Aesop at Court Or, State Fables. Vol. I [by Thomas Yalden] |
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| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. | FAB. XII. The Boar and Forrest.
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| XVI. |
 | Aesop at Court |  |
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FAB. XII. The Boar and Forrest.
A lion
Generous and Brave,
For Wars renown'd, belov'd in Peace:
His Lands in Royal Bounties gave,
And Treasures much impair'd by Acts of Grace.
For Wars renown'd, belov'd in Peace:
His Lands in Royal Bounties gave,
And Treasures much impair'd by Acts of Grace.
His Ministers whole Realms obtain'd,
And Courtiers much inclin'd to want:
His Manners beg'd, and Forfeits gain'd,
With Patents to confirm the Royal Grant.
And Courtiers much inclin'd to want:
His Manners beg'd, and Forfeits gain'd,
With Patents to confirm the Royal Grant.
The Boar, to show a Subjects Love,
Crav'd for the Publick good a Boon:
His ancient Forrest to improve,
By felling Trees and cutting Timber down.
Crav'd for the Publick good a Boon:
His ancient Forrest to improve,
By felling Trees and cutting Timber down.
Alcoves and shady Walks, quoth he,
Are laid aside, become a jest:
Your Vistos lofty, wide, and free,
Are Alamode, and only in request.
Are laid aside, become a jest:
Your Vistos lofty, wide, and free,
Are Alamode, and only in request.
The Grant being pass'd the Ravenous Boar,
A Desert of the Forrest made:
Up by the Roots Vast Oaks he tore,
And low on Earth the Princely Cedars laid.
A Desert of the Forrest made:
Up by the Roots Vast Oaks he tore,
And low on Earth the Princely Cedars laid.
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This Act of Violence and Wrong,
Alarum'd all the Savage Race:
With loud Complaints to Court they throng,
Strip'd of their Shades, and ancient resting place.
Alarum'd all the Savage Race:
With loud Complaints to Court they throng,
Strip'd of their Shades, and ancient resting place.
With gen'rous Rage the Lyon shook,
And Vow'd the Boar shou'd dearly pay:
I hate quoth he a down cast look,
That Robs the Publick in a Friendly way.
And Vow'd the Boar shou'd dearly pay:
I hate quoth he a down cast look,
That Robs the Publick in a Friendly way.
Unhappy Groves, my Empires Pride!
Lov'd Solitudes, ye Shades divine!
The Rage of Tempests ye defi'd,
Condemn'd to perish by a Sordid Swine.
Lov'd Solitudes, ye Shades divine!
The Rage of Tempests ye defi'd,
Condemn'd to perish by a Sordid Swine.
Ye Rural Deities and Powers unknown,
What can so great a Loss suffice!
If a hung Brawner will attone,
Accept Friend Chucky for a Sacrifice.
What can so great a Loss suffice!
If a hung Brawner will attone,
Accept Friend Chucky for a Sacrifice.
The MORAL.
The Brittish Oaks our Nations Strength, and Pride,
With which Triumphant o'er the Main we Ride:
Insulting Foes are by our Navey's aw'd,
A Guard at home, our dreaded Power abroad.
With which Triumphant o'er the Main we Ride:
Insulting Foes are by our Navey's aw'd,
A Guard at home, our dreaded Power abroad.
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Like Druids then your Forrests sacred keep,
Preserve with them your Empire of the Deep:
Subjects their Princes Bounty oft abuse,
And spoil the Publick for their private Use;
But no Rapacious Hand shou'd dare deface,
The Royal Stores of a well Timber'd Chase.
Preserve with them your Empire of the Deep:
Subjects their Princes Bounty oft abuse,
And spoil the Publick for their private Use;
But no Rapacious Hand shou'd dare deface,
The Royal Stores of a well Timber'd Chase.
| Aesop at Court | |