University of Virginia Library

As Reynard, mindful of his Prey,
Was early jogging on the way,
Wistfully casting up his Eyes,
Sir Chanticleer at length he spies.
Amidst his Hens he proudly sate,
Exalted high on Perch of State.
Large were his Spurs, and sharp his Bill,
Jolly his Comb, full rosy was his Gill;
Here he like Eastern Monarch shines,
Among his Feather'd Concubines.
The Fox in Courtly Phrase addrest,
And thus in Form himself exprest.
“I hope you've had a good Repose
“With Madam Partlet, your fair Spouse.
Then holding Eyes up, and Fore-feet,
As saying Grace before his Meat;
“Descend, quoth he, Friend Chanticleer,
“Why what a Mischief makes you there?
“Descend, for I have News to tell ye,
“Will make your Heart leap in your Belly.
“Why shou'd a Friend such Distance shew?
“I, had I Wings, wou'd fly to you.
The Cock look'd grave, but inly smiles,
Appriz'd of Crafty Reynard's Wiles;
And cry'd,—“I hope—you will excuse,—
“But pray, this strange surprizing News.
“I with my Family, and Wife
“Here lead a lonesom, Country-Life,
“And other News we seldom hear,
“But paying Taxes every Year.
“This Covert, and yon Yard afford
“Provision both for Bed, and Board.
“With Pains we spurn the Ground for Food,
“And pick up a poor Livelihood.
“Partlet perchance may sometimes go
“To Market for a Mile, or two,
“To sell some new-laid Eggs—or so;
“But as for me—'tis seldom known
“I visit what you call the Town.
“We your Conveniencies want
“Of Gazette, Post-Man, and Courant;
“Permitted rarely to enquire
“Into the State-Epistles of John Dyer.
“But you Volpones oft resort
“To that grand Mart of News, the Court,
“And, as Prime Ministers, debate
“The deep Intrigues of Church, and State;
“Who, dextrously to shew your Skill,
“Kingdoms unite against their Will,
“And making a preposterous Pother,
“One Nation sell—to buy another.
“But this from ancient Pacquet-Mail;
“Your fresher News,—for mine's grown stale.
“Then know, both Kings of Beasts, and Birds
“Have giv'n, nay ratify'd their Words,
“And on th' important grand Occasion,
“Have issu'd forth a Proclamation,
“That all Hostilities shou'd cease,
“And Birds, and Beasts both jointly keep the Peace.
The Cock his Length of Neck stretch'd out,
And wildly staring round about—
Reynard appall'd—“What see you now, Sir?
“Only our Northern Friend Sir Towzer.
“Along he scours with wide voracious Jaws,
“With Eyes that glow like Fire, and bloody Claws;
“And at this Distance, if I not mistake,
“Erects a Wood of Bristles on his Back.
“Towzer—then 'tis high time for me to jog,
“I hate that fawning, false, perfidious Dog.
“You shall with me at least till Dinner stay.
“Excuse—me—no—not—now—I fast to day.
“Courage Monsieur,—nor meanly quit your Station,
“We're all ensur'd, you know, by Proclamation.
That's true; but—What?—Good Faith I mainly dread
Towzer ne're heard the Proclamation read,
And so his plaguy undiscerning Paws
May seize my Corps,—and then farewel the Laws;
All Law is weak, when Man Oppression feels;
And so—my best Protection is—my Heels.

Moral.

This Fable shews, Statesmen may routed be,
By Puzzling Schemes of their own Policy;
May lay down Magisterial Laws and Rules
Others to teach,—and make themselves the Fools.
And, tho' from Court remov'd, sage Village-Cocks
May ken as far—as our St. James's Fox;
And when some Northern Lords are pleas'd to bully,
The Fox himself may prove the greatest Cully.