The works of Mr. Thomas Brown Serious and Comical, In Prose and Verse; In four volumes. The Fourth Edition, Corrected, and much Enlarged from his Originals never before publish'd. With a key to all his Writings |
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| FABLES. |
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 | The works of Mr. Thomas Brown |  |
FABLES.
The Fable of the Bat and the Birds.
In imitation of that of the Buzzard in the Hind and Panther. In the Year 1689.
In ancient Times, as learned Æsop shows,
'Twixt Birds and Beasts a fatal War arose.
But whether this from State-Intrigues did flow,
Or to some Church-Pretence its Birth did owe,
Or depredations made, concerns us not to know.
Weighty, you may be sure, the Cause was thought
Which such an universal Tumult wrought.
Picqueering Parties first began the Fray,
A sad Presage of the ensuing Day.
At last the War was solemnly proclaim'd,
The hour of fighting set, and both the Leaders nam'd.
'Twixt Birds and Beasts a fatal War arose.
But whether this from State-Intrigues did flow,
Or to some Church-Pretence its Birth did owe,
Or depredations made, concerns us not to know.
Weighty, you may be sure, the Cause was thought
Which such an universal Tumult wrought.
Picqueering Parties first began the Fray,
A sad Presage of the ensuing Day.
At last the War was solemnly proclaim'd,
The hour of fighting set, and both the Leaders nam'd.
The foolish Bat, a Bird obscure and base,
The scorn and jest of all the feather'd Race;
Or by fantastick Fears, and Scruples led,
Or by Ambition mov'd his Party fled,
Joyn'd with the Beasts, and eager to engage,
With popular Harangues urg'd on a feeble Rage:
The scorn and jest of all the feather'd Race;
Or by fantastick Fears, and Scruples led,
Or by Ambition mov'd his Party fled,
Joyn'd with the Beasts, and eager to engage,
With popular Harangues urg'd on a feeble Rage:
As Fortune wou'd, on an ill-fated Day,
The Beasts drew out their Forces in Array:
The different Kinds their Grudges laid aside,
And for the common Safety now provide.
Ev'n their old Piques, and warm Disputes forgot,
The Hind and Panther joyn'd upon the Spot;
And by one mutual League of Friendship held,
Prepare for the rough Business of the Field.
The Beasts drew out their Forces in Array:
The different Kinds their Grudges laid aside,
And for the common Safety now provide.
Ev'n their old Piques, and warm Disputes forgot,
The Hind and Panther joyn'd upon the Spot;
And by one mutual League of Friendship held,
Prepare for the rough Business of the Field.
37
When lo! the Birds in numerous Bands appear,
And with repeated Crys attack the Rear;
Give a fierce Charge, and back like Parthians, fly,
To repossess the patrimonial Sky;
Then strait descending, with redoubled Might,
They spend their Fury, and renew the Fight.
Pale Victory, all trembling and dismay'd,
With doubtful Wings the purple Scene survey'd.
At last, propitious to her fether'd Kind,
Declar'd her Favour, and the Scale inclin'd.
Whole Hecatombs the cover'd Field possest.
And gave their Foes at once a Triumph and a Feast.
Their slaughter'd Young the Rachel-Dams deplor'd,
And many a Widdow'd Cow mourn'd o'er her Horned Lord.
And with repeated Crys attack the Rear;
Give a fierce Charge, and back like Parthians, fly,
To repossess the patrimonial Sky;
Then strait descending, with redoubled Might,
They spend their Fury, and renew the Fight.
Pale Victory, all trembling and dismay'd,
With doubtful Wings the purple Scene survey'd.
At last, propitious to her fether'd Kind,
Declar'd her Favour, and the Scale inclin'd.
Whole Hecatombs the cover'd Field possest.
And gave their Foes at once a Triumph and a Feast.
Their slaughter'd Young the Rachel-Dams deplor'd,
And many a Widdow'd Cow mourn'd o'er her Horned Lord.
The generous Eagle (so his Stars ordain)
Chases th'affrighted Lyon from the Plain:
Their General gone, the Rest like Lightning fly,
A cheap unfighting Herd, not worth the Victory.
Chases th'affrighted Lyon from the Plain:
Their General gone, the Rest like Lightning fly,
A cheap unfighting Herd, not worth the Victory.
And now the Birds with eager Haste pursue,
Thro' Lanes, and devious Tracks, the scatter'd Crew.
Among the Rest, beset with Dangers round,
The trembling Bat was in a Cellar found:
'Tis pity Fame ne'er Chronicled his Taker,
But all Records agree, they found him near Long-acre.
Percht on a Pole, they brought him to the Bar,
Where the full House sat talking of the War.
Strait at the sight, a various Noise began,
Which thro' the spacious Hall, and neighb'ring Lobby ran.
Each Member in the publick Mirth concurr'd,
And droll'd upon the poor Apostatizing Bird.
First, Parrot Settle open'd wide his Throat,
Next Cuckow Rimer always in a Note;
And Peacock Chetwood, of the Clergy kind;
But his Poetick Feet disgrac'd the Train behind.
And Creech, and Norris, Blackbirds of Renown;
And Corm'rant Higden, for devouring known.
Nay, to augment the Hardship of his Woes,
Owl Durfy clapt his Wings, and hooted in the Close.
Thro' Lanes, and devious Tracks, the scatter'd Crew.
Among the Rest, beset with Dangers round,
The trembling Bat was in a Cellar found:
'Tis pity Fame ne'er Chronicled his Taker,
But all Records agree, they found him near Long-acre.
Percht on a Pole, they brought him to the Bar,
Where the full House sat talking of the War.
Strait at the sight, a various Noise began,
Which thro' the spacious Hall, and neighb'ring Lobby ran.
Each Member in the publick Mirth concurr'd,
And droll'd upon the poor Apostatizing Bird.
First, Parrot Settle open'd wide his Throat,
Next Cuckow Rimer always in a Note;
And Peacock Chetwood, of the Clergy kind;
But his Poetick Feet disgrac'd the Train behind.
And Creech, and Norris, Blackbirds of Renown;
And Corm'rant Higden, for devouring known.
Nay, to augment the Hardship of his Woes,
Owl Durfy clapt his Wings, and hooted in the Close.
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When now their Raillery began to spare,
(And faith 'twas too much for one Bird to bear)
The Eagle order'd silence in the Room,
And thus aloud pronounc'd the shiv'ring Lubber's Doom.
(And faith 'twas too much for one Bird to bear)
The Eagle order'd silence in the Room,
And thus aloud pronounc'd the shiv'ring Lubber's Doom.
Beast of a Bird, thus to desert thy Friends,
And joyn the common Foe, for base ungenerous Ends;
What Punishment can suit so black a Crime?
Hear then, and stand accurst to all succeeding Time.
From all our Diets be thou first expell'd,
Or those in flow'ry Groves, or those in Steeples held,
When our gay Tribes in youthful Pomp appear,
To joyn in Nuptial Bands, and meet the smiling Year.
Nay more, to make thee mortifie and grieve,
To Buzzard Shadwell we thy Places give.
Him we appoint Historian of our State,
And Poet Laureat of the Woods create.
Outlaw'd our Realms, and banish'd from the Light,
Be thou for ever damn'd to steal abroad by Night.
And joyn the common Foe, for base ungenerous Ends;
What Punishment can suit so black a Crime?
Hear then, and stand accurst to all succeeding Time.
From all our Diets be thou first expell'd,
Or those in flow'ry Groves, or those in Steeples held,
When our gay Tribes in youthful Pomp appear,
To joyn in Nuptial Bands, and meet the smiling Year.
Nay more, to make thee mortifie and grieve,
To Buzzard Shadwell we thy Places give.
Him we appoint Historian of our State,
And Poet Laureat of the Woods create.
Outlaw'd our Realms, and banish'd from the Light,
Be thou for ever damn'd to steal abroad by Night.
The Fable of the Horse and the Stag.
I
The Horn-arm'd Stag deny'd the HorseThe priviledge of the Common,
Till starv'd, for want of equal Force,
He begg'd Assistance from a Man.
II
For why? resolv'd at any RateTo get his Share of Pasture;
He rather chose to champ the Bit,
Than leave the Stag sole Master.
III
With Man astride he march'd to fightA Foe that durst not face him;
For he with Strangeness of the Sight
Was frighted from his grazing.
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IV
Nor had Sir Palfry much to bragHe got by his Adventure;
Since Man, from routing of the Stag,
Commenc'd perpetual Centaur.
The Fable of the Wolf and Porcupine. In answer to the Argument against a Standing Army.
I
Isgrim with Hunger prest, one dayAs through the Woods he posted,
A Porcupine found on the Way,
And in these Terms accosted.
II
Our Wars are ended, Heav'n be prais'd,Then let's sit down and prattle
Of Towns invested, Sieges rais'd,
And what we did in Battle.
III
The Plains a pleasing Prospect yield,No Fire, nor Desolation;
While Plenty reigns in every Field,
And Trade restores the Nation.
IV
Yet you your Quills erected wear,And tho' none seeks to harm ye,
In time of Peace about you bear
Methinks a Standing Army.
V
Friend, quoth the Porcupine, 'tis true,The War's at length decided,
But 'gainst such tricking Blades as you,
'Tis good to be provided.
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VI
Censorious Fame shall never sayThat too much Faith betray'd me;
Who thinks of me to make a Prey,
Must at his Cost invade me.
VII
Let him, that thinks it worth the while,Tempt Knaves to make a Martyr,
The Sharpers, that wou'd me beguile,
Shall find they've caught a Tartar.
The Fable of Apollo and Daphne.
I
Apollo once finding fair Daphne alone,Discover'd his Flame in a passionate Tone;
He told her, and bound it with many a Curse,
He was ready to take her for Better for Worse.
Then he talk'd of his Smart,
And the Hole in his Heart,
So large, one might drive thro' the Passage a Cart.
But the silly coy Maid, to the Gods great Amazement,
Sprung away from his Arms, and leapt through the Casement.
II
He following cry'd out, my Life and my Dear,Return to your Lover, and lay by your Fear.
You think me perhaps some Scoundrel, or Whoreson,
Alas! I've no wicked Designs on your Person.
I'm a God by my Trade,
Young, plump and well-made,
Then let me caress thee, and be not afraid.
But still she kept running, and flew like the Wind,
While the poor pursy God came panting behind.
III
I'm the Chief of Physicians; and none of the CollegeMust be mention'd with me for Experience and Knowledge;
Each Herb, Flower, and Plant by its Name I can call,
And do more than the best Seventh Son of 'em all.
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I cure all the Ills,
That sweep off such Numbers each Week in the Bills.
But still she kept running, and flew like the Wind,
While the poor pursy God came panting behind.
IV
Besides I'm a Poet, Child, into the Bargain,And top all the Writers of fam'd Covent-Garden.
I'm the Prop of the Stage, and the Pattern of Wit,
I set my own Sonnets, and sing to my Kit.
I'm at Will's all the Day,
And each Night at the Play;
And Verses I make fast as Hops, as they say.
When she heard him talk thus, she redoubled her Speed,
And flew like a Whore from a Constable freed.
V
Now had our wise Lover (but Lovers are blind)In the Language of Lumbard-street told her his Mind,
Look Lady what here is, 'tis plenty of Money,
Odsbobs I must swinge thee, my Joy and my Honey.
I sit next the Chair,
And shall shortly be Mayor,
Neither Clayton nor Duncomb with me can compare.
Tho', as wrinkled as Priam, deform'd as the Devil,
The God had succecded, the Nymph had been civil.
| The works of Mr. Thomas Brown | |