Aesop at Court :: :: University of Virginia Library

A Vulture old and feeble grown,
Took up, and much reform'd his Life:
His Beak decay'd, and Talons gone,
Yet still he relish'd Noise, and Strife;
Once a young Peacock to the Birds brought forth,
On his high Birth harrangud, and blooming Worth.

The Isles and watry Realm, said he,
This hopeful Monarch shall Command:
His Scepter to depend on me,
And rule the tributary Land;
Reserving only for our Royal use,
What-e'er the Seas and fertile Coasts produce.

The Peacock a pert dapper Spark,
Made the Sagacious Vultures Choice:
His Title and descent tho' dark,
Soon gain'd the whole Assemblies Voice;
The Pie except; a Member of the Board,
Who midst their Acclamations, crav'd a word.

His Highness Merits and Desert,
Quoth he 'tis needless to dispute:
In giving Empires we're too pert,
With neither right, nor Power to do't;
You've made a Peacock King, pray now 'tis done,
What Champion here conducts him to his Throne.

Where the Imperial Eagle Reigns,
Renown'd for Arms, and Warlike might:
Who such a feeble Youth disdains,
And Vultures dares ingage in Fight;
Therefore Messieurs, it is my private Voice,
That the Possessor first approve our Choice.

The MORAL.

Cæsar that Prince betrays his Fears,
Who Stiles the Monarch in the Field:
But when thy Army Disappears,
To weak pretenders will thy Titles yield.

But wiser Politicians say,
True Conduct is not so much shown,
In giving others Realms away,
As in defending well their own.