Aesop at Court Or, State Fables. Vol. I [by Thomas Yalden] |
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| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. | FAB. IX. The Sea and the Banks.
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| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
 | Aesop at Court |  |
23
FAB. IX. The Sea and the Banks.
As out at Sea a ruffling Gale it blew,
And Clouds o'ercast the gloomy Skies:
The Surges they began to rise,
And terrify the Saylors jocund Crew.
And Clouds o'ercast the gloomy Skies:
The Surges they began to rise,
And terrify the Saylors jocund Crew.
This to the wanton Billows was but Sport,
They roar'd and gambol'd it along,
This was the burden of their Song,
They'd have a Storm, and show good Reason for't.
They roar'd and gambol'd it along,
This was the burden of their Song,
They'd have a Storm, and show good Reason for't.
Then a fresh Maggot takes them in the head,
To have one merry jaunt on Shore:
They'd not be fetter'd up they swore,
But thus to the insulted Margin said.
To have one merry jaunt on Shore:
They'd not be fetter'd up they swore,
But thus to the insulted Margin said.
Hey slugs! de hear ye lazy Hounds!
Open to Right aud Left! make way,
And give free passage to the Sea,
Down with your Ramparts and obstructing Mounds.
Open to Right aud Left! make way,
And give free passage to the Sea,
Down with your Ramparts and obstructing Mounds.
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See how they stir! awake ye Brutes!
And let us have one frisk at Land,
Or zbud we'll wash you into Sand,
Without the tedious form of long Disputes.
And let us have one frisk at Land,
Or zbud we'll wash you into Sand,
Without the tedious form of long Disputes.
Hold, soft and fair! the Banks reply'd, wee'r bound,
In Honour to make good our Post:
And will for all your windy boast,
As Barriers to the Sea maintain our ground.
In Honour to make good our Post:
And will for all your windy boast,
As Barriers to the Sea maintain our ground.
Go Lord it in your watry Realms the Main!
There Rage and Bluster as you please,
Licentious in your native Seas,
But not an inch as trespassers you'll gain.
There Rage and Bluster as you please,
Licentious in your native Seas,
But not an inch as trespassers you'll gain.
So my fierce Mutineers be jogging Home!
For if you dare invade our Coast,
You'll run your Heads against a Post,
And shamefully retire in empty Fome.
For if you dare invade our Coast,
You'll run your Heads against a Post,
And shamefully retire in empty Fome.
The MORAL.
Tho' discord forms the Elements for War,
Their well pois'd Strength prevents the fatal Jar:
Harmonious Nature sets the Ballance right,
And each compels the other to Unite.
Their well pois'd Strength prevents the fatal Jar:
Harmonious Nature sets the Ballance right,
And each compels the other to Unite.
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In Empire thus true Union is maintain'd,
Each Power's by a Subordinate restrain'd:
But when like raging Waves they overflow,
Their stated Bounds, and on the weaker grow:
Thrice happy Realms! where there are Patriots found,
To check Invadors, and maintain their Ground.
Each Power's by a Subordinate restrain'd:
But when like raging Waves they overflow,
Their stated Bounds, and on the weaker grow:
Thrice happy Realms! where there are Patriots found,
To check Invadors, and maintain their Ground.
| Aesop at Court | |