,
Rated, and lash'd him, with immod'rate Rage.
But Kill-buck, whom such Usage did not please,
Reply'd, I have deserv'd a Writ of ease;
Since now I superannuated grow,
And cannot, as in Youth and Vigour, do:
But tho' I am unserviceable grown,
You shou'd not thus my Service past disown:
While I was useful, you was always kind;
But now, your Love is with my Strength, declin'd:
Tho' sure you shou'd, in Gratitude alone,
Respect my Age, for what my Youth has done.

The MORAL.

‘How quickly are past Services forgot,
‘Which they, who were oblig'd, acknowledge not?
‘Few People, fac'd like Janus, we shall find;
‘All look before, or very few, behind:

‘And on their present Benefit intent,
‘Where that is found, pay all their Compliment:
‘When Expectations of Advantage cease,
‘Their Kindness fails, and their Respects decrease:
‘Tho' you a Thousand Offices have done,
‘You lose your Thanks, if you omit but One:
‘The first slight Failure wipes out all the score;
‘He has done nothing, who can do no more.

FABLE LII. The Fishes:

Or, Out of the Frying-pan, into the Fire.

Some Trouts, that (apprehending no Deceit)
Swallow'd their Ruin with the treach'rous Bait;
When from the Brook brought to the Pan alive,
Did soon their change of Elements perceive:
Impatient of the Heat in which they fry'd,
They leap'd among the hotter Coals, and dy'd:
And, with their dying Breath, did thus complain;
Seeking to ease, we have encreas'd our Pain:
For in severer Torments we expire,
Who left the Pan, and perish in the Fire.

The MORAL.

‘Imprudent Men, while they less Dangers shun,
‘By too much Rashness, into greater run:
‘Their present Sufferings the Wretches force
‘To seek Redress of Grievances in worse.
‘Unskilful Sailors thus do Rocks avoid,
‘And run on Quick-sands, where they are destroy'd.

FABLE LIII. The Boor and Wood:

Or, Give an Inch, take an Ell.

In Happy Times, when Jove's indulgent Care
Had made the Forests Vocal ev'ry-where,
A Boor the Trees unfortunately press'd
To grant a needful, tho' a small, Request;
That from some useless, or mishapen, Bough,
They wou'd a Handle for his Ax allow.
The Wood consented: But the thankless Clown,
When fitted, hew'd his Benefactors down.
Then they, too late, their Easiness repent,
Who ow'd their Ruin to their own Consent.

The MORAL.

‘In all Petitions, of Design beware;
‘A poor Request, may hide a fatal Snare.
‘Some, who obtain a slender Grant, with ease
‘(By that impowr'd) command what more they please:
‘Like greedy Leeches, to the Veins apply'd,
‘They may be glutted, but not satisfy'd:
‘When once they taste the Sweets your Stores contain,
‘They'll suck to Surfeit, rather than refrain.

FABLE LIV. The Drown'd Wife:

Or, Better lost than found.

A Man, unhappy in a clam'rous Wife,
(That daily led him an unhappy Life)
A kind Relief from Fate's Indulgence found;
And She, who Ducking oft' deserv'd, was Drown'd.

He sought her Corps, and (tho' his true Intent
Was not to find it) up the River went.
A Neighbour, that observ'd his seeming Pain,
Which such wrong Measures needs must render vain,
Told him; If what he sought, he wish'd to find,
'Twas a prepost'rous Method he design'd:
He rather shou'd the Water's Course pursue,
Which soonest wou'd restore her to his view.
The Man reply'd; That wou'd be more a Jest,
For he was sure (who knew her Temper best)
That she, when dead, against the Stream wou'd strive,
Who was all Contradiction, while alive.

The MORAL.

‘Thus an Ill-humour'd, Peevish Wife, is priz'd;
‘Hated, while living; and when dead, despis'd:
‘One only Good she does; by proving Cross,
‘She saves her Husband's Sorrow for her Loss.
‘Such Helps-unmeet, rather Obstructions prove;
‘Kindle Aversion, but extinguish Love:
‘Their Husbands lose them with a grateful Smart;
‘As Men, for Life, with gangren'd Members part.

FABLE LV. The Doves and Kite:

Or, A rash Choice, repented.

The Doves wag'd War with their old Foe, the Kite,
And chose a Hawk to Head them in the Fight:
He undertook it, but abus'd his Pow'r,
And strove, not to protect them, but devour.
The helpless Birds, to greater Harms betray'd,
Dearly repent the fatal Choice they made;
And rather wou'd the Kite's Insults sustain,
Than their new Tyrant's sanguinary Reign.

The MORAL.

‘Few Men in any Station acquiesce,
‘But shift, and change, tho' still without Redress:
‘So rarely Heav'n a lasting Blessing finds
‘To gratifie our inconsistent Minds:
‘Manna, tho' suited to each wanton Gust,
‘Cou'd not long silence Isra'l's murm'ring Lust:
‘They Egypt's Bondage, more than Freedom, priz'd;
‘For Leeks and Onions, Angels Food despis'd.
‘This fickle Humour is a wild Disease,
‘Whose raging Fits no Med'cine can appease:
‘Nor is it strange we thus Inconstant prove,
‘Who, with Discretion, neither Hate, nor Love.

FABLE LVI. The Ass in a Lion's Skin:

Or, Fools betray themselves.

An Ass, that fain for Courage wou'd be priz'd,
In a dead Lion's Skin himself disguiz'd:
The dull Impostor, in that Cov'ring dress'd,
Ap'd, with Success, a-while, the Royal Beast:
Where he appear'd, the frighted Beasts gave Way,
And all to him did low Obeisance pay.
While thus he rang'd the Fields, admir'd and fear'd,
And thought himself as Brave as he appear'd:
He saw a more discerning Fox pass by,
And him the Counterfeit resolv'd to try;

But had forgot himself, and made a Noise
That struck less Terror than a Lion's Voice.
The Cheat discover'd, by this lucky Chance,
Embolden'd doubting Reynard to advance,
And thus accost him; Sir, I was afraid,
'Till, when your Highness meant to Roar, you Bray'd.

The MORAL.

‘Fools, while reserv'd, and seemingly precise,
‘Pass, with the shallow Mob, for Grave and Wise:
‘For they read Learning in a formal Face,
‘And find deep Mysteries in strain'd Grimace:
‘But Men of Judgment slight the senseless Tools,
‘Whose hollow Sound proclaims them empty Fools.

FABLE LVII. The Wolf and Lamb:

Or, No Trust to Fair-shews.

A Wolf, that did, with some Displeasure, note
A Lamb, that fed close by his Guardian-Goat,
Told the young Wanton, He was much to blame,
To quit, for that rank Beast, his sweeter Dam:

And with sweet Words advis'd him to be gone;
In hope to seize him when he was alone.

The Lamb reply'd, My Mother's tender Care
Has, for my greater Safety, plac'd me here:
I will her Counsel, Sir, not yours, obey;
For you wou'd eat me, were my Guard away.

The MORAL.

‘Do not in ev'ry Man's Advice, confide;
‘A fair Pretence, may an ill Meaning hide:
‘With specious Shews of Friendship, to betray
‘(Since least suspected) is the surest way.

FABLE LVIII. The Father and his Sons:

Or, Unity, and Security.

An aged Yeoman, who much Wealth possess'd,
And with a num'rous Progeny was bless'd;
Observ'd, with Grief, his Sons did daily Jar,
And wag'd, among themselves, intestine War:
Nature's soft Voice cou'd not their Feuds asswage,
Nor his Commands, or Tears, restrain their Rage.
He saw what Ill this did to all portend,
And knew their Strife wou'd in their Ruin end:

Which (since Advice, and Threatnings, were mispent)
He sought, by other Methods, to prevent:
And for that good Design, when next they fought,
A Sheaf of Arrows, well compacted, brought,
And bid them sev'rally their Strength apply
To break the Bundle; but in vain they try:
For while they in so close a Band were ty'd,
The brittle Sticks their baffled Force defy'd.
Their Father then (a new Effort to make)
Bid ev'ry Son a Single Arrow take,
Commanding each on that to try his Hand:
And then, with ease, each broke his yielding Wand.
This done, the rev'rend Sire thus gravely spoke;
United, these were whole; divided, broke:
Take then, my Sons, the sound Advice I give,
And by this Emblem, learn in Peace to live:
Thus you shall baffle all Attempts of Wrong,
Secure in Concord, and in Union strong:
But by Division, weak and helpless made,
To all Insults you will be open laid:
And you, who wou'd not, for Defence, combine,
By Disagreements, must in Ruin join.

The MORAL.

‘Collective Bodies, in close Union join'd,
‘Remain Invincible while so combin'd;
‘But, when divided, are an easie Prey:
‘The Whole do's in its weakned Parts decay.
‘So a compacted Wall, is firm and strong,
‘Maintains its Ground, and braves Time's Fury long;
‘But when one Stone do's from its Station fall,
‘Encroaching Ruin quickly shatters all.

FABLE LIX. The Fox and Lion:

Or, Familiarity breeds Contempt.

When first the Fox the dreadful Lion saw,
He trembled all, and stood in mighty awe:
The second time he met the Princely Beast,
He found his Fear was very much decreas'd:
But at next Interview dismiss'd all Doubts,
And no more fear'd him, than a Beast of Clouts.

The MORAL.

‘Thus Men, unus'd to Dangers, Dangers fear,
‘And represent them greater than they are;
‘But when, by use, familiar with them grown,
‘Despise what they so dreaded while unknown.

FABLE LX. The Eagle and Fox:

Or, Rage arms the Injur'd.

A Fox's Cub too far from Home did stray,
And, in his Range, became an Eagle's Prey:
The trembling Beast (not without cause afraid)
Call'd loudly to his Dam, for speedy Aid.
The Dam, who had no Means, but Pray'r alone,
Besought the Eagle to release her Son.
But the rapacious Bird (deaf to her Cry,
And more concern'd for her own Progeny)
Straight to her airy, her swift Flight address'd,
Pleas'd she cou'd thus her hungry Eaglets feast.
The Fox, that found her vain Entreaties fail,
Resolv'd to try how Cunning cou'd prevail;
And, with a flaming Brand, ascends the Tree
That harbour'd her obdurate Enemy:
Then, with a Voice that Ruin did portend,
She cry'd, Your Young Ones and your Self defend;
For to your helpless Off-spring I design
No more Compassion than you shew'd to mine.
The Eagle, dreading the approaching Flame,
Capitulates thus with the angry Dame:

Forbear your Rage, since yet no Harm is done;
Spare my dear Issue, and take back your own.

The MORAL.

‘So ready are the quick Results of Grief,
‘To give the Injur'd Means for their Relief.
‘When sudden Outrages the Weak surprize,
‘Presence of Mind, their want of Strength supplies.
‘The Plunder'd are not destitute of Arms;
‘Rage gives them Weapons to revenge their Harms.

FABLE LXI. The Fox and Weesel:

Or, Much Wealth, much Woe.

A Fox, with tedious fasting, lank and thin,
Found Pullets in a Coop, and soon crept in:
There, to excess, the Glutton fell to eat,
And, till too full, near thought of a retreat.

Pleas'd to return, when he cou'd stuff no more,
He found the Passage straiter than before:
He strove, he stretch'd, and shrunk himself, in vain;
But cou'd not Egress now, as Ingress, gain.

A Weesel that stood by, and hugg'd the Jest,
Cry'd, Sir, you take much Pains to be releas'd:
If to get out, as you got in, you mean,
Do Penance there, till you become as Lean.

The MORAL.

‘Men who Contented in mean Fortunes live,
‘Enjoy the mod'rate Blessings they receive:
‘But when too greedily they covet more,
‘And with pernicious haste improve their Store;
‘They find the Change injurious to their Peace;
‘For, as their Treasures, so their Cares encrease.

FABLE LXII. The City Mouse and Country Mouse:

Or, Quiet, the best Fare.

Tir'd with the Noise and Hurry of the Town,
(That scarce wou'd let him call his Life his own)
A Cockney Mouse, that wou'd relax his Care,
Walk'd to the Fields, to breath the Country Air;

And, in his Tour, encountred on the Road,
A Rural Mouse, near his retir'd Abode.
The wondring Rustick, who had never seen
A Mouse of so improv'd an Air and Mien;
To the gay Cit, with such Respect did bow,
As his more homely Breeding wou'd allow;
And pray'd him, since he came to view the Fields,
To tast the mean Repasts their Bounty yields.
The civil Stranger readily agreed,
And to the Farmer's Cottage they proceed.

Beneath a Hill the quiet Mansion stood,
Shelter'd from Winds by a surrounding Wood;
On either hand a double Quick-set grew,
And made a fair and graceful Avenue:
Through which a pleasing Visto did invite,
And to the distant House direct the Sight:
Before the Front a Brook ran gently by,
Its Surface clear as the reflected Sky:
Parterrs and Grass-plots did the Court divide,
Where Nature Art's best Mimickry defy'd.

When here they were arriv'd, the Stranger-Mouse,
By his kind Host, was usher'd to the House:
It was a Grott, beneath a Chesnut made,
Whose Fruit and Branches serv'd for Food and Shade:
The spreading Root was its protecting Roof,
And kept it Water-fast, and Weather-proof.
The Hall, with Arms (o'erspread with antique Dust)
Was grac'd; as they with venerable Rust:
Those to the Field his brave Fore-fathers brought,
When their fam'd Battle with the Frogs they fought:
And the rich Work of Mortlack's finest Loom,
Describ'd the Action in the Dining-room.
Here Good-man Delver reach'd his Guest a Seat,
And begg'd his Patience 'till he fetch'd the Meat.
The Hospitable Hind, who thought his Guest
Too great and squeamish for a common Feast,

Ransack'd each corner of his choicest Hoard,
And loaded with Varieties the Board.
First came a Scrap of Bacon's sooty Rind,
Serv'd up with Beans and Peas of ev'ry kind:
Next a Potatoe, whose inviting Meat
Wou'd make the Gods wish they were Mice to eat:
Then part of a Hog's Seam, whose Tast and Smell
Did ev'n delicious Candle-Ends excell:
Then Nuts, and Bullace, Crabs, and Mouldy Cheese,
For a Dissert that might their Teeth ungrease.
When these were on the cover'd Table plac'd,
The Host desir'd his courtly Guest to tast;
And if his Worship cou'd digest such Fare,
He hop'd he wou'd fall to, and never spare.
The Citizen (made, by high-feeding, nice)
Thought those mean Cates too coarse for Cockney-Mice;
And scarce wou'd touch the Bits his hearty Friend
Did to his dainty Palate recommend:
But thus bespoke him; Sir, I much admire
That to this lonely Seat you can retire:
And ignorant of those dear Pleasures live,
Which we more happy Citizens receive:
Our Joys are too sublime to be express'd;
Each Day's a Festival, each Meal a Feast:
Leave then, my Friend, this homely Place and Fare,
And to the Town, the blissful Town, repair;
There you will find the Centre of Delight,
And (us'd to that) what now you value, slight.
The Yeoman, ravish'd with this large Report,
Resolv'd to live no longer Alamort;
But to the City wou'd the 'Squire attend,
And there his Days in Mirth and Revels spend.

Soon they the despicable Cave forsook,
And the directest Way to London took;
Where Cit led gazing Bumkin to a House
Enough to daunt a simple Country Mouse;

Such Finery he ne'er before had seen,
And thought he there, at least, in Heav'n had been.
Into the Larder, undiscern'd, they crept,
And there absconded 'till the People slept:
When all was quiet, each forsook his Hole,
And to the Shelves, to taste the Viands, stole:
But there such tempting Dishes did abound,
As did poor Country's dubious Choice confound:
There was Goose, Turky, Capon, Pig, and Veal,
Duck, Plover, Pigeon, Partridge, Snipe and Teal;
Tarts, Cheese-cakes, Custards, Jellies, Tongues and Ham,
(The Ladies fair Pretence to take a Dram)
With Pyramids of Sweet-meats, rais'd so high
They might almost with those of Memphis vie.
Now Peasant, like a Farmer, feeds and gluts,
And thinks he ne'er shall fill his craving Guts.
But as they feast, they hear the Door unlock'd;
Which dampt their Pleasure, and their Courage shock'd;
The Cook was coming, with his wonted Care,
To see no Cat or Dog was skulking there:
He found the Coast was clear, and soon retir'd,
While Bamkin, with the fright, almost expir'd:
But bolder Cit call'd his Companion out,
And bid him rally, and take t'other bout.
But trembling Rustick, hardly past his fear,
Ask'd him, if such Alarms were frequent there?
Cockney reply'd, He had them ev'ry Night,
But did the Danger, since familiar, slight:
He had a thousand times a Night been scar'd,
And still, for shelter, to his Hole repair'd.

Nay then, quoth Clod pate, feast alone, for me;
I of your City never will be Free:
Since a poor Mouse can't here in quiet eat,
But such Incursions fright him from his Meat;
I'll to my Cave, from this lewd Town, repair,
And, with less Danger, feast on meaner Fate.

The MORAL.

‘An humble Station is a safe Retreat
‘From all the Toils and Dangers of the Great:
‘Nature with this do's favour'd Mortals bless,
‘Wou'd they but value what they might possess:
‘But they, by Pride and Avarice, misled,
‘Affect their Ruin, and their Safety dread:
‘Vainly to Honour, and to Wealth, aspire,
‘'Till in the rash Pursuit themselves they tire;
‘And find, when they the wish'd Acquest enjoy,
‘What shou'd consummate, do's their Bliss destroy.
‘So lofty Tow'rs the rage of Storms endure,
‘From which the lowly Cottage stands secure:
‘In those, the Guests impending Mischief fear,
‘And Lusts, and Disappointments, spoil their Chear:
‘In this, the Owner solid Joys acquires,
‘While Reason bounds, and answers his Desires.

FABLE LXIII. The Lion and Mouse:

Or, A Deserved Requital.

A Lion, tir'd with long Fatigue and Heat,
In a close Thicket sought a cool Retreat:
There (while at Ease the dreadful Savage lay)
A Herd of fearless Mice did round him play:
Rouz'd by whose trampling Feet, the angry Beast
Secur'd one Mouse, an Hostage for the rest.
The Captive begg'd he wou'd his Wrath asswage
Tow'rds one unworthy of his noble Rage.
The gen'rous Brute, to shew his noble Mind,
Wav'd his Resentment, and his Prey resign'd:
But did not the Reward of Goodness lose;
(So sure he Pity finds, who pity shews)

For soon, entangl'd in the Huntsman's Toils,
He was become a Spoil, who liv'd by Spoils.
At this Misfortune griev'd, he roar'd aloud,
To publish his Confinement through the Wood.
The grateful Mouse, that heard, and knew his Voice,
Ran quickly, as directed by the Noise;
And found him, who so nobly set her free,
Confin'd, and in despair of Liberty.
The pleasing Image of his Kindness past,
(Which still in her reflective Thoughts did last)
Induc'd her to return the Benefit,
She now with equal Favour cou'd requite.
In haste to execute the brave Design,
To which her Virtue did her Will encline.
She with her Teeth attacks the stubborn Cords,
And speedy Means for his Escape affords:
Thus, by a Work so gloriously essay'd,
She, for her Freedom, his Releasement paid.

The MORAL.

‘You that are Great forbear to give Offence,
‘And do not, ev'n the meanest Wretch, incense;
‘Lest you (reduc'd by Fortune's restless Wheel)
‘May want his Help, or his Resentment feel.
‘The poorest Object which you scorn and slight,
‘May Benefits, or Injuries, requite.
‘Strive, by unlimited Beneficence,
‘To find, or to deserve, a grateful Sense:
‘For Gratitude can never want a Place
‘In any Mind, but the deprav'd and base.

FABLE LXIV. The Vulture's Treat:

Or, A Plausible Decoy.

A Vulture, that had long been scarce of Meat,
Pretends to keep his Birth-day with a Treat;
Invites the little Birds, who fearless fly,
To celebrate the Anniversary.
Their Welcome he in kind Salutes express'd,
But quickly made the Guests themselves his Feast:
By his false Arts the slaughter'd Victims fall,
And grace his Birth-day with their Funeral.

The MORAL.

‘Soft soothing Words, not always friendly prove;
‘Mischief oft' shelters in pretended Love.
‘Fair Speeches, when the Thoughts to Ill encline,
‘Are but the Varnish to a foul Design.

FABLE LXV. The Dog and Ass:

Or, Nothing against the Grain.

A clean, sleek Dog, of more than common Parts,
By fawning, and insinuating Arts,
Did on his Master's Favour so prevail,
That he was stroak'd, whene'er he wagg'd his Tail;
And from his Trencher shill was nicely fed,
Possess'd his Lap all Day, all Night, his Bed.

While an Observing Ass, that saw, and griev'd
To find his Service not so well receiv'd,
Thought, if smooth Mumper did so hugely please,
By idle and unprofitable Ease;
'Twas hard, that He, who heavy Burdens bore,
Was wrought and lash'd 'till Back and Sides were sore:
Therefore resolv'd he wou'd new Measures take,
And, by like Ways, like Friendships hope to make.
Pleas'd with this Thought, he hastes, his Lord to meet,
And on his Shoulders claps his beastly Feet;
And, tho' the dirty Hoofs his Cloaths defile,
Fancies himself Obliging all the while.
But, at this barbarous Salute, afraid,
The Master calls the Servants to his Aid:
With Stripes they drive the shallow Monster thence,
Whose rude Address had giv'n the foul Offence.

The MORAL.

‘Who Nature wou'd out-act, with aukward Grace
‘Makes his Effort, and flies in Nature's Face:
‘But he who knows which way his Talent lies,
‘To that his Mind, with good success, applies.
‘The supple Courtier, of brisk Air and Mien,
‘That can Come o'er a Cudgel, for the Queen;
‘May hope, at Court, to thrive and be caress'd,
‘For there such pliant Limberham's live best.
‘Shou'd the rough Soldier, with his mangl'd Face,
‘Affect to cringe, and strain a skue Grimace;
‘How mal-a-droit wou'd that Attempt appear,
‘Which do's the fawning Plausible endear?
‘A stubborn Manly from the Court shou'd vamp
‘As fast, as prim Sir Courtly from the Camp.
‘Fools only strive to go against the Grain,
‘Which renders all such Undertakings vain:
‘The Proverb will hold good, do what they can,
‘For Jack will never make a Gentleman.

FABLE LXVI. The Members and Stomach:

Or, One Good-turn requires another.

The Hands and Feet, in close Cabal, contrive
To starve the Stomach, as their way to thrive:
They long had grudg'd, that all their Pains and Sweat
Were spent, to find the useless Idler Meat;
And plainly told her, with impatient haste,
She must betake her self to Work, or Fast.
She pray'd them oft', Not to be so Unkind;
And urg'd, Themselves the ill Effects wou'd find.
But her Entreaties still cou'd do no good,
They wou'd no more allow her needful Food.

She soon (with Hunger famish'd) sickly grew,
And they alike began to languish too.

Now, to prevent their Ruin, in her Fate,
They fain wou'd be officious, but too late:
She cou'd no more her usual Meat receive,
But loath'd the Plenty they wou'd freely give.
Thus, through Neglect, They (as She feeble grew)
With her declin'd, and with her perish'd too.

The MORAL.

‘Kingdoms and Bodies, whose Societies.
‘Like Members, with each others sympathize:
‘The Parts contribute to support the Whole,
‘Congratulate its Wealth, its Wants condole.
‘He, who these mutual Offices denies,
‘Deprives himself (in Need) of just Supplies.
‘The Prince's Treas'ry, like the Stomach, shows
‘To which, tho' still the Peoples Tribute, flows;
‘'Tis thence (improv'd by good Digestion) sent
‘To ev'ry Member, for its Nourishment:
‘And they, who scruple to provide the Food,
‘Must want themselves the Circulating Blood.

‘So the kind Sun do's to the Earth retail
‘The Vapours, which his Beams from thence exhale:
‘When rarify'd, he showr's 'em back again,
‘In wholsom Dews, and fructifying Rain:
‘But shou'd the Earth those Subsidies with-hold,
‘No fatt'ning Moisture wou'd refresh the Mould.

FABLE LXVII. The Sick Kite:

Or, Late Repentance seldom True.

A Kite, that long by Rapine had been fed,
Was Surfeited with Prey, and took his Bed;
Death now (on which before he rarely thought)
Star'd in his Face, and in his Fancy wrought:
But he who had no mind for Dying yet,
Desir'd his Mother wou'd the Gods intreat;
For, might he Live, he a New Bird wou'd be,
No Dove shou'd shew more Innocence than he.

His wiser Dam reply'd; Alas! I fear
The Gods but little will regard my Pray'r;
Nor to a Wretch be eas'ly reconcil'd,
Whose sacrilegious Claws their Altars spoil'd:
Tho' of your Crimes you now pretend a Sense,
And are all over seeming Penitence;
The Gods, whose Eyes pierce deeper than the Skin,
And, through your Feathers, see your Soul within,
Know you wou'd prove, shou'd they your Health restore,
The same rapacious Kite you were before.

The MORAL.

‘Vainly to Heav'n Men in Distresses flie,
‘Who, in their prosp'rous State, did Heav'n defie.

‘Wou'd you, in Sickness and in Want, be heard?
‘In Health and Plenty, Heav'n alike regard.
‘Small Credit is to late Repentance due,
‘Which scarce our selves can know if false or true;
‘The True, consists in a Regen'rate State,
‘And on a Death-bed seems begun too late:
‘That Time's too short to bring us to the Test
‘How we wou'd Practise what we had Profess'd:
‘For tho', when Sick, we for past Follies mourn,
‘The Bent to Sin may with our Health return.

FABLE LXVIII. The Crow and Fox:

Or, Credulity abus'd by Flattery.

A Crow, that had some grateful Carrion found,
Made all the Forest, with her Joy, resound;
Nor cou'd in silence eat her Dainty Fare,
But from a Tree proclaim'd aloud her Chear.

A subtle Fox, that from his neighb'ring Earth,
Perceiv'd the reason of her clam'rous Mirth,
Had a shrew'd Plot upon her envy'd Prize:
And knowing she was fond of Flatteries,
Accosts the Prater thus; Illustrious Dame,
I oft' have heard, there is no Truth in Fame;
And now I am confirm'd, by seeing you,
That Fame's a Lyar, and the Proverb true.
Fame, to the World, reports you black as Night,
Tho' sure, no Morning is so fair or bright;
Your Colour do's the purest Snow excell;
And, if your Voice's Charms are parallel,
There is no Bird on Earth, that ever flew,
But must allow the Preference to you.

Corbè, thus wheedl'd, fancies she can sing
As well as any Nightingale in Spring:
With this Conceit, she strives to raise her Note,
But drops her Prey, as she extends her Throat.
Reynard, with his successful Flatt'ry pleas'd,
Laugh'd at her Folly, and her Booty seiz'd:

While her Credulity she justly blam'd,
Griev'd at her Loss, and of her Pride asham'd.

The MORAL.

‘Thus, Flatt'ry do's Vain-glorious Fools betray
‘To ev'ry Parasite an easie Prey:
‘While Praise, beyond their Merit, they believe,
‘They are fit Tools for Flatt'rers to deceive;
‘Who thus th' Ascendant o'er their Favour get,
‘And pipe the list'ning Boobies to their Net.
‘Keep then, to countermine such dang'rous Arts,
‘A modest Sense of thy applauded Parts:
‘The Man, who of himself ne'er thinks too high,
‘Can all the Pow'r of wheedling Charms defie:
‘In vain the Syrens sing, he shill stands fast,
‘Like Ithacus, leash'd firmly to the Mast.