FABLES. 
 
 1^1 
 
 *W 
 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 Mr. G A Y. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 ‘ A-'K / 
 
 THE FIFTH EDITION. 
 
 DUBLIN; 
 
 Printed by PAT. WOGAN, No. 2$, Old-Bridge . 
 
 1 1 99 ° 
 
T O 
 
 HIS HIGHNESS 
 
 WILLIAM’ 
 
 Duke of Cumberland , 
 
 THE S E NE W FABLE S, 
 
 INVENTED for his amusement 
 
 Are humbly Dedicated, by 
 
 HIS HIGHNESS ’s 
 
 
 Mojl Faithful and 
 
 M of. obedient Servant, 
 
 JOHN G A Y. 
 
 A 2 
 
TABLE 
 
 To his Highnefe William Duke of Cu mberland. 
 The Lion, the Tiger, and the Traveller. P. I 
 Fab. 2. The Spaniel and the Cameleon. ' 5 
 
 Fab. 3 .The Mother, theN\xxie,andthe Fairy. 8 
 Fab. 4. The Eagle, and the AJfernbly of Ani- 
 mals. io 
 
 Fab. 5 - The Wild Boar and the Ram. 15 
 Fab. 6. T^r Mifer ami Plutus. i| 
 
 Fab. 7. The Lion, the F ox , and the Geefe. 18 
 Fab. 8. The Lady and the Wafp. 2 1 
 
 Fab. 9. The Bull and the Maftiff, 24 
 
 Fab. i@. The Elephant and the Book-feller. 26 
 Fab. 11. The Peacock, the Turkey, and 
 Goofe. 30 
 
 Fab. 12. Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus. 33 
 Fab. 13 The tame Stag. 36 
 
 Fab. 14. The Monkey who had feen the 
 World. 38 
 
 Fab. 15. T^ePhilofopher «mf4/2(?Pheafants.42 
 Fab. 16. The Pin and the Needle. 44 
 
 Fab. 17. The SkeplerdWDogand Mg Wolf. 48 
 Fab. 18. The Painter who flea fed No body and 
 
 Fab. 20. The old Hen and the Cock. 
 Fab. 21. The Rat-catcher cwiCats. 
 
 iNtrodu&ion to the Fables. 
 
 The Shepherd and the Philofopher. 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 Every body. 
 
 Fab. 19. The Lion, and the Cub. 
 
 A 3 
 
 Fable 
 
r 
 
 TABLE. 
 
 Fable %i. The Goat •without a Beard 6i 
 Fab. 23. 7 he old Woman a: d her Cats 65 
 Fab. 24. The Butterny and the Snail 68 
 
 Fab. 25- The Scold and the Parrot 7 1 
 
 Fab. 26. 1 he Cur and the Maftkf 74 
 
 Fab. 27. 77/c Sick Man and the Angel 76 
 
 Fab. 28 .'I'he Perfian, $?Sun and the Cloud 79 
 Fab. 29. The Fox at th$ point of death 81 
 Fab. 30. 7 At? Setting-dog //^Partridge 84 
 Fab. 31. The JJniverfal Apparition 86 
 
 Fab. 32. The two Owls avid the Sparrow 89 
 
 Fab. 3"t. The Ccurtier and Proteus 92 
 
 Fab. 34. The Maftiffs 98 
 
 Fab. 35. 7/zeBarley-mo\vrt>z7/^e Dunghill 95 
 F'ab. 36. Pythcgoras and /^Countryman 100 
 F'ab. 37. The Farmer’s wife andthe Raven 103 
 Fab. 38. The Turkey and tlie Ant 106 
 
 Fab. 39. The Father and Jupiter 108 i 
 
 Fab. 40. 7 he two Monkeys ill 
 
 Fab. 4 r. The Owl and the Farmer 1 14 
 
 Fab. 42. The Jugglers 116 
 
 F'ab. 43. The Council of Plorfes 1 2o 
 
 F'ab. 44. The Hound and the Huntfman 123. 
 Fab. 45. The Poet andthe Role 126 
 
 F'ab. 46. The Cur, the Plorle, and the Shep- 
 herd’s Dog. 129 
 
 Fab. 47. The Court of Death 132 
 
 F'ab. 48. The Gardener and the Flog. 1,35 
 Fab. 49. The Man and the Flea 138 
 
 Fab. 50. The Hare and many Friends. 141 
 
 A TALE, 
 
TALE, 
 
 Written by a Lady-* on Reading 
 Mr. G A F’s Fables. 
 
 A Mother, who vaft Pleafure finds, 
 
 In forming of her Childrens Minds ; 
 
 In midft of whom, with great Delight* 
 
 She pafTes many a Winter’s Night 5 
 Mingles in ev’ry Play to find 
 What Bias Nature gave the Mind ; 
 Refolving thence to take her aim 
 To guide them to the Realms of Fame, 
 And wifely make thole Realms their Way, 
 To thofe of Everlafting Day. 
 
 Each boilVrous Paflion fhc’d contrcul. 
 And early humanize the Soul 
 In inn pie Tales behde the Fire' 
 
 The nobleft Notions would inipire : 
 
 Her offspring, eonfciou; of her Care, 
 Tranfported hung around her Chair. 
 
 Of Scripture Heroes {lie would tell, 
 Whofe Names they’d lifp ere they could 
 fpeli : 
 
 A4 
 
 Then 
 
A TALE. 
 
 Then the delighted Mother fmiles, 
 
 And Ihews the Story on the Tiles. 
 
 At other times, her Themes would be 
 The Sages of Antiquity, 
 
 Who left a glorious Name behind, 
 
 By being Bleffings to their Kind. 
 
 Again Ihe’d take another feope, 
 
 And tell of Addifon and Pope. 
 
 Steele's Comedies gave vaft delight. 
 
 And entertain’d them many a Night, 
 
 XU — n — ’s could no Admittance find, 
 
 Forbid as Poifons to the Mind. 
 
 The Author’s Wit and fenfe, fays fhe, 
 
 But heightens his' Impiety. 
 
 This happy Mother met, one Day, 
 
 * A Book of Fables writ by Gay. 
 
 And told her Children here’s a Treafnrc, 
 
 A fund of Wffdom and of Pleafure. 
 
 Such Decency ! fuch Elegance ! 
 
 Such Morals ! fuch exalted fenfe ! 
 
 Well has the poet found the Art, 
 
 To raife the Mind and mend the Heart 1 
 Her favourite Boy the Author feiz’d. 
 And as he read feem’d highly pleas’d ; 
 Made fuch Refleflions ev’ry Page, 
 
 The Mother thought above his age ; 
 
 Delighted 
 
 i 
 
A TALE. 
 
 1 
 
 Delighted read, but fcarce was able, 
 
 To finifh the concluding Fable. 
 
 What ails my Child, the Mother cries, 
 Whofe forrows now have fill’d your Eyes ? 
 
 Oh! dear Mamma, can he want friends. 
 Who writes for fuch exalted ends ? 
 
 Oh bale degenerate human kind ! 
 
 Had I a fortune to my Mind, 
 
 Should Gay complain ? but now, alas, 
 
 Thro’ what a World am I to pals ? 
 
 Where Frieadfhip’s but an empty Name, 
 
 And Merit fcarcely paid in Fame ? 
 
 Refolv’d to lull his Woes to reft. 
 
 She tells him Ihe would hope thebeft. 
 
 ■ This has been his cafe I own ; 
 
 But George the Second fills the Throne. 
 Content that tender heart of thine 
 He’ll be the tender Care of Caroline. 
 
 Who thus inftru£ts the Royal Race, 
 
 Can’t fail of lome diftinguifh’d Place. 
 
 Mamma, if you were Queen, fays he, 
 
 And fuch a book were writ for me ; 
 
 I find, ’tis fo much to your Tafte, 
 
 That Gay would keep his Coach at leafi. 
 
 My Child, What you fuppofe is true : 
 
 I fee its Excellence in you. 
 
 A 5 Poets 
 
 ) 
 
A TALE . 
 
 Poets who write to mend the Mind, 
 
 A Royal Recompence fhoukl find. 
 
 But I am barr’d by Fortune’s Frowns. 
 From the beft Privilege of Crowns. 
 
 The glorious, Godlike pow’r to blefs, 
 And raii'e up Merit in Diflrefs. 
 
 But, dear Mamma, I long to know, 
 Were you the Queen what you’d bellow. 
 
 What I’d bellow, fays fhe, my Dear, 
 Atleail athoufand Pound a Year 
 
 I N T R O- 
 
The Shepherd and the Philo fophtr. 
 Remote from cities liv’d a Swain, 
 
 Unvex’d with all the cares of gain, 
 
 His head was filver’do’er with age, 
 And long experience made him large ; 
 In fummcr’s- heat and winter s colti 
 He fed his flock and pen’d the fold. 
 
 I JN T R O D UCT ION 
 
 TO 
 
 T II E 
 
Intro du fiion to the Fables. 
 
 His hours in chearful labour flew, 
 
 Nor envy nor ambition knew; 
 
 His wifdom and his honeft fame 
 Through all the country rais’d his name. 
 
 A deep Philofopher (whofe rules 
 Of moral life were drawn from fchools) 
 
 The fhepherd’s homely cottage fought. 
 
 And thus explor’d his reach of thought. 
 Whence is thy learning ? Hath thy toil 
 O’er books confum’d the midnight oil ? 
 
 Haft thou old Greece and Rome furvey’d, 
 And the vaft fenfe of Plato weigh’d ? 
 
 Hath Socrates thy foul refin’d, 
 
 And haft thou fathom’d Tully's mind ? 
 
 Or, like the wife UlyJJes, thrown 
 By various fates on realms unknown. 
 
 Haft thou through many cities ftray’d, 
 Their cuftoms, laws and manners weigh’d ? 
 
 The fhepherd modeftly reply’d, 
 
 I ne’er the paths of learning try’d 
 Nor have I roam’d in foreign parts 
 To read mankind their laws and arts; 
 
 For man ispradlis’d in difguife, 
 
 He cheats the moft difcerning eyes ; 
 
 Who by that fearch fhall wifer grow. 
 
 When we ourfelvescan never know? 
 
Introduction to the Fables. 
 
 The little knowledge I have gain’d. 
 Was all from Ample nature drain’d ; 
 Hence my life’s maxims took their rife,. 
 Hence grew my fettled hate to vice. 
 The daily labours of the bee 
 Awake my foul to induftry. 
 
 Who can obferve the careful ant. 
 
 And not provide for future want ? 
 
 My dog (the crufliefl of his kind) 
 With gratitude inflames my mind ; 
 I'mark his true, his faithful way. 
 
 And in my fervice copv T ray. 
 
 In conflancy and nuptial love 
 I learn my duty font the dove. 
 
 The hen, who from the chilly air 
 With pious wing protects her care. 
 And ev’ry fowl that flies at large 
 Inftru&s me in a parent’s charge. 
 
 From nature too I take my rule 
 Tofhun contempt anti ridicnle. 
 
 I never with important air 
 In converfation overbear; 
 
 Can grave and formal pals for wife. 
 When men the folemn Owl deipilie ? 
 My tongue within my li t s I rein. 
 
 For who talks much muff talk in vain ; 
 
Introduction to the Fables, 
 
 We from the wordy torrent fly : 
 
 Who liftens to the chatt’ring pye ? 
 
 Nor would I with felonious Height 
 By Health invade my neighbour’s right; 
 Rapacious animals we hate : 
 
 Kites, hawks and wolves deierve their fate. 
 Do not we juft abhorrence find 
 Againftthe toad and ferpeut kind? 
 
 Bnt envy, calumny and fp'ue. 
 
 Bear ftronger venom in the r bite. 
 
 Thus ev’ry objecl of creation 
 Can furnifh hints to contemplation. 
 
 And from the moll minute and mean 
 A virtuous mind can morals glean. 
 
 Thy fame is juft, the Sage replies,. 
 
 Thy virtue proves thee truly wife ; 
 
 Pride often guides an author’s pen. 
 
 Books as affected are as men, 
 
 But he who ftudies nature’s laws 
 From certain truth his maxims draws, 
 
 Ar. thofe, without our fchools, fuffice 
 To make men moral, good and wife. 
 
 To 
 
T o II r s Highness 
 
 W I L L I A M, 
 
 Duke of Cumberland. 
 
 J^LCcept, young Prince, the moral lay. 
 And in thefe tales mankind furvey ; 
 
 With early virtues plant your breaft. 
 
 The fpecious arts of vice deteft. 
 
 Princes, 
 
2 FABLES. 
 
 0 
 
 Princes, like Beauties, from their youth. 
 Are ftrangers to the voice of truth: 
 
 Learn to contemn all praife betimes ; 
 
 For flattery's the nurfe of crimes ; 
 Friendfhip by fweet reproof is fhown, 
 
 (A virtue never near a throne;) 
 
 In courts fuch freedom muft offend. 
 
 There none prefumes to be a friend. 
 Tothofe of your exalted ftation 
 Each courtier is a dedication ; 
 
 Muft I too flatter like the reft. 
 
 And turn my morals to a jeft ? 
 
 The mule dil'dains to ileal from thofe. 
 
 Who thrive in courts by fulfome profe. 
 
 But fhall 1 hide your real praife. 
 
 Or tell you what a nation fays ? 
 
 They in your infant bofom trace 
 The virtues of your royal race. 
 
 In the fair dawning of your mind 
 Difcern you gen’rous, mild and kind. 
 
 They fee you grieve to hear diftrefs. 
 
 And pant already to redrefs. 
 
 Go on, the height of good attain> 
 
 Not let a nation hope in vain. 
 
 For hence we juftly may prefage 
 The virtues of a riper age. 
 
 True 
 
FABLES. 
 
 3 
 
 True courage fhall your bofom fire, 
 
 And future a&ions own your fire. 
 
 Cowards are cruel ; but the brave 
 Love mercy, and delight to lave. , 
 
 A Tiger, roaming for his prey. 
 
 Sprung on a Trav’ler in the way ; 
 
 The proftrate game a Lion fpies. 
 
 And on the greedy tyrant flies : 
 
 With mingled roar refound the woods, 
 Their teeth, their claws diftil with blood, 
 Till, vanquifh’d by the Lion’s ftrength. 
 
 The fpotted foe extends his length. 
 
 The Man befought the fhaggy lord. 
 
 And on his lcneea for life implor’d ; 
 
 Hisdife the gen’rous hero gave. 
 
 Together walking to his Cave. 
 
 The Lion thus befpoke his gueft. 
 
 What hardy beafl fhall dare conteft 
 My matchlefs ftrength ? You faw the fight. 
 And mull attefl: my pow’r and right. 
 
 Forc’d to forego their native home 
 My ftarving Haves at diftance roam, 
 Within thefe woods IJreign alone. 
 
 The bonndlefs foreft is my own ; 
 
 Bears, wolves, and all the favage brood 
 Have dy’dthe regal den with blood ; 
 
 Thefe 
 
4 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Th efe car cafes on either hand, 
 
 '1 hole bones that whiten all the land 
 My former deeds and triumphs tell. 
 Beneath ihefe jaws what numbers fell. 
 
 True, fays the Man, the ftrength 1 law 
 Might well the brutal nation awe; 
 
 But fhall a monareh, brave like you, 
 Place glorv in lb i lfe a view ? 
 
 Robbers inva !c their neighbours right, 
 Be lov’d. Letjuftice bound your might. 
 Mean are ambitious heroes boafts 
 Of walled lands and daughter’ d hofts * 
 Pirates ‘heir power by murders gain, 
 "Wife kings by love and mercy reign ; 
 
 To me your clemency hath fhewn 
 The virtue worthy of a throne ; 
 
 Beavjn gives youpow r above the'rell. 
 Like heav’n to fuecour thediftrefl. 
 
 The cafe is plain, the Monareh laid, 
 Falfe glory hath my youth milled, 
 
 For beafts of prey, a fervile train, 
 
 Have been the flatt’rers of my leign. 
 
 You reafon well. Yet tell me, friend. 
 Did ever you in courts attend ? 
 
 For all my fawning rogues agree 
 That human heroes rule like me. 
 
 F A P» LE 
 
FABLES. 5 
 
 Spaniel, bred with a 1 ! the care 
 That waits upon a fav’rite heir, 
 
 Ne’er felt corre&ion’s rigid hand ; 
 Indulg’d to difobey command. 
 
 In pamper’d eafe his hours were fpent ; 
 He never knew what learning meant : 
 Such forward airs, fo pert, i'o fmart. 
 Were fure to win his lady’s heart, 
 
 Each 
 
6 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Each little mifchief gain’d him praife r 
 How pretty were his fawning ways! 
 
 The wind was fouth, the morning fair. 
 
 He ventures forth to take the air ; 
 
 He ranges all the meadow round, 
 
 .And rolls upon the fofteft ground ; 
 
 When near him a cameleon feen 
 Was fcarce dtftinguifh’d from the green. 
 
 • Dear emblem of the fktt’ring hoft, 
 
 What live with clowns, a genius loft? 
 
 To cities and the court repair, 
 
 A fortune cannot fail thee there ; 
 Preferment fhall thy talents crown. 
 
 Believe me, friend ; I know the town. 
 
 Sir, fays the fycophant, like you. 
 
 Of old, politer life I knew: ; 
 
 Like you, a courtier born and 'bred,. 
 
 Kings leau’d their ear to what I faid. 
 
 My whifper always met fuccefs, 
 
 The ladies prais’d me for addrefs, 
 
 I knew to hit each courtier’s paftion. 
 
 And flatter’d ev’ry vice in fafhion. 
 
 But Jove, who hates the lyar’s ways. 
 
 At once cut fhortmy profp’rous days. 
 
 And, fentenc’d to retain my nature. 
 Transform’d me to this crawling creature ; 
 
 Doom’d 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 
 
 Doom’d to a life obfcure andmean } 
 
 I wander in the fylvan fcene. 
 
 For Jove the heart alone regards. 
 
 He punilhes what man rewards. 
 
 How diff’rent is thy cafe and mine ! 
 
 With men at leaft you fup and dine. 
 
 While I, condemn’d to thinneft fare, 
 
 Like thofe I flatter’d, feed oil air. 
 
 FABLE 
 
s 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 FABLE III. 
 
 The Mother, the Nurfe, and the Fairy, 
 
 I V E me a fon. The blefling fent. 
 Were ever parents more content ? 
 
 How partial are their doating eyes ? 
 
 No child is half fo fair and wife. 
 
 Wak’dto the morning’s pleafing care. 
 The mother rofe, and fought her heir ; 
 
She faw the Nurfe, like one poffeft. 
 
 With wringing hands and fobbing bread. 
 
 Sure fome difafler has befel. 
 
 Speak, nurfe ; I hope the boy is well ? 
 
 Dear Madam, think not me to blame, 
 Invifible the Fairy came, 
 
 Your precious babe is hence convey’d. 
 And in the place a changeling laid ; 
 Where are the father’s mouth and nofe. 
 The mother’s eyes, as black as floes ? 
 
 See here, a Ihocking aukward creature. 
 That fpeaks a fool in ev’ry feature. 
 
 The woman’s blind, the Mother cries, 
 
 I fee wit fparkle in his eyes. 
 
 Lord! Madam, what a fquinting leer ! 
 No doubt the Fairy hath been here. 
 
 Juft as fhe fpoke, a pigmy fprite 
 Pops through the key -hole, fwift as light. 
 Perch’d on the cradle’s top he ftands. 
 
 And thus her folly reprimands. 
 
 W hence fprung the vain conceited lye. 
 That we the world with fools fuuply ? 
 What ! give our fpri^htly race away. 
 
 For the dull helpleis foils of clay ! 
 
 Be desj by partial fondnefs fhown. 
 
 Like you, we doat upon our own. 
 
 Where 
 
IO 
 
 'FABLES. 
 
 Where yet was ever found a mother, 
 Who’d give her booby for another ? 
 
 And fhould we change with human breed. 
 Well might we pafs for fools indeed. 
 
 F A B L E IV. 
 
 The Eagle, and the AJJembly of Animals. 
 
 J^S Jupiter’s all-feeing eye 
 Survey’d the worlds beneath the fky. 
 From this fmall fpeck of earth were fent 
 Murmurs and iounda of diftontent : 
 
 For 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 ii 
 
 1 
 
 Forev’ry thing alive complain’d 
 That he the hard eft life fuftain’d. 
 
 Jove call’d his Eagle. At the Word 
 Before him ftands the royal bird. 
 
 The bird, obedient, from heav’n’s height 
 Downward directs his rapid flight 
 Then cited ev’ry living thing. 
 
 To hear the mandates of his king. 
 
 Ungrateful creatures, whence arife 
 Thefe murmurs which offend the Ikies; 
 
 Why this diforder? fay the caufe: 
 
 For juft are Jew’s eternal Laws. 
 
 Let each his difeontent reveal. 
 
 To yon four dog 1 firft appeal. 
 
 Hard is my lot, the hound replies, 
 
 On what fleet nerves the greyhound flies 1 
 While T with weary ftep and flow 
 O’er plains and vales and mountains go ; 
 
 The morning fees my chace begun, 
 
 1 Nor ends it till the fetting fun. 
 
 When (fays the greyhound) I purlue, 
 
 My game is loft, or caught in view, 
 
 Beyond my Sight the prey’s fecure : 
 
 The hound is flown but always fure. 
 
 And, had I his fagaciousfcent, 
 
 Jove ne’er had heard my difeontent. 
 
 Vol. I, B 
 
 The 
 
12 
 
 FABLES 
 
 The lion crav’d the fox’s art : 
 
 The fox, the lion’s force and heart; 
 TheCock implor’d the Pigeon’s flight, 
 Whofe wings were rapid, flrong and light ; 
 The pigeon ftrength of wing defpis’d, 
 
 And the cock’s matchlefs valour priz’d. 
 The fifh.es wifh’d to graze the plain. 
 
 The beafls to ikim beneath the main. 
 
 Thus, envious of another’s ftate, 
 
 Each blam’d the partial hand of Fate. 
 
 The bird of heav’n then cry’d aloud, 
 Jove bids difperfe the num’rous croud : 
 The God rejects your idle pray’rs. 
 
 Would ye, rebellious mutineers. 
 
 Entirely change your name and nature. 
 And be the very envied creature ? 
 
 What, filent all, and none corifent ! 
 
 Be happy then, and learn content. 
 
 Nor imitate thereftlefs mind. 
 
 And proud ambition of mankind. 
 
 FABLE 
 
fable v. 
 
 The Wild Boar and the Ram. 
 
 _^\_Gainfl an elm a fheep was ty’d, 
 The butcher’s knife in blood was dy’d • 
 The patient flock, i n filent fright, 
 
 From far beheld the horrid fight; 
 
 A favage Boar, who near them Rood, 
 Thus moek’d to fcorn the fleecy brood. 
 
 All cowards Aon Id be ferv’d i; . y 0a 
 See, fee, your murd’rer is in view • 
 
 B 2 ? 
 
 With 
 
F A 8 L E S. 
 
 ¥ 
 
 'i-4 
 
 With purple hands and reeking knife 
 He ltrips the fkin yet warm with life : 
 Your quarter'd fires, your bleed ng dam?;. 
 The dving bleat of harmlefs iambs 
 Call for revenge. Oltupid race 1 
 The heart that wants revenge is bafe. 
 
 I grant, an ancient Ram replies. 
 
 We bear no terror in our eyes, 
 
 Yet think us not of foul fo tame. 
 
 Which no repeated wrongs inflame, 
 Infenlible of ev c ry ill, 
 
 Becaufe we want thy talks. to kill. 
 
 Know, thole who violence purl'ue 
 Give to themlelves the vengeance due, 
 
 For in thefe maffacres they find 
 
 The two chief plagues thatwalle mankind- 
 
 Our fkin iupplies the wrangling bar, 
 
 It wakes their llumb’ring Ions to war; 
 
 And well reven e may reft contented, 
 
 Since drums and parchment .were invented. 
 
 F ABLE 
 
Pa b l e s. 
 
 The Mife r and Plums. 
 
 r~%'\ 
 
 1 HE wind was high ; the 
 With fudden ftart the Mifer 
 Along the' fi lent room he fcalks, 
 
 Looks back and trembles as he walks ; 
 Each lock and ev’ry bolt he tries. 
 
 In ev’ry creek and corner pries, 
 
 Then opes the cheft with treafure ftor’d. 
 And Hands in rapture o’er his hoard. 
 
 j 
 
 But 
 
 ^r\ 
 
¥ A R L E S- 
 
 w 
 
 id 
 
 But now with hidden qualms pofleff, 
 
 He wirings his hands, he beats his breail, 
 
 By eonfcience dung, he wildly flares. 
 
 And thus It s guilty foul declares. 
 
 Had the deep earth her flores confin’d, 
 This heart had known fweet peace of mind* 
 But virtue’s fold. Good Gods, what price 
 Can recompenie the pangs of vice ! 
 
 O bane of Good ! feducing cheat ! 
 
 Can man, weak man,, thy pow’r defeat ? 
 Gold banifh’d honour from the mind, 
 
 And only left the name behind ; 
 
 Gold fow’d the world with ev’ry ill ; 
 
 Gold taught the murd’rer's fword to kill ; 
 ’Twas gold inftrudted coward hearts. 
 
 In treacn’ry’s more pernicious hearts. 
 
 Who can recount the mifchiefs o’er ? 
 
 Virtue refides on earth no more ! 
 
 He fpoke, he figh’d. In angry mood 
 Plutus, his God, before him flood ; 
 
 The mifer trembling lock’d his cheft, 
 
 The vifion frown’d, and thus addreft. 
 
 W’hence is the vile ungrateful rant ? 
 
 Each fordid rafcal’s daily cant : 
 
 Did I, bafe wretch, corrupt mankind ? 
 
 The fault’s in thy rapacious mind. 1 
 
 Bccaufe 
 
FABLES. 
 
 N 
 
 i7 
 
 Becaufe my blelTings are abuf’d, 
 
 Muft I be ceniur’d, curd, accufd ? 
 
 Ev’n virtue’s 1’elf by knaves is made 
 A cloak to carry on the trade. 
 
 And pow’r (when lodg’d in their poffefficn) 
 Grows tyranny and rank op predion. 
 
 Thus when the villain crams his ched, 
 
 Gold is the canker of the bread: ; 
 
 ’Tisav’rice, indolence, and pride. 
 
 And ev’ry Ihocking vice beiide. 
 
 But when to virtuous hands *tis iv’u. 
 
 It bleffes, like the dews of Heav’n ; 
 
 Like Heav’n, t hea s the orphan’s cries. 
 
 And wipes the tears from widows eyes. 
 
 Their crimes on gold iliall mifers lay, 
 
 Who pawn’d their fordid fouls for pay ? 
 
 Let bravoes then (when blood is Spilt) 
 
 Upbraid the paflive fword with guilt 
 
 P ABLE 
 
/ A R L E 5, 
 
 >8 
 
 The Lion, the Fox ami the Geefe. 
 
 Lion, tir’d with State affairs. 
 
 Quite f ek of pomp, and worn with carts, 
 Refolv’d (remote from noifeand ftrife) 
 
 In peace to pais his latter life. 
 
 It was proclaim’d ; the day was fet ; 
 Behold the gen’ral council met 
 The Fox was Viceroy nam’d. The crowd 
 To the new regent humbly bow’d : 
 
 . Wolves, 
 
FAB L E S. 
 
 19 
 
 W olves, bears and mighty tigers bend, 
 And ftrive who molt fhali condefcend. 
 
 He ftraight affumes a folemn grace. 
 Collects his wifdom in his face. 
 
 The crowd admire his wit, his fenfe. 
 
 Each word hath weight and confequence ; 
 The flatt’rer all his art difplays : 
 
 He who hath pow’r is fure of praife. 
 
 A fox ftepp’d forth before the reft, 
 
 And thus the ferviie throng addreft, 
 
 How vaft his talents, born to rule, 
 
 And train’d in virtue’s honeft fchool 
 What clemency his temper fways ! 
 
 How uncorrupt are all his ways ! 
 
 Beneath his conduct and command. 
 Rapine fhali ceafe to wafte the land ; 
 
 His brain hath flratagem and art. 
 
 Prudence and mercy rule his heart. 
 
 What bleflings muft attend the nation. 
 Under this good adminiftra'tion ! 
 
 He laid. A Goofe who diftant floods 
 Harangu’d apart the cackling brood. 
 
 Whene’er I hear a knave commend, 
 
 He bids me fhun his worthy friend. 
 
 What praife ! what mighty commendation [ 
 But ’twas a fox that fpoke th’ oration. 
 
 BS 
 
 Foxes 
 
Foxes this government may prize 
 As gentle plentiful and wife ; 
 
 If they enjoy thefe fweets, ’tis plain, 
 Wegeefe mull; feel a tyrant reign. 
 Whathavock now fhall fill our race! ' 
 When ev’ry petty clerk in place, 
 
 To prove his tafte andfeem polite, 
 
 Will feed on geefe both noon and night. 
 
FABLE VIII. 
 
 'The Lady and the W afp. 
 
 "\^^ r Hat whifpers mud the beauty bear 
 What hourly nonfenfe haunts her ear! 
 Where’er her eyes difpenfe. their charms 
 Impertinence around her Iwarms. 
 
 Did not the tender nonfenfe iVrike, 
 Contempt and feorn mighf look diflike, 
 Forbidding airs might thin the place, 
 
 The flighted flap a fly can chafe. 
 
 But 
 
FABLES. 
 
 But who can drive the num’rous breed? 
 Chafe one, another will luccee'd. 
 
 Who knows a fool, mull know his brother ; 
 One fop will recommend another ; 
 
 Aud with this plague Ihe’s rightly curft, 
 Becrule- fhe liften’d to the firft. 
 
 As Doris, at her toilette’s duty. 
 
 Sate meditating on her beauty. 
 
 She now was penlive, now was gay. 
 
 And loll’d the fultry hours away. 
 
 As thus in indolence fhe lies, 
 
 A giddy wufp around her flies. 
 
 He now advances, now retires. 
 
 Now to her neck and cheek afpires : 
 
 Her fan in vain defends her charms, 
 
 Swift he returns, again alarms. 
 
 For by repulle he bolder grew, 
 
 Perch’d on her lip and Apt the dew. 
 
 She frowns, fhe frets. Good God, fhe 
 Protect me from thefe teazing flies ? [cries. 
 Of all the plagues that heav’n has lent 
 A wafp is mofl impertinent. 
 
 Thehov’ring infeft thus complain’d. 
 
 Am I then flighted, fcorn’ d, difdain’d ( 
 
 Can 
 
FABLES. 
 
 Can luch offence your anger wake ? 
 
 ’Twas beauty caus’d the bold miftake. 
 Thole cherry lips that breathe perfume, 
 That check fo ripe with youthful bloom. 
 Made me with ftrong defire purlue, 
 
 The faireft peach that ever grew. 
 
 Strike him not, Jenny, Doris cries. 
 
 Nor murder wafps, like vulgar flies. 
 
 For though he’s free, (to do him right) 
 
 The creature’s civil and polite. 
 
 In eeftafies away he polls, 
 
 Where’er he came the favour boafts, 
 
 Brags how her fweeteft tea he flps. 
 
 And fhows the fugar on his lips. 
 
 The hint alarm’d the forward crew', 
 
 Sure of fuccefs away they flew ; 
 
 They fhare the dainties of the day. 
 
 Round her with airy mufic piay. 
 
 And now they flutter, now they reft. 
 
 Now foar again, and fkim her breaft, 
 
 Nor were they banifh’d, till the found 
 That wafps have flings, and felt the wound. 
 
 FABLE 
 
24 
 
 F ABLE S. 
 
 FABLE IX. 
 
 T he Ball and the Maftiff 
 
 SeEK you to train your fav’rite boy ? 
 Each caution, ev’ry care employ. 
 
 And ere you venture to confide, 
 
 Let his preceptor’s heart be try’d, 
 
 Weigh well his manners, life and lcope. 
 On thefe depend thy future hope. 
 
 As oil a time in peaceful reign, 
 
 A Bull enjoy’d the flow’ry plain, 
 
 A Maftiff 
 
FABLES. 
 
 A Maftiff pafs’d, inflam’d with ire, 
 
 His eye-bails fhot indignant fire, 
 
 He foam’d, he rag’d with thirft of blood. 
 
 Spurning the ground the monarch flood. 
 And roar’d aloud. Sufpend the fight. 
 
 In a whole fkin, go, fleep to night ; 
 
 Or tell me, ere the battle rage, 
 
 What wrongs provoke thee to engage ? 
 
 Is it ambition fires your breaft, • 
 
 Or avarice that ne’er can reft? 
 
 From thefe alone unjuftly fprings 
 The world deftroying wrath of Kings. 
 
 The furly Maftiff thus returns. 
 
 Within my bofom glory burns. 
 
 Like heroes of eternal name. 
 
 Whom poets fing, I fight for fame: 
 
 The butcher’s fpirit-ftirring mind 
 To daily war my youth inclin’d. 
 
 He train’d me to heroic deed, 
 
 T aught me to conquer or to bleed. 
 
 Curft dog, the Bull reply’d, no more 
 I wonder at thy thirft of gore. 
 
 For thou (beneath a butcher train’d, 
 Whole hands with cruelty are ftain’d, 
 
 His daily murders in thy view,) 
 
 Muft, like thy tutor, blood purfue. 
 
 Take 
 
FABLES . 
 
 20 
 
 Take then thy fate. With goring wound 
 At once he lifts him from the ground. 
 Aloft the i'prawling heroe flies. 
 
 Mangled he falls, he howls and dies. 
 
 FABLE X, 
 
 The Elephant and Bookfeller. 
 
 I'm e man, who with undaunted toils 
 Sails unknown feas to unknown foils. 
 
 With various wonders feafts his fight : • 
 What ftranger wonders does he write ! ^ 
 
 % 
 
FABLES. 
 
 We read and in defcription view. 
 
 Creatures which Adam never knew ; 
 
 For when we rifque no contradiction, 
 
 It prompts the tongue to deal in fidiiom 
 Thofe things that Hattie me or you, 
 
 I grant are ft range ; yet may he true. 
 
 Who doubts- that elephants are found 
 For icience and for fenfe renown’d ? 
 
 Born records their ftrength of parts, 
 
 Extent of thought, and {kill in arts y 
 How they perform the law’s decrees. 
 
 And lave the ftate the hangman’s fees. 
 
 And how by travel underftand 
 The language of another land. 
 
 Let thofe who queftion this report. 
 
 To Pliny's ancient page refort, 
 
 How learn ’d was that fagacious breed ! 
 "Who now (like them) the Greek can read ? 
 
 As one of thefe, in days of yore. 
 Rummag’d a fhop of learning o'er, 
 
 Hot like our modern dealers, minding 
 Only the margin’s breath and binding ; 
 
 A book his curious eye detains, 
 
 Where, -with exadleft care and pains, 
 
 Were 
 
28 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Were ev’ry be a ft and bird portray’d. 
 
 That e’er the fearch of man furvey’d. 
 Their natures and their powers were writ, 
 With all the pow’r of human wit ; 
 
 The page he with attention fpread, 
 
 And thus remark’d on what he read. 
 
 Man with ftrong rcafonis endow’d ; 
 
 A Oeaft fcaree inftiuft is allow’d : 
 
 But let this author’s woreh be try’d, 
 
 ’1 is plain that neither was his guide. 
 
 Can he dilcem the difTrent natures, 
 
 And weigh the pow’r o : other creatures, 
 Who by the partial work hath ! hown 
 Hek nows fo little of his own ? 
 
 How falfty is the fpaniel drawn ! 
 
 Did man from him firft learn to fawn ? 
 
 A Dog proficient in the trade ! 
 
 He, the chief flatt’rer nature made ! 
 
 Go, man, the ways of courts difcern, 
 You'll find a fpaniel ftill may learn. 
 
 How can the fox’s theft and plunder 
 Provqke his cenfure, or his wonder? 
 From courtiers tricks, and lawyers arts 
 The fox might well improve his parts. 
 The lion, wolf, and tiger’s brood 
 He curfes, for their thirft of blood ; 
 
 But 
 
F A B L E A. 
 
 Bat is not man to man a prey ! 
 
 Beads kill for hunger, men for pay ? 
 
 The bookfcller, who heard him i'peak, 
 And faw him turn a page o{ Greek, 
 Thought, what a genius have I found! 
 
 Then thus addreft with bow profound. 
 
 Learn’d Sir, if you’d employ your pen 
 Againft the fenfelefs fons of men. 
 
 Or write thehiftory of Siam, 
 
 No man is better pay than I am ; 
 
 Or, iince you’re learn’d in Greek let’s lee 
 Something againft the Trinity. 
 
 When wrinkling with a fneer his trunk, 
 Friend, quoth the Elephant, you’re drunk ; 
 E’en keep your money, and be wife ; 
 
 Leave man on man to criticife. 
 
 For that you ne’er can want a pen 
 Among the fenfelefs fons of men : 
 
 They unprovok’d wall court the fray. 
 Envy’s a (harper fpur than pay ; 
 
 No author ever fpar’d a brother. 
 
 Wits are game-cocks to one another. 
 
 F ABLE 
 
3 ° 
 
 FABLE XT. 
 
 The Peacock, the Turkey, and Goofc. 
 
 I 
 
 -E N beauty faults eonfpicuous grow. 
 
 The fnial left fpeck is fee n on fnow. 
 
 As near a barn, by hunger led, 
 
 A peacock with the poultry fed ; 
 
 All view’d him with an envious eye. 
 
 And mock’d his gaudy pageantry : 
 
 He 
 
 i' A B L £ Si 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 3 * 
 
 He coufcious of fuperior merit, 
 
 Contemns their bale reviling fpirit, 
 
 His (late and dignity afifumes. 
 
 And to the fun difplays his plumes. 
 
 Which, like the heav’n’s o’er-archtng Ikies, 
 Are fpangled with a thoufand eyes ; 
 
 The circling rays and varied light 
 At once confound their dazzled fight. 
 
 On ev’ry tongue detraction burns, 
 
 And malice promps their fpleen by turns. 
 
 Mark, with what infolence and pride 
 The creature takes his haughty ilride. 
 
 The turkey cries. Can fpleen contain ? 
 Sure never bird was half to vain ! 
 
 But were intrinfic merit Ceen, 
 
 We Turkies have the whither (kirn. 
 
 Fromtongueto tongue they caught abufe : 
 And next was heard the hilling Goofe. 
 What hideous legs ! what filthy claws ! 
 
 1 fcorn to cenlure little flaws. 
 
 Then, what a horrid {quailing throat ! 
 
 Evn owls are frighted at the note. 
 
 True, thefe are faults, the peacock cries, 
 My icream, my (hanks you may defpife : 
 Butfuch blind critics rail in vain. 
 
 What, overlook my radiant train ! 
 
 Know 
 
32 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Know, did my legs (your fcorn and fport) 
 The turkey or the goofe lupport, 
 
 .And did ye fcream with hardier found, 
 
 '[ hofe faults m you had ne’er been found: 
 To all apparent beauties blind, 
 
 Each blemifh firikes an envious mind. 
 
 Ihus in A Tern lilies have I feen 
 A nymph of brighteft charms and mien 
 Wake envy in each ugly face ; 
 
 And buzzing fcandal fills the place. 
 
 F ABLE 
 
FABLES. 33 
 
 FABLE XII. 
 
 Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus 
 
 S Cupid in Cytherea’s grove 
 Employ’d the lelTer powers 
 Some fhape the bow, or fi 
 Some gave the taper fhaft its 
 Or turn the polifh’d quiver’s mold. 
 Or head the daits with temper’d 
 Amidft iheir toil and various 
 Thus Hymen with affuming air. 
 
 (: 
 
34 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Addreft the God. Thou purblind chit. 
 Of aukward and ill judging wit. 
 
 If matches are no better made, 
 
 At once I mud forfwear my trade. 
 
 You lend me iuch ill-coupled folks, 
 That ’tis a fhame to fell them yokes : 
 They fquabble for a pin, a feather, 
 
 And wonder how they came together. 
 The hulband’s iullen, dogged, fhy. 
 
 The wife grows flippant in reply ; 
 
 He loves command and due reftri&ion, 
 And fhe as well likes contradiction ; 
 
 She never flavifhly fubmits. 
 
 She’ll have her will, or have her fits ; 
 He this w ; ay tugs, fhe t’other draws. 
 
 The man grows jealous, and with caufe, 
 Nothing can lave him but divorce, 
 
 And here the wife complies of courfe. 
 
 AV'hen fays tbe Boy, had I to do 
 With either your affairs or you ! 
 
 I never idly fpent my darts ; 
 
 You trade in mercenary hearts ; 
 
 For fettlements the lawyer’s feed ; 
 
 Is my hand witnefs to the Deed ? 
 
 If they like cat and dog agree, 
 
 Go rail at Plutus not at me. 
 
 Pint us 
 
FABLE S. 
 
 35 
 
 Vhitus appear’d, and faid, ’Tis true, 
 In marriage, gold is all their view ; 
 They feeic not beauty, wit or fenfe. 
 And love is.feldom the pretence. 
 
 All offer incenfe at my fhrine, 
 
 And I alone the bargain lign. 
 
 How can Belinda blame her fate, 
 
 She only afk’d a great ellate. 
 
 Doris was rich enough, ’tis true, 
 
 Her lord mull give her title too ; 
 
 And ev’ry man, or rich or poor, 
 
 A fortune alks, and afks no more. 
 
 Av’rice, whatever fhape it bears, 
 Muft ilill be coupled with its cares. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 FABLE 
 
3 ^ 
 
 FABLE $, 
 
 FABLE XIII 
 
 The tame Srag» 
 
 K 
 
 .i^Ls a young Stag the thicket paft, 
 The branches held his antlers faft, 
 
 A clown, who law the captive hung, 
 Aero Is the horns his halter fiung. 
 
 Now, fafely hamper’d in the cord. 
 He lore the prefem i O' bis lord ; 
 
 His lord was pleas’d as was the clown. 
 When he was tipt with half a crown. 
 
 The 
 
FABLES. 
 
 37 
 
 The flag was brought before the wife. 
 
 The tender lady begg’d his life. 
 
 How fleek’s the fk.tn ! how fpeck’d like er- 
 Sure never creature was fo charming, [mine! 
 
 At firlt within the yard confin’d. 
 
 He flies and hides from all mankind ; 
 
 Now bolder grown, with flxt amaze 
 And diftant awe prefumes to gaze. 
 
 Munches the linen on the lines. 
 
 And on a hood or apron dines ; 
 
 He -Heals my little mailer’s bread. 
 
 Follows the fervants to be fed ; 
 
 Nearer and nearer now he Hands, 
 
 * 
 
 To feel the praifc* of patting hands, 
 Examine’s ev’ry fill for meat. 
 
 And though repuls’d, dildains retreat. 
 Attacks a*ain with levell’d horns. 
 
 And mCn, that was his terror, fcorns. 
 
 Such is the country maiden’s fright, 
 When firll a red-coat is in light. 
 
 Behind the doorfhe hides her face. 
 
 Next time at diHant eyes the lace; 
 
 She now' can all his terrors Hand, 
 
 Nor from his fqueeze withdraws her hand 
 She plays familiar iahis-arms, 
 
 And ev’ry foldier hath his charms ; 
 
 C 2 Front 
 
38 F A B L E S. 
 
 From tent to tent fhe fpreads her flame : 
 For cuftom conquers fear aud fhame. 
 
 - 4 ' 
 
 % 
 
 fable XIV. 
 
 Ike Monkey who had feen the World. 
 
 Monkey, to reform the times, 
 Relolv’d to vifit foreign climes ; 
 
 For men in diftant regions roam 
 To bring politer manners home. 
 
 So forth he fares, all toil defies: 
 Misfortune ferves to make us wife. 
 
 At 
 
f A B L E S. 
 
 39 
 
 At length the treacherous fnare was laid, 
 
 Poor Fug was caught, to town convey’d. 
 There fold ; (How euvy’d was his doom, 
 Made captive in a lady’s room ! 
 
 Proud as a lover of his chains, TU- 
 
 He day by day her favour gains.-, 
 
 W hene’er the duty . 
 
 The toilette calls ; wiu, ,mnhi: pfcty 
 He twirls- her knots', he crack* her fan, 
 iukh any other gentleman, 
 la visits too his parts and wit, 
 
 When jefts grew dull, were fure to hit. 
 
 Proud with •pplaufe, he thought his ramd 
 In ev'ry courtly art refin’d, 
 
 Like Orpheus burnt with public zeal, 
 
 To civilize the monkey weal ; 
 
 So„wateh*d occafion, broke his chain, 
 And fought his native woods' again. 
 
 The hairy fylvans round him prefs, 
 Aitonifh’d at his ftrut and drefs, 
 
 Some praife his fleeve, and others glote 
 Upon his rich embroider’d coat, 
 
 His dapper perriwig. commending, 
 
 Vv : i th the bl ack tali behind dependi n g. 
 
 His powder’d back, above, below, 
 
 Like hoary froft, or fleecy fnow ; 
 
 G 3 
 
 But, 
 
40 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 But all with envy and defire, 
 
 His flult’ring fhoulder-knot admire. 
 
 Hear and improve, he pertly cries, 
 
 I come to make a nation wife ; 
 
 Weigh your own worth ; fupport your place* 
 The next in rank to human race. 
 
 In cities long I pafs’dmy days, 
 
 Convers'd with m en and learnt their ways 
 Their drefs, their courtly manners fee ; 
 Reform your Rate, and copy me. 
 
 Seek ye to thrive ? In flatt’ry deal. 
 
 Your fcorn, your hate, with that conceal ; 
 Seem only to regard your friends, 
 
 But ufe them for your private ends ; 
 
 Stint not to truth the flow of wit. 
 
 Be prompt to lie, whene’er ’tis fit; 
 
 Bend all your force to fpatter merit ; 
 Scandal is converfation’s fpirit ; 
 
 Boldly to ev’ry thing pretend. 
 
 And men your talents fhall commend ; 
 
 I knew the great. Obferve me right. 
 
 So fhall you grow like man polite. 
 
 He fpoke and bow’d. With mutt’ring 
 Thewond’ring circle grinn’d’applaufe. [jaws 
 Now warm with malice, envy, Ipite, 
 Their moft obliging friends they bite, 
 
 And 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 41 
 
 And fond to copy human ways, 
 
 Pra&ife new mil chiefs all their days. 
 
 Thus the dull lad; too tall for fchooh, 
 With travel finilhes the fool j 
 Studious of ev'ry coxcomb’s airs, 
 
 He drinks, games, d relics, whores and fwears* 
 O’erlooks with fcorn all virtuous arts,. 
 
 For vice is fitted to his parts' 
 
 'v 
 
 Jfi 
 
 c 
 
 FAB LB 
 
42 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 The Philofopher and the Pheafants. 
 
 ^ II E Sage, awak’d at early day. 
 
 Through the deep .foreft took his way ; 
 Drawn by the mufic of the groves, 
 
 Along the winding gloom he roves ; 
 
 From tree to tree the warbling throats 
 Prolong the fweet alternate notes. 
 
 But where he pall he terror threw. 
 
 The fong broke ibort, thew'arblers flew, 
 
 The 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 43 
 
 The thru fries chatter’d with affright, 
 
 And nightingales abhorr’d his- light ; 
 
 All animals before him ran 
 To Ihun the hateful light of n,ian. 
 
 Whence is this dread of ev’ry creature r 
 Fly they our figure or our nature ? 
 
 As thus he walk’d in mufmg thought, 
 His ear imperfect accents caught ; 
 
 With cautious ftep he nearer drew, 
 
 By the thick lhade conceal’d from view: 
 High on the branch a pheafant flood, 
 Around her all the lift’ning brood, 
 
 Proud of the blefiings of her nelt, 
 
 She thus a mother’s care exprell ~ 
 
 No dangers herelhall circumvent, 
 W r ithin the woods enjoy content. 
 
 Sooner the hawk or vulture trull 
 Than man ; of animals the worll ; 
 
 In him ingratitude you find, 
 
 A vice peculiar to the kind. 
 
 The Iheep, whole annual fleece is dy'd, 
 
 To guard his health, and ierve his pride ; 
 Forc’d from his fold and native plain. 
 
 Is in the cruel lhambles flain. 
 
 The fwarms, who with indulh'ious Ikill, 
 Their hives with wax and honey fill, 
 
 C 5 la 
 
44 
 
 F A B L E S. 
 
 In vain whole fummer days employ’d. 
 Their {lores are fold, their race deflroy’d. 
 What tribute from the goofe is paid ! 
 
 Does not her wing all fcience aid ? 
 
 Does it not lovers hearts explain. 
 
 And drudge to raife the merchant’s gain ? 
 What now regards this gen’ral ufe ? 
 
 He takes the quills and eats the goofe. 
 Man then avoid, deteft his ways. 
 
 So fafety (hall prolong your days. 
 
 When fervices are thus acquitted, 
 
 Be fure we pheafants mull be {pitted. 
 
 \ 
 
 \ 
 
 fable 
 
fables. 
 
 FABLE XVI. 
 The Pin and the Needle. 
 
 A p; n w ho long had ferv’d a Beauty, 
 Proficient in the toilette’s duty, 
 
 Had form’d her fleeve, confin’d her hair. 
 Or giv’n her knot a fmawer air. 
 
 Now neared to her heart was plac’d. 
 Now in her ntanteau’s tail difgrac’d ; 
 
 But could the partial fortune blame, 
 Who faw her lovers ferv’d the fame ? 
 
 At 
 
+6 
 
 CABLES. 
 
 At length from all her honours call. 
 Through various turns of life fhe paft i 
 Now glitter’d on a taylor’s arm. 
 
 Now kept a beggar’s infant warm. 
 
 Now, rang’d within a mifer’s coat, 
 Contributes to his yearly groat, 
 
 Now, rais’d again from low approach, 
 
 She vifits in the doctor’s coach ; 
 
 Here, there, by various fortune toft, 
 
 At laft in Grefham hall was loft. 
 
 Charm’d with the wonders of the fhow, 
 Onev’ry fide, above, below. 
 
 She now of this or that enquires. 
 
 What lead was underftood admires ; 
 
 ’Tis plain, each thing fo ftruck her mind. 
 Her head’s of virtuofo kind. 
 
 And pray what’s this and this, dear fir ? 
 
 A needle fays th’ interpreter. 
 
 She knew the name. And thus the fool 
 Addreft her as a taylor’s tool. 
 
 A needle with that filthy ftone. 
 
 Quite idle, all with ruft o’ergrown ! 
 
 You better might employ your parts. 
 
 And aid the fempftrefs in her arts. 
 
 But tell me how the friendfhip grew 
 Between that paltry flint and you ? 
 
 Friend, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 47 
 
 Friend, fays the needle, ceafe to blame ; 
 I follow real worth and fame. 
 
 Know’fl thou the loadftone’s pow’r and art> 
 That virtue virtues can impart ? 
 
 Of all hi<s talents I partake. 
 
 Who then can fuch a friend forfake ? 
 
 ’Tis I dire£t the pilot’s hand 
 
 To Ihun the rocks and treach’rous fand j 
 
 By me the diftant world is known. 
 
 And either India is our own. 
 
 Had I with milliners been bred. 
 
 What had I been ? the guide of thread, 
 And drudg’d as vulgar needles do. 
 
 Of no more confequence than you. 
 
 
 FABLE 
 
fable $ 
 
 F A B L'E XVII. 
 
 The Shepherd’s Dog and the Wolf. 
 
 A 
 
 Wolf, with hunger fierce and bold. 
 Ravag’d the plains and thinn’d the fold : 
 Deep in the wood fecure he lay, 
 
 The thefts of night regal’d the day • 
 
 In vain the fhepherd’s wakeful care 
 Had ipread the toils and watch’d the fnare. 
 In vain the dog purfu’d his pace, 
 
 The fleeter robber mock’d the chace. 
 
 As 
 
FABLES. 49 
 
 As Lightfooi rang’d theforeft round. 
 
 By chance his foe’s retreat he found. 
 
 Let us a while the war ful'pend, 
 
 And reafon as from friend to friend. 
 
 A truce, replies the Wolf? ’Tis done. 
 The dog the parley thus begun. 
 
 How can that ftrong intrepid mind 
 Attack a weak defencelels kind ? 
 
 Thofe jaws flhould prey on nobler food. 
 And drink the boar’s and lion’s blood ; 
 Great fouls with gen’rous pity melt, 
 
 Which coward tyrants never felt : 
 
 How harmlefs is our fleecy care ! 
 
 Be brave, and let thy mercy fpare. 
 
 Friend, fays the Wolf, the matter weigh 
 Nature defign’d us beafls of prey, 
 
 As fuch, when hunger finds a treat, 
 
 ’Tis neceflary wolves fhould eat. 
 
 If mindful of the bleating weal. 
 
 Thy bofom burn with real zeal, 
 
 Hence, and thy tyrant lord befeech. 
 
 To him repeat the moving fpeech ; 
 
 A wolf eats fheep but now and then, 
 
 Ten thoufands are devour’d by men. 
 
 An open foe may prove a curfe. 
 
 But a pretended friend is worfe. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 The Painter who pleafes Nobody and Every 
 
 body. 
 
 men fufpe your tale untrue. 
 Keep probability in view. 
 
 The trav’ller, leaping o’er thofe bounds. 
 The credit of his book confound? ; 
 
 Who with his tongue hath armies routed 
 M- js ev’u his real courage doubted. 
 
 But datt’ry never feems abfurd. 
 
 The natter’d always take your word, 
 
 Jmpoffibilities 
 
FABLES . 
 
 5i 
 
 Impoffibilities feeru juft, 
 
 They take the itrongeft praife on trull ; 
 Hyperboles, though ne’er lb great. 
 
 Will Hill come fhort of felf-conceil. 
 
 So very like a Painter drew. 
 
 That ev’ry eye the pidlure knew ; 
 
 He hit complexion, feature, air, 
 
 So jufl, the life itfeif was there, 
 
 Ho flatt’ry, with his colours laid, 
 
 To bloom reftor’d the faded maid, 
 
 He gave each roufcle all its ftrength, 
 
 The mouth, the chin, the nofe’s length 
 His honeft pencil touch’d with truth. 
 
 And mark’d the date of age and youth. 
 
 He loft his friends, his pradlice fail’d, 
 Truth Ihould not always be reveal’d ; 
 
 In dully piles his pidlure lay, 
 
 For no one fent the fecond pay. 
 
 Two bullos, fraught with ev’ry grace, 
 
 As Venus’ and Apollo's face, 
 
 He plac’d in view ; refolv’d to pleafe, 
 Whoever late, he drew from thefe, 
 Fromthefe corredted ev’ry feature, 
 
 And Ipirited each aukwa.rd creature. 
 
 All things were fet ; the hour was come, 
 His pallet ready o’er his thumb, 
 
 My 
 
5 * 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 My lord appear’d, and feated right 
 Iii proper attitude and light. 
 
 The Painter look'd, he iketch’d the piece, 
 Tien dipt his pencil, talk’d of Greece , 
 
 Of Titian’s tints, of Guido’s air ; 
 
 Thofe eyes, my lord, the fpirit there 
 Might well a Raphael's hand require, 
 
 To give them all the native fire ; 
 
 The features fraught with fenfe and wit 
 you’ll grant are very hard to hit. 
 
 Bur yet with patience you fhall view 
 As much as paint and art can do. 
 
 Obferve the work. My lord reply’d. 
 Till now I thought my mouth was wide, 
 Befides, my nofe is fomewhat long. 
 
 Dear fir, for me, ’tisfar too young. 
 
 Oh, pardon me, the artift cry’d. 
 
 In this we painters muft decide. 
 
 The piece ev’n common eyes muft ftrike^ 
 I warrant it extremely like. 
 
 My lord examin’d it anew ; 
 
 No looking glafs feem’d half fo true. 
 
 A lady came, with borrow’d grace 
 He from his Venus form’d her face. 
 
 Her lovei* prais’d the painter’s art;. 
 
 So like the-pi&ure in his heart !' 
 
FABLES. 
 
 4 
 
 53 
 
 To ev’ry age fome charm he lent 
 Ev’n Beauties were almoft content. 
 
 Through all the town his art they prais’d* 
 His cuftom grew, his price was rais’d. 
 
 Had he the real likenefs fhown, 
 
 Would any man the pidlure own ? 
 
 But when thus happily he wrought, 
 
 Each found the likenefs in his thought. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES: 
 
 FABLE XIX. 
 
 The Lion and the Cub. 
 
 JI O W fond are men of rule and place. 
 Who court it from the mean and bale ! 
 Thefe cannot bear an equal nigh. 
 
 But from fuperior merit fly ; 
 
 They love the cellar’s vulgar joke, 
 
 And lofe their hours in ale and fmoke; 
 There o’er 1’ome petty club preftdc, 
 
 So poor, lo paltry is their pride ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 55 
 
 "Nay, ev’n with fools whole nights will fit. 
 In hopes to befupreme in wit. 
 
 II thefe can read, to thefe I write. 
 
 To let their worth in trueft light. 
 
 A Lion-cub, of fordid mind, 
 
 Avoided all the Hon kind ; 
 
 Fond of applaufe, he fought the feafts 
 Of vulgar and ignoble beafts, 
 
 With affes all his time he fpent. 
 
 Their club’s perpetual prefident 
 He caught their manners, looks, and airs : 
 An afs in ev’ry thing, but ears! 
 
 If-e’er his highnefs meant a joke, 
 
 They grinn’d applaufe before he fpoke : 
 But at each word what fhouts of praife! 
 Good gods ! how natural he brays ! 
 
 Elate with flatt’ry and conceit, 
 
 He feeks his royal fire’s retreat ; 
 
 Forward, and fond to fhew his parts - 
 His highnefs brays, the Lion Harts. 
 
 Puppy, that curft vociferation 
 Betrays thy life and converfation ; 
 Coxcombs, an ever-noify race, 
 
 Are trumpets of their own difgrace. 
 
 Why fo fevere, the Cub replies ? 
 
 Our fenate always held me wife. 
 
 How 
 
56 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 How weak is pride, returns the Sire, 
 All fools are vain, when fools admire ! 
 But know, what flupid aflTes prize. 
 Lions and noble beafts defpife. 
 
 F A B L E XX. 
 
 The old Hen and the Cock. 
 
 J^k-Eflrain your child ; you’ll foon believe 
 The text, which fays, we fprung from Eve. 
 
 As an old Hen led forth her Train, 
 
 And feem’d to peck to fhew the grain ; 
 
 She 
 
FAB LEA. 
 
 57 
 
 She rak’d the chaff, fhe fcratch’d the ground. 
 And glean’d the fpacious yard around. 
 
 A giddy chick, to try her wings. 
 
 On the welPs narrow margin fprings 
 And prone fhe drops. The mother’s breaft 
 All day with forrow was poffeft. 
 
 A Cock fhe met ; her fon fhe knew*. 
 
 And in her heart afteftion grew. 
 
 My fon, fays fhe, I grant your years 
 Have reach’d beyond a mother’s cares ; 
 
 I fee you vig’rous, ftrong and bold, 
 
 I hear with joy your triumphs told ; 
 
 ’Ids not from cocks thy fate I dread: 
 
 But let thy ever-wary tread 
 Avoid yon well ; that fatal place 
 Is lure perdition to our race. 
 
 Print this my counfel on thy breaft ; 
 
 To the juft Gods I leave the reft. 
 
 He thank’d her care ; yet day by day 
 Hisboiom burn’d to difobey. 
 
 And every time the well he law, 
 
 Scorn’d in his heart the fooiifh law', 
 
 JMear and more near each day he drew. 
 
 And long’d to try the dang’rous view/. 
 
 Why was this idle. charge? he cries : 
 
 Let courage female fears defpile. 
 
 Or 
 
FABLES 
 
 58 
 
 Or did fhe doubt my heart was brave. 
 
 And therefore this injunction gave ? 
 
 Or does her harveft ftore the place, 
 ATreafure for her younger race ? 
 
 And .would Ihe thus my learch prevent? 
 
 1 Hand refolv’d, and dare th’ event. 
 
 Thusfaid. He mounts the margin’s round. 
 And pries into the depth profound. 
 
 He ftretch’d his neck, and from below 
 With ftretching neck advanc’d a foe ; 
 
 With wrath his ruffled plumes he rears. 
 The foe w r ith ruffled plumes appears. 
 
 Threat anfwer’d threat, his fury grew. 
 Headlong to meet the war he flew ; 
 
 But when the wat’ry death he found, 
 
 He thus lamented as he drown’d. 
 
 I ne’er had been in this condition 
 But for my mother’s prohibition. 
 
 FABLE 
 
F A B L E 5. 59 
 
 ieF did,] 
 
 The Rat-catcher and Cat 
 
 T H ii rats bv nigrht fuch mif< 
 
 J o 
 
 Betty was ev’ry morning chfd : 
 
 They undermin’d whole fides or bacon, 
 Hercheeie was Capp’d, her rarts w£re taken, 
 Her parties, fenc’d with ihickeft parte. 
 
 Were all demolish’d and i id wafte. 
 
 She curs’d the cat for want 
 Who left her foes a conftaat i 
 VOL, I. I) 
 
6e FABLES. 
 
 An Engineer of noted /kill, 
 
 Engag’d to flop the growing iil. 
 
 From room to room he now iurveys 
 Their haunts,. ihc-ir works, then fee ret waj's, 
 Finds v here they Tcape an' ambufeade, 
 And whence jhe nightly .tally’s made. 
 
 An envious Cat, fro in 'place to place, 
 Uafeen, attends his filent pace, 
 
 She faw that, if his trade went on, 
 
 The purring race muff be undone. 
 
 So, fecretly removes his baits, 
 
 And ev’ry llratagem defeats, 
 
 Again he lets the poilbn’d toils. 
 
 And pul’s again the labour foils. 
 
 What foe (to fruftrate my defigns) 
 
 My fchetnes thus nightly con nt ermines? 
 Incens’d, he cries: this very hour 
 The wretch /hall bleed beneath my pow’r. 
 
 So laid. ,A poad’rotLS trap he brought, 
 And in the fact poor puls war. caught. 
 
 Smuggler, fays he, then 1 halt be made, 
 
 A vidim to our to l’s of trade. 
 
 1 he, captive cat with piteous mews 
 For pardon, life, and freedom lues. 
 
 A fitter of the icieuce fpare. 
 
 One inf. reft is our common care. 
 
 What 
 
F A B L E S. 61 
 
 What iniblen.ce ! the man reply’d. 
 
 Shall cats with us the game divide ? 
 
 Were all your interloping band 
 Extinguifh’d, or expell’d the land, 
 
 We rat-catchers might raife out tees, 
 
 Sole guardians of a nation’s c'neeie 1 
 A Cat who faw the lifted knife. 
 
 Thus fpoke, and fav’d her fifter’s liie. 
 
 In ev’ry age and clime we fee, 
 
 Two of a trade can ne’er agree, 
 
 Eac h hates his neighbour for encroaching 
 Squire ftigmatizes fquire for poaching ; 
 Beauties with beauties are in arms, 
 
 And fcandal pelts each other’s charms ; 
 Kings too their neighbour kings dethrone. 
 
 In hopes to make the world their own. 
 
 But let us limit our defires, 
 
 Nor war like beauties, kings and fquires, 
 For though we both one prey purfue. 
 There’s game enough for us and you. 
 
 D2 
 
 fable 
 
62 
 
 F A B L E 6. 
 
 FA BI,E XXII. 
 
 The Goat without a 3 ard. 
 
 ’T 
 
 _L IS certain, that the modifli pafftons 
 Defecnd among the croud, like fafhions. 
 Excufe me then ; if pride, conceit, 
 
 (The manners of the fair and great) 
 
 I give to monkeys, a/Tes, dogs. 
 
 Fleas, owls, goats, butterflies and hogs, 
 
 1 fay, that thefe are proud. What then ? 
 
 I never faicl. they equal men. 
 
 A goat 
 
F A B L E 
 
 63 
 
 A goat (as vain as goat could be) 
 
 Aflfe&ed Angularity : 
 
 Whene’er a thymy bank he found, 
 
 He roll’d upon the fragrant ground, 
 
 An; then with fond attention flood. 
 
 Fix’d, o’er his image in -the flood. 
 
 i hate my frowzy beard, he cries ; 
 
 My youth is loft in this difguife, 
 
 Did not thefe males know my vigour, 
 
 Well might they loath this rev’i end figure. 
 
 Refolv’d to fmooth his fhaggy face, 
 
 He fought the barber of the place. 
 
 A flippant monkey, fpruceand fmart, 
 Hard^by, profeft the dapper art ; 
 
 His pole with pewter bafons hung, 
 
 Black rotten teeth in order ftrung, 
 
 Bang’d cups, that in the window flood, 
 Lin’d with red rags, to io : k like blood. 
 
 Did well his threefold art explain, 
 
 Who fhav’d, drew teeth, and breath’d a 
 The goat he v : loonies with an air, (vein. 
 Aud feats him. in. his wooden chair; 
 
 Mouth note and cheek the lather hides. 
 Light, fra noth and fwifr the razor glides. 
 
 I hope your euttoai, Sir, fays pug, 
 dure never face was half fo filing ! 
 
 Da. ' The 
 
64 
 
 FABLE S. 
 
 The Goat, impatient for applaufe. 
 
 Swift to the neighbouring hill withdraws p 
 The fhaggy poople grinn’d and Har’d. 
 
 Heighday ! what’s here? without a beard! 
 Say, brother, whence the dire d’rfgrace ? 
 What envious hand hath robb’d your face ? 
 
 When thus the fop, with fmiiesof fcorn r 
 Are beards by civil nations worn ? 
 
 Ev’n Mufcovites hath mow’d their chins. 
 Shall we, like formal Capuchins , 
 
 Stubborn in pride, retain the mode, 
 
 And bear about the hairy load ? 
 
 Whene’er we through the village ft ray. 
 
 Are we not mock’d along the w r ay, 
 Infulted with loud fhouts of fcorn, 
 
 By boys our beards difgrac’d and torn ! 
 
 Were you no more with goats to dwell, 
 Brother, I ^rant you reafon well. 
 
 Replies a bearded chief. Belide; 
 
 If Boys can mortify thy pride, 
 
 How wilt thou Hand the ridicule 
 Of our whole flock ? affc&ed fool ! 
 Coxcombs, diftinguifti’d from the reft. 
 
 To ail but coxcombs are a jcfl.. 
 
 FABLE 
 
F A B L £• XXIlt 
 The o 'd Woman and her Cats. 
 
 H O friendfliip with a knave hath made 
 Is judg’d a partner in the trade. 
 
 The matron, who conducts abroad 
 A willing nymph, is thought a bawd ; 
 
 And if a model! girl is feen 
 Witn one tnat cures a lover’s fpleen, 
 
 We gueis her, not extremely nice, 
 
 And only wifh to know her price, 
 
 D 4 ’Tis 
 
 \ 
 
F ABLE S: 
 
 rfi 
 
 v i is thus, that on the choice t)f friends- 
 Our good or evil name depends. 
 
 A wrinkled hag, of wicked name. 
 
 Be fide a little fmoky flame, 
 
 Sate kov’ring, pinch’d with age and frofl 
 Her fhri veil’d hands, with veins emboft, 
 Upon her knees her weight fuflains 
 While pally fhook her crazy brains ; 
 
 She mumbles- forth her backward prayers, 
 An untam’d fcold of forefcore years. 
 
 About her f warm’d a mwn’rous brood 
 Of cats, who lank w ith hunger mew’d. 
 
 Teaz’d with their cries, her choler grew. 
 And thus fhe fputter’d. Hence, ye crew,'. 
 Fool that I was, to entertain 
 Such imps, fuch fiends, a hellilh train ! 
 
 Had ye been never hous’d and nurft 
 I, fora witch, had ne’er been curs’d. 
 
 To you 1 owe, that crouds of boys 
 Worry me with eternal noife; 
 
 Straws laid acrols my pace retard, (guard)* 
 The horfe fhoe’s nail’d (each threfhold’s 
 The ffunted broom the wenches hide. 
 
 For fear that 1 fhould up and ride ; 
 
 They 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 67 
 
 They flick with pirns my bleeding- fear, 
 And bid me fhow my fecret teat. 
 
 To hear von prate would vex a faint, 
 Who hath mofr reafon of complaint ? ♦ 
 
 Re, lies a cat. Let's come to proof. 
 
 Had we ne’er ftarv’d beneath your, roof. 
 We had, like others of our race. 
 
 In credit liv’d, as hearts of chace. 
 
 ’Tis infamy to lerve a hag ; 
 
 Cats are thought imps, her broom a nag, 
 And boysagai art our lives combine, 
 Beeaufe, ’tis laid, your cats have nine. 
 
 0:, ABLE 
 
68 
 
 F A B L E S 
 
 The Butterfly and the Snail, 
 
 Al L tipftarts infolent in place. 
 Remind us of their vulgar race. 
 
 As in the fun-fhineof the morn, 
 A Butterfly (but newly born) 
 
 Sate proudly perking on a role ; 
 With pert conceit his bofom glow's, 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 Oq 
 
 His wings (all glorious to behold) 
 
 Bedropt with azure, jet and gold, 
 
 Wide he difplays ; the fpangled dew 
 Reflects his eyes and various hue. 
 
 His now forgotten friend a Snail, 
 Beneath his houfe, a flimy trail 
 Crawls o'er the grafs; whom when lie fpies, 
 In wrath he to the gard’ner cries : 
 
 What means yon peafant’s daily toil, 
 From choaking weeds to rid the foil ? 
 Why wake you to the morning’s care ? 
 Why with new arts correH the year ? 
 
 Why glows the peaeb with crimfon hue ? 
 And why the plum’s inviting blue ? 
 
 Were they to feaft histafte defign’d. 
 
 That vermin of voracious ki nd ? 
 
 Grufh then the flow, the pilf’ring race, 
 
 So purge thy garden from difgrace. 
 
 What arrogance the fnail reply’d ; 
 
 How in Cedent is upilart pride! 
 
 Hadft thou not thus, with inlult vain, 
 Provok’d my patience to complain ; 
 
 I had eanccal’d thy meaner birth. 
 
 Nor trac’d thee to the fcum of earth. 
 Forfcarce nine funs have wak’d the hours, 
 To fwell the fruit and paint the flowers. 
 
 Since 
 
70 FABLE S. 
 
 Since I thy humbler life furvey’d. 
 
 In bale, in fordid guife array’d : 
 
 A hideous inleet, vile, unclean, 
 
 You dragg’da flow and noifome train, 
 And from your fpider bowels drew 
 Foul film, and fpun the dirty clue. 
 
 I own my humble life good friend ; 
 Snail was I born, and fnail fhall end. 
 And what’s a butterfly r at beft. 
 
 He’s bnt a caterpillar drefi: : 
 
 And all thy race (a num’rous feed) 
 Shall prove of caterpillar breed. 
 
 FABLE 
 
fables \ 
 
 *71 
 
 FABLE XXV. 
 The Scold and the Parrot. 
 
 JL HI. hulband thus reprov’d his wife, 
 Who deals m hander, lives in ftrife. 
 
 Art thou the herald of difgrace, 
 Denouncing war to all thy race ? 
 
 Can nothing quell thy thunder’s rage. 
 Which i'pares not friend, nor lex, norage ? 
 That vixen tongue of yours, my dear. 
 Alarms our neighbours far and near ; 
 
 Good 
 
 \ n: " 
 
fables. 
 
 72 
 
 Good Gods ! ’lis like a rolling river, 
 
 That murm’ring flows, and flows for ever . 
 Ne’er tir’d, perpetual difcord lowing! 
 
 Like fame, it gathers ftrength by, going. 
 
 Iieighday ! the flippant tongue replies. 
 How iolenni is the fool ! how wife ! 
 
 Is nature’s choicefc gift debarr’d ? 
 
 Nay, frown not ; for 1 will be heard. 
 Women of late are finely ridden, 
 
 A parrot's privilege forbidden ! 
 
 Yotrprade his talk, his fquallmg fong ; 
 
 Bui. ivesave always in the wrong. 
 
 Now re; u .itions flew in pieces- 
 Of mothers, daughters, aunts and nieces. 
 She ran the parrot’s language o’er. 
 
 Bawd, huily, drunkard, flattern, whore. 
 
 On all the fex lhe vents her fury. 
 
 Tries and condemns without a jury. 
 
 At once the torrent of her words 
 Alarm’d -a ! . monkey, dogs, and birds; 
 Alijoia their forces to confound her, 
 
 Pufs fpus, the monkey chatters round her ; 
 The yelping cur her heels affaults, 
 
 The magpye Gabs cut all her faults. 
 
 Pol/, in the uproar, from his cage, 
 
 W ith this rebuke out-feream’d her rage, 
 
 A parrot- 
 
F A B L E A. 
 
 A parrot is for talking pris’d. 
 
 But pratling women, are deip 's’d; 
 
 She who attacks another’s honour, 
 
 Draws ev’ry living thing upon her. 
 
 Think, madam, when you ft retch vour luirgs. 
 That ail your neighbours too have tongues ? 
 One flander muft ten thoufand get, 
 
 The world with intereft pays the debt. 
 
 FABLE 
 
74 
 
 FABLES 
 
 FABLE XXVI. 
 The Cur and the Mail iff. 
 
 / 
 
 Sneaking Cur, the mailer’s fpy, 
 RpuMwUt-fm-l'ic illiillir V?]" ' 
 ^-‘WhFV'fccref jealouiles ’ and fears 
 Set altogether by the ears. 
 
 Poor puls >to day was in difgrace, 
 Another cat lupply’d her place ; 
 
 1 he hound was beat the mafliff chid. 
 The monkey was the room forbid, 
 
 Each. 
 
Each to liis deareft friend grew fhy. 
 And none coul-d tell the reafoa why. 
 
 A plan to rob the houfe was laid ; 
 The thief with love feduc’d the maid, 
 Cajol’d the Cur, and ftrok’d his head, 
 And bought his fecrecy with bread. 
 
 He next the maftifPs honour try’d. 
 Whole ho.nelt jaws the bribe dery’d ; 
 He ftreteh’d his hand to proffer more ; 
 The furly dog his fingers tore. 
 
 Swift ran the cur; with indignation 
 The mafter took his information. 
 Hang him, the villain’s curft, he cries, 
 Around his neck the halter ties. 
 
 The dog his humble l'uit preferr’d, 
 And begg’d in juftice to be heard. 
 
 The mafter fat. On either hand 
 The cited dogs confronting Hand ; 
 
 The Cur the bloody tale relates, 
 
 And, like a lawyer, aggravates. 
 
 , Judgenot unheard, the ■ M aft iff cry’d, 
 But w r eigh the cauie of eithef lido. 
 Think not that treach’ry can be juft, 
 Take not informers words on truft ; 
 They ope their hand to ev’ry pay ; 
 
 And you and me by turns betray. 
 
7 6- F ABLE S. 
 
 H: fpoke. A id all the truth appear’d. 
 The cur was hang’d, the Malt id' clear’d. 
 
 The Sick Man and the Angel. 
 
 Is there no hope tire fick Man faid. 
 
 The filent doctor flhook his head. 
 
 And took his leave, with llgns of forrow, 
 Defpairing of his fee to-morrow. 
 
 When thus the Man, with gafping breath, 
 I. feel the. chilling wound of death. 
 
 Since 
 
FABLE S: 
 
 v i 
 
 1 1 
 
 Since I mull bid the world adieu ; 
 
 Let me, my former life review. 
 
 I grant my bargains well -were made. 
 
 But all men over-reach in trade ; 
 
 "1 is lelf defence in full pofFefiion, 
 
 Sure felf defence is no tranfgreliion, 
 
 The little portion in my hands. 
 
 By good fecurity on lands,; 
 
 Is well increas’d If unawares, 
 
 My jullice to myfelf and heirs. 
 
 Hath let my debtor rot in jail, 
 
 Lor want of good fufficient bail ; 
 
 If I by writ, or bond, or deed 
 Reduc’d a family to need. 
 
 My will hath made the world amends ; 
 
 My hope on char. ty. depends. 
 
 When 1 am number’d with the dead, 
 
 And all my pious gifts are read,. 
 
 By hcav’n and earth ’twill then be known 
 My charities were amply mown. 
 
 An angel came. Ah, friend, he cry hi, 
 
 Ho more in flatt’ring hope confide. 
 
 Gan thy good deeds in former times 
 Outweigh the balance of thy crimes ? 
 
 What widow or what orphan prays 
 Xo crown thy life with length of days ? 
 
 A pious 
 
73 
 
 FAB L E S. 
 
 A pions action’s in thy power, 
 
 Embrace with joy the happy hoar ; 
 
 Now, while you draw the vital air. 
 
 Prove your intention isfiuoere : 
 
 This irritant give a hundred pound : 
 
 Your neighbours want, and you abound, 
 But why i'uch liafte, the Tick man whines, - 
 Who knows asyetwhat Heav’n defigas ? 
 Perhaps I may recover Hill. 
 
 That fum and more are in my will. 
 
 Fool, lays the Vifion, now his plain, 
 Your life, your foul, your heav’n was gain ; 
 Erom ev’ry tide, with all your might, 
 
 You fcrap’d, and l’crap’d beyond your right. 
 And after death would fain atone, 
 
 By giving what is not your own. 
 
 While there is life, there’s hope, he cry’d ; 
 Then why fucb hade ? fo groan’d and dy’d.. 
 
 E A B JFE 
 
F ABLE XXVIII. 
 
 The Perfian, the Sun and the Cloud 
 
 f 
 
 5. S there a bard whom genius fires. 
 Whole ev ’ry thought the God infpires ? 
 When envy reads the nervous lines, 
 
 She frets, Ihe .rails, fhe raves, fhe pines. 
 Her hiding fnakes with venom fwell, 
 She calls her venal train from hell. 
 Thefervile fiends her nod obey. 
 
 And all Curl’s authors are in pay. 
 
 Fame 
 
£o 
 
 FABLE S. 
 
 Fame calls up calumny and fpite, 
 
 Thus fhadow owes its birth to light. 
 
 As proftrate to the God of day, 
 
 With heart devout a Perjian lay ; 
 
 His invocatiou thus hegun : 
 
 Parent of light, all feeing fun. 
 
 Prolific beam, whole rays difpenfe, 
 
 The various gifts of Providence, 
 
 Accept our praife, our daily prayer, 
 
 Smile on our fields, and blefs the year. 
 
 A cloud who mock’d his grateful tongue. 
 The day with fudden darknefs hung. 
 
 With pride and envy f well’d, aloud 
 A voice thus thunder’d from the cloud. 
 
 Weak is this gaudy God of thine, 
 
 Whom I at will forbid to fhine ; 
 
 Shall I nor vows, nor incenfe know ? 
 
 Where praife is due the praife bellow. 
 
 With fervent /.cal the Perfuin mov’d, 
 Thus the proud calumny reprov’d. 
 
 It was that God, who claims my prayer, 
 Who gave thee birth and rais’d thee trere. 
 When o’er his beams the veil is thrown. 
 Thy fubilance is but plainer Ihown. 
 
 A palling gale a puff of Wind 
 Difpels thy thickeft troops combin’d. 
 
 The 
 
FABLE XXIX. 
 
 The Fox at the point of death . 
 
 A Fox in life extreme decay. 
 
 Weak, lick and faint, expiring lay ; 
 All appetite had left his ma w, 
 
 And age difarm’d his mumbling jaw. 
 
 The gale arofe ; the vapour toft 
 (The (port oi winds) in air was loft ; 
 The g:orious orb the day refines, 
 Thi.Si.nvy break?, thus mer t linn s. 
 
■82 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 His num’rous race around him ft and 
 To learn their dying fire’s command , 
 
 He rais’d his head with whining moan ; 
 And thus was heard the feeble tone. 
 
 Ah, foils, from evil ways depart, 
 
 My crimes lie heavy on my heart. 
 
 See, fee, the murder’d geele appear ! 
 
 Why are thole bleeding turkies there ? 
 Why all around this cackling train ? 
 
 Who haunt my ears for chickens flaiiv? 
 
 The hungry foxes ronnd them flar’d. 
 And for the promis’d feafl prepar’d. 
 
 Where, Sir, is all this dainty cheer 
 Nor turkey, goofe, nor heu is here : 
 
 Thefe a e the phantoms of ''your brain, 
 And your fons lick their lips in vain. 
 
 O gluttons, fays the drooping fire, 
 Refirain inordinate defire-; 
 
 Your liqu’rifh tafle you fhall deplore. 
 When peace of confcience is no more. 
 Does not the hound betray our pace. 
 
 And gins and guns deflroy our race? 
 Thieves dread the fearching eye of povv’r. 
 And never feel the quiet hour. 
 
 Old-age, (which few of us (hall know) 
 Now puts a period to my woe. 
 
 Would 
 
S3 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 ! VouId r° u true happinefs attain. 
 
 Let honefty your paffions rein j 
 So live in credit and efteem. 
 
 And the good-name you loft, redeem. 
 
 The counfel’s good, a fox replies, 
 
 Could we perform what you advife. 
 Think, what youranceftors have done • 
 
 A line of thieves from fon tofon ; 
 
 Te us defcends the long difgrace, 
 
 And infamy hath mark’d our race. 
 
 Though we, likeharmlefs fheep, Ihould feed, 
 ■ tlonelt in thought, in word, and deed. 
 Whatever hen-rooft is decreas’d, 
 
 We ftiall be thought to ftiare the feaft. 
 
 The change ftiall never be believ’d, 
 
 A loft good name is ne’er retriev’d! 
 
 Nay then, replies the feeble Fox, 
 
 ( But, hark ! I hear a hen that clocks) 
 
 Co, but be moderate in your food ; 
 
 A chicken too might do me good. 
 
 if 
 
 E FABLE 
 
 
F A. D L E S. 
 
 The Setting- dog and the P? tridge. 
 
 r P 
 
 I H E ranging Dog the ftubble tries, 
 
 And fearehes ev’ry breeze that flies ; 
 
 The fcent grows warm ; with cautious fear 
 He creeps, and points the covey near. 
 
 The men in filence, far kehfnd, 
 
 Confcious of game, tfle net fl^lbind. 
 
 A Partridge, with experience wife, 
 
 The fraudful preparation i'pies, She 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 
 
 B5 
 
 She mocks her toils, alarms her brood. 
 
 The covey fprings, and feeks the wood. ; 
 
 But ere her certain wing fhe tries. 
 
 Thus to the creeping l’paniel cries. 
 
 1 hou fawning have to man’s deceit. 
 
 Thou pimp of luxury, fneaking cheat. 
 
 Of thy whole fpecies thou difgrace. 
 
 Dogs ihould difown thee of their race ! 
 
 For if I judge their native parts. 
 
 They’re born w th honeftopen hearts. 
 
 And, ere they lerv’d man’s wicked ends. 
 Were gen’rous foes or real friends. 
 
 When thus the Dog with fcornful finite. 
 Secure of wing', thou dar’fl revile. 
 
 Clowns are to be polifli’d manners blind ; 
 How ign’rant is the ruflic mind ! 
 
 My worth fagacioue courtiers fee, 
 
 And to preferment rife like me. 
 
 The thriving pimp, who beauty fets, 
 
 Hath oft enhanc’d a nation’s debts ; 
 
 Friend fets his friend, without regard ; 
 
 And miniftei his ikill reward. 
 
 Thus train’d by man, I learnt his ways, 
 And growing favour fcalls my days. 
 
 I might have guefs’d, the Partridge laid, 
 The place where you were train’d and feed ; 
 
 E 2 Servants 
 
86 
 
 F A B L E 6. 
 
 Servants are apt, and in a trice 
 Ape to a hair their m after’s vice. 
 
 You came from court, you (ay. Adieu : 
 She laid, and to the covey Hew. 
 
 A 
 
 With 
 
 The Unioerfal Apparition. 
 
 Rake, by ev’ry piafion rul’d, 
 ev’ry vice his youth had cool’d : 
 
 Dileafe h's tainted blocd afTails, 
 
 . His fp. ms droop, his vigour fails. 
 
 With 
 
FABLES. 
 
 7 
 
 With fecret ills at home he pines, 
 
 And, like infirm old age, declines. 
 
 As, twing’d with pain, he penfive fits 
 And raves, and prays, and fwears by fits, 
 
 A ghaftly phantom, lean and wan, 
 
 Before him roffe, and thus began. 
 
 My name perhaps has reach’d your ear, 
 Attend, and be advis’d by Care. 
 
 Nor love, nor honour, wealth nor power 
 Can give the heart a chearful hour, 
 
 When health is Soft. Be. timely wife : 
 
 With health all tafle of pleafure flies. 
 
 Thus fa id the phantom dh appears. 
 
 The wary counfel wak’d his, fears; 
 
 He now from all excels abftains,. 
 
 With phyfic purifies his vein3 ; 
 
 And to procure a fober life 
 Refolves to venture on a wife. 
 
 But ,ow again the fprite afcends, 
 Where’er he walks his ear attends, 
 Infmuates that beauty frail, 
 
 That perleverance muft prevail, 
 
 With jealoufies his brain inflames, 
 
 And whilpersall her lover’s names ; 
 
 In other hours Hie reprefents 
 
 His houfhold charge, his annual rents, 
 
 E 5 Encreafing 
 
§8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Encreafing debts, perplexing duns, 
 
 And nothing for his younger fons. 
 
 Straight all his thoughts to gain he turns, 
 And with the thirft of lucre burns; 
 
 But when poflfefl. of fortune’s (lore. 
 
 The lp eel re haunts him more and more, 
 
 Sets want and mifery in view, 
 
 Bold thieves and all the murd’ring crew. 
 Alarms him with eternal frights, 
 
 Infeils his dreams, or wakes his nights. 
 
 How fhail he chafe this hideous gueft .? 
 Power may perhaps protect his reft. 
 
 To pow’r he role. Again the fprue 
 Befets him morning noon and night. 
 
 Talks of ambition’s tott’ring feat. 
 
 How envy perfecutestne great, 
 
 Of rival hate, of treach’rous friends, 
 
 A$d what difgrace his fall attends. 
 
 '•The court he quits to fly from Care, 
 
 And feek the place of rural air ; 
 
 His groves, hfs fields, amus'd his hours, 
 
 He prun’d his trees, he rais’d his flowers ; 
 But care again his fteps purfues, 
 
 Warms him of blafts of blighting dews, 
 
 Of plund’ring infects, fna.il s and rains, 
 
 And droughts that fiarve the labour d plains. 
 
 Abroad, 
 
F A B L E S, 89 
 
 Abroad, at home, the fpe&re’s there, 
 lii vain we feek to fly from care. 
 
 At length he thus the Ghoft addreft. 
 
 S nee thou mufl be my conitant giieft, 
 
 Be kind, and follow me no more, 
 
 Ec*r Care by riche fhould go before, 
 
 T 
 
 F A B L E - XX 
 The two Owls and the Sparrow, 
 
 WO former owls together fat, 
 Conferring, thus in foiemn chat, 
 E 4 
 
 How 
 
9 ° 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 How is the modern tafte decay’d ! 
 Where’s the refpedl to wifdom paid ? 
 Our worth the Grecian fages knew. 
 
 They gave our fires the honour due. 
 They weigh’d the dignity of fowls. 
 
 And pry’d into the depth of owls ; 
 Athens , the feat of learn’d fame. 
 
 With gen’ral voice rever’d our name; 
 On merit title was conferr’d. 
 
 And all ador’d th’ Athenian bird. 
 
 Brother, you realon well, replies 
 The folemn mate with half-fnut eyes ; 
 Right. Aihens was the feat of learning, 
 And truly wifdom is difcerning. 
 
 Befides, on Pallas’ helm we lit, 
 
 The type and ornament of wit : 
 
 But now, Alas, we’re quite neglecled, 
 And a pert fparrow’s more rcfpedled. 
 
 A Sparrow, who was lodg’d b£fide, 
 O’evhears them footh each other's pride, 
 And thus he nimbly vents his heat. 
 Who meets a fool mull find conceit 
 i grant you v\ere at Athens grac’d, 
 
 And on Minerva's helm were plac’d. 
 But ev’ry bird that^vings the Iky, 
 Except an owl, can tell you why. 
 
 Erovn 
 
fables. 
 
 From hence they taught their fchools to 
 know 
 
 How falfe we judge by outward fhow. 
 That welhould never looks eiiecm. 
 
 Since fools as wife as you might feem. 
 Would ye contempt and fcorn avoid. 
 
 Let your vain glory be deftroy’d ; 
 
 Humble your arrogance oi thought, 
 Purfuethe ways by nature taught, 
 
 So fhall ye find delicious fare, 
 
 And grateful farmers praife your care. 
 
 So fhall fleek mice your chace reward, 
 And no keen cat find more reward. 
 
 £5 
 
 f’ABL# 
 
I A B L E S 
 
 FABLE XXXIII. 
 
 The Courtier and Proteus. 
 
 W Hene’er a courtier’s out of place. 
 The country fhelters his difgrace ; 
 Where, doom’d to cxercife and health, 
 iHis houfe and gardens own his wealth. 
 He builds new l'chemes, in hopes to gain 
 The plunder of another reign; 
 
 Like Philip’s fon would fain be doing, 
 And fighs for other realms to ruin. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 93 
 
 As one of thefe (without his wand) 
 Penfive, along the winding ftrand 
 Employ’d the folitary hour 
 In projeds to regain his power ; 
 
 The waves in fpreading circles ran, 
 
 Proteus arofe, and thus began. 
 
 Came you from court ? For in your mein 
 A felf important air is feen. [him, 
 
 He frankly own’d his friends had trick’d 
 And how he fell his party’s victim. 
 
 Know, fays the God, by matchlels IkilL 
 I change to ev’ry fhape at will; 
 
 But yet. I’m told, at court you fee 
 Thofe who prefame to rival me. 
 
 Thus faid, A fnake, with hideous trail, 
 Proteus extends his fcaly mail. 
 
 Know, fays the man, tho’ proud in place 
 All courtiers are of reptile race. 
 
 Like you, they take that dreadful form, 
 Balk in the fun, and fly the ftorm ; 
 
 With malice his with envy glote. 
 
 And for convenience ehange their coat, 
 With new-got luftre rear t heir head. 
 Though on a dunghill born and bred. 
 
 Sudden the God, a lyon Hands, 
 
 He lhakes his mane, he i'purns the fands. 
 
 Now, 
 
9+ 
 
 FABLES 
 
 Now, a fierce lynx, with fiery glare, 
 
 A wolf, an afs, a fox, a bear. 
 
 Had I ne’er liv’d at court, e cries, 
 
 Such transformation might furprize : 
 
 But there, in quefl of d aly game. 
 
 Each abler courtier a6ts the fame. 
 
 Wolves, lions, lynxes, while in place, 
 Their friends, and fellow are their chace; 
 They play the bear’s and fox’s part. 
 
 Now rob by force, now fteai , ith art ; 
 They fometimes in the fenate bray ; 
 
 Or, chang’d again to beads of prey, 
 
 Down from the lion to the ape, 
 
 Pradiife the frauds of ev’ry fhape. 
 
 So laid. Upon the God he flies. 
 
 In cords the flruggling captive ties. 
 
 Now, Proteus, now (to truth compeil’d) 
 Speak, and confefs thy art excell’d. 
 
 Ufe flrength, furprize, or what you will. 
 The courtier finds evafion Hill ; 
 
 Not to be bound by any ties, 
 
 And never forc’d to leave his lies. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLE XXXIV, 
 
 T he Maftiffs 
 
 1 H O S E who in quarrels interpofe 
 Muft often wipe a bioody nofe. 
 
 A Maftiff of true Englijh blood, 
 Love’d fighting better than his food, 
 Whei* dogs were fn aiding for a bone. 
 He long’d to make the war his own, 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 95 
 
 And 
 
96 FABLES. 
 
 And often found (when two contend) 
 To interpofe obtain’d his end ; 
 
 He glory’d in his limping pace, 
 
 The fears of honour Team’d his face. 
 
 In ev’ry limb a gafh appears. 
 
 And frequent fights retrenched his ears. 
 
 As, on a time, he heard from far 
 T wo dogs engag’d in noify war. 
 
 Away he fcours, and lays about him, 
 Refolv’d no fray fhould be without him. 
 
 For from his yard a tanner flies. 
 
 And to the bold intruder cries. 
 
 A cudgel fhall correft your manners. 
 Whence fprung this curfed hate to tanners 
 While on my dog you vent your fpite ; 
 Sirrah, ’tis me you dare not bite. 
 
 To fee the battle thus perplext, 
 
 With equal rage a butcher vext, 
 Hoarfe-fcreaming from the circled croud. 
 To the curft Maftiflf cries aloud: 
 
 Both Hochley-hole and Alary-bone 
 The combats of my dog have known ; 
 He ne’er, like bullies coward hearted. 
 Attacks in public to be parted ; 
 
 Think not, rafh fool, to fhare his fame, 
 
 Be his the honour or the fhame. 
 
 Thus 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 
 
 97 
 
 Thus laid, they fwore and rav’d like thun- 
 der, 
 
 Then dragg’d their faflen’d dogs afunder, 
 While clubs and kicks from ev’ry fide 
 Rebounded from the Maftiff’s hide. 
 
 All reeking now with l’weat and blood, 
 
 A while the parted warriors flood, 
 
 Then pour’d upon the meddling foe ; 
 
 Who, worried, howl’d and fprawl’d below: 
 He rofe ; and limping foom the fray, 
 
 By both ftdes mangled, fneak’d away. 
 
 FABLE 
 
93 FABLE S. 
 
 FABLE XXXY. 
 
 The Barley-mow and the Dung-hill: 
 
 I - . O W many faucy airs we meet 
 From Ten pie-bar to Aldgate-Jlreet ; 
 
 Proud rogues, who fhar’drhe South feayxey. 
 And fprung like mufhrooms in a day ! 
 They think it mean, to condefcend 
 To kn»w a brother or a friend ; 
 
 They blufh to hear their mother’s name, 
 And by their pride expofe their lhame. 
 
 As 
 
FABLES. 90 
 
 As crofs his yard, at early day, 
 
 A careful farmer took his way. 
 
 He flopp’d, and leaning on his fork 
 Obferv’d the flail’s inceflant work ; 
 
 In thought he meafur’d all his ftore. 
 
 His geefe, his hogs he number’d o’er, 
 
 In fancy weigh’d the fleeces fhorn, 
 
 And mnltiply’d the next year’s corn. | 
 
 A barley-mow, which flood beflde, 
 Thus to its muling mafter cry’d. 
 
 Say, good hr, is it f* or right 
 To treat me with negfedt and flight ? 
 
 Me, who contribute to your cheer, 
 
 And raife your mirth with ale and beer i 
 Why thus infulted, thus dilgrac’d, 
 
 And that vile dunghill near me plac’d ? 
 Are thefe poor fweepings of a groom. 
 
 That filthy fight, that naufeous fume, 
 Meet objects here ? Command it hence ; 
 
 A thing fo mean muft give offence, 
 
 The humble dunghill thus reply’d. 
 
 Thy mafter hears and mocks thy pride, 
 Iniult not thus the meek and low, 
 
 In me thy beneiahtor know ; 
 
 My warm aliiftance gave thee birth, 
 
 Or thou hadft perilh’d low in earth ; 
 
 But 
 
loo 
 
 F A B L F. S . 
 
 Bur upftarts to fupport their ftation, 
 C cel at once a’l obligation. 
 
 FABLE XXXVI. 
 
 Pythagoras and the Countryman. 
 
 YTHAG’R A S rofe at early dawn. 
 By foaring meditation drawn. 
 
 To breathe the fragrance of the day, 
 Through flow’ry fields he took his way; 
 Inmufing contemplation warm. 
 
 Where : 
 
FABLES. 
 
 10 1 
 
 fhere, on the ladders topmoft round 
 Peafant flood ; the hammer’s found 
 hook the weak barn. Say, friend, what 
 la\ls for thy honefl labours there ? [care 
 iThe clown with furly voice replies, 
 r engeance aloud for juftice cries : 
 
 ’his kite, by daily rapine fed, 
 
 Ay hens annoy, my turkeys dread. 
 
 At length his forfeit life hath paid ; 
 ieeon the wall- his wings difplay’d. 
 fere nail’d, a terror to his kind, 
 
 Jdy fowls fhali future fafety find ; 
 
 Vly yard the thriving poultry feed, 
 i And my barn’s refule, fat the breed. 
 
 Friend, fays the Sage, the doom is wife. 
 For public good the murd’rer dies ; 
 
 But if thefe tyrants of the air 
 Demand a fentenee fo fevere. 
 
 Think how the glutton rnan devours, 
 
 What bloody f'eafts regale his hours ! 
 
 O impudence of power and might. 
 
 Thus to condemn a hawk or kite 
 When thou perhaps, carnivTous fumer, 
 Hadft pullets yelterday for dinner T 
 
 Hold, cry’d the clown, with pafiion heat- 
 
 Shall kites and men alike be treated ? [ed. 
 
 When 
 
io2 F A B E E S. 
 
 When Heav’n the world with creatures j| 
 ftor’d, j | 
 
 Man was ordain’d their fov’reign lord. 
 
 Thus tyrants boafl, thefage reply’d, 
 Whofe murders fpring from pow’r and 
 Own then this manlike kite is flam [pride. 
 Thy greater lux’ry to fuftain : 
 
 For * petty rogues fubmit to fate * 
 
 That great ones may enjoy their Jiate. 
 
 * Garth' j Difpenfary. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 FABLE XXXVII, 
 
 The Farmer’s Wife and the Raven. 
 
 H Y are thofe tears ? Wh 1 
 your head ? 
 
 Is then your other huiband dead 
 Or does a worfe difgrace betide r 
 Hash no one fince his death apply’d ■? 
 
 Alas ! you know the caufe too well. 
 The fait is fpilt, to me it fell. 
 
 Then 
 
fable s. 
 
 
 104 
 
 Then to contribute to my lofs. 
 
 My knife and fork were laid acrofs, 
 
 On Friday too ! the day I dread ! 
 
 Would I were fafe at home in bed ! 
 
 Laft night ( I vow to Heav’n ’tis true) 
 Bounce from the fire a coffin flew. 
 
 Next poft lome fatal news lhall tell. 
 
 God fend my Cornijb friends be well ! 
 Unhappy widow, ceafe thy tears, jfcr 
 Nor feel affiift ions in thy fears ; 
 
 Let not thy ftomach befufpended, x 
 Eat now, and weep when dinner’s ended. 
 And when the butlers clears the table 
 For thy defert I’ll read my fable. 
 
 Betwixt her f wagging panniers load 
 A farmer’s wife to meeting rode, 
 
 And, jogging on, with thoughtful care 
 Summ’d up the profits of her ware ; 
 
 When ftarting from her filver dream. 
 
 Thus far and wide; was heard her fcream. 
 That Raven on yon left-hand oak 
 (Curie on his ill-betiding croak) 
 
 Bodes me no good. No more fhe laid, 
 Whenpoor blind ita// with Humbling tread 
 
 Fell 
 
FABLES, 105 
 
 Fell prone; o’erturn’d the pannier lay, 
 
 And her niafb’d eggs beftrew d the way. 
 
 She, fprawling in the yellow road [toad 
 Rail’d, {'wore and curs’d, Thou croaking 
 A murrain take thy whorefon thioat ! 
 
 I knew misfortune in the note, 
 
 Dame, quoth the Rave n, {pare your oaths. 
 Unclench your fifty. and clean your cloaths. 
 But why on me thole curies thrown ? 
 Go&dv the fault was all your own ; 
 
 Forbad you laid this brittle ware. 
 
 On Dun, the old fure -footed mare. 
 
 Though all the ravens of an Hundred- 
 : With croaking had your tongue out thun- 
 der’d. 
 
 Sure-footed Dun had kept her legs. 
 
 And, you, good woman,. fav’d your eggs. 
 
 FABLE 
 
t nft W /4 JB T . P 
 
 FAB L E XXXVIIf. 
 
 The Turkey and the Ant. 
 
 X N'other men we faults can fpy. 
 
 And blame the moat that dims their eye. 
 
 Each little fpeck and blemifh find, 
 
 To our own ftronger errors blind. 
 
 A Turkey, tir’d of common food, 
 
 Forfook the barn, and fought the wood ; 
 Behind her ran her infant train, 
 
 Colle&ing here and there a grain. 
 
 Draw , 
 
 V 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 i°7 
 
 Draw near, my birds, the mother cries, 
 This hill delicious fare lupplies; 
 
 Behold the bufy Negro race, 
 
 See, millions blacken ail the place 1 
 Fear not. Like me with freedom eat- 
 An ant is mo ft delightful meat. 
 
 How bleft, how envy’d were our life. 
 Could we but Tcape the poult’r’s knife ? 
 
 But man, curft man on turkeys preys, 
 
 And Ch'iftmas fhortens all our days : 
 Sometimes with oyfters we combine, 
 Sometimes affift the fav’ry chine. 
 
 From the low peafant to thg lord. 
 
 The turkey fmoaks on ev’ry board. 
 
 Sure men for gluttony are curft. 
 
 Of the lev’n deadly fins the word. 
 
 An ant, who climb’d beyond his reach. 
 Thus anfwer’d from the neighb’ring beech. 
 Ere you remark another’s fin. 
 
 Bid thy own confcience look within. 
 Controul thy more voracious bill, 
 
 Nor for a breakfaft nations kill. 
 
 Vol. I. F FABLE 
 
fables 
 
 Jo8 
 
 
 fable XXXIX. 
 
 The Father and Jupiter. 
 
 TpHE Man to Jove his fu it prefer r’d ! 
 He begg’ d a wife his prayer was heard. 
 Jove wonder’d at his bold addreffing. 
 For ho • precarious is the blefling. 
 
 A ife he takes. And now for heirs 
 Again he worries heav’n with prayers. 
 
 Jove 
 
fab l e s. 
 
 109 
 
 Jove nods afTent. Two hopeful boys 
 And a fine girl reward his joys. 
 
 Now more lolicitous he grew, 
 
 And fet their future lives in view ; 
 
 He faw that all refpedl and duty 
 
 Were paid to wealth, to power, and beauty. 
 
 Once more, he cries, accept my Prayer, 
 Make my lov’d progeny thy care : 
 
 Let my firft hope, my fav’rite boy, 
 
 All fortune’s richeft gifts enjoy. 
 
 My next with ftrong ambition fire. 
 
 May favour teach him to afpire. 
 
 Till he the ftep of pow’r afcend. 
 
 And courtiers to their idol bend. 
 
 With ev’ry grace, with ev’ry charm 
 My daughter’s perfe£t features arm. 
 
 If heav’n approve, a father’s bleft. 
 
 Jo ue Imiles, and grants his full requeft. 
 
 The firft,- a mifer at the heart. 
 
 Studious of ev’ry griping art. 
 
 Heaps hoards on hoards with anxious pain, 
 And all his life devotes to gain. 
 
 He feels no joy, his cares increafe. 
 
 He neither walks nor fleeps in peace, 
 Infancy’d want (a wretch compleat) 
 
 He ftarves, and yet he dares not eat. 
 
 F 2 
 
 The 
 
I IO 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 The next to fudden honours grew, 
 
 The thriving aits of courts he knew; 
 
 He reach’d the heights of pow’r and place. 
 Then, fell the vidiim of difgrace. 
 
 Beauty with early bloom fupplies 
 His daughter’s cheek, und paints her eyes 
 The vain coquette each fuit difdains. 
 
 And glories in her lover’s pains ! 
 
 With age fhe fades, each lover flies, 
 Contemn’d, forlorn, fhe pines and dies. 
 
 When Jove the father’s grief furvey’d, 
 And heard him Heav’n. and Fate upbraid, 
 Thus fpoke the God. By outward fhow 
 Men judge of happinefs and woe: 
 
 Shall ignorance of good and ill 
 Dare to direct th’ eternal will ? 
 
 Seek virtue ; and of that poffeft. 
 
 To providence reflgn the reft, 
 
 / 
 
 * t / y 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES, 
 
 1 1 1 
 
 
 V 
 
 FABLE XL. 
 
 The two Monkeys. - 
 
 Th E learn’d, full of inward pride, 
 
 The fops of outward ihow deride ; 
 
 The fop, with learning at defiance. 
 
 Scoffs at the pedant and the fcience , 
 
 The Don, a formal, folemn ftrutter, 
 
 Defpiies Monjieur's airs and flutter ; 
 
 While Monjieur mocks the formal fool, 
 Who looks, and fpeaks, and walks by rule. 
 
 T 3 -Britain, 
 
r 
 
 i tz FABLES. 
 
 Britain, a medley of the twain. 
 
 As pert as France, as grave as Spain, 
 
 In fancy wifer than the reft. 
 
 Laughs at them both, of both the jeft. 
 
 Is not the poet's chiming clofe 
 Cenfur’d by all the Ton’s of profe ? 
 
 While bards of quick imagination 
 Defpife the fleepy profe narration. 
 
 Men laugh at apes, they men contemn * 
 
 For what are we, but apes to them ? 
 
 Two monkeys went to Southwark fair 
 No critics had a fourer air 
 They forc’d their way through draggled 
 folks. 
 
 Who gap’d to catch Jack-pudding’s jokes. 
 Then took their tickets for the fhow,' 
 
 And got by chance the foremoft row. 
 
 To fee their grave obferving face 
 Provok’d a laugh thro’ all the place . 
 
 Brother, fays Pug, and turn’d his head* 
 The rabble’s monftroufly ill-bred. 
 
 blow through the booth loud hiflTes ran ; 
 Nor ended till the fhow began. 
 
 The tumbler whirls the flip flap round, 
 With fommerfets he fhakes the ground ! 
 The cord beneath the dancer fprings ; 
 
 Aloft in ait the vaul ter fprings, 
 
 Diftortcd 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 ? l 3 
 
 Diftorted now, now prone depends!, 
 
 Now through his twilled arms aicends ; 
 
 The crowd in wonder and delight, 
 
 With clapping hands applaud the fight. 
 
 With Indies, quoth Pug; if pranks like 
 The giant apes of reafon pleafe, [thele 
 
 How would they wonder at our arts ! 
 
 They mull adore us for our parts. 
 
 High on the twig I’ve feen you cling, 
 
 Play, twift and turn in airy ring ; 
 
 How can thofe clumfy things, like me. 
 
 Fly with a bound irom tree to tree 
 But yet, by this applaufe, we find 
 Thefe emulators of our kind 
 Difcern our worth, our parts regard. 
 
 Who our mean mimics thus reward. 
 
 Brother, the grinning mate replies. 
 
 In this I grant that man is wife. 
 
 While good example they purfue. 
 
 We mull allow fome praife is due ; 
 
 But when they ftrain beyond their guide, 
 f laugh to fcorn the mimic pride. ! 
 
 For how fantaftic is the fight, 
 
 To meet men always bolt upright. 
 
 Becaufe we fometimes walk on two ! 
 
 I hate the imitating crew. 
 
 FABLE 
 
r 
 
 J -4 P ABLE S. 
 
 FABLE XLI. 
 
 The Owl and the Farmer 
 
 4 
 
 1 1 N Owl of grave deport and mein. 
 Who (lik-e the Turk) was feidomfeen, 
 
 Vi ith in a barn had e'nofe hi- ftation. 
 
 As fit jor prey and contemplation : 
 
 Upon a beam aloft he fits, 
 
 And nods, and feems to think, by fits, 
 bo have I feen a man of news 
 Or Prjl-lo)’, of Gazette peru fe, 
 
 Sntoak, 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 > 
 
 ii5 
 
 Smoak, nod, and talk with voice profound 
 And. fix the ftate of Europe round. 
 
 Sheaves pil’d on fheaves hid all the floor : 
 
 At dawn of morn to view r his ftore 
 The Farmer came. The hooting! gueft 
 His felf importance thus expreft. 
 
 Reafon in man is mere pretence : 
 
 How weak, how fhallow r is his fenfe ! 
 
 To treat with fcorn the bird of night, 
 
 Declares his folly or his fpite ; 
 
 Then too, how partial is his praife ! 
 
 The lark’s, the linnet’s chirping lays 
 To his ill-judging ears are fine ; 
 
 And nightingales are all divine. 
 
 But the more knowing feather’d race 
 See wifdom fiampt upon my face. ’ 
 
 Whene'er to vifit light I deign, 
 
 What flocks of fowl compofe my train ? 
 
 Like flaves, they croud my flight hehind, 
 
 And o wn me of fuperior kind. 
 
 The Farmer laugh’d, and thus reply’d : 
 
 Thou dull important lump of pride, 
 
 Dar’ft thou with that harfh grating tongue 
 Depreciate birds of warbling fong ? 
 
 Indulge thy fpleen. Know, men and fowl 
 Regard thee, as thou art, an owl. 
 
 F 5 Befides, 
 
 
V 
 
 ii 6 FABLES. 
 
 Befides, proud blockhead, be not vain 
 Cf what thou call’d: thy flavesand train. 
 Few follow wifdom or her rules. 
 
 Fools in derifion follow fools. 
 
 Fhe Jugglers. 
 
 A Juggler long through all the town 
 Had rais’d his fortune and renown ; 
 You’d think (fo far his art tranfcends) 
 The devil at his fingers ends. 
 
P A B L 1 S 
 
 > 
 
 11 7 
 
 F/ce heard his fame, fhe read his bill ; 
 
 Convinc’d of his inferior fkdl. 
 
 She fought his booth, and from the croud 
 Defy’d the man of art aloud. 
 
 Is this then he fo fam’d for Height, 
 
 Can this flow bungler cheat your fight. 
 
 Dares he with me difpute the prize, 
 
 I leave it to impartial eyes. 
 
 Provok’d, the Juggler cry’d, ’tis done. 
 
 In fcienee I fubmit to none. 
 
 Thus faid. The cups and ballslie play’d ; 
 
 By turns, this here, that there convey’d : 
 
 The cards, obedient to his words, 
 
 Are by a fillip turn’d to birds ; 
 
 His little boxes change the grain. 
 
 Trick after trick deludes the train. 
 
 He lhakes his bag, he ihows all fair, 
 
 His fingers fpread, and nothing there, 
 
 Then bids it rain with fhowers of gold, 
 
 And now his ivory eggs are told. 
 
 But when from thence the hen he draw's. 
 
 Amaz’d fpe£fators him applaufe. 
 
 Vice now ftept forth and took the place. 
 
 With all the forms of his grimace. 
 
 This magic looking-glafs, fhe cries, 
 
 (There, hand it round) will charm your eyes- 
 
 Each 
 
r 
 
 F A R L E S: 
 
 i iS 
 
 Each eager eye the fight defir’d, 
 
 And ev’ry manhimfelf admir’d. 
 
 Next, to a Senator addrefling ; 
 
 See this Bank-note ; obferve the blefling : 
 Breathe on the bill. Heigh, pafs ! ’tis gone ! 
 Upon his lips a padlock, fhone. 
 
 A fecond puff the magic brjke, 
 
 The padlock vanifh’d, and he {'poke. 
 
 Twelve bottles rang’d, upon the board. 
 All full, with heady liquor ftor’d, 
 
 By clean conveyance difappear, 
 
 And now two bloody fwords are there. 
 
 A purfe fhe to a thief expos’d ; 
 
 At once his ready fingers clos’d : 
 
 He opes his firft, the treafure’s fled. 
 
 He fees a halter in its ftead. 
 
 She bids ambition hold a wand, 
 
 He grafps a hatchet in his hand. 
 
 A box of charity fhe fhows : 
 
 Blow here; and a church- warden blows, 
 5 Tis vanifh’d with conveyance neat. 
 
 And on the table fmoaks a treat. 
 
 She fhakes the dice, fhe boards fhe knocks, 
 And from all pockets fills her box. 
 
 She next a meagre rake add reft ; 
 
 This picture fee ; her ftiape, her breaft ! 
 
 What, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 1 19, 
 
 What youth and what inviting eyes ! 
 
 Hold her, and have her, With furprize. 
 His hand expos’d a box of pills ; 
 
 And aloud laugh proclaim’d his ills. 
 
 A q<p«nter in a mifer’s hand. 
 
 Grew twenty guineas at command ; 
 
 She bids his heir the fum retain. 
 
 And ’tis a counter now again. 
 
 A guinea, with her touch* you fee. 
 
 Take ev’ry fhape but Charity ; 
 
 And not one thing, you faw, or drew. 
 
 But chang’d from what was firfl in view. 
 
 The Juggler now in grief of heart, 
 
 With this fubmillion own’d her art. 
 
 Can I fuch matchlefs Height withlland ? 
 How practice has improv’d your hand ! 
 
 But now and then I cheat the throng ; 
 
 You ev’ry day, and all day long. 
 
 1 
 
 FABLE 
 
r 
 
 120 fables. 
 
 The Council of Horfes. 
 
 PON a time a neighing fteed, 
 Who graz’d among a num’rous breed. 
 With mutiny had fir’d the train. 
 
 And fpread dififendon through the plain. 
 On matters that concern’d the State 
 The council met in grand debate. 
 
 A colt, whole eye-balls flam’d with ire. 
 Elate with ftrength and youthful fire. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 T ry r 
 -* U *v 
 
 In haft e ftept forth before the reft, 
 
 And thus the iiftning throng addreft. 
 
 Good gods ! how abjed: is our race. 
 Condemn’d to flav’ry and difgrace ! 
 
 Shall we our fervitude retain, 
 
 Becaufe our fires have borne the chain ? 
 Confider, friends, your ftrength and might ; 
 ’Tis conqueft to aflert your right. 
 
 How cumb’rous is the gilded coach ! 
 
 The pride of man is our reproach. 
 
 Were we defign’d for daily toil, 
 
 To drag the plough fhare through the foil. 
 To fweat in harnefs through the road, . 
 
 To groan beneath the carrier’s load ? 
 
 How feeble are the two-legg’d'kind ! 
 
 What force is in our nerves combin’d ! 
 Shall then our nobler jaws fubmit 
 | To foam and champ the galiing bit ? 
 
 Shall haughty man my back beftride ? 
 Shall the fharp fpur provoke my ftde ? 
 Forbid it, Heav’n ! Rejed the rein. 
 
 Your ftiame, your infamy difdain. 
 
 Let him the lion firft controul. 
 
 And ftill the tyger’s famifti’d growl. 
 
 Let us, like them, our freedom claim. 
 
 And make him tremble at our name. 
 
 A general 
 
122 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 A general nod approv’d the caufe. 
 
 And all the circle neigh’d applaufe. 
 
 When lo, with grave and folemn pace, 
 A fteed advanc’d before the race, 
 
 With age and long experience wife, 
 Around he call his thoughtful eyes. 
 
 And, to the murmurs of the train, 
 Thusfpoke the Nefior of the plain. 
 
 When I had health and ftrength, like you 
 The toils of fervitude I knew ; 
 
 Now' grateful man rewards my pains, 
 
 And gives me all thefe wide domains ; 
 
 At will I crop the year’s encreafe, 
 
 My latter life is reft and peace. 
 
 I grant to man we lend our pains, 
 
 And aid him to correct the plains ; 
 
 But doth not he divide the care. 
 
 Through all the labours of the year ? 
 
 How many thoufand ftrudlures rile. 
 
 To fence us from inclement Ikies ! 
 
 For us he bears the fultry day. 
 
 And ftores up all our winter’s hay ; 
 
 He lows, he reaps the harveft’s gain, 
 
 We Ihare the toil and Ihare the grain. 
 
 Since ev’ry creature was decreed 
 To aid each other’s mutual need, 
 
 Appeafe 
 
Appeafe your difeontent.ee] mind,. 
 
 And act the part by Heav’n aiiign’d. 
 
 The tumult ceas'd. The colt fubmitted, 
 Audi dke h sancelb rs, was bitted.. 
 
 The Hound and the Huntfman. 
 
 I Mpertinence at fir ft is borne 
 With heedlefs flight, or fmiles of l oom , 
 Teaz’d into wrath, what patience bears 
 The noify fool who perfeveres ? 
 
 The 
 
124 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Ti e morning wakes, the huntfman founds. 
 At once rufh forth the joyful hounds ; 
 
 T ey feek the wood with eager pace, 
 Tinoughbu£h,thro’ brier, explore the chace; 
 No v i'catter’d wide they try the plain, 
 
 And fnuff the dewy turf in vain. • 
 
 What care, what induflry, what pains ! 
 What uni-verfal filence reigns! 
 
 Ring-wood, a dog of little fame, 
 
 Young, pert, ami ignorant of game. 
 
 At once difplays his babbling throat ; 
 
 The pack, regardlefs of the note, 
 
 Purfue the fcent ; w'ith louder ftrain 
 He ftill perfifts to vex the train, 
 
 The huntfman to the clamour flies. 
 
 The fmacking lafh he fmartly plies ; 
 
 His ribs all welk’d, with howling tone 
 The puppy thus expreft his moan 
 I know the raufic of my tongue 
 Long fince the pack with envy flung ; 
 What will not fpite? Thefe bitter fmarts 
 I owe to my fuperior parts. 
 
 When puppies prate, the Huntfman cry’d, 
 They fliow both ignorance and pride. 
 
 Fools may our fcorn, not envy raife. 
 
 For envy is a kind of praife. 
 
 Had 
 
123 
 
 • V ' 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Had not thy forward noify tongue 
 Proclaim’d thee always in the wrong, 
 Thou might’ll have mingled with the reft. 
 And ne’er thy foolifh nofe eonfeft ; 
 
 But fools, to talking ever prone. 
 
 Are fure to make their follies known. 
 
 I 
 
 FABLE 
 

 126 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 FABLE XLV. 
 
 The Poet and the Rofe. 
 
 I Hate the mm who builds his- name 
 On ruins of another’s fame. 
 
 Thus prudes by characters o’erthrown. 
 Imagine that they raife their own ; 
 
 Thu ic.ribble.ts, covetous of praile. 
 Think flandcr can tranfplant the bays; 
 Beauties and bards have equal pride, 
 With both all rivals are decay’d. 
 
 Who 
 
FABLE s . 
 
 127 
 
 Who praifes Lcjbia’s eyes an d feature, 
 Muff call her After, aukward creature ; 
 For the kind flatt’ry’s fure to charm. 
 When wei’oave other nymph difarm. 
 
 As in the cool of early day 
 ' A Poet fought the f.veets of May, 
 
 The garden’s fragrant breath afcends 
 And ev’ry ftalk with odour bends. 
 
 A rofehe pluck’d, he gaz’d, admir’d, 
 Thus ftnging as the Mule infpir’d. 
 
 Go, Rofe, my Ch/oe’s bofom grace. 
 
 How happy fhould I prove, 
 
 I Might I fupply that envy’d place 
 With never-fading love ! 
 
 There, Phoenix-like, beneath her eye. 
 Involv’d in fragrance, burn and die ! 
 
 . 
 
 Know, haplefs flower, that thoufhalt find 
 More fragrant rofes there ; 
 
 I fee thy with’ring head inclin’d 
 With envy and delpair ! 
 
 One common fate we both mull prove : 
 You die with envy, I with love. 
 
 Spare 
 
123 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Spare your comparifon’s, reply’d 
 An angry Rofe, who grew befide; 
 
 Of all mankind you fhould not flout us ; 
 What can a poet do without us ! 
 
 In ev’ry love-fong rofes bloom ; 
 
 We lend you colour and perfume. 
 
 Does it to C/iloe’s charms conduce. 
 
 To found her praife on our abufe ? 
 
 Muft we, to flatter her, be made 
 To wither, envy, pine and fade. 
 
 •A 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 The Cur, the Horfe, and the Shepherd's Dog, 
 
 T . 
 
 A HE lad, of all-fufficient merit. 
 
 With modefty ne’er damps his fpirit, 
 Prefuming on his own deferts. 
 
 On all alike his tongue exerts ; 
 
 His noify jokes at random throws. 
 
 And pertly fpatters friends and 
 In wit and war the bully race 
 Contribute to their own difgrace t 
 
 Too 
 
FABLES. 
 
 130 
 
 Too late the forward youth fhall find 
 That jokes are foinetimes paid in kind. 
 
 Or if they canker in the bread:. 
 
 He makes a foe who makes a jell. 
 
 A village-cur, of fnappiih race, 
 
 The perteft puppy of the place. 
 
 Imagin’d that his treble throat 
 Was bleft with mufic’s fweeteft note ; 
 
 In the mid road he balking lay. 
 
 The yelping nuifance of the way 
 For not a creature pafs’d along 
 But had a fample of his fong. 
 
 Soon as the trotting fteed he hears. 
 
 He flarts, he cocks his dapper cars. 
 
 Away he fcours, affaults his hoof, 
 
 Now near him fnarls, now barks aloof ; 
 With (brill impertinence attends. 
 
 Nor leaves him till the village ends. 
 
 It chanc’d upon his evil day, 
 
 A Pad came pacing down the way ; 
 
 The Cur, with never ceafing tongue. 
 
 Upon the paffmg trav’ler fprung. 
 
 The horfe, from fcorn provok’d to ire. 
 Flung backward ; rolling in the mire. 
 
 The 
 
FABLES l 
 
 The puppy howl’d and bleeding lay; 
 
 The Pad in peace purfu’d his way. 
 
 A fhepherd’s Dog, who faw the deed, 
 Detefting the vexatious breed, 
 
 Belpoke him thus. When coxcombs prate, 
 They kindle wrath, contempt, or hate. 
 Thy teaming tongue had judgment try’d. 
 Thou hadit not like a puppy, dy’d. 
 
 Vo l. I. 
 
 G 
 
 p able 
 
132 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 f ABLE XLV1I. 
 
 The Court of Death. 
 
 DeATH, on a folemnnight of ftate 
 In all his pomp of terror fate : 
 
 Th’ attendants of his gloomy reign, 
 Difeafes dire, a ghaftly train, 
 
 Croud the vaft court. With hollow tone 
 A voice thus thunder’d from the throne, 
 This night our minifter we name. 
 
 Let ev’ry fervant fpeak his claim ; 
 
 Merit 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 133 
 
 Merit fhall bear this ebon wand. 
 
 All, at the word, flretch’d forth their hand. 
 
 Fever, with burning heat poffeft. 
 Advanc’d, and for the wand addreft, 
 
 I to the weekly bills appeal, 
 
 Let thofe exprefs my fervent zeal, 
 
 On ev’ry flight occaiion near. 
 
 With violence I perfevere. 
 
 Next gout appears with limping pace, 
 Pleads how he fhiftsfrom place to place, 
 From head to foot how fwifthe flies, 
 
 And ev’ry joint and finews plies. 
 
 Still working when he feerns fuppreft, 
 
 A moil tenacious ftubborn gueft. 
 
 A haggard fpe&re from the crew 
 Crawls forth, and thus afferts his due. 
 
 ’Tis I who ta : nt the f.veeteft joy. 
 
 And in the fhape of love deftroy : 
 
 My fhanks, funk eyes, and nofelefs face 
 Prove my pretenlion to the place. 
 
 Stone urg’d his ever-growing force. 
 
 And, next, Co nl'um prion’s meagre corfe. 
 With feeble voice, that fcarce was heard. 
 Broke with fbort coughs, his fuit preferr’d- 
 Let none objeft my ling’ring way, 
 
 I gain, like Fabiiis, by delay, 
 
 G 2 Fatigue 
 
r 
 
 134 fable s . 
 
 Fatigue and weaken ev’r-y foe 
 By long attack, fecure though flow. 
 
 Plague reprefents his rapid power, 
 
 Who thinn’d a nation in an hour. 
 
 All fpoke their claim, and hop’d the wand, 
 Now expectation .hu fil’d the band. 
 
 When thus the monarch from his throne. 
 Merit was ever modeft known. 
 
 What, no phyfician fpeak his right 1 
 None here ! But fees their toils requite ; 
 
 Let then intemp’rance take the wand. 
 
 Who fills with gold their zealous hand. 
 You, Fever, Gout, and all the reft, 
 
 (Whom wary men, as foes, deteft,) 
 
 Forego your claim ; no more pretend : 
 Intemp’rance is efteem’d a friend, 
 
 He fhares their mirth, their focial joys, 
 And, as a courted gueft, deftroys ; 
 
 The charge on him muft juftly fall. 
 
 Who finds employment for you all. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLE XL VIII. 
 
 The Gardener and the Hog. 
 
 A Gard’ner of peculiar tafte. 
 
 On a young Hog his favour plac’d. 
 
 Who fed not with the common herd; 
 
 His tray was to the hall preferr’d, 
 
 He wallow’d underneath the board. 
 
 Or in his mailer’s chamber fnor’d, 
 
 Who fondly ilroak’d him ev’ry day, 
 
 And taught him all the puppy’s play ; 
 
 G 3 Where’er 
 

 336 FABLES. 
 
 Where’er he went, the grunting friend 
 Ne’er fail’d his pleafure to attend 
 Ason a time, the loving pair 
 Walk’d forth to tend the garden’s care. 
 
 The tnafter thus addreft thefwioe, 
 
 My houfe, my garden, all is thine ; 
 
 On turnips feaft whene’er you pleafe^ 
 
 And riot in my beams and peafe. 
 
 If the potatoe’stafte delights, 
 
 Or the red carrot’s fweet invites, 
 
 Indulge thy morn and evening hours, 
 
 But let due care regard my flowers ; 
 
 My tulips are my garden’s pride. 
 
 What vaft expence thofe beds fupply’d ! 
 
 The Hog by chance one mor ning roam’d 
 Where with new ale the veflels foam’d ; 
 
 He munches now the {learning grains, 
 
 Now with full fwill the liquor drains ; 
 Intoxicating fumes arife, 
 
 He reds, he rolls his winking eyes, 
 
 Then flagg’ring through the garden fcours, 
 And treads down painted ranks of flowers. 
 With delving fnout he turns the foil, 
 
 And cools his palate with the fpoil. 
 
 The Mailer came, the ruin fpy’d. 
 Villain, fufpendtby rage, be cry’d! 
 
 Haft 
 
FABLES. 10 
 
 Haft thou, thou mod ungrateful fot. 
 
 My charge, my only charge forgot ? 
 
 What, all my flowers 1 . No more he faid, 
 
 But gaz’d and iigh’d, and hung his head. 
 
 The Hog with flutt’ring fpeech returns. 
 Explain, Sir, why your anger burns ; 
 
 See there, uniouch’d your tulips Brown, 
 For I devour’d the roots alone ! 
 
 At this, the Gardner’s paffion grows; 
 From oaths and threats he fell to blows; 
 The ftubbom brute the blow fuftainsi 
 A {faults his leg and tears the veins. 
 
 Ah, fooiifh fwain, too late you find 
 That flies were for fuch friends defign’d ? 
 
 Homeward he limps with painful pace, 
 Refie&ing thus on paft difgrace ; 
 
 Who cherifhes a brutal mate 
 Shall mourn the folly foon or late. 
 
 C 4 FABLE 
 
i 3 8 
 
 FABLES . 
 
 
 FABLE XLIX. 
 
 The Man and the Flea. 
 
 Hether on earth, in air, or main. 
 Sure ev’ry thing alive is vain ! 
 
 Does not the hawk all fo wls furvey. 
 
 As deftin’d only for his prey ? 
 
 And do not tyrants, prouder things, 
 
 Think men were born for {laves to kings ? 
 
 When the crab views the pearly ftrands. 
 Or Tagus , bright with golden lands. 
 
 Or 
 
FABLES. 
 
 r 39 
 
 Or crawls befide the coral grove. 
 
 And hears the ocean roll above ; 
 
 Nature is too profufe, fays he, • 
 
 Who gave all thefe to pleafure me ! 
 
 When bord’ring pinks and roles bloom, 
 And ev’ry garden breathes perfume. 
 
 When peaches glow with funny dyes. 
 
 Like Laura’s cheek* when blufhes rife ; 
 When with huge figs the branches bend; 
 When clufters from the vine depend ; 
 
 The fnail looks round on flower and tree. 
 And cries all thefe were made for me ! 
 
 What dignity’s in human nature. 
 
 Says Man, the mofl conceited creature. 
 
 As from a cliff he call: his eye. 
 
 And view’d the lea and archy fky ! 
 
 The fun was funk beneath the main. 
 
 The moon, and all the ftarry train 
 Hung the vaft vault of heav’n. The Man 
 His contemplation thus began. 
 
 When I behold this glorious fhow, 
 
 And the wide watery world below. 
 
 The fcaly people of the main, 
 
 The beafls that range the wood or plain 
 The wing’d inhabitants of air, 
 
 The day, the night, the various year, 
 
 G 5 And 
 
140 
 
 fables. 
 
 And know all thefe by heav’n defign’d 
 As gifts to pleafure human kind, 
 
 I cannot raife my worth too high j 
 Of what vaft confequence am I ! 
 
 Not of th’ importance you fuppofe. 
 Replies a Flea upon his note : 
 
 Be humble, learn thyfelf to fcan ; 
 
 Know, pride was never made fo^ma^ 
 3 Tis vanity that fwells thy mind^C*lj%' 
 "What, heav’n and earth for fB|e d|fi.gn’^l 
 For thee ! made only for ^ 
 
 That more important Flea# 
 
 FABLE 
 
fables. 
 
 F 
 
 The Hare and many Friends. 
 
 Riendfhip, like love, is but a 
 Unlei's to one you flint the flame 
 The child, whom many 
 Hath Seldom known a fathers 
 ’Tis thus in friendships ; who depen 
 On many, rarely find a friend. 
 
 A Hare, who in the civil way, 
 Comply’d with ev’ry thing, like Gay, 
 
 Was 
 
142 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Was known by all the beftial train. 
 
 Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain : 
 Her care was never to offend. 
 
 And ev’ry creature was her friend. 
 
 As forth {he went at early dawn 
 To tafle the dew-befprinkled lawn. 
 
 Behind {he hears the hunter’s cries. 
 
 And from the deep-mouth’d thunder flies ; 
 She ftarts, Ihe flops, ihe pants for breath. 
 She hears the near advance of death, 
 
 She doubles, to miflead the hound, 
 
 And meafures back her mazy round ; 
 
 Till, fainting in the public way. 
 
 Half dead with fear {he gafping lay. 
 
 What tranfport in her bofom grew, 
 "When firft the horfe appear’d in view ! 
 
 Let me, fays fhe, your back afcend. 
 
 And owe my fafety to a friend, 
 
 You know my feet betray my flight. 
 
 To friendfhip ev’ry burthen’s light. 
 
 The horfe reply’d, poor honell pufs. 
 
 It grieves my heart to fee thee thus ; 
 
 Be comforted, relief is near ; 
 
 For all your friends are in the rear. 
 
 * She next the {lately bull implor’d ; 
 
 \nd thus reply’d the mighty lord. 
 
 Since 
 
FABLES. 
 
 143 
 
 Since ev’ry beaft alive can tell 
 That I fmcerely wilh you well, 
 
 I may, without offence, pretend 
 To take the freedom of a friend ; 
 
 Love calls me hence ; a fav’rite cow 
 Expe&s me near yon barely mow : 
 
 And when a lady’s in the cafe 
 You know, all other things give place. 
 
 To leave you thus might feem unkind ; 
 
 But fee^ the goat is juft behind. 
 
 The goat remark’d her pulfe was high. 
 Her languid head, her heavy eye ; 
 
 My back, fays he, may do you harm ; 
 
 The fhecp’s at hand, and wool is warm. 
 
 The lheep was feeble, and complain’d, 
 His fides a load of wool fu ftain’d. 
 
 Said he was flow, confeft his fears ; 
 
 For hounds eat lheep as well as hares. 
 
 She now the trotting calf addreft. 
 
 To fave from death a friend diftreft. 
 
 Shall I, fays he, of tender age. 
 
 In this important care engage ? 
 
 Older and abler pafs you by ; 
 
 How ftrong are thofe ! how weak am I ! 
 Should I prefume to bear you hence, 
 
 Thofe friends of mine might take offence. 
 
 Excufe 
 
144 
 
 fables. 
 
 
 Excufe me then. You know my heart. 
 But deareft friends, alas, mull part ! 
 How lhall we all lament ! Adieu. 
 
 For fee the Hounds are juft in view. 
 
 END OF VOL: I. 
 
FABLES. 
 
 BY THE LATE 
 
 Mr. GAY. 
 
 VOLUME the SECOND. 
 
 DUBLIN: 
 
 Printed by PAT. WOGAN, No, 23, OM-Brifa, 
 
 1799. 
 
ADVERTISEMENT 
 
 T Hefe FABLES were finifhed by Mr. 
 
 Gay, and intended for the Prefs a 
 fhort time before his death ; when they were 
 left, with his other Papers, to the Care of 
 his noble Friend and Patron, the Duke of 
 Queensberry : His Grace has aceord- 
 ingly permitted them to the Prefs, and they 
 are here printed from the Originals in the 
 Author’s own Hand- writing. We hope they 
 will pleafe equally with his former Fables, 
 though moftly on a graver and more political 
 Turn : They will certainly fhew him to 
 
 have been (what he efteemed the bed Cha- 
 ra&er) a man of a truly honed Heart, and a 
 fincere Lover of his Country. 
 
TABLE 
 
 FABLE I. To a Lawyer. 
 r jj A //E Dog and the Fox. Page I 
 
 FABLE II. To a Friend in the Country 
 The Vulture, the Sparrow, and other Birds. 7 
 FABLE III, To a Levee-hunter. 
 The Baboon and the Poultry. 14 
 
 FABLE IV. To a Friend. 
 
 The Ant in Office. 2 1 
 
 FABLE V. To a Coxcomb. 
 
 The Bear in a Boat. '30 
 
 FABLE VI. To a Country-Gentleman. 
 The Squire and his Cur. 37 
 
 FABLE VII. To Myself. 
 
 The Countryman and Jupiter. 46 
 
 FABLE V III. To my Native Country. 
 The Man, the Cat, the Dog, and the Fiy. 54 
 FABLE IX. lo a Modern Politician. 
 The Jackall; Leopard, and other Beajis. 62 
 
 FABLE 
 
TABLE. 
 
 FABLE X. To the Reverend Dr. Swift, 
 Dean of St. Patrick’s. 
 
 7 i egenerate Bees. 
 
 FABLE XT. To a Young Nobleman. 
 
 The Pa^ -horfe and the Carrier. 75 
 
 F ABLE Xil. To a Young Heir. 
 Pan and Fortune. 81 
 
 FABLE XIII. 
 
 Pluto, Cupid, and Time. 88 
 
 FABLE XIV. To a Mother. 
 
 The Owl, the Swan, the Cook, the Spider, the 
 Afs, and the Farmer. 97 
 
 FABLE XV. To a Poor Man. 
 
 The Cook-mad,//ztf Turnlpit, and the Ox. 10+ 
 FABLE XVI, To Laura. 
 
 The Ravens; theSextoa, and the Earth-worm; 
 
 109 
 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES, 
 
 FABLE I. 
 
 The Dog and the Fox. 
 
 To a LAW TER. 
 
 IkNOW you Lawyers can, with eafe, 
 Twift words and meanings as you pleafe; 
 That language, by your fkill made pliant. 
 Will bend to favour ev’ry client ; 
 
 That 
 
2 
 
 F J B L E S. 
 
 That ’tis the fee dire.&s the fenfe 
 To make out others fide’s pretence. 
 
 When you perufe the cleared cafe, 
 
 You fee it with a double face ; 
 
 For fcepticilm’s your profeffiou ; 
 
 \ ou- hold there’s doubt in all expreffion. 
 
 Hence is the bar with fees fupply’d, 
 
 Hence eloquence take3 either fide : 
 
 Your hand would have but paltry gleaning. 
 Could ev’ry man exprefs his meaning. 
 
 Who dare3 prefume topen a deed, 
 
 Unlefs you previoufly are feed ? 
 
 ’Tis drawn, and, to augment the coll. 
 
 In dull prolixity engroft : 
 
 And now we’re wellfecur’d by law,. 
 
 Till the next brother find a flaw, 
 
 F«.ead o’er a will : Was’t ever known, 
 
 But you could make the will your own ? 
 
 For when you read, ’tis with intent 
 To find out meanings never meant. 
 
 Since things are thus, fo defendendo, 
 
 I bar fallacious innuendo. 
 
 Sagacious 
 
fables. 
 
 3 
 
 Sagacious Porta’s (kill could trace 
 Some bead or bird in ev’ry face; 
 r l he head, the eye, the note’s diape, 
 
 Prov’d this an owl, and that an ape. 
 When, in the {ketches thus defign’d, 
 Refemblance brings fome friend to mind ; 
 You fhew the piece, and give the hint. 
 And find each feature in the print ; 
 
 So monftrous like the portrait’s found, 
 
 All know it and the laugh goes round. 
 Like him I draw him from gen’ral nature : 
 Is’t I orjmu then fix the Satire ? 
 
 So, fir, I beg you fpare your pains 
 In making comments on my drains 
 All private flander I deteft, 
 
 I judge not of my neighbour’s bread ; 
 Party and prejudice I hate. 
 
 And write no libels on the date. 
 
 Shall not my fable cenfure vice, 
 
 Becaufe a knave is over nice ? 
 
 And led the guilty hear and dread. 
 
 Shall not the Decalogue be read ? 
 
4 
 
 F A B L E S. 
 
 If I lafti vice ingen’ral fiftion, 
 
 Is’t I apply or felf-conviftion ? 
 
 Brutes are thy theme. Am I to blame, 
 
 If men and morals are the fame ! 
 
 I no man call or ape or afs ; 
 
 ’Tis his own confcience bolds the glafs. 
 Thus void of all offence I write : 
 
 Who claims the fable, knows his right. 
 
 A Ihepherd’s Dog, outkiH’d in fports. 
 Pick’d up acquaintance of all forts : 
 Among the reft, a For ue' knew ; 
 
 By frequent chat th k iriendlhip grew. 
 
 Says Reynard, i- a cruel cafe, 
 
 That man fhould ‘gmatize our, race, 
 
 No doubt, among - vogues you find, ' 
 
 As among dogs - .1 human kind ; 
 
 And ycr, (uukno u to me and you; 
 
 There may be hv ft men and (rue. 
 
 Thus Hander tri . whate’er it can, 
 
 To put us on the at with mah. 
 
 Let my own aft) s recommend ; 
 
 No prejudice ca blind a friend : 
 
 You, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 5 
 
 You know me free from all difguife ; 
 
 My honour as my life I prize. 
 
 By talk like this from all miftruft 
 The dog was cur’d, and thought him juft. 
 
 As on a time the Fox held forth 
 On conference, honefty, and worth, 
 
 Sudden heftop’d ’ he cock’d his ear ; 
 
 Low dropt his bufhy tail w ith fear. 
 
 Blefs us ! the hunters are abroad. 
 
 What’s all that clatter on the road ? 
 
 Hold, fays the Dog, we’re fafe from harm : 
 ’Twas nothing but a falfe alarm. 
 
 At yonder town ’tis market day ; 
 
 Some farmer’s w'ife is on the way; 
 
 ’Tis l'o, (1 know her pye-ball’d mare) 
 Dame Dobbins with her poultry-ware. 
 
 Reynard grew huff. Says he. This fneer 
 From you I little thought to hear; 
 
 Your meaning in your looks I fee. 
 
 Pray what’s dame Dobbins, friend, to me ? 
 Did 1 e’er make her poultry thinner? 
 
 Prove that I owe the dame a dinner. 
 
 Friend, 
 
6 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Friend, quoth the Cur, I meant no harm : 
 Then why fo captious ? Why io warm ? 
 
 My words, in common acceptation. 
 
 Could never give this provocation. 
 
 No lamb (for aught I ever knew) 
 
 At this, gall’d Reynard winc’d and fwore 
 Such language ne’er was giv’n before. 
 
 What’s lamb to me ? This faucy hint 
 Shows me, bale knave, whichway you fquint. 
 If t’other night your mafler loft 
 Three lambs ; am I pay the coft ? 
 
 Your vile Refleftions would imply 
 That I’m the thief. You dog, you lie. 
 
 Thou knave, thou fool, (the Dog repiy’d) 
 The name is juft, take either fide ; 
 
 Thy guilt thefe apphta.ions l'peak : 
 
 Sirrah ’tis confcience makes you fqueak. 
 
 So faying, on the Fox he flies ; 
 
 The felf-convi&ed felon dies. 
 
 Fable 
 
The Vulture, the Sparrow, and oth.r Birds, 
 
 To a Friend in the Country. 
 
 17 
 
 JLiR E I begin, I muii premife 
 Our minifters are good and wife ; 
 
 So, though malicious tongues apply. 
 Pray, what care they, or what care J ? 
 
 Vol. I. H 
 
 If 
 
 i 
 
8 
 
 fables: 
 
 r 
 
 If I am free with courts be’t known, 
 I ne’er prefume to mean our own. 
 
 If general morals feem to joke 
 On minifters and fuch like folk, 
 
 A captious fool may take offence ; 
 What then he knows his own pretence. 
 1 meddle with no ftate-affars, 
 
 But fpare my jeft to fave my ears. 
 
 Our prefent fchemes are too profound. 
 To cenfure ’em I’ve no pretention ; 
 
 I own they’re paft my cotnprehenfion. 
 
 You fay your brother wants a place, 
 (’Tis many a younger brother’s cafe) 
 And that he very foon intends 
 To ply the court and teaze his friends. 
 If there he merits chance to find 
 A patriot of an open mind, 
 
 Whofe conftant adlions prove himjuft 
 To both a king's and people's truft. 
 May he, with gratitude, attend. 
 
 And owe his rife to fuch a friend. 
 
 You 
 
FABLES. 
 
 9 
 
 You praife bis parts for bus’nefs fit. 
 
 His learning, probity, and wit; 
 
 But thofe alone will never do, 
 
 Unlefs his patron have ’em too. 
 
 I’ve heard of times, (pray God defend us, 
 We’re not fo good but he can mend us) 
 When wicked minifters have trod 
 On kings and people, law and God ; 
 
 With arrogance they girth the throne. 
 
 And knew no intereft but their own. 
 
 Then virtue, from preferment barr’d, 
 
 Gets nothing but its own reward. 
 
 A gang of petty knaves attend ’em, 
 
 With proper parts to recommend ’em. 
 
 Then, if his patrola burn with lull. 
 
 The firlt in favours pimp theflrft. 
 
 His doors are never clos’d to fpies. 
 
 Who chear his heart with double lies ; 
 They flatter him, his foes defame, 
 
 So lull the pangs of guilt and fharae. 
 
 If fchemes of lucre haunt his brain. 
 Projectors fwell his greedy train ; 
 
 II 2 
 
 Vile 
 
CABLES. 
 
 w 
 
 io 
 
 Vile brokers ply his private ear 
 With jobs of plunder for the year. 
 
 All confidences mull; bend and ply, 
 
 You muft vote on, and not kno w why ; 
 Through thick and thin you mull go on 
 One fcruple, and your place is gone. 
 
 Since pleagueslike thefe have curft a land 
 Andfav’rites cannot always hand. 
 
 Good courtiers fhould for change be ready, 
 And not have principles too fteady 
 For fhould a knave engrofs the pow’r, 
 
 (God fhield the realm from that fad hour) 
 He muft have rogues or flavilh fools ; 
 
 For what’s a knave without his tools ? 
 
 Wherever thofe a people drain. 
 
 And ftrut with infamy and gain, 
 
 I envy not their guilt and ftate, 
 
 And fcorn to ftiare the public hate. 
 
 Let their own fervile creatures rife, 
 
 By fcreening fraud and venting lyes : 
 
 Give 
 
FABLES. 
 
 ri 
 
 Give me kind heav’n a private ftatibn, 
 
 A mind ferene for contemplation, 
 
 Title and profit l refig, n, 
 
 The poft of honour ihall be mine. 
 
 My fables read, their merits a dew, 
 
 T ien herd who will with fuel: a crew. 
 
 f a days of yore (my cautious rh lines, 
 Always accept the prefent times) 
 
 A greedy vulture fkill’d in game, 
 mir'd to guilt, unaw’d by ihame. 
 Approach’d the throne in evil hour, 
 
 And ftep by ftep intrudes to po.v’r : 
 
 When at the royal eagle’s ear 
 He longs to eafe the monarch’s care : 
 
 The monarch grants. With pride elate, 
 Behold him minifter of Bate ! 
 
 Around him throng the feather’d rout ; 
 Friends muft be ferv’d, and fome mull out, 
 
 # — —When impious men bear /way,' 
 
 Thepjl of honour is a private fat ion. 
 
 Ad d iso n. 
 
 H 3 Each 
 
FABLE s. 
 
 1 
 
 *■ ■* 1 
 
 Each thinks his own the bell pretenfion ; 
 This aiks a place, and that a penfion. 
 
 The nightingale was fets aftde : 
 
 A forward daw his room fupply’d. 
 
 This bird, (fays he) for bus’nefs fit, 
 
 Hath both fagacity and wit ; 
 
 Wjth all his turns and fhifts and tricks, 
 
 He’s docile, and at nothing flicks : 
 
 Then vvirh his neighbours one fo free 
 At all times will connive at me. 
 
 The hawk had due diflindion fhown, 
 
 For parts and talents like his own. 
 
 Thoufands of hireling cocks attend him. 
 As bluff ring bullies to defend him. 
 
 At once the ravens were difcarded. 
 
 And magpyes with their polls rewarded, 
 
 Thofe fowls of omen 1 detefl. 
 
 That pry into another’s neft : 
 
 State lyes muil lofe all good intent. 
 
 For they forefee and croak th’ event. 
 
 My friends ne’er think, but talk by rote, 
 Speak what they’re taught, and fo to vote. 
 
 When 
 
 
FABLES n 
 
 When rogues like thefe (a fparrOW cries) 
 To honours and employments ijife, 
 
 I court no favour, afk no place ; 
 
 From fuch preferment is difgrace : 
 
 Within my thatch’d retreat I find,. 
 
 {What thefe ne’er feel) true peace of mind. 
 
— 
 
 f 4 F A B L E S. 
 
 FABLE III. 
 
 1'he Baboon and the Poultry. 
 TosLevee-Hunter. 
 
 W E frequently mifplace efleem 
 By judging men By what they feem. 
 
 To birth, wealth, povv’r we fhould allow 
 Precedence and our loweft bow : 
 
 In 
 
 / 
 
FABLES. 
 
 IS 
 
 In that is due diftin&ion (liown : 
 Eiteem is virtue’s right alone. 
 
 With partial eye we’re apt to fee 
 The man of noble pedigree. 
 
 We’re prepofleft my lords inherits 
 In fome degree his grandfire’s merits ; 
 For thofe we find upon record. 
 
 But find him nothing but my lord. 
 
 When we with fuperficial view 
 Gaze on the rich, we’re dazzled too : 
 We know that wealth, well underftood, 
 Hath frequent pow’r of doing good ; 
 Then fancy tnat the thing is done. 
 
 As if the pow’r and will were one. 
 
 Thus oft the cheated croud adore 
 The thriving knaves that keep ’em poor. 
 
 The cringing train of pow’r furvey : 
 What creatures are fo low as they ! 
 
 With what obfequioufnefs they bend ! 
 To what vile a&ions condefcend ! 
 
 Their rife is on their meannefs built. 
 And llatt’ry is their fmalleft guilt. 
 
 H 5 
 
 What 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 r 
 
 1 6 
 
 What homage, rev’rence, adoration. 
 
 In ev’ry age, in ev’ry nation, 
 
 Have fycophants to pow’r addrefl i 
 No matter who the pow’r pofleft. 
 Letminifters be what they will, 
 
 "You find their levees always fill ? 
 
 Ev’n thofe who have perplex’d a ftate, 
 Whofe a&ions claim contempt and hate, 
 Had wretches to applaud their fchemes, 
 Though more abfurd than madmen’s dreams 
 When barb’rous Moloch was invok’d, 
 
 The blood of infants only l'moak’d, 
 
 But here (unlefs all hift’ry lyes) 
 
 Whole realms have been a facrifice. 
 
 Look through all courts : ’Tis pow’r we find 
 The gen’ral idol of mankind ; 
 
 There worfhipp’d under ev’ry fhape : 
 
 Alike the lion, fox, and ape 
 
 Are follow’d by time-ferving flaves. 
 
 Rich proftitutes and needy knaves. 
 
 Who then fhall glory in his poll ? 
 
 How frail his pride, how vain his boaft ! 
 
 The 
 
FABLES. 
 
 X7 
 
 The followers of his profp’rous hour. 
 
 Are as unftable as his pow’r. 
 
 Pow’r by the breath of flatt’ry nurft. 
 
 The more it f wells, is nearer burft : 
 
 The bubble breaks, the gewgaw ends. 
 
 And in a dirty tear defcends. 
 
 Once on a time an ancient maid. 
 
 By wiihes and by time decay’d. 
 
 To cure the pangs of reftlefs thought. 
 
 In birds and beafts her amufement fought : 
 Dogs, parrots, apes, her hours employ’d $ 
 With thefe alone ftie talk’d and toy’d 5 
 
 A huge baboon her fancy took, 
 
 (Almoft a man in fize and look) 
 
 He finger’d ev’ry thing he found. 
 
 And mimick’d all the fervants round ; 
 
 Then too his parts and ready wit 
 Show’d him for ev’ry bus’nefs fit. 
 
 With all thefe talents, ’twas but juft 
 That pug fhotfld hold a place of truft : 
 
 So 
 
 
i8 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 So to her fav’rite was affign’d 
 The charge of all her feather’d kind ; 
 
 ’Twas his to tend ’em eve and morn. 
 
 And portion out their daily corn. 
 
 Behold him now with haughty ftride, 
 Affume a minifterial pride. 
 
 The morning rofe. In hope of picking. 
 Swans, turkeys, peacocks, ducks, and chick- 
 Fowls of all ranks furrouud his hut, [ken. 
 To worlhip his important ftrut. 
 
 The minifter appears. The croud 
 Now here, now there, obfequious bow’d. 
 This prais’d his parts, and that his face. 
 T’other his dignity in plaee : 
 
 From bill to bill the flatt’ry ran, 
 
 He hears and bears it like a man : 
 
 For when we flatter felf-conceit. 
 
 We but his fentiments repeat. 
 
 If we’re too fcrupuloufly juft, 
 
 What profit’s in a place of truft ? 
 
 The common pra&ice of the great 
 I», to fecure a fnug retreat : 
 
 So 
 
FABLES. 
 
 19 
 
 So pug began to turn his brain 
 (Like other in place) on gain 
 
 An apple- woman’s flail was near, 
 
 Well flock’ d with fruits through all the year* 
 Here ev’ry day he cramm’d his guts. 
 
 Hence were his hoards of pears and nuts ; 
 For ’twas agreed (in way of trade) 
 
 His payments fhould in corn be made. 
 
 The flock of grain was quickly fpent, 
 And no account which way it went ; 
 
 Then to the poultry’s flarv’d condition 
 Caus’d {peculations of fufpicion. 
 
 The fadls were prov’d beyond difpute ; 
 
 Pug mull refund his hoards of fruit : 
 
 And, though then minifler in chief. 
 
 Was branded as a public thief. 
 
 Difgrac’d, defpis’d, confin’d to chains. 
 
 He nothing but his pride retains. 
 
 A goofe pafs’d by, he knew the face. 
 
 Seen in ev’ry levee while in place. 
 
 What, no refpe£l ! no rev’rence fhown ! 
 How faucy are thofe creatures grown ! 
 
 Not 
 
20 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Not two days fince (fays he) you bow’d 
 The loweft of my fawning croud. 
 
 Proud fool (replies the goofe) ’tis true. 
 Thy corn a flutt’ring levee drew ; 
 
 For that I join’d the hungry train. 
 
 And fold thee flatt’ry for thy grain : 
 
 But then, as now, conceited ape. 
 
 We faw thee in thy proper fhape. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 The Ant in Office. 
 
 O U tell me that you apprehend 
 My verfe may touchy folks offend. 
 
 In prudence too you think my rhimes 
 Should never fquint at courtiers crimes ; 
 
 For 
 
 \ 
 
2z 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 For though nor this, nor that is meant. 
 
 Can we another’s thoughts prevent ? 
 
 You alk me if 1 ever knew 
 Court chaplains thus the lawn purfue. 
 
 I meddle not with gown or lawn : 
 
 Poets, I grant, to rile mutt fawn. 
 
 They know great ears are over-nice. 
 
 And never fhoek their patron’s vice. 
 
 But I this hackney path defpife ; 
 
 ’Tis my ambition not to rile: 
 
 If I mull proftitute the mufe. 
 
 The bafe conditions I refufe. 
 
 I neither flatter or defame ; 
 
 Yet own I would bring guilt to fhame. 
 
 If I corruption’s hand expofe, 
 
 I make corrupted men my foes : 
 
 What then ? I hate the paltry tribe. 
 
 Be virtue mine. Be theirs the bribe. 
 
 I no man’s property invade ; 
 
 Corruption’s yet no lawful trade ; 
 
 Nor would it mighty ills produce. 
 
 Could I ihame brib’ry out of ufe. 
 
 I know ! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 23 
 
 I know ’uvouid cramp melt politicians. 
 Were they tied down to thele conditions : 
 ’Twould flint theirpow’r, their riches bound 
 And make their parts feem lei's profound. 
 Were they deny’d their proper tools, 
 
 How couid they lead their knaves and fool, ? 
 Were this the -cafe, let’s take a view, 
 
 What dr.eadfei! mi (chiefs would eni’ue. 
 Though it might aggrandize the ft ate, 
 
 Couid private lux’ry dine on plate ? 
 
 Kings might indeed their friends reward, 
 But minifters find lei's regard. 
 
 Informers, fycophants, and fpies 
 Would not augment the year’s fupplies : 
 Perhaps too, take away this prop. 
 
 An annual job or two might drop. 
 
 Beftdes, if penfions were defhy’d. 
 
 Could avarice fupport its pride ? 
 
 It might ev’n minifters confound, 
 
 And yet theftate be fafe and found. 
 
 I care not though ’tis underftood ; 
 
 I only mean my country’s good : 
 
 And 
 
24 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 And (let who will my freedom blame) 
 
 I vvilh all courtiers did the fame. 
 
 Nay. though fome folks the lefs might get, 
 I wtih the nation out of debt. 
 
 I put no private man’s ambition 
 With public good in competition : 
 Rather than have our laws defac’d, 
 i’dvotea minifter difgrac’d."-^ " 
 
 v> 
 
 I ftrike at vice, be’t where it will ; 
 
 And what if great folks take it ill f 
 I hope, corruption, brib’ry, penfion, 
 
 One may with deteflation mention : 
 
 Think you the law (let who will take it) 
 Can feandalum magnatum make it ? 
 
 I vent no flander, owe no grudge. 
 
 Nor of another’s confcience judge : 
 
 At him or him I take no aim. 
 
 Yet dare againft all vice declaim. 
 
 Shall I not ceufure breach of trull, 
 Becaul'e knaves know themfelves unjull ? 
 The fteward, whofe account is clear, 
 Demands his honour may appear ; 
 
 His 
 
FABLES. 
 
 25 
 
 fis attions never fhun the light ; 
 de is, and would be prov’d upright. 
 
 But then you think my fable bears 
 Allufion too to date affairs. 
 
 I grant it does : And who’s fo great, 
 
 That has the privilege to cheat ? 
 
 [f then in future reign 
 'For miniders may third for gain) 
 Corrupted hands defraud the nation, 
 bear no reader’s application. 
 
 An Ant there was whofe ferward prate 
 Controul’d all matters in debate ; 
 Whether he knew the thing or no, 
 
 His tongue eternally would go j 
 For he had impudence at will. 
 
 And boaded univerfal fkill. 
 
 Ambition was his point in view ; 
 
 Thus by degrees to pow’r he grew. 
 
 Behold him now his drift attain ; 
 
 He’s made chief treas’rer of the grain. 
 
 
 But 
 
FABLE S. 
 
 * 6 , 
 
 But as their ancient laws are juft, 
 Andpunifh breach of public truft, 
 
 ’Tis order’d (left wrong application 
 Should ftarve that wife induftrious nation) 
 Tnat all accounts be ftated clear, 
 
 T. hr flock, and what defray’d the year ; 
 Th.it auditors fhall thefe infpedf. 
 
 And public rapine thus be check’d.. 
 
 For this the foletnn day was let ; 
 
 The auditors in council met. 
 
 The gran’ry-keeper muft explain 
 And balance his account of grain. 
 
 He brought (flnce he could, not re fufe ’em) 
 Some fcraps of paper to amufe ’era; 
 
 An honeft pifmire, warm with zeal, 
 
 In juftice to the public weal, 
 
 Thus fpoke. The nation’s hoard is low, 
 From whence does this profufion flow r 
 I know our annual fund’s amount. 
 
 Why fuch expence ? and where’s account. : 
 
 With wonted arrogance and pride, 
 
 The Ant in office thus reply’d. 
 
 Confide! 
 
FABLES. 
 
 27 
 
 Confider; Sirs, werefecrets told, 
 do.w could the beft-fe’nemecbprojedls hold ? 
 Jhould we ftate myfteries difclofe, 
 
 Twould lay us open to our foes. 
 
 Wy duty and my well known zeal 
 3id me our prefent fchem.es conceal : 
 iut, on my honour, all th’ expence 
 Thou vuft) was for the fwarm’s defence. 
 
 The pafs’d th* acoount, as fair and juft, 
 And voted him implicit truft. 
 
 Next year again the gran’ry drain’d, 
 de thus innocence maintain’d. 
 
 Think how our prefent matters ftand, 
 What danger’s treat from ev’ry hand ; 
 
 What hofts of turkeys ftroll for food ; 
 
 No farmer’s wife but hath her brood. 
 Confider when invafion’s near. 
 
 Intelligence muft coil us dear ; 
 
 And, in this ticklifh fttuation, 
 
 [A. fecrettold betrays the nation. 
 
28 
 
 FABLES 
 
 But on my honour, all th’ expence 
 (Though vaft was for the fwarm’s defence. 
 
 Again without examination. 
 
 They thank’d his fage adminiftration. 
 
 The year revolves. Their treafure fpent } 
 Again in fecret fervice went. 
 
 His honour too again was pledg’d 
 To fatisfy the charge alledg’d. 
 
 When thus, with panic ihame pofieft, 
 
 An auditor his friends addreft. 
 
 Wbat are we ? minifterial tools. 
 
 We little knaves are greater fools. 
 
 At laft this fecret is explor’d ; 
 
 ’Tis our corruption thins the hoard. 
 
 For ev’ry grain we touch’d, at lead 
 A thoufand his own heaps increas’d, 
 
 Then for his kin and fav’rite fpies, 
 
 A hundred hardly would fuflfi ce. 
 
 Thus, for a paltry fneaking bribe. 
 
 We cheat ourfelves and all the tribe ; 
 
 For 
 
FABLES . 
 
 29 
 
 For all the magazine contains 
 Grows from our annual toil and pains. 
 
 They vote th’ account fhall be infpe&ed • 
 ! The cunning plunder’r is detected : 
 
 The fraud is fentenc’d, and his hoard. 
 
 As due to public ufe reftor’d. 
 
 FABLE 
 
The Bear in the Boat. 
 
 To a Coxcomb. 
 
 T HAT man muft daily wifer grow. 
 Whole i'earch is bent himfelf to know • 
 Impartially he weighs his fcope. 
 
 And on firm reafonfonnds his hope ; 
 
 He 
 
FABLES ’. 
 
 3 * 
 
 He tries his ftrength before the race, 
 
 And never feeks his own difgrace; 
 
 He knows the compafs, fail and oar. 
 
 Or never launches from the fhore ; 
 
 Before he builds computes the coll. 
 
 And in no proud purfuit is loft : 
 
 He learns the bounds of human fenfe : 
 
 And fafely walks within the fence : 
 
 Thu 3, confcious of his owui defect, r~ 
 Are pride and felf- importance check’d. 
 
 It 'then felf-knovvledge to purfue. 
 
 Direct our life in ev’ry view. 
 
 Of all the ools that pride can boaft, 
 
 A coxcomb claims diftin&ion theft. 
 
 Coxcombs are of all ranks and kind, 
 They’re not to fex and age confin’d, 
 
 Or rich or poor, or great or fni .il ; 
 
 And vanity befots ’em all. 
 
 By ignorance is pride increas’d ; 
 
 Thofe 1110ft affume who know the leaft ; 
 Their own falfe balance gives ’em weight, 
 But ev’ry other finds ’em light. 
 
 Vot.tll, I Not 
 
 
r 
 
 FABLES- 
 
 3 * 
 
 Not all that coxcombs follies ftrike 
 And draw our ridicule alike ; 
 
 To diff’rent merits each pretends ; 
 
 This in love-vanity tranfcends ; 
 
 That, fmitten with face and ihape. 
 
 By drefs diftinguifhes the ape : 
 
 T’other with learning crams his Ihelf, 
 Knows books and all things but him fell. 
 
 All thefe are fools of low condition. 
 Compar’d with coxcombs of ambition; 
 For thofe puff’d up with ilatt’ry, dare 
 Affume a nation’s various care : 
 
 They ne’er the grofTefl: praife miftruft, 
 Their fycophants feem hardly juit ; 
 
 For thefe, in part alone, attefl 
 The flatt’ry their own thoughts fuggeft. 
 In this wide fphere a coxcomb’s fhowxi 
 In other realms befides his own : 
 
 The felf-deem’d Machiavel at large. 
 By tnrns controuls in ev’ry charge. 
 Does commerce fuffer in her rights ? 
 ’Tishe dire&s the naval flights. 
 
 What 
 
FABLES. 
 
 33 
 
 What Tailor dares difpute his fkill 
 He’ll be an admiral when he will. 
 
 Now, meddling in the Tailor’s trade. 
 Troops mull be hir’d, and levies made. 
 
 He gives embaffadors their cue 
 His cobbled treaties to renew. 
 
 And annual taxes mull fuffice 
 The current blunders to difguiTe. 
 
 When his crude fchemes in ftir are loft. 
 And millions Tcarce defray the coft. 
 
 His arrogance (nought undifmay’d) 
 Trufting in felf-fuftieient aid, ' 
 
 On other rocks mifguidcs the realm, 
 
 I And thinks a pilot at the helm. 
 
 He ne’er fufpects his want of fkill, 
 
 But blunders on from ill to ill ; 
 j And, when he fails of all intent, 
 i Blames only unforeseen event. 
 
 Left you miftake the application, 
 
 The fable calls me to relation. 
 
 Is A Bear 
 
 ♦ ' V 
 
r ■ ' 
 
 34 FABLES. 
 
 A Bear of fhagg and manners rough. 
 
 At climbing trees expert enough. 
 
 For dextroufly, and fafe from harm, 
 
 Year after year herobb’d the fwarm. 
 
 Thus, thriving on induftrious toil. 
 
 He glory’d in his pilfer’d fpoil. 
 
 This trick fo fwell’d him with conceit, 
 He thought no enterprife too great. 
 
 Alike in fciences and arts. 
 
 He boafted univerfal parts ■, 
 
 Pragmatic, bufy, buftling, bold. 
 
 His arrogance was uncontroul’d : 
 
 And thus he made his party good. 
 
 And grew di&ator of the wood. 
 
 The beafts with admiration, Hare, 
 
 And think him a prodigious Bear. 
 
 Were any common booty got, 
 
 5 Twas his each portion to allot ; 
 
 For why, he found there might be picking, 
 Ev’n in the carving of a chicken. 
 
 Intruding thus, he by degrees 
 Claim’d too the butcher’s larger fees. 
 
 And 
 
FABLES. 
 
 35 
 
 And now his over- weening pride 
 In ev’ry provice will prefide 
 No talk too difficult was found. 
 
 His blundering nolle mifleads the hound ; 
 
 In ftratagem and fubtle arts. 
 
 He over-rules the fox’s parts, 
 
 !t chanc’d, as on a certain day, 
 
 Along the bank he took his way, 
 
 A boat with rudder fail and oar, 
 
 At anchor floated near the fhore. 
 
 Eeftopt, and turning to his train, 
 
 Thus pertly vents his vaunting ft rain. 
 
 What blund’ring puppies are mankind,. 
 In evffiy fcience always blind ! 
 
 I mock the- pedantry of fchools : 
 
 What are their compaflfes and rules ? 
 
 From me that helm fhall condu£t learn. 
 
 And man his ignorance difcern. 
 
 So faying, with audacious pride 
 He gains the boat and climbs the fide ;■ 
 
 The beafts aftonifh’d line the ftrand. 
 
 The anchor’s weigh’d, he drives from land ; 
 
 1.3 The 
 
36 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 The flack fail fhifts from fide to fide, 
 
 The boat untr min’d admits the tide. 
 
 Borne down, adrift, at r* dom toft. 
 
 His oar breaks fhort, the rudder’s loft. 
 
 The Bear, prefuming in his (kill. 
 
 Is here and there officious ftill ; 
 
 Till, linking on the dang’rous fands 
 Aground the fhatter’s veffel ftands. 
 
 To fee the bungler thus diftreft 
 The very fifties fneer and jeft ; 
 
 Ev’n gudgeons join in ridicule. 
 
 To mortify the meddling fool. 
 
 The claim’rous watermen appear. 
 
 Threats, curfes, oaths inful t his ear ; 
 
 Seiz’d, threfh’d and chained, he’s dragg’d 
 to land, 
 
 Derifion Ihouts along the ftrand. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES ' 
 
 TABLE VL 
 The Squire and bis Cun 
 
 To a CoUNTRY-GeNTLSMAN, 
 
 qp 
 
 I H E man of pure and fimple heart 
 Through lifedifdains a double part, 
 
 He never needs the fcreen of lyes 
 His inward bofom to difgnife. 
 
' 
 
 38 FABLE S. 
 
 In vain malicious tongues aflail ; 
 
 Let envy fnarl, let Hander rail. 
 
 From virtue’s fhield (fecure from wound) 
 Their blunted venom’d fhafts rebound. 
 
 So fhines his light before mankind. 
 
 His addons prove his ‘ oneft mind. 
 
 If in his country’s caufe he rife. 
 
 Debating fenates to advife, 
 
 Unbrib’d, .unaw’d, he dares impart, 
 
 The honell didlates o; his heart ; 
 
 Ho minnlerial f rown he fears, 
 
 Bui in his virtue perfcveres. 
 
 But would you play the politician, 
 Whole hearts averfe to inllitution, 
 
 Your lipe at ail times, nay, your reafon 
 Mull be^ controul’d by place and feafon. 
 What ftatfeman could his pow’r fupport. 
 Were lying tongues forbid the court ? 
 
 Did princely ears to truth attend, 
 
 What miniller could gain his end ? 
 
 How could he raile his tools to place, 
 And how hishotieft foes difgrace ? 
 
 That 
 
FABLES. 
 
 59 
 
 That politician tops his part. 
 
 Who readily can lye with art ; 
 
 The man’s proficient in his trade, 
 
 His pow’r is ftrong, his fortune’s made. 
 
 By that the iut’reft of the throne 
 Is made fubfervient to his own : 
 
 By that have kings of old, deluded. 
 
 All their own friends for his excluded : 
 
 By that his felfifh fchemes purfuing, 
 
 He thrives upon the public ruin, 
 
 * Antiochus with hardy pace *' Plutarch, 
 Provok’d the dangers of the chace ; 
 
 And, loft, from all his menial train, 
 Travers’d the wood and pathlefs plain : 
 
 A cottage lodg’d the royal gueft ; . 
 
 The Parthien clown brought forth his beft ; 
 The king unknown his feaft enjoy’d, 
 
 And various chat the hours employ’d. 
 
 From wine what fudden friendlhip fprings ! 
 Frankly they talk’d of courts and kings. 
 
 We country-folks (the clown replies) 
 Could ope our gracious monarch’s eyes : 
 
 15 
 
 The 
 
FABLE S. 
 
 r 
 
 40 
 
 The king, (as all our neighbours fay) 
 
 Might he (God blefs him) have his way. 
 
 Is found at heart, and means our good. 
 
 And he would do it, if he could. 
 
 If truth in courts were not forbid, 
 
 Nor kings nor fubjedts would be rid. 
 
 Were he in pow’r, we need not doubt him ; 
 But that transferr’d to thofe about him. 
 
 On them he throws the regal cares : 
 
 And what mind they ? their own affairs. 
 
 If fuch repacious hands he truft. 
 
 The belt of men may feem unjuft : 
 
 From kings to coblers ’tis the fame : 
 
 Bad fervants wouud their mafter’s fame. 
 
 In this our neighbours all agree : 
 
 Would the king knew as much as we. 
 Here he ftopt fhort. Pvepofe they fought : 
 The peafant flept, the monarch thought. 
 
 The courtiers learnt, at early dawn, 
 Where their loft fovereign was withdrawn. 
 The guards approach our hoft alarms. 
 
 With gaudy coats the cottage fwarms ; 
 
 X > 
 
 The 
 
FAB L E S. 
 
 41 
 
 The crown and purple robes they bring, 
 And proftrate fall before the king. 
 
 The clown was call’d ’ the royal gueft 
 By due reward his thanks expreft, 
 
 The king then, turning to the croud. 
 Who fawningly before him bow’d. 
 
 Thus fpoke. Since, but on private gain, 
 Your counfels firft milled my reign, 
 Taught and inform’d by you alone. 
 
 No truth the royal ear has known 
 Till here converling. Hence, ye crew. 
 For now I know myfelf and you. 
 
 Whene’er the royal ear’s engroft. 
 
 State lyes but little genius coll. 
 
 The fav’rite then fecurely robs. 
 
 And gleans the nation with his jobs. 
 Franker and bolder grown in ill, 
 
 He d^ily poifons dares inflil ; 
 
 And, as his prefent views fugged. 
 
 Inflames or fooths the royal bread. 
 
 Thus wicked minifters opprefs. 
 
 When oft the monarch means redrefs. 
 
 Would 
 
FABLeS. 
 
 r 
 
 41 
 
 Would kings their private fubjedls hear, 
 A minifter mud talk with fear. 
 
 If honefly oppos’d his views. 
 
 He dar’d not innocence accufe; 
 iwould keep him in fuch narrow^ bound. 
 He could not right and wrong confound. 
 Happy were Kings, could they difclofe 
 Their real friends and real foes ! 
 
 Were both themfelves and fubje&s known, 
 A monarch’s will might be his own : 
 
 Had he the ufe of ears and eyes. 
 
 Knaves would no more be counted wife. 
 But then a minifter might lofe 
 (Hard cafe !) his own ambitious views. 
 When fuch as thefe have vex’d a Bate, 
 Purfu’d by univerfal hate, 
 
 Their falfe fupport at once hath fail’d. 
 
 And porfevering truth prevail’d : 
 
 Expos’d their train of fraud is feen. 
 
 Truth will at laft remove the fereen: 
 
 A country 
 
FABLES. 
 
 43 
 
 A country fquire, by whom dire&ed. 
 The true ftaunch dogs of chace negle&ed ; 
 Beneath his board no hound was fed ? 
 
 His hand ne’er ftroak’d the fpaniel’s head ; 
 A fnappilh cur, alone careft, 
 
 By lyes had banifh’d all the reft : 
 
 Snap had his ear ; and defamation 
 Gave him full fcope for converfation. 
 
 His fycophants muft be preferr’d j 
 Room muft be made for all his herd : 
 Wherefore, to bring his fchemes about, 
 Old faithful fervants all muft out. 
 
 The Cur on ev’ry creature flew, 
 
 (As other great men’s puppies do) 
 
 Unlefs due court to him were lhown. 
 
 And both their face and bus’nefs known, 
 Ho honed tongue an audience found. 
 
 He worried all the tenants round. 
 
 For why he liv’d in conftant fear. 
 
 Left truth by chance fhould interfere. 
 
 It 
 
FABLES \ 
 
 4 4 
 
 If any ftranger dar’d intrude. 
 
 The noify cur his heels purfu’d ; 
 
 Now fierce with rage, now ltruck with dread. 
 At once he fnarled, bit and fled : 
 
 Aloofhe bays with briftling hair. 
 
 And thus in l'ecret growls his fear. 
 
 Who knows but truth, in this difguife. 
 
 May fruftrate my befi: guarded lyes ? 
 
 Should fhe (thus maik’d) admittance find. 
 That very hour my ruin’s fign’d. 
 
 Now in his howl’s continu’d found 
 Their words were loft,the voice was drown’d. 
 
 Ever in awe of honeft tongues. 
 
 Thus ev’ry day he {train’d his lungs. 
 
 i 
 
 It happen’d, in ill &a&xiS2r hour, 
 
 That Snap, unmindful of his pow’r, 
 
 Forfook hisp$tt, to love inclin’d, 
 
 A fav’rite bitch was in the find ; 
 
 By her feduc’d, in am’rous p;ay 
 They frifk’d the joyous hours away. 
 
 Thus by untimely love purfuing. 
 
 Like Antony, he fought his ruin. 
 
 For 
 
FABLES. 
 
 45 
 
 For now the fquire mi vex’d with noife. 
 An honeft neighbour’s chat enjoys. 
 
 Be free (fays he) your mind impart ; 
 
 I love a friendly open heart. 
 
 Methink my tenants Ihun my gate : 
 
 Why fuch a ftranger grown of late ? 
 
 Pray tell me what offence they find, 
 
 ’Tis plain they’re not fo well inclin’d. 
 
 Turn off your cur, (the farmer cries) 
 Who feeds your ear with daily lyes ; 
 
 His fnarling infolence offends, 
 
 ’Tis he that keeps you from your friends ; 
 Were but that faucy puppy checkt. 
 
 You’d find again the fame refpedl. 
 
 Hear only him, he’ll fwear it too. 
 
 That all our hatred is to you : 
 
 But learn from us your true eftate ; 
 
 ’Tis that curft cur alone we hate. 
 
 The Squire heard truth. Now Snap rufh’d 
 The wide hall echoes with his din : [in 
 
 Yet truth prevail’d; and, with difgrace. 
 The Dog was cudgell’d out of place. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLE VII. 
 
 The Countryman and Jupiter. 
 
 To Myself. 
 
 JPIa.VE you a friend (look reundandlpy) 
 So fond, i'o prepofilis’d as I? 
 
 Yo ar faults fo obv ious to mankind. 
 
 My partial eyes could never find. 
 
 When, 
 
FABLES. 
 
 47 
 
 When, by the breath of fortune blown,. 
 Your airy caftles were o’erthrown. 
 
 Have 1 been over-prone to blame, 
 
 Or mortiffied your hours with lhame ? 
 
 Was I e’er known to damp your fpirit, 
 
 Or twit you with the want of merit ? 
 
 ’Tis not fo ftrange that fortuue’s frown? 
 Still perfeveresto keep you down. 
 
 Look round, and fee what others do, 
 
 Would you be rich, and honeft too ? 
 
 Have you (like thofe {he rais’d to place). 
 Been opportunely mean and bafe ?. 
 
 Have you (as times requir’d) refign’d 
 Truth, honour, virtue, peace of mind? 
 
 If thefe are fcruples, give her o’er ; 
 
 Write, pradtife morals, and be poor. 
 
 The gift of fortune truly rate ; 
 
 Then tell me what would mend your {late. 
 If happinefs on wealth were built, 
 
 Rich rogues might comfort find in guilt. 
 
 As grows the Mifer’s hoarded ftore, 
 
 His fears, his wants, increafe the more, 
 
 Think,. 
 
48 
 
 F A B L E S 
 
 Think, Gay, (what ne’er may be the cafe) 
 Should Fortune take you into grace. 
 
 Would that your happinefs augment ? 
 What can /he give beyond content ? 
 
 Suppole yourfelf a wealthy heir. 
 
 With a vaft annual income clear ; 
 
 In all the affluence you po/Tefs 
 You might not feel one care thelefs: 
 
 Might you not then (like others) find. 
 
 With change of fortune, change of mind ? 
 Perhaps, profufe beyond all rule, 
 
 Y on might ftart out a glaring fool ; 
 
 Your luxury might break all bounds ; 
 
 Plate, table, horfes, fiewards, hounds. 
 
 Might fwell your debts : Then lull of play 
 No regal income can defray. 
 
 Sunk is all credit, writs affail. 
 
 And doom your future life to jail. 
 
 Or were you dignified with pow’r 
 Would that avert one penfivehour ? 
 
 You might give avarice its fwing. 
 
 Defraud a nation,, blind a king : 
 
 Then, 
 
fables: 
 
 49 
 
 -then, from the hirelings in your caufe,. 
 Thou daily fed with falfe applaufe. 
 
 Could it a real joy impart ? 
 
 Great guilt knew never joy at heart. 
 
 Is happinefs your point in view ?• 
 
 (I mean th’ intrinfic and the true) 
 
 She nor in camps or eourts reiides, 
 
 Nor in the humble cottage hides; 
 
 Yet found alike in ev’ry fphere ; 
 
 Who finds content, will find her there- 
 O’erfpent with toil, beneath the fhade 
 A Peafant refted on his fpade. 
 
 Good Gods, he cries, J tis hard to bear 
 This load of life from year to year ! 
 
 Soon as the morning ftreaks the {kies, 
 Induftrious labour bids me rife ;■ 
 
 With fweat I earn my homely fare, 
 
 And ev’ry day renews my cave. 
 
 Jove heard the difcontented ftrain. 
 
 And thus rebuk’d the murm’ring fwain- 
 
 Speak 
 
50 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Speak out your wants then, honeft friend; 
 tT iuft complaints the Gods offend. 
 
 If ou repine at partial fate, 
 
 I. u£t me what could mend your flate. 
 
 M :kind in ev’ry flat ion fee. 
 
 What wifh you r tell me what you’d be. 
 
 So laid, upborne upon a cloud. 
 
 The clown furvey’d the anxious croud'. 
 
 Yon face of care, fays Jove, behold ; 
 
 His bulky bags are fill’d with gold. 
 
 See with what joy he counts it o’er ! 
 
 That fum to-day hath f well’d his flore. 
 
 Were I that man, (the Peafant cry’d) 
 What bldftng could I alk befide ? 
 
 Hold, fays the God ; firfl learn to know 
 True happinefs from outward fhow. 
 
 This toptic glafs of intuition— 
 
 Here, take it, view his true condition. 
 
 He look’d and faw the mifer’s breafi, 
 
 A troubled ocean, ne’er at reft ; 
 
 Want ever flares him in the face. 
 
 And fear anticipates difgrace ; 
 
 With 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 1 
 
 
 55 
 
 With confcious guilt he faw him flart ; 
 Extortion gnaws his throbbing heart. 
 
 And never, or in thought or dream. 
 
 His breaft admits one happy gleam. 
 
 May Jove, he cries, reject my pray’r. 
 And guard my life from guilt and care ; 
 My foul abhors that wretch’s fate. 
 
 ' O keep me in my humble ftate ! 
 i But, fee amidft a gaudy croud, 
 
 ! Yon minifler fo gay and proud, 
 
 On him what happinefs attends, 
 
 Who thus rewards his grateful friends ! 
 Firft take the glafs, the god replies, 
 
 Man views the world with partial eyes. 
 
 Good gods, exclaims the ftartled wight, 
 Defend me from this hideous fight ! 
 Corruption with corrofive fmart. 
 
 Lies cank’ring on his guilty heart ; 
 
 I fee him, with polluted hand, 
 
 Spread the contagion o’er the land, 
 
 Now av’rice with infatiate jatvs. 
 
 Now rapine with her harpy claws. 
 
 His 
 
fables. 
 
 5Z 
 
 His bofom tears. His confcions breaffc 
 Groans with a load of crimes oppreit. 
 See him, mad and drunk with power. 
 Stand tott’ring on ambition’s tower : 
 Sometimes, in ipeeches vain and proud. 
 His boafts infult the neither croud : 
 How, feiz’d with giddinefs and fear. 
 
 He trembles left his fall is near. 
 
 Was ever wretch like this, he cries i 
 Such mifery in fuch difguile ! 
 
 The change, O Jove, 1 difavow. 
 
 Still be my lot the fpade and plough. 
 
 He next, confirm’d by (peculation, 
 
 Reieas the lawyer’s occupation; 
 
 For he the ftatefeman feem’d in part. 
 And bore fimilitude of heart. 
 
 Hor did the foldier’s trade inflame 
 His hopes with thirft of fpoil and fame ; 
 
 The miferies of war he mourn’d. 
 
 Whole nations into dei'arts turn’d. ^ . 
 
 By thefe have laws and rights been 
 By thefe was free-bem man infiav’d : ^ 
 
1 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 When, battles and invafion ceafe. 
 
 Why fwarm they in the land of peace ? 
 Such change (fays he) may he decline ; 
 The fcythe and civil arms be mine ! 
 
 Thus, weighing life in each condition. 
 The clown withdrew his rafh petition. 
 When thus the god. How mortals err ! 
 If you true happinefs prefer, 
 j’Tis not rank of life confin’d, 
 
 But dwells in ev’ry honefl mind. 
 
 Be juftice then your foie purfuit, 
 
 Plant virtue, and content’s the fruit. 
 
 ' • v ' ' \ . . 
 
 So Jove, to gratify the clown. 
 
 Where firft he found him fet him down. 
 
 53 
 
 fable 
 
r 
 
 FABiE f III. 
 
 Jhe Man, the Cat, the Dog, and the Fly, 
 T& my Native Country, 
 
 ■fl -AIL happy land, whofe fertile grounds 
 The liquid fence of eptune bounds; 
 
 By bounteous nature I t. apart, 
 
 The feat of induftry and art, 
 
 O Britain, 
 
 
F A B L E 8, 
 
 
 O Britain, chofen port of trade. 
 
 May lax’ry ne’er thy fons invade ; 
 
 May never minuter (intent 
 His private treai'ures to augment} 
 
 Corrupt thy ftate: If jealous foes 
 
 Thy rights of commerce dare oppofe, 
 
 Shall not thy fleets their rapine awe ? 
 
 Who is’t prescribes the ocean law ? 
 
 Whenever neighboring ftates contend, 
 ’Tis thine to be the gen’ral friend. 
 
 What is’t that rules in other lands ? 
 
 On trade alone thy glory {bands. 
 
 That benefit is unconfin’d, 
 
 Diffufing good among mankind : 
 
 That fir ft gave luftre to thy reigns, 
 
 And fcatter’d plenty o’er thy plains : 
 
 ’Tis that alone thy wealth fupplies, 
 
 And draws all Europe’s envious eyes. 
 
 Be commerce then, thy foie defign ; 
 
 Keep that, and all the world is thine. 
 
 When naval traffic ploughs the main. 
 
 Who fhares not in the merchant’s gain ? 
 Vol, IL K ’Tis 
 
/ 
 
 $G FA B L E S. 
 
 *Tis that fupports the regal flate, 
 
 And makes the farmer’s heart elate ; 
 
 The num’rous flocks that cloath the land, 
 Can fcarce fupply the loom’s demand; 
 Prolific culture glads the fields, 
 
 And the bare heath aharvelt yields. 
 
 Nature expects mankind fhould fhare 
 The duties of the public care. 
 
 Who’s born for flot'n ? * To fome we find 
 The plough-fhares annual toil aflign’d ; 
 Some at the founding anvil glow ; 
 
 Some the fwift-lliding lhuttle throw ; 
 Some ftudious of the wind and tide, 
 
 From pole to pole our commerce guide .: 
 Some (taught by induftry) impart 
 With hands and feet the works of art ; 
 While fome of genius more refin’d : 
 
 With head and tongue aflift mankind : 
 Each, aiming at one common end. 
 
 Proves to the whole a needful friend. 
 Thus, born each other’s uieful aid, 
 
 By turns are obligations paid. 
 
 * BarrGw . 
 
 The 
 

 &jb33LES. 57 
 
 The monarch, when his table’s fpread. 
 
 Is to the clown oblig’d for bread ; 
 
 And, when in all his glory dreft, 
 
 Owes to the loom his royal veil : 
 
 Do not the mafon’s toil and care 
 Protect him from th’ inclement air r 
 Does not the cutler’s art fupply 
 The ornament that guards his thigh ? 
 
 All thefe, in duty to the throne 
 Their common obligations own. 
 
 ’Tis he (his own and people’s caufe) 
 Prote&s their properties and laws : 
 
 Thus they their honeft toil employ. 
 
 And with content the fruits enjoy. 
 
 In ev’ry rank, of great or fmall, 
 
 ’Tis induftry fupports us all. 
 
 The animals, hy want oppreft. 
 
 To man their fervices addreft. 
 
 While each purfu’d their felfiih good. 
 They hunger’d for precarious food ; 
 
 K i 
 
 Their 
 
/ 
 
 53 FABLES. 
 
 Their hours with anxious cares were vext, 
 One day they fed, and ftarv’d the next : 
 They faw that plenty, fure and rife, 
 
 Was found alone in focial life ; 
 
 That, mutual induftry profeft 
 The various wants of Man redrefh 
 
 The Cat, half famifh’d, lean and weak. 
 Demands the privilege to fpeak. 
 
 Well, Pufs, (fays Man) and what can you 
 To benefit the public do ? 
 
 The Cat replies ; thefe teeth, thefe claws. 
 With vigilence fhall ferve the caufe. 
 
 The moufe, deftroy’d by my purfuit, 
 
 No longer lhall your feafts pollute; 
 
 Nor rats from nightly ambufcade, 
 
 With wafteful teeth your ftores invade, 
 
 I grant, fays Man, to gen’ral ufe 
 Your parts and talents may conduce ; 
 
 For rats and mice purloin our grain. 
 
 And threfhers whirl the flail in vain : 
 
 Thus fhall the Cat, a foe to fpoil, 
 
 Proted the farmer’s honeft toil. 
 
 Then 
 
1 
 
 F A B L E S. 59 
 
 Then turning to the dog, he cry’d, 
 
 Well, fir; be next your merits try’d. 
 
 Sir, fays the Dog, by felf-applaufe 
 We feem to own a friendlefs caufe. 
 
 Afk thoie who know me, if diftruft 
 E’er found me treach’rous or unjuft. 
 
 Did I e’er faith or friendftiip break ? 
 
 Afk all thoie creatures ? let them fpeak. 
 
 My vigileneeand trufty zeal 
 Perhaps might ferve the public weal. 
 
 Might not your flocks in fafety feed. 
 
 Were I to guard the fleecy breed ? 
 
 Did 1 the nightly watches keep, 
 
 Couid thieves invade you while you deep I 
 The man replies, ’tis juft and right. 
 Rewards fuch fervice ihould requite. 
 
 So rare, in property, we find 
 'Xruft uncorrupt among mankind. 
 
 That, taken in a public view. 
 
 The firft diftinftion is your due. 
 
 Such merits all reward tranfcend; 
 
 Re then my comrade and my friend. 
 
 K-3 Addrefling 
 
 
6o 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Addreffing now the Fly. From you 
 What public fervice can accrue ? 
 
 From me ! the flutt’ring infe£i laid $• 
 
 I thought you knew me better bred. 
 
 Sir, I’m a gentleman. Is’t fit 
 That I toinduftry fubmit ? 
 
 Let mean mechanics, to be fed. 
 
 By bus’nefs earn ignoble bread : 
 
 Loft in exccfs of daily-joys, 
 
 No thought, no care my life annoys. 
 
 At noon (the lady’s matin hour) 
 
 I iip the tea’s delicious flower : 
 
 On cates luxurioufly I dine. 
 
 And drink the fragrance of the vine. 
 Studious of elegance and eafe, 
 
 Myfelf alone 1 feek to pleafe. 
 
 The man his pert conceit derides, 
 
 Aud thus the ufelefs coxcomb chides. 
 
 Hence, from that peach, that downy 
 No idle fool deferves to eat. [feat ; 
 
 Could you have fapp’d the blufbing rind. 
 And cn that pulp ambrolial din'd. 
 
 Had 
 
¥ A E L E S. 
 
 6\ 
 
 Had not lome hand with, (kill and toil. 
 
 To raife the tree, prepar’d the foil ? 
 Confider, lot, what would entire, 
 
 Were all fuch worth lei's things as vou : 
 You’d foon be forc’d (by hunger Hung) 
 
 To make your dirty meals on dung. 
 
 On which i'uch defnicable need. 
 
 x 
 
 Unpitied, is reduc’d to feed. 
 
 Bifides, vain felfifh iirfefl, learn, 
 
 (If you can right or wrong difeern) 
 
 That he who with induftrious zeal 
 Contributes to the public weal, 
 
 By adding to the common good. 
 
 His own hath rightly underftood. 
 
 So faying, with a iudden blow 
 He laid the noxious vagrant low : 
 
 Crulh’d in his luxury and pride. 
 
 The fpunger on the public, died. 
 
 K 4, 
 
 F A B -L E 
 

 F A E L E S, 
 
 . 
 
 FABLE IX. 
 
 The Jackall, Leopard, and other Bea (Is. 
 !Tofi Modern Politician. 
 
 I Grant corruption {ways mankind. 
 
 That int’reft too perverts the mind, 
 
 That bribes have blinded common fenfe, 
 Foil’d reafon, truth and eloquence ; 
 
 I grant 
 
 t 
 
FABLES. 
 
 63 
 
 I grant you too, our prefent crimes 
 Can equal thofe of former tiroes. 
 
 Againft plain fads fhall I engage. 
 
 To vindicate our righteous age ? 
 
 I know, that in a modern fill. 
 
 Bribes iu full energy fublift : 
 
 Since then thefe arguments prevail. 
 
 And itching palms are ftill fo frail. 
 
 Hence politicians, you fuggeft. 
 
 Should drive the nail that goes the beft 
 That it fhows parts and penetration. 
 
 To ply men with the right temptation. 
 
 To this, I humbly mull diffent, 
 
 Premifmg no refledion’s meant. 
 
 Does juftice, or the client’s fenfe. 
 
 Teach lawyers either Side’s defence ? 
 
 The fee gives eloquence it’s fpirit ; 
 
 That only is the client’s merit. 
 
 Does art, wit, wifdom, or addrefs, 
 
 Obtain the proflitute’s carels ? 
 
 The guinea (as in other trades) 
 
 From ev’ry hand alike perfuades. 
 
 K 5 Mam 
 
64 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 Man, fcripture fays, is prone to evil ; 
 
 But does that vindicate the devil ? 
 
 Befides, the more mankind are prone, 
 
 The lefs the devil’s parts are fhown. 
 Corruption’s not of modern date ; 
 
 It hath been try’d in ev’ry flate : 
 
 Great knaves of old their pow’r have fenc’d 
 By places, penlions, bribes dilpens’d ; 
 
 By thefe they glory’d in fuccefs. 
 
 And impudently dat’d opprefs ; 
 
 By thefe defpoticly they l’way’d. 
 
 And Haves extoll’d the hand that pay’d ; 
 Nor parts nor genius were employ’d, 
 
 Bp thefe alone were realms deflroy’d.* 
 
 Now fee thefe wretches in difgrace, 
 
 Stript of their ueafures, pow’r and place : 
 View ’em abandon’d and forlorn, 
 
 Expos’d to juft reproach and fcorn. 
 
 What now is all your pride, your boafl ? 
 Where are your Haves, your flatt’ring hod ? 
 W hat tongues now feed you with applaufe? 
 Where are the champions of your caufe ! 
 
 Now 
 
 
fable s. 
 
 6$ 
 
 Now ev’n that very fawning train. 
 
 Which fhar’d the gleanings of your -gain, 
 Prefs formoft who fhallfirft accufe 
 Your felfifh jobs, your paltry vie.vs. 
 
 Your narrow fchemes, your breach of truft 
 And want of talents to be juft. 
 
 What fools were thefeamidft their pow’r! 
 How thoughtlefs of their adverfe hour ! 
 What friends were made? A hireling herd. 
 For temporary votes preferr’d. 
 
 Was it, thei’e iycophants to get. 
 
 Your bounty fwed’d a nation’s debt ? 
 
 You’re bit. For thefe, like Swifs, attend, 
 No longer pay, no longer friend. 
 
 I The Lion is (beyond difpute) 
 
 Allow’d the moft majeftic brute ; 
 
 His valour and his gen’rous mind. 
 
 Prove him fuperior of his kind. 
 
 Yet to the jackalls (as ’tis averr’d) 
 
 Some lions have their pow’r transferr’d : 
 
 
66 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 As if the parts of pimps and fpies 
 To govern foreds could fuffice. 
 
 Once, dudious of his private good, 
 
 A proud Jackall oppred the wood ; 
 
 To cram his own lnfatiate jaws, 
 
 Invaded property and laws : 
 
 The forefl groans with difcontent, 
 
 Frelh wrongs the gen’ral hate foment. 
 
 The fp reading murmurs reach’d his ear; 
 His fecret hours were vex’d with fear : 
 Night after night he weighs the cafe. 
 
 And feels the terrors of difgraee. 
 
 By friends (fays he) I’ll guard my feat. 
 By thofe malicious tongues defeat ; 
 
 I’ll drengthen pow’r by new allies. 
 
 And all my clam’rous foes defpife. 
 
 To makethe gen’rous beads his friends. 
 He cringes, fawns,, and condefeends; 
 
 By thofe repuls’d his abjedl court. 
 
 And fcorn’d oppreflion to fupport. 
 Friends mud be had. He can’t fubfid. 
 Bribes fhall new profelytes cnl'ift. 
 
 But 
 
FABLES . 67 
 
 But thefe nought weigh’d in honefi paws j 
 For bribes confefs a wicked caufe : 
 
 Yet think not ev’ry paw withstands 
 What had prevail’d in human hands. 
 
 A tempting turnip’s filver /kin 
 Drew a bafe hog through thick and thin : 
 Bought with a Hag’s delicious haunch. 
 
 The mercenary wolf was Haunch : 
 
 The convert fox grew warm and hearty, 
 
 A pullet gain’d him to the party : 
 
 The golden pippin in his fifl, 
 
 A chatt’ring monkey join’d the lifl. 
 
 But foon expos’d to public hate. 
 
 The fav’rite’s fall redrefs’d the Hate. 
 
 The Leopard, vindicating right. 
 
 Had brought his fecret frauds to light. 
 
 As rats before the manfion falls, 
 
 Defert late hofpitable walls. 
 
 In flioals the fervile creatures run. 
 
 To bow before the riling fun. 
 
 The hog with warmth exprefl his zeal, 
 find was for hanging thofe that Heal ; 
 
 But 
 
63 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 r 
 
 But hop’d, though low, the public hoard 
 Might half a turnip {till afford. 
 
 Fine laving inealures were profeft, 
 
 A lamb’s head was the wolf’s requeft. 
 
 The fox fubmitted, if to touch 
 A golhn wou’d be deem’d too much. 
 
 The monkey thought his grin and chatter 
 Might alk a nut or fome fuch matter. 
 
 Ye hirelings, hence, the Leopard cries, 
 Your venal confcience I defpife: 
 
 He who the public good intends, 
 
 By bribes need never purchafe friends ; 
 Who ails this juft, this open part. 
 
 Is propt by ev’ry honeft heart. 
 
 Corruption now too late has fhow’d. 
 
 That bribes are always ill bellow’d : 
 
 By you your bubbled mailer’s taught, 
 Time-ferving tools, not friends, are bought. 
 
 ♦ 
 
 ♦ 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 69 
 
 -I 
 
 FABLE X. 
 
 The Degenerate Bees. 
 
 Tt 5 the Reverend Dr. S IV I F T, Dean of 
 ft Patrick ’s. 
 
 Hough courts the practice di allow, 
 
 A friend at all times I’ll avow. 
 
 In politics I know’tis wrong; 
 
 A friendfhip may be kept too long : 
 
 And 
 
r 
 
 70 FABLES. 
 
 And what they call the prudent part. 
 
 Is to wear int’reft next the heart. 
 
 As the times take a diff’rent face. 
 
 Old friendfhips fhould to new give place. 
 
 I know too you have many foes, 
 
 That owning you is lharing thofe ; 
 
 That ev’ry knave in ev’ry ftation. 
 
 Of high and low denomination. 
 
 For what you fpeak and what you write. 
 Dread you at once and bear you fpite. 
 
 Such freedoms in your works are fhown. 
 They can’t enjoy what’s not their own. 
 
 All dunces too in church and ftate 
 In frothy nonfenfe fhow their hate, 
 
 With all the pretty fcribbling crew, 
 
 (And thofe pert fots are not a few) 
 
 ’Gainft you and Pope their envy fpurt. 
 
 The boohfellers alone are hurt. 
 
 Good Gods ! by what a pow’rful race 
 (For blockheads may have pow’r and place) 
 Are fcandals rais’d, and libels writ. 
 
 To prove your honefly and wit ; 
 
 Think 
 
FABLE S. 
 
 I 1 
 
 Think with yourfelf : thofe worthy men 
 You know have fuffer’d by your pen; 
 From them you’ve nothing but your due, 
 From hence ’tis plain, your friends are few : 
 Except myfelf, I know of none, 
 
 Befides the wife and good alone. 
 
 To fet the cafe in fairer light. 
 
 My fable fhall the reft recite ; 
 
 Which (tho’ unlike our prefent ftate) 
 
 I for the moral’s fake relate. 
 
 A Bee of cunning, not of parts, 
 Luxurious, negligent of arts, 
 Rapacious, arrogant and vain. 
 
 Greedy of pow’r, but more of gain. 
 Corruption fow’d throughout the hive. 
 By pretty rogues the great ones thrive. 
 
 As pow’r and wealth his views fupply’d, 
 ’Twasfeen in overbearing pride ; 
 
 With him loud impudence had merit. 
 
 To be of confcience w r anted fpirit : - 
 
 And 
 
72 
 
 F J B L E S. 
 
 And t’nofe who follow’d honours rules 
 Were laugh’d to fcorn for fqueamifh fools 
 Wealth claim’d diftin&ion, favour, grace, 
 And poverty alone was bafe ; 
 
 He treated induftry with flight, 
 
 TJnlels he found his profit by’t : 
 
 Rights, laws, and liberties give way. 
 
 To bring his felfifh fchemes in play : 
 
 The fwarm forgot the common toil. 
 
 To fhare the gleanings of hisfpoiL 
 
 While vulgar fouls, of narrow parts, 
 Wafte life in low mechanic arts. 
 
 Let us, (fays he) to genius born. 
 
 The drudgery of our fathers fcorn. 
 
 The wafp and drone, you muft agree. 
 
 Live with more elegance than we ; 
 
 Like gentlemen they fport and play, 
 
 No bus’nefs interrups the day ; 
 
 Their hours to luxury they give, 
 
 And nobly on their neighbours live. 
 
 A flub 
 
F AB L E S '. 
 
 73 
 
 A ftubborn Bee among the fwarm. 
 
 With hone-ft indignation warm. 
 
 Thus from his cell with zeal replied : 
 
 I flight thy frowns, and hate thy pride. 
 The laws our native rights proteft y 
 Offending thee, I thofe refped. 
 
 Shall luxury corrupt the hive, 
 
 And none againft the torrent flrive ? 
 
 Exert the honour of your race ; 
 
 He builds his rile on yourdifgrace. 
 
 ’Tis induftry ourflate maintains : 
 
 ^Tvvas honefl toil and honeft gains 
 That rais’d our Sires to pow’r and fame, 
 
 Be virtuous * fave yourfelves from fhame : 
 Know, that in felfilhendspurfuing, 
 
 You fcramble for the public ruin. 
 
 He, fpoke ; and, from his cell difmifs’d, 
 Was infolently fcofl’d and hifs’d. 
 
 With him a friend or two refign’d, 
 Dildaining the degenerate kind. 
 
 Thefe drones, (fays he) thefe infects vile 
 (I treat ’em in their proper ftile) 
 
 May 
 
74 
 
 fable s 
 
 May fora time opprefs the Hate. 
 They own our virtue by their hate ; 
 By that our merits they eveal. 
 
 And recommend our public zeal ; 
 Difg rac’d by this corrupted crew, 
 We’re honour’d by the virtuous few. 
 
 FABLE 
 
To a Young Nobleman. 
 
 jE!fcEGIN, myjord, in early youth 
 To fuffer, nay, encourage truth ; 
 And blame me not for difrefpeft. 
 
 If I flatt’rer’s llile rejedl ; 
 
 The Pack-Horfe ond the 
 
 :er. 
 
76 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 With that, by menial tongues fupply’d. 
 You’re daily cocker’d up in pride. 
 
 The tree’s diflinguith’d by the fruit: 
 
 Be virtue then your firft purfuit : 
 
 Set your great anceftors in view. 
 
 Like them defervethe title too ; 
 
 Like them ignoble a&ions fcorn : 
 
 Let virtue prove you greatly born. 
 
 Though with lefs plate their lide-board 
 fhone. 
 
 Their confcience always was their own ; 
 They ne’er at levees meanly fawn’d. 
 
 Nor was their hononr yearly pawn’d; 
 
 Their hands, by no corruption ftain’d, 
 
 The miniflerial bribe difdain’d ; 
 
 They ferv’d the crown with loyal zeal, 
 
 Yet jealous of the public weal. 
 
 They flood the bulwark of our laws. 
 
 And wore at heart their country’s caufe ; 
 
 By neither place or penfion bought. 
 
 They fpoke and voted as they thought. 
 
 Thus 
 
FABLES. 
 
 77 
 
 Thus did your fires adorn their feat ; 
 And fuch alone are truly great. 
 
 If you the paths of learning flight, 
 You’re but a dunce in ftronger light : 
 
 In formoft rank, the coward, plac’d, 
 
 Is more confpicuoufly difgrac’d. 
 
 If you to ferve a paltry end. 
 
 To kn^vifh jobs can condefcend. 
 
 We pay you thecontempt that’s due ; 
 
 In that you have a precedence too.. 
 
 Whence had you this illuftrious name ? 
 From virtue and unblemifh’d fame. 
 
 By birth the name alone defcends. 
 
 Your honour on yourfelf depends. 
 
 Think not your coronet can hide 
 Affuming ignorance and pride : 
 
 Learning by ftu'dy mull be won, 
 
 ’Twas ne’er entail’d from fon to fon. 
 Superior worth your rank requires. 
 
 For that mankind reveres your fires : 
 
 If you degen’rate from your race, 
 
 Their merits heighten your difgrace. 
 
 A Carrier 
 
IS 
 
 fables. 
 
 A Carrier ev’ry night and morn 
 Would fee his horfes eat their com : 
 
 This funk, the hoftler’s vails, ’tis true; 
 
 But then his horfes had their due. 
 
 Were we fo cautious in all cafes. 
 
 Small gain would rife from greater places. 
 
 The manger now had all its meafure, 
 
 He heard the grinding' teeth with pleafure ; 
 When all at once confufion rung. 
 
 They fnorted, joftled, bit and flung. 
 
 A Pack-horfe turn’d his head afide. 
 Foaming, his eye-balls fwell’d with pride. 
 
 Good Gods ! (fays lie) how hard’s my lot 
 Is then my high defcent forgot ? 
 
 Reduc’d to drudg’ry and difgrace, 
 
 (A life unworthy of my race) 
 
 Mud I too bear the vile attacks 
 Of ragged fcrubs and vulgar hacks ? 
 
 See fcurvy Roan, that brute ill-bred, 
 
 Dares from the manger thrult my head ! 
 Shall I, who boaft a nofdeline. 
 
 On offals of thefe creatures dine ? 
 
 Kick’d 
 
 V 
 
FABLES. 
 
 T) 
 
 ' 
 
 Kick’d hy old Ball ! fo mean a foe ! 
 
 My honour fuffers by the blow. 
 Newmarket fpreads my grandfire’s fame* 
 All jockeys Hill revere his name : 
 
 There yearly are his triumphs told, 
 
 There all his rnaffy plates enroll’d. 
 Whene’r led forth upon the plain. 
 
 You fa w him with a liv’ry train ; 
 
 Returning too with laurels crown’d, 
 
 You heard the drums and trumpets found. 
 Let it then, Sir, be underllood, 
 
 Refpe&’s my due ; for I have blood. 
 
 Vain glorious fool (the carrier cry’d) 
 RefpesSt was never paid to pride. 
 
 1 Know, ’twas thy giddy, wilful heart 
 Reduc’d thee to this ilavifh part. 
 
 Did nouhy headftrong youth difdain 
 To learn the conduct of the rein ? 
 
 Thus coxcombs blind to real merit, 
 
 In vicious frolics fancy fpirit. 
 
 What is’t to me by whom begot ? 
 
 ! Thou reftif, pert, conceited fot. 
 
 Vo l. II. L 
 
 Your 
 
8o 
 
 ‘ FABLES. 
 
 / 
 
 Your fires I rev’reaee ; ’tis their due : 
 But, worthlefs fool, what’s that to you ? 
 Aik all the carriers on the road. 
 
 They’ll fay thy keeping’s ill-beftow’d. 
 Then vaunt no more thy noble race, 
 .That neither mends thy ftrength or pace. 
 What profits me thy boafl of blood ? 
 
 Ari afs hath more intrinfic good. 
 
 By outward fihow let’s not be cheated : 
 An afs fhould like an afs be treated. 
 
 F A BLE 
 
I 
 
 P A B L E S. 
 
 Si 
 
 FABLE XII. 
 
 Pan and Fortune. 
 
 To a Yo U N g Hai r. 
 
 Soon as your father’s death was known 
 As if th’ eftate \had been their own) 
 
 The gamefters outwardly expreli 
 I'he decent joy within your bread. 
 
 L 2 So 
 

 82 FABLES. 
 
 So -lavin'*, in yo'ur praife they grew, 
 
 As fpoke their certain hopes in you. 
 
 One counts your income of the year. 
 How much in ready money clear. 
 
 Nohoule, fays he, is more compleat, 
 The garden’s elegant and great. 
 
 How fine the park around it lie, ! 
 
 The timber’s of a noble fine. 
 
 r i hen count his jewels and his plate, 
 
 Betides, ’tis no entail’d eflate. 
 
 If cafh run low, his lands in fee 
 Are or for fale or mortgage free. 
 
 Thus they, before you threw the main, 
 Seem’d to anticipate their gain. 
 
 Would you, when thieves are known 
 abroad, 
 
 'Bring forth your treafures on the road ? 
 Would not that fool abet the Health, 
 
 Who raihly thus expos’d his wealth ? 
 
 Yet this you do, whene’er you play 
 Among the gentlemen of prey. 
 
 Could fools to keep their own contrive, 
 "On what, on whom could gamefters thrive 
 

 R A. u L E S. 
 
 Is it in charity you game, 
 
 To fave your worthy gang from lira me ? 
 Unlefsyou furnifh’d daily bread. 
 
 Which way could idlenefs be fed ? 
 
 Could thefe profefifors of deceit 
 Within the law no longer cheat, 
 
 They Biuft run bolder rilks for prey, 
 
 And trip the trav’ler on the way. 
 
 Thus m your annual rents they fhare, 
 And Tcape the noole from .year to year. 
 
 Goniider, ere you make the bet, 
 
 That fum might crofs your taylor’s debt, , 
 When you the pilf’ting rattle lhake, 
 
 Is not your honour too at flake ? 
 
 Muft you not by mean lyes evade 
 To-morrow’s duns from ev’ry trade ? 
 
 By proroifesfo often paid. 
 
 Is yet your taylot’s bl.l defray’d ? 
 
 Muft you not pitifully fawn, 
 
 To have your butcher's writ withdrawn ? 
 This muft . be done. In debts of play 
 Your honour fuflers no delay ; 
 
 GC 
 
r 
 
 H F A B L E S. 
 
 And not- this year's and ncu year’s rent 
 The fons of rapine tan content. 
 
 Look round. The wrecks of play behold, 
 Eftat.es difinertiber’d, mortgag’d, fold ! 
 Their owners, now to jails confin’d. 
 
 Show equal poverty of mind. 
 
 Some, who the fpoil of knaves were made, 
 Too late attempt to learn their trade. 
 
 Some, for the lolly of one hour, 
 
 Become the dirty tools ot pow’r, 
 
 And, with the mercenary dft, 
 
 Upon our charity lubfift. 
 
 You’ll find at lafi this maxim true, 
 
 Fools are the game which knaves purfue. 
 
 The foreft (a whole cent’ry’s fha.de) 
 
 Muft be one wafteful ruin made : 
 
 No mercy’s fhown to age or ki.d, 
 r fhc gcn’ral maffacreis fign’d : 
 
 'i he park too fit a res the dreadful fate, 
 
 For duns grow lou ’er :;t the gate. 
 
 Stern 
 
F A B L £ S. 
 
 Bo 
 
 
 Srern clowns, obedient to the (quire, 
 (What will not barb’rous hands for hire l ■ 
 With brawny arms repeat the ftroke ; 
 1’aTn are the elm and rev ’rend oak ; 
 
 I Th ough the loud wood axes refound, . 
 And echo groans with ev’ry wound. 
 
 To fee the clefolatioh fpread. 
 
 Pan dropta tear, and hangs his head ; 
 
 I His bofom now with fury burns,- 
 Beneath his hoof the dice he fpurns j 
 Cards too, in peevifh paffion torn, 
 
 The fport of whirling winds are born. 
 
 To fnails-invet’rate hate I bear. 
 
 Who fp oil the verdure of the year ; 
 
 The caterpillar I deleft, 
 
 The blooming fpriogs voracious peft ; 
 
 The loeuft too, whole rav’nous band 
 Spreads fudien famine o’er the land. 
 
 But what are thcfe ? The dice’s throw 
 At once hath laid a foreft low ; 
 
 The card c are dealt, the bet is made, 
 
 And the wide park hath loft its fhade. 
 
 Thus ' 
 
 / X 
 
 b'' , 
 
f his is my kingdom’s pride defac’d, 
 
 And all its ancient glories wade. 
 
 All this die meditates my ruin : 
 
 By Fortune, that fali'e, fickle jade, 
 
 More havock in one hour made, 
 
 Than all the hungry infect race, 
 
 Combin’d, can in an age de ace. 
 
 Fortune, by chance, who near him pad, 
 O’erheard the vile afperuon call. 
 
 Why, Pan, (fays fhe) what’s all this rant ?- 
 ’Tis ev’ry country bubble’s cant. 
 
 Am I the patronefs of vice ? 
 
 Is’tl who cog or palm the dice? 
 
 Did I the' fhuffiing art reveal, 
 
 To mark the cards, or range the deal ? 
 
 In all th’ employments men purfuc, 
 
 I mind the lead what gameders do. 
 
 There may (if computation’s judj 
 One now and then my conduit trad : 
 
 1 blame the fool ; for what can I, 
 
 When ninety-nine my pow’r defy? 
 
 Thefo 
 
87 / 
 
 F A B L £ S. 
 
 . . 
 
 t 
 
 Thefe truft alone their fingers eiii’s, 
 And not one flake on me depends. 
 Whene’er the gaming board is let, 
 
 Two c lades of mankind are met ; 
 
 But if we count the greedy race, 
 
 The knaves fill up their greater l'paee. * 
 
 ’ Fis a grofs error, held infchools, 
 
 That fortune always favours fools : 
 
 In play it never bears difpute ; 
 
 That dodirme thefe fell’d oaks confute - 
 Then why to me fuch rancour fltow ? •' 
 ’Tis Folly, Fan, that is thy foe. . 
 
 By me his late eflatehe won, , 
 
 But he by Folly was undone... 
 
 
 ^ • 
 
 FABLiE 
 
33 
 
 b A B L L S 
 
 
 r lulus, Cupid, and Time. 
 
 O F all the burthens man mull bear 
 Time feems mod galling and feveref 
 Beneath this grievous load opp eft 
 We daily meet fome friend diftreft. 
 
 What 
 
FABLES 
 
 89 
 
 What can or.e do r I role at nine. 
 
 ’Tis full fix hours bef .re we dine : 
 
 Ste- hours ! no earthly thing to do ! 
 
 Would I had doz’d in bed till two. 
 
 A pamphlet is before, him Ipread. • 
 
 And almoft half a page is read ; 
 l ’ir’d with the ftudy of the day ■ 
 
 1 he flutt’ring fleets are tof away. 
 
 He opes h’s fnuff-box, hums an air, 
 
 '1 hen yawns and ft retches in his chain 
 
 Not twenty* by the minute hand 1 
 Good Gods, fays. he, my watch, mud (land- 
 How muddling ’tis on books: to pore ! 
 
 I thought I’d read an hour or more. 
 
 The morning of all hours 1 hate. 
 
 One can’t contrive to rife too late. 
 
 To make the minutes fa Her run, 
 
 Then to his tirefome felf to fhun, 
 
 To the next coftee-houfe he fpeeds. 
 
 Takes up the news, fo:ne fcraps he reads. 
 Saunt’ring from chair to chair he trails, 
 
 Now drinks his tea, now bites h : s nails : 
 
 He 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 r- 
 
 9 ^ 
 
 He fpies a partner of his woe; 
 
 By that affiiet ons lighter grow : 
 
 Bach other’s grievances they fhare. 
 
 And thus'their dreadful hour compare. 
 
 Says Tom, fmce all men nluft confel’s 
 That time lies heavy more or lei’s; 
 
 Why fhould it be fo hard to get. 
 
 Till two a party at picquet ? 
 
 Play might relieve the lagging morn : 
 
 By cards long wintry nights are born. 
 
 Does not quadrille a mule the fair, 
 
 Night after night, throughout the year ? 
 Vapours and fpleen forgot, at play 
 They che.t uncounted hours away. 
 
 My cafe, fays Will, then muft be hard, 
 
 By want of fkill from play debarr’d. 
 Courtiers kill time by various ways; 
 Dependence wears out half their days. 
 
 How happy thefe, whole time ne’er Hands 1 
 Attendance takes it off their hands. 
 
 Were it not for this curfed fhow’r, 
 
 'the park had whil’d away an hour. 
 
 At 
 
F ABLE S. 
 
 At court, without or place or view, 
 
 I daily lofe an hoar or two : 
 
 It fully anfvvers my defign, 
 
 When I have pick’d up friend; to dine. 
 
 1 he tavern makes our burthen light ; 
 
 W ine puts our time and care to fight ; 
 
 At fix (hard cafe !) they call to pay. 
 
 Where can one go ? I hate the play. 
 
 From fix to ten ! Un! efs infeep, 
 
 One cannot fpend the hours fo cheap. 
 
 The comedy’s no fooner done. 
 
 But l'ome afiembly is begun. 
 
 Loit’ring from room to room I ft ray, 
 Converfe, but nothing hear to fay j 
 Quite tir’d, from fair to fair I roam. T 
 So foon ! I dread the thoughts of home. 
 From thence, to quicken llow-pac’d night, 
 Again my tavern friends invite ; 
 
 Here too our early mornings pafs, 
 
 Till drovvfy fleep retards the glals. 
 
 Thus they their wretched life bemoan. 
 And make each other’s cafe their own. 
 
 Con- 
 

 g2 FABLE S. 
 
 Confider, friends, no hour rolls on. 
 
 But fomething of your grief is gone : 
 
 Were you to fehemes of bus’nefs bred, 
 Did you the paths of learning tread. 
 
 Your hours, your days would fly too faff? 
 You’d then regret the minute paft. 
 
 Ti me’s fugitive an! light as wind ; 
 
 ’Tis indolence that clogsyour mind : 
 
 That load from off your fpirits fhake. 
 You’ll own, and grieve for your miftake. 
 
 A while your thoughtlefs fpleen fufpend, 
 Then read and (if you can) attend. 
 
 As Plutus, to divert his care, 
 
 Walk’d forth one morn to take the air. 
 Cupid o’ertook his ftrutting pace. 
 
 Each ft tr’d upon the A .ger’s face. 
 
 Till recolleftion fet ’em right ; 
 
 For each knew t’other but by fight. 
 
 After fome complemental talk, 
 
 Time met ’em, bow’d, and join’d their walk. 
 
 Their 
 
FABLES. 
 
 93 
 
 
 Their c’ at on various lubjefls ran, 
 
 But moft, what each done for man. 
 Flutus ail nines a haughty air, 
 
 Juft like our purle-yroud fellows here. 
 
 Let kings, (fays he) let holders tel!, 
 Whofe gifts among mankind excel. 
 Goniider courts : What draws their train ? 
 Think you ’tis loyalty or ?ain ? 
 
 That ftatefman hath the ftrongeft hold 
 Whofe tool of politics is gold : 
 
 By that, in former reigns, ’tis laid, 
 
 The knave in pow’r hath fenates led : 
 
 By that alone he fway’d debates* 
 
 Enrich’d bimfelf, and beggar’d ftates. 
 Forego your boaft. You muft conclude, 
 That’s moll efteem’d that’s moft purfu’d. 
 Think too in what a woful pbght 
 That wretch muftlive whofe pocket’s light : 
 Are not his hours by want dep eft? 
 Penurious care corrodes his breaft 
 Without refpe£l, or love, or friends, 
 
 His folitary day defccnds. 
 
 You 
 
r 
 
 94- F A B L E S: 
 
 You might, fays Cupid, doubt my parts; 
 My knowledge too in human hearts, 
 
 Should I the pow’r of gold difpute, 
 
 Which great examples might confute. 
 
 I know, when nothing elle prevails, 
 Perfuafive money feldom fails. 
 
 That beauty too (like other wares) 
 
 Its price, as well as confcience, bears. 
 Then marriage (as of late profeft) 
 
 Is but a money job at belt: 
 
 Confent, compliance may be fold 
 But love’s beyond the price of gold. 
 Smugglers there are, who by retail, 
 
 Expofe what they call love by fale : 
 
 Such bargains are an arrant cheat ; « 
 
 You purchafe llatt’ry and deceit. 
 
 Thole who true love hath ever try’d, 
 
 (The common cares of life fupply’d) 
 
 No wants endure, no wilhes make. 
 
 But ev’ry real joy partake ; 
 
 All comfort on themfelves depends. 
 
 They want not pow’r, nor wealth, nor 
 friends : 
 
 Love 
 
F A B L E S. 
 
 95 
 
 
 Love then hath ev’ry blifs in here ; 
 
 ’Tis friendfhip, and ’tis fomething more : 
 Each other ev’ry wifit they give, 
 
 N.ot to know love, is not to live. 
 
 Or love, or money, (Time reply'd) 
 
 Were men the quefhon to decide, 
 
 Would bear the prize ; on both intent 
 My boon’s; neglected or mi ('pent. 
 
 ’Tis I who meafure vital fpace, 
 
 And deal out years to human race : 
 
 Though little priz’d and leldom fought. 
 Without me gold or love are nought, 
 
 How does the miler time employ ? 
 
 Did I e’er fee him life enjoy ? 
 
 By me forfook, the hoards he won 
 Are fcattar’d by his lavifh fon. 
 
 By me all uieful arts are gain’d, 
 
 Wealth, learning, wifdom is attain’d. 
 
 Who then would think'(nnce 1’ucb. my pow’r) 
 That e’er I knew an idle hour ? 
 
 So fubtile and fo fwift I fiy . 
 Love’s not more .fugitive.than I. 
 
 O 
 
 Who 
 
 * 
 
r 
 
 95 FABLES. 
 
 Who hath not heard coquettes complain 
 Of days, months, years, mifperrt in vain? 
 For time mifus’d they pirte-and wafte, 
 
 A ud love’s fvveet pleafures never tafte. 
 Thofe v ho direct their time aright, 
 
 If love or wealth their hopes excite, 
 
 In each purfuit fit hours employ’d, ' 
 
 And both by time have been enjoy’d. 
 How heed lets then are mortals' grown ? 
 
 H jw little is their int’ reft known ? 
 la ev’ry view they ought to mind me, 
 
 For when once loft they never find me. 
 
 He fpoke. The gods no m ire conteft 
 And his fuperior gift confeft ; 
 
 That time (when truly underftdod) 
 
 Is the moft precious earthly good.- 
 
 F A B L E 
 
F A h L K S 
 
 91 
 
 1 
 
 FABLE XV. 
 
 The Ov» 1, 'he Sv. an, the Cock, th: Spider, the 
 A Is, and the Farmer. 
 
 To a M O THE R. 
 
 C^yOnverfing with your fprightly toys, 
 Tour eyes have fpoke die mo her’s joys : 
 "With what delight I’ve heard you quote 
 r i heir layings in imperfect note ! 
 
 I grant, in body and in mind, , 
 
 Ka- u re appears profufely kind. Trull 
 
r 
 
 93 
 
 F ABLE S. 
 
 Trull not to that. Aft you your part ; 
 Imprint juft morals on their heart ; 
 Impartially their talents fcan : 
 juft education forms the man. 
 
 Perhaps (their genius yet unknown) 
 
 Each lot of life’s already thrown ; 
 
 That this lliall plead, the next fhall fight* 
 The laft afiert the church’s right. 
 
 1 cenfure not the fond intent ; 
 
 But how precarious is th’ event ! 
 
 By talents mifapplied and croft, 
 
 Confider all your ions are loft. 
 
 One day (the tale’s by Martial penn’dj 
 A father thus addrefs’d his friend. 
 
 To train my boy and call forth fenfe* 
 
 You know I’ve ftuck at no expence ; 
 
 I’ve tried him in the feveral arts, 
 
 (The lad no doubt- hath latent parts) 
 
 Yet .trying all he nothing knows. 
 
 But crab-like rather backward goes. 
 
 'Peach me what yet remains undone ; 
 
 ’Tis your advice ftiall fix my fon. 
 
 Sir, fays the friend, I’ve weigh’d the matter * 
 Excufe me, for I fcorn to flatter j 
 Make him (nor think his genius checkt) 
 
 A herald ot an architeft. 
 
 Perhaps 
 
 I 
 
F A B L E S. 99 
 
 Perhaps (as commonly ’tis known) 
 
 He heard the advice and took his own. 
 
 The boy wants wit; he is fcnt to fchool. 
 Where learning but improves the fool : 
 The college next niuft give him parts. 
 
 And cram him with the lib’ral arts. 
 Whether he blunders at the bar. 
 
 Or owes his infamy to v.'ar, * 
 
 Or if by licence or degree 
 The fexton fhare the dodtor’s fee, 
 
 Or from the pulpit by the hour 
 He weekly floods of nonfenfe pour. 
 
 We find (th’ intent of nature foil’d) 
 
 A taylor ora butcher fpoild. 
 
 T hus miniflershave royal boons 
 Conferr’d on blockheads and buffoons : 
 
 In fpite of nature, merit, wit. 
 
 Their friends for ev’ry poll were fit. 
 
 But now let ev’ry mufe confefs 
 That merit finds its due fuccefs : 
 
 Th’ examples of our days regard ; 
 
 Where’s virtue feen without reward ? 
 Diflingnifh’d and in place you find 
 Difert and worth of ev’ry kind. 
 
 Survey -the rev’rend bench, and fee 
 Religion, learning, piety : 
 
r 
 
 too FABLES. 
 
 The patron, ere he recommends. 
 
 Sees his own image in his friends. 
 
 Is honeily difgrac’d and poor ? 
 
 What is’t to us what was before ? 
 
 We all of times corrupt have heard. 
 When paltry minions were preferr’d ; 
 When all great offices, by dozens. 
 
 Were fill’d by brothers, fons, and coufins. 
 What matter ignorance and pride ? 
 
 The man was happily ally’d. 
 
 Provided that his clerk was good. 
 
 What though he nothing underftood ? 
 
 In church and ftate, the lorry race 
 Grew more confpicuous fools in place. 
 Such heads, as then a treaty made. 
 
 Had bungled in the cobler’s trade. 
 
 Confider, patrons, that fuch elves 
 Expofe your folly with themfelves. 
 
 ’Tis yours, as ’tis the parent’s care. 
 
 To fix each genius in its fphere. 
 
 Your partial hand can wealth difpenfe. 
 
 But never give a blockhead feni'e. 
 
 An owl of magillerial air, 
 
 Of folemn voice, of browauftere, 
 
 A flu in’ d 
 
■F A B L E Si 
 
 
 roi 
 
 Affum’d the pride of human race. 
 
 And bore his wil'dom in his face. 
 
 Not to depricate learned eyes. 
 
 I’ve l'een a pedant look as wife. 
 
 Within a barn from noife retir’d. 
 
 He fcorn’d the world, himfelf admir’d. 
 And, like an ancient fage, conceal’d 
 The follies public life reveal’d. 
 
 Philofophers of old, he read, 
 
 Their country’s youth to fcience bred. 
 Their manner form’d for ev.’ry ftation. 
 
 And. deflin’d each his occupation. 
 
 When Xenophon, by numbers brav’d. 
 Retreated, and a people fav’d. 
 
 That laurel was not all his own ; 
 
 The plant by Socrates was fown. 
 
 To ; Ariftotle’s greater name 
 The Macedonian ow’d his fame. 
 
 Th’ Athenian bird, with pride replete, 
 Their talents equall’d in conceit ; 
 
 And, copying the Socratic rule. 
 
 Set for mailer of a fchool. 
 
 Dogmatic jargon learnt by heart. 
 
 Trite fcntcnces, hard terms of art. 
 
 To vulgar ears feem’cl fo profound. 
 
 They fancy’d learning in the found. 
 
r 
 
 102 F A B L E S. 
 
 The fchool had fame ; the crouded plac c 
 With pupils {warm’d of ev’ry race. 
 
 With thefe the Swan’s maternal care 
 Had feat her fcarce-fledg’d cygnet heir : 
 The Hen (though fond and loth to part) 
 Here lodg’d the darling ofher heart : 
 
 The fpider of mechanic kind, 
 
 Afpir’d to fcience more refin’d : 
 
 The afs learnt metaphors and tropes, 
 
 Bnt moft on mufic fix’d his hopes. 
 
 The pupils now, advanc’d in age, 
 
 Were call’d to tread life’s bufy ftage ; 
 
 And to the mailer ’twas fubmitted. 
 
 That each might to his part be fitted. 
 
 The Swan, fays he, in arms fhall Ihine : 
 The foldier’s glorious toil be thine. 
 
 The Cock lliall mighty wealth attain : 
 
 Go, feek it on the ftormy main. 
 
 The court fhall be the Spider’s fphere; 
 Pow’r, fortune fhall reward him there. 
 
 In mufic’s art the Afs’s fame 
 Shall emulate Corelli’s name. 
 
 Each took the part that he advis’d. 
 
 And all were equally defpis’d. 
 
 A Farmer, at his folly mov’d. 
 
 The dull preceptor thus reprov’d. 
 
 Block- 
 
FABLES. io 
 
 Blockhead, fays he, by what you’re done. 
 One wouldhave thought ’em each your fon j 
 For parents, to their offspring blind, 
 Confult not parts nor turn of mind ; 
 
 But ev’n in infancy decree 
 What this, what ’tother fon fhall be. 
 
 Had you with judgment weigh’d the cafe. 
 Their genius thus had fix’d their place : 
 The Swan had learnt the failor’s art ; 
 
 The cock had play’d the foldier’s part ; 
 The Spider in the weaver’s trade 
 With credit had a fortune made ; 
 
 But for the foie, in ev’ry clafs 
 The blockhead had appear’d an afs. 
 
 Vo l . II. 
 
 M 
 
 FABLE 
 
 
r a 
 
 104 FABLES, 
 
 The Cock-maid, the Turn-fpit, and the Ox. 
 
 To a Poor M a n. 
 
 CvOnfider man in ev’ry fphere ; 
 
 I hen tell me, is your lot fevere ? 
 
 * 'Tis murmur, difcontent, diftrufl, 
 
 That makes you wretched. God is juft. 
 
 I grant that hunger mt'ft be fed. 
 
 That toil too earns the daily bread. 
 
 What 
 
 i 
 

 F A B L E S. 105 
 
 What then ? thy wants are feen and known ; 
 But ev’ry mortal feels his own. 
 
 We’re born a reftlefs needy crew : 
 
 Show . me the hap ier man than you. 
 
 Adam, though bleft above his kind, 
 
 For want of foeial woman pin’d : 
 
 Eve’s wants the fubtle ferpent faw ; 
 
 Her iickle tafte tranfgrefs’d the law : 
 
 Thus fell our Sire ; and their difgraee 
 The curie entail’d on human race. 
 
 When Philip’s fon, by glory led, 
 
 Had o'er the globe his empire fpread; 
 When al tars to his name were dreft. 
 
 That he was man his tears confefh 
 The hopes of avarice are checkt, 
 
 The proud man al ays wants refpecl. 
 
 What various wants on pow’r attend ? 
 Ambition never gains its end. 
 
 Who hath not heard the rich complain 
 Of furfeits and corporeal pain ? 
 
 He, barr’d from ev’ry ufe of wealth, 
 
 Envies the plowman’s flrength and health : 
 Another in a beauteous -wife 
 Finds all the miferies of life ; 
 
 Domeilic jars and jealous fear 
 Embitters all his -days with care, 
 
 ' M 2 
 
 This 
 
r 
 
 106 FABLE S. 
 
 This wants an heir ; the line is loft*: 
 
 Why was that vain entail engroft ? 
 
 Can’ll: thou difcern another’s mind? 
 
 What is't you envy ? Envy’s blind. 
 
 Tell envy, when fhe would annoy, 
 
 That thoufands want what you enjoy. 
 
 The dinner mult be difh’d at one. 
 Where’s this vexatious turnfpit gone ? 
 Unlefs the Ikulking cur is caught. 
 
 The fur-loin’s fpoil’d and I’m in fault. 
 
 Thus laid ; (for fure you’ll think it fit 
 That I the cook-maids oaths omit) 
 
 With all the fury of a cook, 
 
 Her cooler kitchen man forfook; . 
 
 The broomfiick o’erher head file waves, 
 
 She fweats, file damps, fhe puffs, fhe raves . 
 The fneak'ng cur before her flies. 
 
 She whiffles, calls, fair fpeech fhe tries, 
 Thefe nought avail ; her choler burns; 
 
 'f he fid and cudgel treat by turns. 
 
 With hafly ftride fhe paffes near, 
 
 He fiinhs aloof, and growls with fear. 
 
 Was ever cur fo curs’d, he cry’d. 
 
 What ftardid at my binh prefide ! 
 
 Am I for li e by compadf "bound 
 ■fo tread the wheels eternal round ? 
 
 Inglorious 
 
FABLES \ 
 
 107 
 
 Inglorious talk ! of all our race 
 No Have is half fo mean and bafe. 
 
 Had fate a kinder lot affign’d, 
 
 And form’d me of the lap-dog kind, 
 
 I then in higher life employ’d, 
 
 Had indolence and eafe enjoy’d. 
 
 And, like a gentleman carefl, 
 
 Had been the lady’s fav’rite gueft. 
 
 Or were I fprung from fpaniel line. 
 
 Was his lagacious noftril mine. 
 
 By me, their never-erring guide. 
 
 From wood and plain their feafts fupply’d, 
 Knights, fquires, attendant on my pace, 
 Had lhar’d the pleafures of the chace. 
 Endu’d with native ftrength and fire. 
 
 Why call’d I not the lion Sire ? 
 
 A lion ! fuch mean views I l'corn 
 Why was not 1 of /Oman born.? 
 
 Who dares with reafon’s pow’r contend ? 
 On man we brutal Uaves depend ; 
 
 To him all creatures tribute pay. 
 
 And luxury employs his day. 
 
 An Ox by chance o’erheard his moan. 
 
 And thus rebuk’d the lazy drone. 
 
 Dare you at partial fate repine ? 
 
 How kind’s your lot compar’d with mine ! 
 
 M 3 Decreed 
 
V 
 
 io3 FABLES . 
 
 Decreed to toil, tfie barb’rous knife 
 Hath l'erv’d me from focial life ; 
 
 Urg’d by the (Simulating goad, 
 
 I drag the cumbrous waggon’s load ; 
 
 ’Tis mine to tame the ftubborn plain. 
 Break the ft ff foil and houfe the grain ; 
 
 Yet I without a murmur bear 
 The various labours of the year. 
 
 But then coniider that one day 
 Perhaps the hour’s not faraway) 
 
 You, by the duties of your poll 
 Shall turn the fpit when I’m the roafS ; 
 And for reward fhall fhare the feafts 
 I mean, fhall pick my bones at leaft. 
 
 Till now, th* aftonifh’d cur replies, 
 
 I look’d on all with envious eyes ; v 
 How falfe we judge by what appears ! 
 
 All creatures feel their fev’ral cares. 
 
 If thus you mighty bead: complains, 
 Perhaps man knows fuperior pains. 
 
 Let envy then no more torment. 
 
 Think on the Ox, and learn content. 
 
 Thusfaid ; clol'e-following at her heel. 
 With chearful heart he mounts the wheel. 
 
 FABLE 
 
FABLES. 
 
 I GO 
 
 FABLE XVI. 
 
 The Ravens, the Sexton, and the Earth-worm. 
 To Laura. 
 
 L, 
 
 I AURA, methinks you’re over-nice. 
 True. Flatt’ry is a fhocking vice ; 
 
 Yet fure, whene’er the praife is juft, 
 One may commend without difguft. 
 
 Am I a privilege deny’d. 
 
 Indulg’d by ev’ry tongue befide ? 
 
 How Angular are all your ways ; 
 
 A woman, and averfe to praife ! 
 
I 
 
 i to - fables: 
 
 If ’tis offence fuch truths to tell, 
 
 Why do your merits thus excel ? 
 
 Since then I dare not fpeak ny mind, 
 
 A truth confpicuotis to mankind; 
 
 Though in full luft e ev ry graee 
 Diftinguifh’d your celeftial ace. 
 
 Though beauties of inferior ray 
 (Like liars before the orb of day) 
 
 Turn pale and fade : 1 check my lays. 
 Admiring what i dare not praife. 
 
 If you the tiibute due difdain, 
 Themufes mortifying drain 
 Shall, like a woman, in mere fpight 
 Set beauty in a moral light 
 
 Though fuch revenge might Ihock the ear 
 Of many a celebrated fair ; 
 
 I mean that fuperficial race [face, 
 
 "Whofe thoughts ne’er reach beyond their 
 What’s that to you ? I but difpleafe 
 Such ever-girlifh ears as the e. 
 
 Virtue can brook the thoughts of age, 
 r J hat la s the fame through ev’ry ftage. 
 Though you by time mull fuffer more 
 Than ever woman loft before. 
 
 To age is fuch indiffrenee fhown. 
 
 As il your face were not your own. 
 
 Were you by Autonius taught. 
 
 Or is it native ftrength of thought, 
 
 Th.»t thus, without concern or fright. 
 
 You view yourfeit by realon’s light? 
 
 Tbofe 
 
FABLES. 
 
 hi 
 
 Thofe eyes of fo divine a ray, 
 
 What are they ? mould’ring, mortal clay, 
 Thofe features, call: in heav’nly mould. 
 Shall like my courfer earth, grow old ; 
 
 .Like common grafs, the faireft flow’r 
 Muft feel the hoary feafon’s pow’r. 
 
 How weak, how vain is human pride ! 
 Dares man upon himfelf confide ? v 
 The vvretch who glories in his gain, 
 Amaffes heaps on heaps in vain. 
 
 Why lofe we life in anxious cares 
 To lay in hoards for future years ? 
 
 Can thofe (wdten tortur’d by difeafe) 
 
 Chear our fiek heart, or purchafe eafe ? 
 
 Can thofe prolong onegrafp of breath. 
 
 Or calm the troubled hour of death ? 
 
 What’s beauty? call you that your own, 
 A flow’r that fades as foon as blown? 
 What’s man in all his boaffs and fway ? 
 Perhaps the tyrant of a day. 
 
 Alike the laws of life take place 
 Through ev’ry branch of human race : 
 
 The monarch of long regal line 
 Was rais’d from dull as frail as mine: 
 
 Can he pour health into his veins. 
 
 Or cool the fever’s reftlefs pains ? 
 
 Can he (worn down in nature’s eourfe) 
 New-brace his feeble nerves with force ? 
 Can he (how vain is mortal p nv’r ! 
 
 Stretch life beyond the deftin’d hour ? 
 
 Confider, 
 
FABLES 
 
 ii % 
 
 Confider, man , weigh well thy frame ; • 
 The king bne beggar is the fame. 
 
 Dull form'd us ail. Each breathes his day. 
 Then links into his native clay. 
 
 beneath a venerable yew 
 That in the lonely church-yard gtew. 
 
 Two ravens late. In iolemn croak 
 Thus one his. hungry friend befpoke.' 
 
 ivlethinks i icent fome rich repaid ; 
 
 The favor llrengthens with the blaft, 
 
 Si; ud’ then the ; the promis’d feaft inhale, 
 
 I iafte the carcafe in the gale. 
 
 Kear yonder trees, the farmer’s lTeed, 
 
 From toil and daily draug’ry freed. 
 
 Hath groan’d his laft. A dainty treat ? 
 
 T o birds oftafte delicious meat. 
 
 A Sexton, truly at his trade. 
 
 To hear their chat fufpends his fpade : 
 
 Death ftrnck him with no farther thought, 
 Than merely as the fees he brought. 
 
 Was ever two fueh blundering fowls. 
 
 In brains and manners lefs than owls! 
 Blockheads, fays he, learn more refpedt. 
 Know ye on whom ye thus refiedl ? 
 
 In this fame grave (who does me right, _ 
 Mufl own the work is ftrong and tight) 
 
 The fquire that yon fair hall pofteft. 
 
 To night fhall lay his bones at reft. 
 
 Whence could the grofs miftake proceed? 
 The fquire was fomewhat fat indeed. 
 
 What 
 
b A jj L E S. 1 13 
 
 What then ? The meaneft bird of prey 
 Such v n'.t of fenfe could ne’er betray, 
 
 For fure feme did ’rence mull be found 
 (S -ppofe the fmeiling organ found) 
 
 In carcaiTes, (fay what you can) 
 
 Or w here’s the dignity of man ? 
 
 With due refpe«d to human race 
 The ravens undertook the cafe. 
 
 In fuch fimilitude of fcent, 
 
 Man ne’er could think rede£lion meant, 
 
 As Epicures extol a treat. 
 
 And ieem their fav’ry words to eat. 
 
 They prais’d dead-horfe, luxurious food, 
 The ven’fou of the prefcient brood. 
 
 The fexton’s indignation mov’d. 
 
 The mean companion reprov’d ; 
 
 Their undifcerning palate blam’d, 
 
 "Which two-legg’d carrion thus defam’d. 
 
 Reproachful fpeech from either fide 
 The want of argument fupply’d. 
 
 They real, revile : As often ends 
 
 The conteft of difputing friends. 
 
 •Hold, fays the owl ; fmce human pride 
 With confutation ne’er comply’d. 
 
 Let’s date the cafe, and then refer 
 The knotty point : for t ake may err. 
 
 As thus he fpoke, from out the mould 
 An Ear-th-worm, • uge of lize, unroll’d 
 FTis monftrous length. They ftraight agree 
 . To chufe him as their referree. 
 
 So to the experience of his jaws 
 
 Each dates the merit of his caufe. He 
 
1 14 
 
 FABLES. 
 
 He paus’d, and with a folemn tone 
 Thus made his fage opinion known. 
 
 On carcaffes of cv’ry kind 
 This maw hath elegantly din’d ; 
 
 Provok’d by luxury or need. 
 
 On bcaft or fowl or man I feed : 
 
 Such fmall diftindion in the favour. 
 
 By turns I chufe the fancied flavour • 
 
 Yet I mud own (that human bead) 
 
 A glutton is the ranked feaft. 
 
 Man, ceafe this boaft ; for human pride 
 Hath various tract's to range beltde. 
 
 The prince who kept the world in awe. 
 The judge whofe didate fix’d the law. 
 
 The rich, the poor, the great, the fmall. 
 Ate levell’d. Death confounds ’em all. 
 Then think not what we reptiles fhare 
 Such cates, fuch elegance of fare ; 
 
 The only true and real good 
 Of man was never vermin’s food ; 
 
 ’Tis feated in the th’ immortal mind ; 
 Virtue didinguilhes mankind. 
 
 And that (as yet ne’er harbour’d here) 
 Mounts with the foul we know not where. 
 So, good-man, Sexton, fince the cafe 
 Appears with fuch a dubious face. 
 
 To neither I the caufe determine, 
 
 For different tades pleafe diff’rent vermin.