Aesop at Court :: :: University of Virginia Library

There liv'd a Quack in high repute,
By virtue of a Velvet Suit,
And celebrated Bill:
As for his Knowledge 'tis allow'd,
He had enough to cheat the Crow'd,
And that's good modern Skill.

Once as this Orator held forth,
On Topicks of his Med'cins worth,
And wondrous Cures they wrought:
Tho' not a word they understood,
His Eloquence so charm'd the crowd,
That still they gap'd, and bought.

Midst his Harangue, one day it chanc'd,
Tom. Dove the Bear that way advanc'd,
In Procession to his Stake:
The Rable quit their Doctor streight,
And with huzza's on Bruin wait,
Who thus the chief bespake.

D'e hear ye pack of bawling Louts,
Compos'd of Vermin, Stink, and Clouts,
Why all this Noise and Do:
Tho' thro' my Nose a ring is got,
And here I'm baited like a Sot,
Still I resemble you.

Observe that Mountebanking Fool,
Perch'd yonder on his three-leg'd Stool,
With poisnous Drugs to sell:
See o'er his Shoulder how he snears,
Three hours to lug you by the Ears,
Yet pleases wondrous well.

With fulsome Lies and stupid Stuff,
He Cheats and Banters you enough,
Yet there ye flock by Sholes:
But if by chance a Bear's brought out,
At him ye Hollow, Laugh, and Shout,
And who's the greater Fools.

So Brother Monsters face about!
The Quack your Keeper wants his rout,
For underneath the Rose:
Another sort of Brutes there are,
Besides a stupid Russian Bear,
That's misled by the Nose.

The MORAL.

Ill Ministers, like Quacks, the Crowd deceive,
Defraud them for their good, and they believe:
At France and Rome they rail with specious Arts,
And whilst they Cheat the Vulgar, gain their Hearts.

But if Sagacious Bruin smells them out,
Their Frauds exposing to the injur'd rout:
To mischief prone, implacable, and Strong,
Ten-thousand Tongues and Hands revenge the wrong,