Aesop at Paris his letters and fables. Translated from the original French [by Edward Ward] |
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The Dragon, the Countryman, and the Fox.
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 | Aesop at Paris |  |
36
The Dragon, the Countryman, and the Fox.
A FABLE.
The
Dragon, carry'd by a sudden flow
Of Waters, to a Place he did not know,
Was by their sudden fall left on the Land,
Far from the River, on the Parched Sand;
Distress'd he was, scarce hoping for Relief;
His Fate was almost finish'd by his Grief.
When to his searching Eyes a Man appear'd
Leading an Ass, his drooping Fancy chear'd;
He beg'd the Man would kind assistance give,
That by his Mercy he might longer Live:
Distress'd for help he Promis'd mighty things,
Gold enough to support the Pomp of Kings;
Which welcome Promise, made the Man believe,
He might at that time both their wants Relieve,
Himself from want of Riches, th'other Food;
So was resolv'd to help him to the Flood.
Which to effect, he straight the Dragon ty'd,
And on his Asses Saddle let him Ride;
To his known quarters he did him Convey;
Gently Unty'd him, 'fore he ask'd for Pay.
But when the Dragon Liberty had gain'd,
Forgot the Kindness, and his Friend disdain'd;
Ask'd him in Angry Tone, if he deserv'd
For binding him with Cords, a Gold Reward?
Bid him cease his impert'nence, and be gone,
Or for his Crime his Body shou'd Attone:
Whilst they Disputed, an old Fox came by,
Offer'd himself as Judge, their Case to try;
To which consenting, each did tell his Tale,
And by his Arguments try'd to prevail,
That Sentence in his favour might be pass'd.—
The Dragon he alledged the Man him ty'd,
And made him on his Asses Back to Ride,
And several Affronts offer'd beside.
Defendant then reply'd, I found th'ingrate
In a dry place, ready to Suffocate;
Who Pray'd me out of Pity, for to bring
Him to his Home, or to some other Spring;
And largely promis'd Gold should be my hire:
But now he Threatens Death, if Gold require.
The Judge had heard the Partys Pro and Con,
And found the Dragon culpable alone,
But dare not for his Life, pronounce his Fate
Whilst he was Loose; so like a Magistrate,
Order'd the Dragon to be bound again,
That justly he might Judge the Cruel Pain
The Saucy Man had made him long endure,
For which, of Recompence he should be sure.
The Man the Dragon then did loosely bind,
Not hurting him, his Limbs were scarce confin'd:
Did he, said th'Fox, Bind you so hard before?
O ten times worse, (Sir Judge) he made me Sore.
Then draw the Knots streighter, that I may see
The very utmost of his Cruelty.
Th'Countryman stronger pull'd with all his Force,
And the by-standing Judge felt no Remorse;
But ask'd him if the Man had so hard Ty'd?
The Dragon Groaning, Yes indeed, reply'd;
You'r so fast Bound, you have not Pow'r to Stir?
Not any, says the Dragon, But kind Sir,
Let me be streight Unloos'd.—
No, says the Fox, I'll now your Sentence pass,
That he again shall lay you on his Ass,
And leave you in the Place, and Grief you was.
Of Waters, to a Place he did not know,
Was by their sudden fall left on the Land,
Far from the River, on the Parched Sand;
Distress'd he was, scarce hoping for Relief;
His Fate was almost finish'd by his Grief.
When to his searching Eyes a Man appear'd
Leading an Ass, his drooping Fancy chear'd;
He beg'd the Man would kind assistance give,
That by his Mercy he might longer Live:
Distress'd for help he Promis'd mighty things,
Gold enough to support the Pomp of Kings;
Which welcome Promise, made the Man believe,
He might at that time both their wants Relieve,
Himself from want of Riches, th'other Food;
So was resolv'd to help him to the Flood.
Which to effect, he straight the Dragon ty'd,
And on his Asses Saddle let him Ride;
To his known quarters he did him Convey;
Gently Unty'd him, 'fore he ask'd for Pay.
But when the Dragon Liberty had gain'd,
Forgot the Kindness, and his Friend disdain'd;
37
For binding him with Cords, a Gold Reward?
Bid him cease his impert'nence, and be gone,
Or for his Crime his Body shou'd Attone:
Whilst they Disputed, an old Fox came by,
Offer'd himself as Judge, their Case to try;
To which consenting, each did tell his Tale,
And by his Arguments try'd to prevail,
That Sentence in his favour might be pass'd.—
The Dragon he alledged the Man him ty'd,
And made him on his Asses Back to Ride,
And several Affronts offer'd beside.
Defendant then reply'd, I found th'ingrate
In a dry place, ready to Suffocate;
Who Pray'd me out of Pity, for to bring
Him to his Home, or to some other Spring;
And largely promis'd Gold should be my hire:
But now he Threatens Death, if Gold require.
The Judge had heard the Partys Pro and Con,
And found the Dragon culpable alone,
But dare not for his Life, pronounce his Fate
Whilst he was Loose; so like a Magistrate,
Order'd the Dragon to be bound again,
That justly he might Judge the Cruel Pain
The Saucy Man had made him long endure,
For which, of Recompence he should be sure.
The Man the Dragon then did loosely bind,
Not hurting him, his Limbs were scarce confin'd:
Did he, said th'Fox, Bind you so hard before?
O ten times worse, (Sir Judge) he made me Sore.
38
The very utmost of his Cruelty.
Th'Countryman stronger pull'd with all his Force,
And the by-standing Judge felt no Remorse;
But ask'd him if the Man had so hard Ty'd?
The Dragon Groaning, Yes indeed, reply'd;
You'r so fast Bound, you have not Pow'r to Stir?
Not any, says the Dragon, But kind Sir,
Let me be streight Unloos'd.—
No, says the Fox, I'll now your Sentence pass,
That he again shall lay you on his Ass,
And leave you in the Place, and Grief you was.
Reflection.
Those Men whom England's Monarch did relieve,(When Fears and Troubles made the Nation Grieve)
And to their Lands, and Freedom did restore,
For them he did, none (but a God) could more;
If such his Love b' ingratitude do Pay,
And Grumble at the Deeds, when they Obey;
They like th'Ungrateful Dragon should be left
Forlorn, and of their Comforts quite bereft.
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