Moral and political fables :: :: University of Virginia Library

The Country Mouse invites his wealthy Friend
To come and eat with him, at his poor Cot,
To tast the Country Food, and breath the Air:
The Courtier accepts this Invitation,
Willing to see what lives those poor Souls led,
What were their Pastimes, upon what they fed.
Variety pleases both great Mice, and Men.
I'll come, said he, dear Friend, I'll spoil your Jest,
When must it be? You shall have notice, Sir,
Replyd the Country Mouse, and took his leave.
When all things were in readiness, he sent,
Aquaints his Friend, and begs him not to fail.
He comes, is introducted to the Hall,
Fenced about with Reed, instead of Wall,
And strewd with Rushes, new fetchd from the Field:
In a remote Corner, an Oyster-shell
Was placd, filld with clear Water from the Spring,
Wherewith they might both quench their thirst, and wash;
He placd his Guest at th' upper end o'th' Board,
Upon a tuft of Moss, and then brought forth
His Store, the Swaert of Bacon, Chiches, Beans,
Parings of Cheese, Kernels of Nuts and Plums,
And other Cates, i'th' Country highly prizd,
Which he, with pain and cost, and help of Friend,
Had got together against that great day.
You know, said he, I cannot Complement,
I never was bred in the Inns-of-Court,
Ne'er saw a College, or a Dancing-School,
Pray Sir fall to, accept this homely Treat,
I wish it were much better for your sake.
they eat and drank, and pleasantly discoursd,

And then, to help digestion, walkd i'th' Field;
At their return, he waits upon his Guest,
And shews him his best Chamber, and best Bed,
Which with clean Sheets of Wheaten Straw was spread.
They made but one Sleep till the Sun went down;
Such placid Sleep to good Kings is unknown,
Whose care for others rest disturbs their own.
He brought him part of's way, to a Friends House,
Where they embracd, and kissd, and took their leaves.
The Guest to his courteous Host returns his thanks,
And makes him promise the next Holyday
To come, and take a Commons, at his House.
Upon the day prefixd, the Country Mouse,
Having washt, and brusht, set forwards on his way,
After Sun set, and so orderd his pace,
He arrivd at Midnight at the City Gate,
Thence, to the Palace of his Friend he goes,
Whom he found waiting for him at the Door,
The Courtier would have had him enterd first,
But he refusd, not knowing 'twas the Mode;
To wash his Feet, he Orange Water brings,
Then in an upper Room, shews him a Bed,
O'th' richest Velvet made fit for a King;
Pray Friend, said he, lie down, and sleep a while,
You must be weary, having walkd so far.
The Country Mouse without reply, obeyd:
When all the Meat was set upon the Board,
The Courtier goes himself, calls down his Guest,
And placing him on his right hand, thus spoke;
Friend, you are welcome, eat of what you please,

Here's all variety your heart can wish,
Olios, Ambigues, Bisques, Grilliades,,
Cocoes, Vinellii, Pigniates, Pistaccios,
Parmisan Cheese, Botargo, Caveare,
And Ketchup, which will make you please your Wife,
And several other Dishes, whose strange Names
The untravelld Mouse had never heard before:
They were just sate, and scarce had eat one bit,
When suddenly the Pantry Door flies open,
A Light appears, several Lacqueys enter,
Following the Master Cook with Silver Voyders;
At the appearance of this hated Light,
They both betook their selves to hasty flight;
As soon as those unwelcome Guests were gone,
Come, said the City Mouse, the Coast is clear,
Let us return, and fall to our Good Cheer:
But his poor Friend, who in a cold Sweat lay,
Refusd to come, having lost his Appetite,
And not yet half recoverd out of's fright.
But when he found that no Excuse would serve,
With much reluctancy, he came, sate down,
Pickt here and there a bit, but relisht none,
The Meat he swallowd went down like chopt Hay,
The Wine seemd to his Palate prict and dead:
While he was thus uneasie at the Feast,
They are again alarmd, and as before,
Both the Mice hid their selves behind the Door;
The City Mouse, who th' greater Courage had,
Having such dangers frequently escapd,
Us'd all his Eloquence and Art, to engage
His Friend to appear a third time on the Stage.

But he lay in his Hole, expecting death,
Not daring move his feet, or draw his breath:
Next day the Courtier having pressd in vain,
His fearful Guest one Night more to remain,
Gave him leave to go home. The joyful Mouse
Spoke thus at's parting: Ever honoured Sir,
And my most Noble Friend, you've made a Feast
Fit for a King, which I with thanks accept,
But never shall be able to requite;
Tho' to be plain, Sir, I don't like the Sauce,
The Sword over my Head. You may feed on
Meats with hard Names, and hard digestion,
But if kind Heavens restore me to my Cell,
I'll feed on simple, unbought, wholsome Meat,
Growing in every Field, and every Wood,
Such as our Fathers eat before the Flood;
I'll bring my unruly Passions to obey,
From fear of Death, and vain Ambition free,
I'll lead a God-like Life, and pity Kings.

The Moral.

The Middle state of Men is most secure,
Content, not Wealth, does Happiness insure.