Aesop at Paris his letters and fables. Translated from the original French [by Edward Ward] |
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The Enamour'd Lyon.
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 | Aesop at Paris |  |
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The Enamour'd Lyon.
A FABLE.
Once
on a time, a Lyon much in Love
With a fair Damsel, did her Father move
To grant his Virgin Daughter for his Bride,
(For Her he slighted all the World beside,)
Promis'd a Loving, and a Peacefull Life,
If he'd but give this Darling for a Wife.
The Father Frighted at his strange Demand,
Thought of his Power, if by Consent he Reign'd,
O'er one so near ally'd, his House Divide,
And make a party able to Decide
In his own Favour; scruples about Right,
Or what he'd make such to increase his might;
Refuse Consent his Daughter for to give
To one so Arm'd with Claws and Teeth to Live.
Jove's not (much less the Lyon) wise in Love;
So would all Obstacles of fear remove:
His Teeth were drawn, his Nails were all close pair'd,
(Which his strong Passion mightily Declar'd)
But when these Condescending Acts were done,
The Man refus'd the Lyon for his Son,
With a fair Damsel, did her Father move
To grant his Virgin Daughter for his Bride,
(For Her he slighted all the World beside,)
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If he'd but give this Darling for a Wife.
The Father Frighted at his strange Demand,
Thought of his Power, if by Consent he Reign'd,
O'er one so near ally'd, his House Divide,
And make a party able to Decide
In his own Favour; scruples about Right,
Or what he'd make such to increase his might;
Refuse Consent his Daughter for to give
To one so Arm'd with Claws and Teeth to Live.
Jove's not (much less the Lyon) wise in Love;
So would all Obstacles of fear remove:
His Teeth were drawn, his Nails were all close pair'd,
(Which his strong Passion mightily Declar'd)
But when these Condescending Acts were done,
The Man refus'd the Lyon for his Son,
Reflection.
There is an Heiress Crown unmarried yet,Unless force makes Wedlock Legitimate,
Whom an Old Monarch for his Grandson Woes,
And all her Neighbouring Friends for License sues,
For Peaceful Life he'll promise mighty things;
But for performance he no Surety brings:
Would be as Pledges for his Sacred word,
The full Possession of some Towns afford,
It would be of his Truth a new Record.
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And honestly his home Concerns Pursue;
A wonder will be seen, that he proves true.
But if his Nails were Pair'd, and Teeth were gone,
She were no fitting Match for his Grandson
Unless the Neighbours all wou'd be Undone.
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