Aesop at Court :: :: University of Virginia Library

Five Satyrs of the Woodland Sort,
Thought Polititians then:
Their Ears prick'd up their Noses short,
And brows adorn'd like Aldermen;
With Asses Hoofs, great gogle Eyes,
And ample Chins of Be---ms Size:

To Jove tript up with an Address,
In favour of the Plains:
That it wou'd please him to Suppress
All Heats and Cold's, his Winds and Rains;
The Sun that he'd Extinguish too,
And in the Skies hang something new.

My wise reforming Friends, quoth Jove,
Our Elements are good!
We manage for the best above,
Tho' not so Rightly understood;
But since such profound Squires are sent,
Weel treat you like the Cream of Kent.

Then Jove brought out Ætherial Fire
In a gilt Cha[illeg.]indish:
The Sparkling flame they all admire,

'Twas fine, they Vow'd, as Heart cou'd wish;
They gap'd, they grin'd, they jump'd about
Jove give us that, the Sun put out!

The charming Flames they all Embrace,
Which urged by Natures Laws:
Their Shaggy Hides set in a blaze,
And soundly Sing'd their paws;
In Corners then they Sneak, with terrour Dumb,
And o'er the Immortal pavements Scud it home.

The MORAL.

How Senseless are our Modern Whigish Tools,
Beneath the dignity of British Fools!
With Beef resolv'd, and Fortify'd with Ale,
They sensure Monarch's, and at Senates Rail;
So eagerly to Publick mischief run,
That they prevent the hands, which Loo them on.

O true Machines; and heads devoid of Brains!
Affront that Senate which your rights Maintains!
Thus Ideots Sport with Power, and Flames embrace,
Till smarting Folly glares them in the Face.