Fab. XVII. The Lion and Beasts.
All the Beasts went to visit their sick King,
Except the Fox. The Wolf laid hold on this
Neglect, to make him odious at Court,
And thus his Accusation began;
What Pretence, what Exemption can he plead,
For not making his Court, as well as we?
Tis an Affront not to be born by Kings.
I know his heart, he hopes to see you dead,
And the Crown plac'd on an Usurpers Head.
The Wolfs last words were overheard by th' Fox,
At th' entrance of the Cave, yet he came in,
And creeping on his Belly towards the Throne,
Humbly desird an Audience, and thus spoke.
Sir, there's not any one of all the Beasts
Has been so careful of your Health as I;
I have traveld all about the World, I have seen
The best Fysicians, I have inquird of all,
And at last found a Cure for my sick King,
Tis this; In a Wolfs Skin you must be wrapt,
While tis yet warm, and newly taken off.
The Lion said, this Remedy is at hand,
And to uncase the Wolf gave his Command.
As the Wolfs Skin was pulling ore his Ears,
The Fox playd on him with his bitter Jeers,
Is this, said he, a Dress fit for the Court?
Or are you, from a Cook, a Wrestler turnd?
The Moral.
So may all those succeed, who dare abuse
Kings Favours, to destroy the Innocent.
Another Moral.
They who design Wrongs, ought to be betrayd,
And caught i'th' Snares, which they for others laid.
A third Moral out of J. C.
He that lays Snares for others, is often caught himself.
