Aesop at Court Or, State Fables. Vol. I [by Thomas Yalden] |
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| I. | FAB. I. The River and the Fountain.
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
| XI. |
| XII. |
| XIII. |
| XIV. |
| XV. |
| XVI. |
 | Aesop at Court |  |
6
FAB. I. The River and the Fountain.
A river insolent with Pride,
The Fountain and its Springs defi'd:
That Fountain, from whose Watry Bed,
The ungrateful Flood was Daily Fed.
The Fountain and its Springs defi'd:
That Fountain, from whose Watry Bed,
The ungrateful Flood was Daily Fed.
And thus the Rabble Waves began,
We're the delight of Gods and Man!
How charming does our Banks appear!
How Swift the Stream, the Flood how Clear!
We're the delight of Gods and Man!
How charming does our Banks appear!
How Swift the Stream, the Flood how Clear!
See how by Natures bounty Strong,
We whirl our Legion Waves along:
In Soft Meanders winding Play,
And glitter in the Face of Day.
We whirl our Legion Waves along:
In Soft Meanders winding Play,
And glitter in the Face of Day.
But thou poor Fountain, Silly Soul!
Thy head Absconding in a hole:
Run'st mudling on from place to place,
A sham'd to show thy dirty Face;
In Rocks and gloomy Caverns found,
Thou creep'st inglorious under ground.
D'e hear! henceforth your Lords obey!
We the Grand Waves assume the Sway.
Thy head Absconding in a hole:
Run'st mudling on from place to place,
A sham'd to show thy dirty Face;
In Rocks and gloomy Caverns found,
Thou creep'st inglorious under ground.
D'e hear! henceforth your Lords obey!
We the Grand Waves assume the Sway.
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Well, angry Sirs, the Fountain cry'd,
And how's your Stream to be Supply'd!
Ye senseless Fools that wou'd command,
Shou'd I withdraw my bounteous hand:
Or backward turn my watry Store,
That hour you'd cease, and be no more.
Go ask that blustering Fop the Wind,
That puts his whimsy in your mind:
And makes your factious Surges rise,
If he'll recruit you with Supplies.
And how's your Stream to be Supply'd!
Ye senseless Fools that wou'd command,
Shou'd I withdraw my bounteous hand:
Or backward turn my watry Store,
That hour you'd cease, and be no more.
Go ask that blustering Fop the Wind,
That puts his whimsy in your mind:
And makes your factious Surges rise,
If he'll recruit you with Supplies.
And when to native Mud you turn,
Such as a common Shore woud scorn:
Too late you'll curse this frantick whim,
When Carriers Steeds shall piss a nobler Stream.
Such as a common Shore woud scorn:
Too late you'll curse this frantick whim,
When Carriers Steeds shall piss a nobler Stream.
The MORAL.
Unhappy Brittain! I deplore thy Fate,
When Jurys pack'd, and brib'd, insult thy State:
Like Waves Tumultuous, insolently wise,
They tutor Kings, and Senators advise;
When Jurys pack'd, and brib'd, insult thy State:
Like Waves Tumultuous, insolently wise,
They tutor Kings, and Senators advise;
Whilst old Republicans direct the Stream,
Not France, and Rome, but Monarchy's their aim:
Fools rode by Knaves! and paid as they deserve,
Despis'd whilst us'd! then left to hang or Starve.
Not France, and Rome, but Monarchy's their aim:
Fools rode by Knaves! and paid as they deserve,
Despis'd whilst us'd! then left to hang or Starve.
| Aesop at Court | |