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diff --git a/33888-8.txt b/33888-8.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..6e7dbe6 --- /dev/null +++ b/33888-8.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3643 @@ +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Aesop Dress'd, by Bernard Mandeville + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Aesop Dress'd + Or a collection of Fables + +Author: Bernard Mandeville + +Commentator: John S. Shea + +Release Date: October 29, 2010 [EBook #33888] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK AESOP DRESS'D *** + + + + +Produced by Chris Curnow, Joseph Cooper and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net + + + + + + + + + +THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY + + + BERNARD MANDEVILLE + + ÆSOP DRESS'D + OR A + COLLECTION + OF + FABLES + + _WRIT IN FAMILIAR VERSE_ + (1704) + + _INTRODUCTION_ + BY + JOHN S. SHEA + + PUBLICATION NUMBER 120 + WILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY + UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, LOS ANGELES + 1966 + + +GENERAL EDITORS + + Earl Miner, _University of California, Los Angeles_ + Maximillian E. Novak, _University of California, Los Angeles_ + Lawrence Clark Powell, _Wm. Andrews Clark Memorial Library_ + + +ADVISORY EDITORS + + Richard C. Boys, _University of Michigan_ + John Butt, _University of Edinburgh_ + James L. Clifford, _Columbia University_ + Ralph Cohen, _University of California, Los Angeles_ + Vinton A. Dearing, _University of California, Los Angeles_ + Arthur Friedman, _University of Chicago_ + Louis A. Landa, _Princeton University_ + Samuel H. Monk, _University of Minnesota_ + Everett T. Moore, _University of California, Los Angeles_ + James Sutherland, _University College, London_ + H. T. Swedenberg, Jr., _University of California, Los Angeles_ + + +CORRESPONDING SECRETARY + + Edna C. Davis, _Wm. Andrews Clark Memorial Library_ + + + + +INTRODUCTION + + +Bernard Mandeville's first extant book in English, _Some Fables after +the Easie and Familiar Method of Monsieur de la Fontaine_, was published +in 1703; it reappeared with additional fables in 1704 as _Aesop +Dress'd_.[1] Neither title reveals that, except for two original fables +by Mandeville, the book consists entirely of verse translations from the +twelve books of La Fontaine's _Fables_ (1668-1694). It is the first +book-length translation from these poems into English. + +The only previous translations from _Fables_ into English verse appear +to have been those made ten years earlier by John Dennis. _Miscellanies +in Verse and Prose_ (1693) was a curious volume of Pindaric odes, +imitations of Horace, Juvenal, and Boileau, and letters that the young +Dennis had written during his travels in France and Italy, including the +well-known account of the "delightful horrour" and "terrible Joy" that +he had experienced while crossing the Alps; there were, finally, ten +fables in octosyllabic couplets--all of them translations from La +Fontaine. A word about Dennis's fables may help to put Mandeville's into +perspective. + +Their resemblance to the French originals is slight. Not La Fontaine, +but Samuel Butler, presides over Dennis's fables; indeed, when Dennis +discusses them in the Preface to _Miscellanies_, he fails to mention La +Fontaine, although he devotes a large proportion of his remarks to a +defense of Butler's burlesque verse, which he acknowledges as his +model.[2] Many people were writing Hudibrastics in the 1680's and +1690's: the propensity of Butler's couplet for arousing laughter had +made it a fad.[3] With its jog-trot meter, insinuating swiftness, and +jarring double and triple rhymes, the Hudibrastic couplet was ideally +suited to the mockery performed by low burlesque. All burlesque works by +an incongruity between subject and style; the particular function of low +burlesque is to debase an elevated subject by treating it in an +undignified manner.[4] So it was that Butler, with the assistance of a +crazy style, had exploited the gap between the high pretensions and the +ridiculous performances of a Puritan knight and his squire. + +But of the hordes of scribblers that followed in the wake of _Hudibras_, +scarcely any possessed Butler's sense of satiric propriety. Where his +success had been founded on the discrepancy between subject and style +that is essential to burlesque, they employed his style with no regard +for its suitability to their subjects. Ordinary narrative poems with no +satiric intent were decked in Hudibrastic couplets for the sake of a +superficial cleverness.[5] Dennis followed the fashion. His ten +verse-fables are filled with outrageous Butlerisms: + + Isgrim had all the Winter far'd + So very ill, his looks Men scar'd. + He had (poor Dog!) got an evil habit, + Of going to Bed with the Devil a bit, + So that he had contracted a meen, + Which truly represented Famine. + + * * * * * + + At sight of Steed that's one huge bit of Fat, + Hight Isgrim's heart for joy went pit a pat. + + * * * * * + + Had I not known thy Self and Kindred, + Ev'n I my self should have been in dread. + + * * * * * + + The _Crane's_ arrival was opportune, + Order'd for _Isgrim's_ good by fortune.[6] + +Whatever the intentions of the poet, it seems to be the property of the +Hudibrastic couplet inevitably to denigrate its subject. While it is +probable that Dennis intended his fables to be clever and modish, and +nothing more, they turn out to be travesties of La Fontaine. + +Dennis was attempting to impose on the animal fable an alien style. From +Aesop to Thurber, the chief strength of the fabulist has been his +humility: by selecting animal stories as the guise for his moral +lessons, he has hoped to disarm his readers into accepting the truth. +This strategy would seem to rule out the style of low burlesque, for the +impulse to this style--a dignified subject to be mocked out of its +dignity--does not exist in the animal fable. In particular the _Fables_ +of La Fontaine, perhaps the most graceful, concise, and witty ever +written, do not respond well to the ferocious manner of Dennis. Dennis +translating La Fontaine resembles a bull in a china shop. + +While Mandeville is no gazelle either, he has better manners than +Dennis. The Butlerisms are still present, but they are not everywhere +and they are not so grotesque. The difference between Dennis and +Mandeville may be merely the interval of ten years, during which the +influence of Butler had faded; but this seems unlikely, since Bond cites +many examples of the continuing vogue of _Hudibras_, even well into the +1730's.[7] A more probable explanation for the difference is that, +whereas Dennis was an avowed imitator of Butler who happened to be +translating the _Fables_ of La Fontaine, Mandeville seems to have been +in this work chiefly a translator of La Fontaine who was, incidentally, +writing at a time when the impulse to copy Butler's superficial +qualities was almost irresistible. The total number of Hudibrastic +couplets in _Aesop Dress'd_ comes to only a handful: + + They'll give you a hundred Niceties, + As Chicken Bones, boyl'd Loins of Mutton, + As good as ever Tooth was put in.... + + * * * * * + + And therefore let my Lord _Abdomen_ + Say what he will, we'll work for no Man. + + * * * * * + + A Cat, whose Sirname pretty hard was, + One Captain _Felis Rodilardus_.... + + * * * * * + + Before the Reign of Buxom Dido, + When Beasts could Speak as well as I do.... + + * * * * * + + The Truth is, it would be a hard Case, + If all this should not mend one's Carcass.[8] + +Even these few unmistakable instances are less distracting than the ones +in Dennis. Mandeville's verse is much like his prose: straightforward, +downright, even in tone. Here are the first ten lines of Mandeville's +"The Fox and Wolf": + + The Fox went on the search one Night, + The Moon had hung out all her light; + He sees her image in a Well; + But what it was he could not tell; + Gets on the Bricks to look at ease: + At last concludes it is a Cheese: + One Bucket's down, the other up, + He jumps in that which was a-top, + And coming to the Water, sees + How little Skill he had in Cheese. + +La Fontaine has this: + + ... Un soir il [le loup] aperçut + La lune au fond d'un puits: l'orbiculaire image + Lui parut un ample fromage. + Deux seaux alternativement + Puisoient le liquide élément: + Notre Renard, pressé par une faim canine, + S'accommode en celui qu'au haut de la machine + L'autre seau tenoit suspendu. + Voilà l'animal descendu, + Tiré d'erreur, mais fort en peine, + Et voyant sa perte prochaine.... + +Dennis had inserted these lines in the pseudo-erudite Butlerian manner: + + The two large Buckets which were there, + Like _Pollux_ and like _Castor_ were. + How so pray? For 'tis devilish odd, + To liken a Bucket to a God; + When one came up from towards the Center, + That in our upper world strait went there. + These drew up turns the liquid Element, + Into one got _Renard_, and towards Hell he went.[9] + +Nearly all Mandeville's translations are, like "The Fox and Wolf," +longer than their originals. The added length is partly explained by +meter: Mandeville's octosyllabic line is less capacious, as a rule, than +La Fontaine's flexible one. Thus, even though "The Wolf and the Lamb" +moves with a speed comparable to "Le Loup et l'Agneau," Mandeville takes +34 lines to La Fontaine's 29.[10] More often, Mandeville's translations +are longer than their originals because Mandeville is not able to match +La Fontaine's wit and point. "La Lice et sa Compagne," an exercise in +light-footed elegance, begins this way: + + Une Lice étant sur son terme, + Et ne sachant où mettre un fardeau si pressant, + Fait si bien qu'à la fin sa Compagne consent + De lui prêter sa hutte, où la Lice s'enferme. + +In translating, Mandeville expands these four lines to ten without +special gain: + + A Bitch, who hardly had a day + To reckon, knew not where to lay + Her Burthen down: She had no Bed; + Nor any Roof to hide her Head; + Desires a Bitch of the same Pack, + To let her have, For Heaven's sake, + Her House against her Lying-in. + Th' other, who thought it was a Sin, + To baulk a Wretch so near her Labour + Says, Yes, 'tis at your Service, Neighbor.[11] + +Perhaps it is Mandeville's plainspokenness, his determination to say all +that must be said, which causes him to state explicitly things that La +Fontaine left implicit. "La Cigale et la Fourmi," contrasting an +irresponsible grasshopper and a provident ant, implies but subdues a +contrast between art and life. Mandeville makes the contrast explicit: + + And now the hungry Songster's driv'n + To such a state, no Man can know it, + But a Musician or a Poet....[12] + +"The Lyon and the Gnat" is fairly close to its original in length (46 +lines to La Fontaine's 39) and in spirit; but Mandeville does not +improve his fable by supplying the adjective "silly" ("silly Spider") +where La Fontaine had written "une araignée," or by inserting a line +about the gnat's pride, "Puffed up and blinded with his glory," where La +Fontaine expected his readers to discern the gnat's pride for +themselves.[13] Another translation that sticks close to the French in +its sense is "The Dog and the Ass," in which an ass refuses food to a +hungry dog and is in turn abandoned by the dog and killed by a hungry +wolf. Mandeville adds the judgment that La Fontaine excluded. The wolf +attacks: + + Grizz'l [the Ass] at a distance + Hears him, and asks the Dog's assistance; + But he don't budge, _and serves him right; + Says he, I never us'd to fight + Without a cause for fighting's sake_....[14] + +The italicized words, entirely added by Mandeville, apparently represent +his conviction that the irony of La Fontaine's fable would be +intensified by the dog's sardonic comment and the translator's "serves +him right." Other examples might be cited of Mandeville's explicitness. + +The characterizing details of some of the great fables, however, +disappear in Mandeville's English. Although "The Plague among the +Beasts" is faithful to the original, the tragic overtones of "Les +Animaux malade de la Peste" are not recaptured; they are perhaps +unrecapturable. The ironies of La Fontaine's characterization are +ignored: the lion's "L'histoire nous apprend," for instance, by which +the unscrupulous politician poses as a deep-browed savant; the +description of the other beasts as "petits saints," and of the wolf who +condemns the innocent ass as "quelque peu clerc"--these disappear.[15] +"L'Ivrogne et sa Femme" meets the same fate. Mandeville retains the +outlines of the original but treats the details perfunctorily, as though +he had given up trying to re-create the comic terror of La Fontaine's +little masterpiece. "A drunkard" is not an adequate equivalent for "un +suppôt de Bacchus"; "very drunk" is not the same as "plein du jus de la +treille"; entire sentences are left out, such as "Là les vapeurs du vin +nouveau / Cuvèrent à loisir"; and the ending of the poem suffers from +the alteration of details and from an awkward inversion for the sake of +a rhyme: + + He says to his dissembling Spirit, + Who are you in the Name of Evil? + She answers hoarsely I'm a Devil, + That carries Victuals to the Damn'd + By me they are with Brimstone cramm'd. + What, says the Husband, do you think + Never to bring them any Drink? + + "Quelle personne es-tu? dit-il à ce fantôme. + --La cellerière du royaume + De Satan, reprit-elle; et je porte à manger + A ceux qu'enclôt la tombe noire." + Le mari repart, sans songer: + "Tu ne leur portes point à boire?"[16] + +Of the many differences between La Fontaine and Mandeville, those +noticed up to this point may be blamed on the latter's incapacity. Some +of the other changes may be partially justified on the grounds that +through them Mandeville was deliberately trying to alter the tone of the +poem, to give it an earthiness of spirit congruent with his temperament. +La Fontaine's "Le Lion malade et le Renard" begins with hushed dignity: + + De par le roi des animaux, + Qui dans son antre était malade, + Fut fait savoir à ses vassaux + Que chaque espèce en ambassade + Envoyat gens le visiter.... + +Mandeville's translation begins: + + The king of Brutes sent all about, + He was afflicted with the gout....[17] + +The gout is a standard comic disease which Mandeville gives to his lion +to make him comically undignified. La Fontaine's lion remains dignified +and restrained throughout. (The two versions of this fable are also +instances of the relative capabilities of the French and the English +four-stress lines.) In another fable, a tonal difference appears in some +lines describing the meeting of a haggard wolf and a well-fed dog: + + Le Loup donc l'aborde humblement, + Entre en propos, et lui fait compliment + Sur son embonpoint, qu'il admire. + + And therefore in a humble way + He gives the Dog the time o' th' Day; + Talks mighty complaisant, and vents + A Waggon Load of Compliments + Upon his being in such a Case, + His brawny Flank and jolly Face.[18] + +The tone of polite gravity is gone; what remains is less succinct, but +more specific, and in its way effective. When Mandeville's invention is +working well, as it does in "The Wolf and Dog," it provides, in its +colloquial heartiness, an adequate substitute for La Fontaine's +refinement of tone and subtlety of detail. On the whole, his fables are +close to their originals, especially when compared to those of Dennis, +even though "the easie and familiar method of Monsieur de La Fontaine" +is something that, despite his professions, Mandeville fails to +reproduce. + +Only two years intervened between Mandeville's translations from La +Fontaine (1703) and _The Grumbling Hive_ (1705), the 433-line fable +that, through the years, would grow into that great repository of +social, political, and economic nonconformity, _The Fable of the Bees_. +It is not surprising that many of the fables which Mandeville chose to +translate anticipate the themes of his great work. Among these are "The +Milk Woman," on the self-flatery of the egoistic dream; "The Frogs +asking for a King," on the instability of human desires; "The Wolves and +the Sheep," on political self-deception; "Hands, Feet, and Belly," on +social interdependence; and "The Lyon grown Old," on the ultimate blow +to pride.[19] + +Since Mandeville would give so much space in _The Fable of the Bees_ to +his analysis of pride,[20] it is appropriate that pride engaged his +attention in this early book of fables. "The Frog" is notable chiefly +because Mandeville lengthened La Fontaine's moral of four lines to +fourteen in order to glance at the social and economic implications of +pride: + + So full of Pride is every Age! + A Citizen must have a Page, + A Petty Prince Ambassadors, + And Tradesmens Children Governours; + A Fellow, that i'n't worth a Louse, + Still keeps his Coach and Country-house; + A Merchant swell'd with haughtiness, + Looks ten times bigger than he is; + Buys all, and draws upon his Friend, + As if his Credit had no end; + At length he strains with so much Force, + Till, like the Frog, he bursts in course, + And, by his empty Skin you find, + That he was only fill'd with Wind.[21] + +Two of the 39 fables in the collection are original productions: "The +Carp" and "The Owl and the Nightingale." Both poems focus upon pride. +"The Carp" tells the story of a young and inexperienced English carp who +swims into foreign waters to learn "manners and arts." Warned by a +herring to go home and learn first about his own country, the carp +rebuffs this honest advice, takes up with fops, and is drawn into ruin +before he finally returns home "as vain and ignorant, / As e'er he was +before he went." The subject of the moral reflections at the end is +self-delusion in the particular form of sophisticated vanity.[22] The +other poem, "The Owl and the Nightingale" (the longest poem in the +collection, at 181 lines), also concerns pride. The Eagle, having +looked unsuccessfully among the birds of his court for a singing +night-watchman, sends out a general letter. The nightingale realizes +with excitement that he will easily win the competition; but +he coyly refuses to go to court until sent for, makes elaborate +self-depreciations in the eagle's presence, and hold out, obviously, for +more recognition and reward. While he delays, an owl has been persuaded +by friends to try for the position and has a hearing. Although he sings +unskillfully, he manages to stay awake. When the nightingale returns to +court the next day, he is infuriated to learn that an owl is competing +against him and that the eagle has ordered the two birds to perform +against one another that night. The nightingale protests so loudly and +treasonably that he is kicked out of court, and the owl, dull but +faithful, is declared the winner. The moral follows: + + Princes can never satisfy + That Worth that rates itself too high. + What pity it is! some Men of Parts + Should have such haughty stubborn Hearts: + When once they are courted they grow vain: + Ambitious Souls cannot contain + Their Joy, which when they strive to hide, + They cover it with so much Pride, + So Saucy to Superiors, + Impatient of Competitors, + Th' are utterly untractable, + And put off like our Nightingale. + Many with him might have been great, + Promoted Friends, and serv'd the State, + That have beheld, with too much Joy, + The wish'd for Opportunity; + Then slipt it by their own Delays, + Sloth, Pride, or other willful Ways. + And ever after strove in vain + To see the Forelock once again.[23] + +In some respects this poem looks forward to _The Fable of the Bees_. +Mandeville subjects the nightingale to a brief psychological analysis +and looks on his failure with a blend of detached pity and satiric +mordancy; he strips away the sophisticated defenses that hide the basic +emotions, recommending honesty with oneself and with others; he +identifies the personal interests of the members of society with the +interests of the state. It remains to point out that neither here nor +elsewhere in this collection does Mandeville assert that private vices +are public benefits. + +Washington University + + + + +NOTES TO THE INTRODUCTION + + +[1] F. B. Kaye, ed., _The Fable of the Bees_ (Oxford, 1924), I, xxx. + +[2] The Preface to _Miscellanies in Verse and Prose_ is reprinted in +Edward Niles Hooker's edition of _The Critical Works of John Dennis_, I +(Baltimore, 1939), 6-10. + +[3] Richmond P. Bond, _English Burlesque Poetry_, 1700-1750 (Cambridge, +Mass., 1932), p. 147. + +[4] Bond, pp. 3-5. + +[5] Bond, p. 153, cites several narrative poems of this sort. + +[6] From these fables in the 1693 _Miscellanies_: "The Wolf and the +Horse," pp. 72-83 (the first two excerpts); "The Lyon and the Ass a +Hunting," pp. 92-95; "The Wolf and the Crane," pp. 101-105. + +[7] _English Burlesque Poetry_, pp. 149-152. + +[8] These instances occur, respectively, in "The Wolf and Dog," "The +Hands, Feet, and Belly," "Council Held by the Rats," "The Lyon in Love," +and "The Weasel and the Rat." + +[9] _Aesop Dress'd_, p. 73; La Fontaine, "Le Loup et le Renard," XI. vi; +Dennis, _Miscellanies_, p. 117. + +[10] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 64-65; La Fontaine, I. x. + +[11] La Fontaine, II, vii; "The two Bitches," _Aesop Dress'd_, p. 37. + +[12] La Fontaine, I. i; "The Grasshopper and Ant," _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. +17-18. + +[13] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 48-50; La Fontaine, "Le Lion et le Moucheron," +II. ix. + +[14] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 71-73; La Fontaine, "L'Âne et le Chien," VIII. +xvii. + +[15] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 14-15; La Fontaine, VII. i. + +[16] "The Drunkard and his Wife," _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 24-25; La +Fontaine, III. vii. + +[17] La Fontaine, VI. xiv; "The Sick Lyon and the Fox," _Aesop Dress'd_, +pp. 38-39. + +[18] La Fontaine, "Le Loup et le Chien," I. v; "The Wolf and Dog," +_Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 2-4. + +[19] The poems appear on the following pages of _Aesop Dress'd_: "The +Milk Woman," pp. 18-19; "The Frogs asking for a King," pp. 62-64; "The +Wolves and the Sheep," pp. 45-46; "Hands, Feet, and Belly," pp. 7-10; +"The Lyon grown Old," pp. 65-66. For the corresponding fables in La +Fontaine see the notes to the text of the present edition. + +[20] See Kaye, II, 371, s. v. "Pride." + +[21] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 4-5; La Fontaine, "La Grenouille qui se veut +aussi grosse que le Boeuf," I. iii. + +[22] _Aesop Dress'd_, pp. 25-27. + +[23] Ibid., pp. 27-33. + + + + +NOTES TO THE TEXT + + +For each of Mandeville's fables except "The Carp" and "The Nightingale +and Owl," which are originals, I have indicated below the original in La +Fontaine's _Fables_ by title, book, and number. + +1. "The Two Dragons": "Le Dragon à plusieurs Têtes, et le Dragon à +plusieurs Queues," I. xii. + +2. "The Wolf and Dog": "Le Loup et le Chien," I. v. + +3. "The Frog": "La Grenouille qui se veut faire aussi grosse que le +Boeuf," I. iii. + +4. "The Pumkin and Acorn": "Le Gland et la Citrouille," IX. iv. + +5. "The Hands, Feet, and Belly": "Les Membres et l'Estomac," III. ii. + +6. "The Countryman and the Knight": "Le Jardinier et son Seigneur," IV. +iv. + +7. "The Plague among the Beasts": "Les Animaux malades de la Peste," +VII. i. + +8. "The Grasshopper and Ant": "La Cigale et la Fourmi," I. i. + +9. "The Milk Woman": "La Laitière et le Pot au Lait," VI. x. + +10. "The Cock, the Cat, and the young Mouse": "Le Cochet, le Chat, et le +Souriceau," VI. v. + +11. "The Cock and Pearl": "Le Coq et la Perle," I. xx. + +12. "The Lyon's Court": "La Cour du Lion," VII. vii. + +13. "The Drunkard and his Wife": "L'Ivrogne et sa Femme," III. vii. + +14. "Council held by the Rats": "Conseil tenu par les Rats," II. ii. + +15. "The Bat and the Two Weasels": "La Chauve-Souris et les deux +Belettes," II. v. + +16. "The two Bitches": "La Lice et sa Compagne," II. vii. + +17. "The Sick Lyon and the Fox": "Le Lion malade et le Renard," VI. xiv. + +18. "The Satyr and the Passenger": "Le Satyre et le Passant," V. vii. + +19. "The Lyon in Love": "Le Lion amoureux," IV. i. + +20. "The Angler and the Little Carp": "Le petit Poisson et le Pêcheur," +V. iii. + +21. "The Wolves and the Sheep": "Les Loups et les Brebis," III. xiii. + +22. "The Wasps and Bees": "Les Frelons et les Mouches à Miel," I. xxi. + +23. "The Lyon and the Gnat": "Le Lion et le Moucheron," II. ix. + +24. "The Woodcleaver and Mercury": "Le Bûcheron et Mercure," V. i. + +25. "The Hare and his Ears": "Les Oreilles du Lièvre," V. iv. + +26. "The Rat and the Frog": "La Grenouille et le Rat," IV. xi. + +27. "The Cat and an old Rat": "Le Chat et un vieux Rat," III. xviii. + +28. "The Weasel and the Rat": "La Belette entrée dans un Grenier," III. +xvii. + +29. "The Wolf and the Stork": "Le Loup et la Cicogne," III. ix. + +30. "The Frogs asking for a King": "Les Grenouilles qui demandent un +Roi," III. iv. + +31. "The Wolf and the Lamb": "Le Loup et l'Agneau," I. x. + +32. "The Lyon grown old": "Le Lion devenu vieux," III. xiv. + +33. "The two Physicians": "Les Médecins," V. xii. + +34. "Love and Folly": "L'Amour et la Folie," XII. xiv. + +35. "A She-Goat, a Sheep and a Sow": "Le Cochon, la Chèvre, et le +Mouton," VIII. xii. + +36. "The Dog and the Ass": "L'Âne et le Chien," VIII. xvii. + +37. "The Fox and Wolf": "Le Loup et le Renard," XI. vi. + + +_Text_ + +The text of _Aesop Dress'd_ here reprinted is that in the Harvard +University Library. + + + + + ÆSOP Dress'd; + OR A + COLLECTION + OF + FABLES + + Writ in Familiar Verse. + + By _B. Mandeville_, M. D. + + _LONDON_: + Sold at _Lock's-Head_ adjoyning to _Ludgate_. + Price One Shilling. + + + + +The INDEX. + + + _The two Dragons_ Page 1 + _The Wolf and Dog_ 2 + _The Frog_ 4 + _The Pumkin And Acorn_ 5 + _The Hands, and Feet, and Belly_ 7 + _The Countryman and the Knight_ 10 + _The Plague among the Beasts_ 14 + _The Grashopper and Ant_ 17 + _The Milk Woman_ 18 + _The Cock, the Cat, and the young Mouse_ 20 + _The Cock and Pearl_ 22 + _The Lyon's Court_ 23 + _The Drunkard and his Wife_ 24 + _The Carp_ 25 + _The Nightingale and Owl_ 27 + _Council held by the Rats_ 34 + _The Bat and the two Weasels_ 36 + _The two Bitches_ 37 + _The Sick Lyon and the Fox_ 38 + _The Satyr and the Passenger_ 40 + _The Lyon in Love_ 41 + _The Angler and the little Carp_ 43 + _The Wolves and the Sheep_ 44 + _The Wasps and the Bees_ 46 + _The Lyon and Knat_ 48 + _The Woodcleaver and Mercury_ 50 + _The Hare and his Ears_ 52 + _The Rat and the Frog_ 53 + _The Cat and old Rat_ 56 + _The Weasel and the Rat_ 59 + _The Wolf and the Stork_ 60 + _The Frogs asking for a King_ 62 + _The Wolf and Lamb_ 64 + _The Lyon grown old_ 65 + _The two Physicians _ 66 + _Love and Folly_ 67 + _A She-Goat, a Sheep, and a Sow_ 69 + _The Dog and Ass_ 71 + + + + +THE + +PREFACE _to the_ READER. + + +_Prefaces and Cuts are commonly made use of much to the same Purpose; to +set off, and to explain. The latter, being too expensive, are pretty +well out of date, in an Age, where there are abundance of fine things to +be bought besides Books. But the first by wicked Custom, are become so +necessary, that a Volume would look as defective without one, as if it +wanted the very Title Page. Though it is hard I should be compelled to +talk to my Reader, whether I have any thing to say to him or not. Nay, +what is worse, every Body thinks a Man should be more lavish here of his +Skill and Learning, than anywhere else: Here they would have him shew +his Airs, and therefore most Authors adorn their Prefaces, as if they +were triumphal Arches; there's nothing empty to be seen about 'em, and +from top to bottom they are to be crowded with Emblems and pretty +Sayings, judiciously interwoven with Scraps of_ Latin; _though they +should borrow 'em from the Parson of the Parish. These, I say, are the +Entertainments where they love to glut us with Wit and fine Language; +though they starve us for ever after: Which makes some of 'em look like +a rich piece of Fillegrew Work over the Door of an empty Parlour. But I +am resolved my Portico shall suit with the rest of the House, and, as +every thing is plain within, nothing shall be carv'd or gilt without: +Besides, I hate formality, Good Reader, and all my Business with you is +to let you know, that I have writ some Fables in Verse, after the +Familiar Way of a Great Man in_ France, Monsieur de la Fontaine. _I have +confin'd my self to strict Numbers, and endeavour'd to make 'em free and +natural; if they prove otherwise, I'm sorry for it. Two of the Fables +are of my own Invention; but I am so far from loving 'em the better, +that I think they are the worst in the Pack: And therefore in good +Manners to my self I conceal their Names. Find 'em out, and welcome. +I could wish to have furnish'd you with something more worthy your +precious time: But as you'll find nothing very Instructive, so there's +little to puzzle your Brain. Besides, I desire every Body to read 'em at +the same Hours I writ 'em, that's when I had nothing else to do. If any +like these Trifles, perhaps I may go on; if not, you shall be troubled +with no more of 'em: And so fare ye well_ Reader. + + + + +_The_ TWO DRAGONS. A Fable. + + + Not long ago th' Ambassador + From the great _Turk_ to the Emperor, + Extoll'd his Master's strength, beyond + The _German_ Force; a Courtier, fond + Of his own Country, boastingly + Said, his Imperial Majesty + Had many Princes under him, + So powerful, that each of 'em, + Could raise an Army of his own, + And more than one that wore a Crown. + I know, says th' other, very well, + Your Dukes and Pow'rs Electoral, + With others, that advance the glory + Of th' Empire. But I'll tell y' a story: + I dreamt I saw a frightful Beast, + That had a hundred Heads at least; + At first I startled at the sight; + But soon recovering from my Fright, + I ventured on, and coming near it, + I found I had no cause to fear it: + For every Head did what it would; + Some work'd with all the Force they could; + But most of 'em lay of a heap, + And look'd as if th' been asleep; + Others, in hopes of better Prey, + Were pulling quite another way. + I turn'd my Head about, and spied + A mighty Beast, on the other side: + One Head adorn'd his Brawny Neck; + But hundred Tails did close his Back; + And as the Heads march'd o'er the Land, + The Tails did follow at Command; + Did Execution every where; + I waked, and thought the Monsters were + Both Empires; but the Tails are ours, + And all the glorious Heads are yours. + + + + +_The Wolf and Dog._ + + + A Wolf so pitious poor and thin, + His very Bones stuck through his Skin, + (A sign the Dogs were watchful) met + A sturdy Mastiff, slick and fat. + Sir Wolf, revengeful on his Foes, + Had murder'd him, as one of those + That hinder'd him from stealing Cattle; + But was afraid of joyning Battle + With one, that look'd, as if he could + Stand buff, and make his party good. + And therefore in an humble way + He gives the Dog the time o'th' Day; + Talks mighty complaisant, and vents + A Waggon Load of Compliments + Upon his being in such a Case, + His brawny Flank and jolly Face. + Sir Wolf, replies the Mastiff, you + May be as fat as any Doe, + If you'll but follow my advice; + For Faith, I think you are unwise, + To ramble up and down a Wood, + Where's nothing to be had, that's good, + No Elemosynary meat, + Or e'er a bit, that's good to eat, + But what is got by downright force, + For which at last you pay in course. + And thus yourselves, your hagged Wives + And Children lead but wretched lives; + Always in fear of being caught, + Till commonly y'are starv'd or shot. + Quoth Wolf, shew me a livelyhood, + And then, the Devil take the Wood: + I stand in need of better Diet, + And would be glad to feed in quiet: + But, pray, What's to be done, an't please ye? + Nothing, but what is very easy; + To bark at Fellows that look poor, + Fright pilfring Strolers from the Door; + And then, which is the chiefest matter, + To wag your Tail, to coax and flatter + Those of the Family; for this + They'll give you hundred Niceties, + As Chicken Bones, boyl'd Loins of Mutton, + As good as ever Tooth was put in, + The licking of a greasy Dish, + And all the Dainties Heart can wish; + Besides, the Master shall caress ye, + Spit in your Mouth, and----Heaven bless ye. + Good Sir, let's go immediately, + Reply'd the Wolf, and wept for Joy. + They went; and tho' they walk'd apace, + The Wolf spy'd here and there a Place + About the Neck of Mastiff, where, + It seems, his Curship lost some Hair, + And said, pray Brother Dog, What's this? + Nothing. Nay, tell me, what it is; + It looks like gall'd. Perhaps 'tis from + My Collar. Then, I find, at home + They tie you. Yes. I'm not inclin'd to't, + Or goes it loose when y'have a Mind to't, + Truely not always; but what's that? + What's that! quoth he; I smell a Rat; + My Liberty is such a Treasure, + I'll change it for no Earthly Pleasure; + At that his Wolfship fled, and so + Is flying still for ought I know. + + + + +_The Frog._ + + + A Frog threw his ambitious Eyes + Upon an Ox, admired his size, + And, from the smallness of an Egg, + Endeavoured to become as big. + He swells himself, and puffs, and blows, + And every foot, cries there he goes. + Well, Brother, have I bulk enough, + An't I as large, as he? What stuff! + Pray look again. The Dev'l a bit. + Then now. You don't come near him yet. + Again he swells, and swells so fast, + Till, straining more, he bursts at last. + So full of Pride is every Age! + A Citizen must have a Page, + A Petty Prince Ambassadors, + And Tradesmens Children Governours; + A Fellow, that i'n't worth a Louse, + Still keeps his Coach and Country-house; + A Merchant swell'd with haughtiness, + Looks ten times bigger than he is; + Buys all, and draws upon his Friend, + As if his Credit had no end; + At length he strains with so much Force, + Till, like the Frog, he bursts in course, + And, by his empty Skin you find, + That he was only fill'd with Wind. + + + + +_The Pumkin and Acorn._ + + + A Self conceited Country Bumkin + Thus made his glosses on a Pumkin. + The Fruit, says he, is very big, + The Stalk not thicker than a Twig, + Scarce any Root, great Leaves; I wonder, + Dame Nature should make such a blunder: + Had I been she, I would have plac'd it + On yon high Oak, and 'twould have grac'd it + Better than Acorns; its a whim + A little Shrub would do for them; + Why should a Tree so tall and fine, + Bear small stuff only fit for Swine? + But hundred things are made in waste, + Which shews the World was fram'd in haste. + Had I been sent for in those Days, + 'Twould have been managed otherwise: + I would have made all of a suit, + And large Trees should have had large Fruit. + Thus he went on, and in his Eyes, + The Simpleton was very wise; + A little after, coming nigh + An Oak, whose Crown was very high, + He liked the Place and down he laid + His weary Carcass, in the Shade: + But, as the find-fault Animal + Turn'd on his Back, an Acorn fell, + And hit his Nose a swinging Blow. + Good God was this the Pumkin now! + The very thought on't struck him dumb: + He prais'd his Maker, and went home. + + + The Moral. + + _The World's vast Fabrick is so well + Contrived by its Creator's Skill; + There's nothing in't, but what is good + To him, by whom its understood; + And what opposes Human Sence, + Shews but our Pride and Ignorance._ + + + + +_The Hands, Feet, and Belly._ + + + The Hands and Feet in Council met, + Were mightily upon the Fret, + And swore 'twas something more than hard, + Always to work without reward. + The Feet said, truly its a Jest, + That we should carry all the rest; + March at all Hours thro thick and thin, + With Shoes that let the Water in; + Our Nails are hard as Bullock's Horns, + Our Toes beset with plaguy Corns; + We rais'd four Blisters th' other Night, + And yet got not a farthing by't. + Brothers, reply'd the Hands, 'tis true, + We know what hardship's y' undergo; + But then w' are greater Slaves than you; + For tho' all day we scrape and rake, + And labour till our Fringers ake; + Tho' we've been ply'd at every thing; + Yet then, without considering + What pains or weariness we feel, + W'are forced to serve at every meal, + And often, whilst you're set at ease, + Drudge to the Knucles up in Grease; + As for your Corns and Nails in troth, + We have the trouble of cutting both. + Take this not, Brothers, in a sence, + That might create a Difference; + We only hinted it, to shew + We're full as badly us'd as you; + Our Grievances are general, + And caused by him that swallows all; + The ungrateful Belly is our bane, + Whom with our labour we maintain; + The ill natured'st Rogue, that e'er was fed, + The lazy'st Dog, that lives by Bread. + For him we starve; for what d'ye think + Becomes of all the Meat and Drink? + 'Tis he, that makes us look so thin, + To stretch his everlasting Skin; + Tho' we do all his Business, + What did he ever give to us? + And therefore let my Lord _Abdomen_ + Say what he will, we'll work for no Man. + Nay if we scratch him tho' he itches, + Calls us a hundred Sons of Bitches. + And, if you do the same, you'll see, } + He'll quickly be as lean as we; } + What say ye, Brothers, do y' agree? } + Yes, says the Feet, and he be curst, + That dares to think of stirring first. + And thus the Rebels disobey; + Who swear they'll now keep Holy-day, + Resolv'd to live like Gentlemen. + His Gutship calls and calls again, + They answer'd they would toil no more; + But rest as he had done before: + But soon the Mutineers repent; } + The Belly when his Stock was spent, } + Could not send down the Nourishment, } + That's requisite for every part; + The weakness seiz'd the drooping Heart: + Till all the Members suffer'd by't, + And languished in a woeful plight: + They saw, when 'twas too late, how he, + Whom they accused of Gluttony, + Of Laziness, Ingratitude, } + Had labour d for the common Good, } + By ways they never understood. } + + + The Moral. + + _The Belly is the Government, + From whence the Nourishment is sent, + Of wholesome Laws for mutual Peace, + For Plenty, Liberty, and Ease, + To all the Body Politick, + Which where it fails the Nation's sick. + The Members are the discontent_ + Pleibeians; _that are ignorant, + How necessary for the State + It is, that Princes should be great: + Which, if their Pomp and Pow'r were less, + Could not preserve our Happiness. + The Vulgar think all Courts to be + But Seats of Sloth and Luxury; + Themselves, but Slaves compell'd to bear + The Taxes, and the Toils of War; + But in this Fable they may see + The dismal Fruits of Mutiny; + Whilst Subjects, that assist the Crown, + But labour to maintain their own._ + + + + +_The Countryman and the Knight._ + + + An honest Countryman had got + Behind his House a pretty Spot, + Of Garden Ground, with all what might + Contribute to the Taste and Sight, + The Rose and Lilly, which have been + Still kept to compliment the Skin, + Poppies renown'd for giving ease, + With Roman Lettice, Endive, Pease, + And Beans, which Nat'ralists do reckon + To be so ominous to Bacon. + The Beds were dung'd, the Walks well swept, + And every thing was nicely kept. + Only a Hare wou'd now and then + Spite of the Master and the Men + Make raking work for half a day, + Then fill her Gut and scow'r away. + In vain they beat and search the Ground, + The cunning Jilt can ne'er be found, + The Master once in angry Mood } + Starts up and swears by all that's good, } + He'd be revenged, that he would. } + Runs to a Country Knight his Neighbour, + And there complains how all his labour + Was spoil'd by one confounded Hare, + Which though the'd watch'd her every where + He nor his People ne'er could catch, + And of a certain was a Witch. + His Worship smiles and promises + To rid him of the Sawcy Puss. + At break of Day _Jack_ winds his Horn, + The Beagles scamper thro' the Corn; + Deep mouth'd Curs set up a Cry, + And make a cursed Symphony. + Now stir you Rogues; the Knight is come + With _Robin_, _Lightfoot_, _Dick_ and _Tom_. + The House is full of Dogs and Boys, + And ev'ry where's a horrid Noise, + Well, Landlord, Come, What shall we do? + Must w' eat a Bit before we go? + What have you got? Now all's fetch'd out, + The Victuals rak'd, and tore about. + One pairs the Loaf, another Groom } + Draws Beer, as if he was at home, } + And spils it half about the Room. } + What Horseman's yonder at the Door? + Why, Faith, there's half a dozen more: + They're Gentlemen, that live at Court, + Come down the Country for some Sport; + Some old Acquaintance of the Knight, + Who whips from Table, bids 'em light. + They ask no Questions but sit down, + Fall too as if it was their own. + One finishes the Potted Salmon, + Then swears, because he had no Lemon. + Good Lord, how sharp the Rogues are set! + It puts my Landlord in a Sweat. + His Daughter comes with fresh Supplies + Of Collard Beef, and Apple-pies. + His Worship falls aboard of her; + The modest Creature quakes for fear. + When do we marry Mistress _Ann_? + Who is to be the happy Man? + He takes her Hand, and chucks her Chin, + Stares in her Face, commends her Skin, + Removes her Linnen, shews her Neck; + There's Milk, and Blood, Gad take me _Jack_. + She blushes, and he vows she is + A pretty Girl, then takes a Kiss; + She don't consent, nor dares deny, + Defends herself respectfully; + And now the Knight would let her go; } + Another Rake cries, Damme no: } + I'll have a Kiss as well as you. } + He hugs her close, then calls her Dear, + And whispers bawdy in her Ear. + My charming Rogue, I would not hurt ye. + She answers not, but drops a Courtsie. + He's rude, and she's asham'd to squeak; + Her Father sees it, dares not speak; + But patiently enduring all, + Stands like a Statue in the Hall. + Now for the Garden and the Hare, + The Dogs get in, and scrape and tear, + The Horsemen follow, leap the Rails; + Down goes the Quick-set-hedge, and Pales. + The Huntsman hollows, runs and pushes, + All goes to Rack, the Borders, Bushes. + And now my Landlord cries amain, + You've ruin'd me; but all in vain. + The Cabbages are kick'd about, + And Flowers with Roots and all pull'd out. + The Beds are levell'd with the Ground, + At last poor trembling Puss is found + Hid underneath a Collyflower. + The Prey is took, away they scower, + And leave our Countryman to think + On all his Loss of Meat and Drink: + What havock's made in ev'ry place, + His Daughter wrong'd before his Face. + Small was the Mischief of the Hare + To ravenous Hunters to compare. + He wrings his Hands, and all in Tears + Repents his foolish rashness, swears, + He'll ne'er call help again in haste, + Since Hounds and Horses made more waste, + In half an hour, than all the Hares + Of th' Country could in Seven Years. + + + The Moral. + + _When petty Princes can't agree, + And strive for Superiority, + They often take my Landlord's Course, + Invite for Aid a foreign Force; + And when their Subjects Slaves are made, + Their Countries all in ruins laid, + As commonly it proves their fate, + Repent with him when it's too late._ + + + + +_The Plague among the Beasts._ + + + One time a mighty Plague did pester + All Beasts Domestick and _Sylvester_, + They try'd a world of Remedies; + But none that conquer'd the Disease: + And, as in the Calamity + All did not dye, so none were free. + The Lyon in this Consternation + Sends by his Royal Proclamation + To all his loving Subjects greeting, + And summons 'em t' a general Meeting; + And when they're come about his Den, + He says, my Lords and Gentlemen, + I believe you're met full of the Sence + Of this consuming Pestilence; + Sure such extraordinary Punishment + On common Crimes was never sent; + Therefore it took its derivation, + Not from the trivial Sence of the Nation; + But some notorious Wickedness; } + Then let us search our Consciences, } + And ev'ry one his Faults confess. } + We'll judge the biggest and the least, + And he that is the wicked'st Beast + Shall as a Sacrifice be giv'n, + T'allay the wrath of angry Heav'n, + And serve our Sins an expiation + By ancient way of Immolation; + And, since no one is free from Sin, + Thus with my own I'll first begin. + I've kill'd an Ox, and which is worse, + Committed Murder on a Horse; + And one Day, as I am a Sinner, + I have eat seven Pigs for Dinner, + Robb'd Woods, and Fens, and like a Glutton, + Fed on whole Flocks of Lamb and Mutton: + Nay sometimes, for 'tis in vain to lie, + The Shepherd went for Company. + This was his Speech; when Chanc'lor Fox + Cries out, what signifies an Ox, + Or Horse? Sure those unworthy things + Are honour'd, when made sport for Kings. + But, Sir, your Conscience is too nice, + Hunting's a Princely Exercise: + As for the Sheep, that foolish Cattle, + Not fit for Carriage nor for Battle, + And being tolerable Meat, + Are good for nothing, but to eat. + The shepherd your sworn Enemy + Deserv'd no better Destiny. + Thus was he, that had sin'd for Twenty, + Clear'd _Nemine Contradicente_. + The Bear, the Tyger, Beasts that fight, + And all that could but scratch or bite + Came off well; for their gross Abuses + Others as bad found Excuses. + Nay even the Cat of wicked Nature + That kills at play his Fellow Creature + Went scot free: But his Gravity + An Ass of stupid Memory + Confess'd, that, going to _Sturbridge_-Fair + His Back most broke with Wooden-ware, + He chanc'd half starv'd, and faint, to pass + By a Church-yard with exc'lent Grass, + They had forgot to shut the Gate, + He ventur'd in, stoop'd down and ate. + Hold, cries Judge Wolf, no more, for Crimes + As these, deserve such fatal Times. + By several Acts of Parliament + 'Tis Sacriledge, they all consent; + And thus the silly virtuous Ass + Was Sacrifis'd for eating Grass. + + + The Moral. + + _The Fable shews you poor Folk's fate + Whilst Laws can never reach the Great._ + + + + +_The Grasshopper and Ant._ + + + A Merry Grasshopper, that sung + And tun'd it all the Summer long, + Fed on small Flies, and had no Reason + To have sad thoughts the gentler Season; + For when 'twas hot the Wind at South, + The Victuals flew into his Mouth: + But when the Winters cold came on, + He found he was as much undone, + As any Insect under Heav'n; + And now the hungry Songster's driv'n + To such a state, no Man can know it, + But a Musician or a Poet, + He makes a Visit to an Ant, + Desires he would relieve his want; + I come not in a begging way, } + Says he, No Sir, name but a day } + In _July_ next, and I'll repay, } + Your Interest and your Principal + Shall both be ready at a Call. + The thrifty Ant says truly Neighbour, + I get my Living by hard Labour; + But you, that in this Storm came hither, + What have you done when 'twas fair Weather? + I've sung, replies the Grasshopper; + Sung! says the Ant, your Servant, Sir; + If you have sung away the best + Of all the Year, go dance the rest. + + + + +_The Milk Woman._ + + + A Straping Dame, a going to Town + To sell her Milk with thin Stuff Gown, + And Coats tuck'd up fit for a Race, + Marches along a swinging Pace: + And in her Thoughts already counts + The Price to which her Milk amounts; + She fancies all is sold, and lays + The Money out a hundred ways; + At last she's fix'd, and thinks it plain, + That Eggs would bring the surest Gain: + She buys a hundred, which she reckons + Will four Weeks hence be six Score Chickens. + Such mighty care she takes to rear 'em, + No Fox or Kite can e'er come near 'em, + The finest Hens are kept for Eggs; + The others sold to buy some Piggs; + To whom a little Bran she gives + With Turnep-tops and Cabbage leaves; + And tho' they get no Pease to speak on, + Yet in short time they're sold for Bacon. + O! how the Money pleas'd her Thought + For which a Cow and Calf are bought; + She'll have 'em on the Common kept, + There see 'em jump, at that she leapt + For joy; down comes the Pail, and now + Good Night t'ye Chickens, Calf and Cow, + Eggs, Bacon; all her busy care, + With them are dwindled into Air. + She looks with Sorrow on the Ground, + And Milk, in which her Fortune's drown'd: + Then carries home the doleful News, + And strives to make the best Excuse: + Her Husband greets her with a Curse, + And well it was she far'd no worse. + The Hermit, and the Man of Fame, + _Pompeus_, and our Country Dame, + The wisest Judge, and my Lord May'r, + They all build Castles in the Air: + And all a secret Pleasure take + In dreaming whilst they are awake: + Pleas'd with our Fancies we possess + Friends, Honour, Women, Palaces. + When I'm alone I dare defy + Mankind for Wit and Bravery. + I beat the _French_ in half an Hour, + Get all their Cities in my Power. + Sometimes I'm pleas'd to be a King, + That has success in every thing, + And just when all the World's my own, + Comes one to dun me for a Crown; + And presently I am the poor, + And idle Dunce I was before. + + + + +_The Cock, the Cat, and the young Mouse._ + + + A Mouse of no Experience + Was almost nabb'd for want of Sence. + Hear how the silly young one told + Her strange Adventure to the old. + I cross'd the Limits of our State, + And ran as swift as any Rat; + When suddenly I spy'd two Creatures + Of very different Form and Features. + The one look'd smiling, milde, and Civil, + The other was a very Devil; + He look'd so fierce, made such a rout, + Then tore the Ground, then turn'd about; + He ne'er stood still, upon his Head + He wore a piece of Flesh that's red; + A bunch of Tails with green and black + Stood staring higher than his back. + And thus describes the simple Mouse + A Cock he had seen behind the House, + As had it been some Beast of Prey + Brought over from _America_. + With insolence, says he, he strides, + And beats with his broad Arms his sides; + Then lifts his shrill and frightful Voice, + And made so terrible a Noise, + That tho' I can assure you, Mother, + I've as much Courage as another, + I trembled, and as I am here, + Was forc'd to fly away for fear. + I curs'd the Bully in my thought; + For 'twas that strutting Ruffi'n's Fault; + Or else that other Beast and I + Had been acquainted presently. + He sat so quiet with such Grace, + So much good Nature in his Face, + He's furr'd like we, and on his Back + So purely streak'd with gray and black; + He has a long Tail, shining Eye, + Yet is all over Modesty. + I believe he is a near Relation + To our Allies the Rattish Nation: + His Ears and Whiskers are the same + With ours, I would have ask'd his Name, + When with his harsh and horrid sound + The other made me quit my Ground. + Replies the Mother, well 'scap'd Son, + You have been very near undone; + That formal Piece of Modesty, + That Mirror of Hypocrisy, + Was a damn'd Cat of wicked Fame; + My Heart akes at the very Name, + The everlasting Foe to Mouse, + Death and Destruction to our House. + Whereas that other Animal + Ne'er did us hurt, nor never will; + But may, when he is dead and gone, + Serve us one Day to dine upon. + Then prithee son, whate'er you do, + Take special Care of him, whom you + For such an humble Creature took, + And judge not People by their Look. + + + + +_The Cock and Pearl._ + + + A Cock, not very nicely fed, + A Dunghill raker by his Trade, + Whilst scraping in the dirt, had found + A Pearl worth Five and Twenty Pound: + He goes hard by t' a Jeweller, + And like a silly Dog, says Sir, + In yonder Rubbish lay a bit + Of something that in't good to eat, + If you think it will serve your turn, + I'll change it for a grain of Corn. + Nay sometimes Men will do as bad, + I've known a foolish Heir, that had + A Manuscript of Wit and Labour, + Say to a Bookseller his Neighbour, + I've got some Sheets my Uncle writ, + They say he was a Man of Wit, + But Books are things I don't much matter, + A Crown would do my Business better. + + + + +_The Lyon's Court._ + + + It happen'd that some Years ago, + The Lyon had a Mind to know, + What beastly Nations up and down + Belong'd to his Imperial Crown: + And therefore in his Princely care + Sends word by Letters every where, + That he would keep an open Court, + Grace it with every Royal Sport; + And so invites 'em to his Palace, + A Cave that stunk worse than the Gallows. + The Bear snorts at it, snuffles, blows, + Draws hundred Wrinkles in his Nose. + What need the Fool to have made such Faces? + The Lyon frown'd at his Grimaces, + And for the Niceness of his Smell + My Gentleman is sent to Hell. + The Monky fam'd for flattery + Extalls this Action to the Sky, + Then prais'd the King's majestick Face, + The stately building of the Place, + The Smell, whose Fragrancy so far + Exceeds all other Scents that are, + That there's no Amber, said the Sot, + But what's a house of Office to't. + This gross insipid stuff the Prince } + Dislikes and calls it Impudence, } + To speak so contrary to Sence. } + And as the one was thought too free, + So th' other dy'd for Flattery. + This Lyon had the reputation + To be _Caligula's_ Relation. + The Fox being near; the peevish King + Ask'd his Opinion of the thing. + Tell me what smell it is, be bold, + Sir, says the Fox, I've got a Cold. + If you would have your Answers please + Great Men make use of such as these. + Bluntness and bare-faced Flattery + Can never with the Court agree. + + + + +_The Drunkard and his Wife._ + + + Man is so obstinate a Creature + No Remedy can change his Nature. + Fear, Shame, all ineffectual prove + To cure us from the Vice we love. + A Drunkard, that had spent his Wealth, + And by the Wine impar'd his Health, + One Night was very Drunk brought home; + His Wife conveys him to a Tomb; + Undresses him from Head to Feet, + And wraps him in a Winding-sheet: + He wakes, and finds he's not a Bed, + All over dress'd like one that's dead: + Besides, she counterfeits her Voice, + With Torch in hand, and grunting Noise, + Looks frightful in a strange Array, + To pass for Dame _Ctesiphone_. + And every thing is done so well, + He thinks he's fairly gone to Hell; + And satisfy'd it was his Merit, + He says to his dissembling Spirit, + Who are you in the Name of Evil? + She answers hoarsely I'm a Devil, + That carries Victuals to the Damn'd, + By me they are with Brimstone cramm'd. + What, says the Husband, do you think + Never to bring them any Drink? + + + + +_The Carp._ + + + A Handsome Carp genteely bred, + In fresh and running Water fed, + Puff'd up with Pride and Vanity, + Forsook the _Thames_ and went to Sea; + Thro' Shrimps and Prawns he cuts his way, + Sees Cods and Haddocks frisk and play; + He ask'd some questions, but in vain, + All spoke the Language of the Main; + He frets he can't be understood, + When, at the latter end of Flood, + Two Herrings vers'd in Languages + Were talking about Business; + Carp heard 'em, as he swum along, + Discoursing in his River Tongue, + And made a stop, they did the same, + One of the Herrings ask'd his Name, + And whence he came; the Traveller + Reply'd, I am a Stranger, Sir, + Come for my Pleasure to these Parts + To learn your Manners and your Arts: + Then Herring asks what News of late? + Which are your Ministers of State? + Indeed, said Carp, he could not tell, + Nor did much care, quoth Herring well + What Laws, what Form of Government? + Are Taxes rais'd, without consent + Of Parliament? what Courts of? Pish, + Says th' other, I'm a gentle Fish, + And we know nothing of those Matters; + Quoth Herring, I'm no Fish that flatters, + I find you've neither seen nor read, + And wonder you should break your Head, + With what's in other Countries done, + That knows so little of your own. + At this the haughty Fool takes snuff, + Turns from 'em in a mighty huff; + And whilst he slides and flourishes + He meets a Country Fish of his, + One us'd to Sea, a subtle Spark, + A Pike that serv'd his time t' a Shark; + Who leads him into Company + Of Riot and Debauchery; + The scandalous Gang in little time + Infect him with the Salt, and Slime: + They robb'd his Row, till scurvily + At last he's forc'd to leave the Sea. + His Scales begin to drop by scores, + And all his Body's full of Sores. + Half of his Tail, and Snout are gone, + And he, lean, shabby and undone, + Sneaks home as vain and ignorant, + As e'er he was before he went. + + + The Moral. + + _Some Fops that visit_ France _and_ Rome, + _Before they know what's done at home, + Look like our Carp when come again. + Strange Countries may improve a Man, + That knew the World before he went; + But he, that sets out ignorant, + Whom only Vanity intices, + Brings Nothing from 'em, but their Vices._ + + + + +_The Nightingale and Owl._ + + + The Bird of _Jove_, who was all Day, + As much intent upon his Prey, + As any Prince in Christendom, + Was not well pleased, that coming home, + He always found his Folks a Bed, + (Sure Courtiers should be better bred.) + For, as Crown'd Heads have much to think, + Some Nights he could not sleep a wink; + And thought it hard to have ne'er a Bird + In all his Court could speak a Word, + Or snuff a Candle, hundred things, + That are of use to waking Kings. + Some Birds strove hard, did what they could; + Yet when 't grew dark, slept as they stood. + Others pretended that they watch'd, + And swore and ly'd till they were catch'd. + The King would not be put upon: + Asks all his Court what's to be done? + One talks no wiser than a Horse, + Another makes it ten times worse, + The Ostrich said, It's plain to me, + We sleep because we cannot see; + Ask _Jupiter_, he can't deny't, + To let it when 'tis dark be light---- + At that all stopt his Speech a laughing, + Except the King, who fell a coughing. + Says one more learned than the rest, + I'm for a Crane with stone in Fist; + If he should sleep it must be known, + For presently he'll drop the stone. + But as the Watchmen were to be + In the upper Garret of the Tree, + The King for weighty Reasons said, + He'd have no Stones held o'er his Head, + Then cries the Swan, and he was right, + If one pretends to watch all Night. + He cannot do a better thing, + To make us believe it than to sing. + His Majesty approves of it, + And Letters presently are writ; + By which the Airy Prince invites + All Birds to Court, that sung a Nights; + But most of 'em look on the same + As things of no concern to them. + Yet some that had Ambition + Would very willingly have gone, + But since they could not watch in short, + And might perhaps be punish'd for't, + At best they could propose no Gains. + But t' have their Labour for their Pains. + Only the Nightingale, whose Art + Man knows, had fill'd his little Heart + With so much Joy, he's more than glad, + And almost ready to run mad; + Calls on all Birds and shakes his Wings, + Tells them how every Night he sings; + (A thing, which they knew nothing of, + For by that time they're fast enough.) + Says he it hits so luckily, + As if it was contriv'd for me, + What cause to doubt of being chose, + When there's not one that can oppose. + His Friend the Black-bird says, if so, } + Make haste to Court; why don't you go? } + The haughty Bird cries truly No, } + Glory's a thing I never went for, + Nor shall go now unless I am sent for. + At last the King by Mistress Fame, + 'S acquainted with his Skill and Name, + And hearing of his Stateliness + Sends half a dozen Deputies; + Who, when they're come, are forced to wait: + The Bird makes every thing look great; + He humbly thanks his Majesty; + But could not leave his Family. + They still persuade and press him hard, + He need not doubt of a great Reward. + And as the Nightingale delays, + And banters 'em for several Days; + A Magpye in the Field at play + Heard how he made the Courtiers stay, + Goes home and there relates the Story, + The Message, and the Bird's Vain glory, + T' an Owl, who from his Infancy + Had liv'd in the same Family; + And adds, why don't you take a Flight? + I've often heard you sing at Night; + When wak'd by our unlucky Boys. + Says the Owl, I know I have no Voice + As well as you: But if you hear me, + Young Jackanaps you need not jeer me. + By _George_, says Mag, I'm not in jest, + What though the Nightingale sings best, + He is so proud, takes so much state, + A thing I know all Princes hate, + That if y'are there before the other, + Who wants such Courtship, keeps such pother, + I don't know but your solemn Face, + And modest Mein may get the place. + I'll go my self for Company: } + And Mag discoursed so winingly, } + The Match is made away they fly. } + The King by this time thought it long + To stay for a Nocturnal Song + When Master Magpy, and his Friend, + Were just come to their Journy's end. + They told their Business modestly, + And are lodg'd on the Royal Tree. + The Owl sets up his Note at Night, + At which the Eagle laugh'd out right, + Then went to sleep and two Hours after + He wak'd, and wanted to make Water. + Call'd to his Watch, who presently + Jump'd in, and cry'd Sir, Here am I. + So, tho his Owlship could not sing, + His watchfulness had pleas'd the King. + Next day arrives the Nightingale, + With his Attendance at his Tail. + His Majesty would by no Means } + Admit him to an Audience; } + But sends a stately Bird of Sence, } + Who thus accosted him. Signior, + Whom we so long have waited for; + Since Yesterday a Bird came hither, + As grave as ever wore a Feather, + Who without promise of Reward + Last Night has serv'd upon the Guard, + With him to Morrow Night the King + Has order'd you to watch and sing, + Says Nightingale, what do I care + For Orders? I am free, and swear + My Master-lays shall mix with none, + They make a Consort of their own: + But who has so much vanity, + That dares pretend to sing with me? + And hearing twas th' _Athenian_ Bird, + He star'd and cou'd not speak a Word, + Grew pale, and swell'd, his Wind came short, + And Anger overwhelm'd his Heart. + He foams at Mouth, and raves, and blusters, + And utters all his Words in Clusters. + A King! a Devil, stupid Fowl, + That can compare me to an Owl! + Pray says the Courtier, have a Care, + Consider in what place you are; + But, as the Fool would hear no Reason, + He went, and left him sputt'ring Treason, + Then told what happen'd to the King, + Who said he'd never hear him sing; + The Owl should be kept in his Place, + And th' other punish'd with Disgrace; + He wisely weigh'd one's Complaisance + Against the other's Insolence, + Oppos'd the Humble to the Rude, + And thought the one might do more Good, + With Loyalty and Diligence, + Than th' other with his Skill and Sence. + The Nightingale is kick'd from Court + And serv'd the little Birds for sport; + Till full of Shame and Grief he went, + And curs'd the King and Government. + + + The Moral. + + _Princes can never satisfy + That Worth that rates itself too high. + What Pity it is! some Men of Parts + Should have such haughty stubborn Hearts: + When once they are courted they grow vain: + Ambitious Souls cannot contain + Their Joy, which when they strive to hide, + They cover it with so much Pride, + So Saucy to Superiors, + Impatient of Competitors, + Th' are utterly untractable, + And put off like our Nightingale. + Many with him might have been great, + Promoted Friends, and serv'd the State, + That have beheld, with too much Joy, + The wish'd for Opportunity; + Then slipt it by their own Delays, + Sloth, Pride, or other willful Ways, + And ever after strove in vain + To see the Forelock once again._ + + + + +_Council held by the Rats._ + + + A Cat, whose Sirname pretty hard was, + One Captain _Felis Rodilardus_ + Had made so terrible a slaughter + Among the Rats; that little after + There's hardly one to shew his head, + Most part of 'em were maim'd or dead. + The few that yet had 'scap'd the Grave, + Liv'd in a subterranean Cave, + Where they sat thinking mighty dull, + With Bellies less than quarter full, + Not daring to stir out for fear + Of _Rodilard_, who's ev'ry where. + They tried a hundred ways to sun him: + But finding they could never shun him, + The Wretches look upon him, that + He's more a Devil than a Cat. + Once, when our am'rous Spark was gone + A hunting Wenches up and down, + The poor remainder to improve + The time their Enemy made love, + Assembl'd, and employ'd their Cares + About the straits of their Affairs. + Their President, a Man of Sence, + Told 'em, by long experience; + I know, the Captain used to come + In Ambush without beat of Drum. + Methinks, that if we could but hear him + We need not half so much to fear him: + And therefore, th' only way's to take + A Bell, and tie't about his Neck; + And then let him be ne'er so arch + He'll advertise us of his march. + His Council took, and every one } + Was of the same Opinion; } + Sure nothing better could be done. } + But pray, says one, who is to tie it; + For I desire not to be nigh it. + How! cries another, tie the Bell, + I dare draw all his Teeth as well. + A third, a fourth, all say the same, + And so they parted as they came. + + + The Moral. + + _Thus Cits advise what's to be done, + This way they should attack the Town; + Now here, then there, why don't they come? + So, often in a Coffee-room, + Where prudently they rule the Nation, + I've heard some Men of Reputation + Propose things which they dare as well + Perform, as Rats to tie the Bell._ + + + + +_The Bat and the two Weasels._ + + + A Purblind Bat a heedless Beast + Ran headlong into a Weasel's Nest, + Who big with Child, and Passionate, + Had long since bore a mortal hate + To Mice; she rises, takes a Knife, + Runs to 'm resolv'd to have his Life, + And says: What Rascal in my House! + O impudence! a'nt you a Mouse? + Confess: Yes, I am sure you are, + Or I'm no Weasel: Have a Care, + No Names, good Lady, says the Bat, + No more a Mouse, than you a Rat. + What, I a Mouse? I scorn the Word; + And thank the Gods that made m' a Bird; + Witness my Wings, they're proof enough; + Long live the Birds, and so came off. + Some two Days after giddy brain + By a mischance, intrudes again + T' another Weasel's, who hates Birds, + She lets him enter, made no Words; + But fairly caught him by his Crupper, + And went to cranch him for her Supper. + In quality of Bird, says he, + Madam, this is an Injury, + Damn all the Birds, I do Protest + You wrong me: Sure y'are but in jest, + What reason I should pass for one? + All Birds have Feathers, I have none. + I am a Mouse long live the Rats, + And _Jupiter_ confound the Cats. + + + The Moral. + + _The Trimmer that will side with none, + Is forc'd to side with ev'ry one; + And with his Comp'ny change his story, + Long live the Whig, long live the Tory._ + + + + +_The two Bitches._ + + + A Bitch, who hardly had a day + To reckon, knew not where to lay + Her Burthen down: She had no Bed; + Nor any Roof to hide her Head; + Desires a Bitch of the same Pack, + To let her have, for Heaven's sake, + Her House against her Lying-in. + Th' other, who thought it was a Sin, + To baulk a Wretch so near her Labour, + Says, Yes, 'tis at your Service, Neighbour. + She stays the Month out, and above, + And then desires her to remove: + But th' other tells her, there's yet none + Of all my Whelps can walk alone, + Have patience but one Fortnight longer. + I hope by that time they'll be stronger. + She grants it, and when that's about, + Again she asks her to turn out; + Resign her Chamber, and her Bed: + The other shew'd her Teeth, and said, + My Children now are strong enough, + Some of 'em able to stand buff. + W' are free to go, but don't mistake us, + That is to say, if you can make us. + + + The Moral. + + _Whoever lets the Wicked in + Shall hardly get them out again; + What they can keep, they'll ne'er restore, + And by fair Means you'll have no more + Returns from them, than from the Grave, + Therefore he that will lend a Knave, + Must be resolv'd on Law and Force; + If not, he'll bid you take your Course._ + + + + +_The Sick Lyon and the Fox._ + + + The King of Brutes sent all about, + He was afflicted with the Gout; + And orders ev'ry Species + To visit him by Embassies. + To see his Subject Beasts would be + Some Comfort to him in his Misery: + He swears them faithfully, they shall + Be lodg'd, and treated very well. + Then for a Safeguard, sends forsooth, + Passes against his Claw and Tooth. + His Vassals in obedience come, } + And ev'ry Species sends him some. } + Only the Foxes stay at home; } + Their Reason was, they saw the Print + Of ev'ry beastly Foot, that went: + But found no Marks, by which, 'twas plain, + That any e'er came back again: + And truly that's suspicious, + Says one, poor Folks are timerous. + We know the King would not abuse us; + But yet desire him to excuse us. + As for his Pass we thank him for't, + And believe 'tis good. But in his Court + We know, which way we may go in, + But not, which to come back again. + + + The Moral. + + _Wise Men sometimes Instruction find + In that, which others never mind; + Examining the least of things, + By Deeds, not Words, they judge of Kings; + And never venture on that Coast, + Where once they knew another lost._ + + + + +_The Satyr and the Passenger._ + + + A Satyr at his Country House, + A dismal Cave, was with his Spouse, + And Brats a going to eat some Broth: + Without a Chair, or Table-Cloath, + On mossy ground they squatted down, + With special Stomachs of their own. + And just as they fell to a main, + Comes one to shelter for the Rain: + The Guest's invited to sit down, + Tho' in the mean time they went on. + He shiver'd, look'd as cold as Death, + And warm'd his Fingers with his Breath, + Says ne'er a Word, takes good Advice, + And stays not till they ask him twice, + Falls to the Porridge, takes a sup; + But being newly taken up, + 'Twas hot, he blows it. Says the Satyr, + Whose Palate could bear scalding-water, + Friend, what the Devil are you a doing? + What do you mean by all this blowing? + The Stranger answers, I did blow + At first to warm my hands, and now + I blow again to cool my Broth. + How, says my Landlord, does it both! + Than y'are not like to stay with me, + I hate such juggling Company. + What! Out of the same Mouth to blow + Both hot and cold! Friend, prithee go. + I thank the Gods my Roof contains + None such as you. The Fable means. + + + The Moral. + + _None are more like to do us wrong; + Than those that wear a double Tongue._ + + + + +_The Lyon in Love._ + + + Before the Reign of Buxom _Dido_, + When Beasts could speak as well as I do; + Lyons and we convers'd together, + And marry'd among one another. + Nay, why not? they have more bravery, + And are of the eldest Family. + One of 'em walking in a Grove, + Met with a Wench, and fell in Love. + Says he, dear Girl, upon my Life, + Y'are handsome, and must be my Wife. + Then sees her Home, and asks her Father, + Th' old Gentleman would have had rather + A Son-in-Law of milder Nature, + And not so terrible a Feature; + He could not give her heartily, + And yet 'twas dangerous to deny. + Besides she lov'd a fierce Gallant, + Says he, they have ask'd my Consent; + If now I make a Noise about it, + Who knows but they may do't without it. + Therefore he us'd a Stratagem + With honey-words to wheedle him. + My Daughter thanks you, Sir, for the honour, + Which you are pleas'd to bestow upon her. + To talk of Joyntures would be rude; + I know what's for my Children's good. + She's wholly yours, and from this hour, + Son, I resign her to your power. + I only wish, because your Bride + Has but a foolish tender Hide, + That when you take her in your Arm, + For fear your Claws might do her harm, + You'd suffer somebody to pare 'em; + And then your Spouse need not to fear 'em. + Your Teeth indeed look fine and strong; + But yet th'are somewhat sharp and long; + If y'had 'em filed an Inch or two, + 'T would be no prejudice to you, + And she'd respect you ne'er the less, + Admire the softness of your kiss, + And be more free with you a Bed. + So senceless is a Lover's head: + The Lyon yields, and stupidly + Lets 'em disarm him _Cap-a-pe_. + And so the loving Son-in-Law, + Remaining without Tooth or Claw, + Look'd as defenceless as a Town + With all the Walls and Gates broke down, + With Dogs his complaisance they pay, + To whom he falls an easy Prey. + + + The Moral. + + _Where Love his Tyrany Commences; + There, farewell Prudence, farewell Sences._ + + + + +_The Angler and the little Carp._ + + + That little Fishes may be greater, + And that, the larger th' are the better + I know; but then, to let em swim, + And all the while to stay for 'em; + Since catching so uncertain is, + I think's a foolish Business. + An Angler patiently a fishing + Employ'd with looking on, and wishing, + Catches at last a little Carp + That's very poor; but being sharp + He thought 'twas something to begin, + Opens his pouch to put him in. + But cries the Prisoner pitiously + Alas, what would you do with me! + Let me grow bigger, throw me in. + Some two Year hence you'll catch m' again; + I'll stay for you, for you may be sure; + Then sell me to some Epicure, + But now I'm such a silly Fish, + A hundred would not make a Dish; + And if they should, when all is done, + There would be only Skin and Bone. + Says the Angler I've a Mind to try you, + And if y' an't fit to Stew, I'll Fry you. + Leave preaching till anon, and then + Discourse your Mattets to the Pan. + + + The Moral. + + I _Chuse_ One is _for_ two May be's, + _One sure for Ten_ Uncertainties. + + + + +_The Wolves and the Sheep._ + + + Between the Wolves, and Sheep, the Wars + Had lasted many hundred Years. + The Sheep could never feed in quiet; + But Wolves disturb'd 'em at their Diet: + And truly Wolf is every Day + By Mastiff hunted from his Prey. + The Shepherd often cuts his Throat, + And turns his Skin into a Coat. + But now both Parties are for ease; + And met to agree on terms of Peace. + When in Debates some time was spent, + On each side Hostages are sent: + As such both Nations were to give + What's valued most, the Wolves receive, + The Dogs, of which in Awe they stood; + The Sheep young Wolves of noble Blood: + And thus the Peace is ratify'd, + With Joy proclaim'd on every side. + But in short time the Whelps grew strong, + The sturdy Rogues began to long + For Blood, and Mischief; watch'd a day, + The Shepherds were not in the way, + Then hunt the young ones from their Dames, + And pick'd and cull'd the finest Lambs; + Kill'd and devour'd a Multitude; + The rest they carry'd to a Wood, + Where with the other Wolves they joyn, + Who knew before hand their design. + The Dogs on publick Faith secure + (And pray what ties could be more sure) + Where whilst they slept, and thought no harm, + Throttled before they heard th' alarm. + + + The Moral. + + _Some Nations, fond of slothful Ease, + Trust to deluding Enemies; + And striving to avoid Expence, + Will leave themselves without defence; + But cunning Tyrants call 'em Friends, + No longer than it serves their Ends. + Against a mighty King that is, + Regardless of his Promises, + Proclaim an everlasting War, + Observe his Motions, watch with care; + And never hearken to Peace, + Proffer'd by faithless Enemies._ + + + + +_The Wasps and Bees._ + + + A Troop of Wasps claims openly + Some Honey Combs without a Tree. + A Regiment of Bees declares, } + The Honey, and the Combs, were theirs, } + And let him touch the Goods that dares; } + They'd shew that they were Bees, and forsooth. + Then says the Wasps, we'll pluck a Crew for't, + An shall not fly for Bees, we scorn it. + However 'tis left to Justice Hornet, + Who could with all his subtle Sence + Make nothing of the Evidence; + In general they depose, 'tis true, + That Insects of a yellow hue, + With Tails containing poysonous Stings, + Long Body'd, buzzing with their Wings, + And all the Signs to paint a Bee, + Had been observ'd about that Tree. + But this could be no proof for them; + For in the Wasps they are the same, + His Lordship, for his Reputation + Heard a whole Ant's Nest's Information. + But being no wiser than before, + At last said he could do no more; + And made a learned Speech to shew 'em: + That this Court could say nothing to 'em: + It must be try'd in Chancery. + Up starts a pert well meaning Bee, + And Says, an't please your Lordship; 'tis + Six Months we left our Business: + And heard of nothing but Vacations, + And Writs of barbarous Appellations; + And all this while, you know we are, + My Lord, but even as we were. + The Honey every Day grows worse, + And greedy Lawyers drain our Purse. + Under submission we've enough + Of all this formal conjuring stuff. + I believe I can inform you better, + Which way you may decide the matter + What signifies our looking on, + And hearing Council pro and con? + Let's go to work and then you'll see, + Which spoke the Truth, the Wasps or we. + If they can make such Combs and fill + With Honey each sexang'lar Cell; + The Cause is theirs, and we'll pay Cost; + If not, I hope they'll yield it lost. + Which when the Wasps refus'd to do + Judge Hornet rose, and said, Oho! + I smoak you, Sirs, and gave the Bees + The Suit, with Costs and Damages. + + + The Moral. + + _Thus would I have all Judges give + Their Judgment. With the_ Turks _I believe, + That common Sence to end a Cause, + Is worth a hundred Common Laws. + They lead us such a way about, + Raise new Disputes, make such a Rout. + Between the Plaintiff and Defendant; + That by the time they make an end on't, + The Suit looks like an Oyster, where + The Fish falls to the Lawyer's Share; + And if the Cause be manag'd well, + Each of the Clients gets a Shell._ + + + + +_The Lyon and the Gnat._ + + + Away base Insect, that took Birth + From th' Exhalations of the Earth. + Thus spoke the Lyon to the Gnat; + Who answer'd, Bully, Think ye that + I'll bear Affronts? No: And declar'd + A War against him to his Beard; + And told the Hector, void of fear, + You'll find Sir King, how much I care + For all your Titles, Tooth and Claw, + Of which great Loobies stand in awe: + I'll quickly curb your haughtiness, + Damn'd Brute; and hardly utter'd this, + But sounds the Charge (he serv'd for all + For Trumpet and for General.) + He nimbly shifts from Place to Place, + And plays before the Lyon's Face; + The other snaps and strikes the Air; + The Gnat avoids him every where; + He watch'd his time, then seiz'd his Neck, + From thence he mov'd, and stung his Back, + There fasten'd, made his Kingship mad, + His Eyes sparkle in his Head; + He foams and roars, and all what's near + Trembles, and hides itself for fear, + Yet, of this general Hurrican, + And dire Alarm th' Occasion + Is, what one would suspect the least, + So small an Atom of a Beast. + With hundred rambling flights he teases + The Brute, and leads him where he pleases; + Gets up his Nostrils, laughs to see + With how much Rage his Enemy + Tore his own Flesh, and all in Blood + Ran raving through the affrighted Wood. + He still pursues, till out of Breath + The Lyon dropp'd, and bled to Death. + The merry buzzing Conqueror + Flies from the dismal Seat of War, + And as he sounded chearfully + The Charge, so sounds the Victory. + But going to proclaim his Story, + Puffed up and blinded with his Glory, + He met a Cobweb in his way, + And fell a silly Spider's Prey. + + + The Moral. + + _So one that cross'd the Ocean o'er, + May smother in a Common Shore._ + + + + +_The Woodcleaver and Mercury._ + + + In Ancient times, when _Jupiter_ + Was pretty free, a Labourer, + That earn'd his Bread with cleaving Wood, + Lost with his Ax his Livelyhood. + 'T would grieve ones Heart to hear what sad + And pitious moan the Fellow made: + He had no Tools to sell again, + And buy another Ax, poor Man! + It was his All, and what to do, + Or how to live he does not know, + And as the Tears stood in his Eyes, + My Ax! O my dear Ax! he cries: + Sweet loving _Jupiter_! restore + My Ax. _Olympus_ hear his roar; + And _Mercury_ the Post-Boy, or + The Flying Post (his Character + Suits either for he's God of Lying + Beardless, and fam'd for News and Flying.) + Came to the Labourer, and said, + Your Ax in't lost, cheer up, my Lad: + I've got it here; but can you tell + Which is your own? I very well, + Quoth he. Says _Mercury_ take hold, + And gives him one of Massy Gold; + To this, quoth th' other, I've no claim; + To a Silver one he said the same. + But when his Iron one was shewn, + He cries, I Faix this is mine own; + God bless you, Sir. And _Mercury_ } + Said, to reward his Honesty, } + Th' are all your own, I give 'em ye. } + The Story's quickly nois'd about; + The way to Riches is found out: + 'Tis but to lose one's Ax; the Fools, + That had none, sold their Cloaths and Tools + To get one; and whate'er they cost, + They're bought in order to be lost. + The God of Thieves and Merchants, who + By chance had nothing else to do, + Came as they call'd; his Deity + Gave every one the choice of three: + The lying Rogues deny'd their own, + And swore they lost a Golden one: + But as they stoop for't, _Mercury_ + Chops off their Heads, and there they lie. + + + The Moral. + + _The Fable shews you, Honesty + Is always the best Policy._ + + + + +_The Hare and his Ears._ + + + Some stupid horn'd Beast or other, + Trotting along to get some fother, + Had run the Lyon in his Side; + Who, for the future to provide + Against such Accidents as this, + Sends Writs, by which he banishes + From his Dominions every one, + That wore a Horn: And when 'twas known, + The Stags sneak off with Bulls and Rams, + The very Calves went with their Dams: + And, whilst they are moving every where + To foreign parts, a fearful Hare, + That saw the shadow of his Ears, + Was startled at the sight; and fears, + Some Villain might maliciously + Say they were Horns; What Remedy? + Says he, they're long, and I can't tell. + Well Neighbour Cricket Fare-you-well: + My Ears are Horns too; I'll march off; + They're very long, and that's enough: + Nay, were th' as short as Ostrich Ears, + It would not rid me of my fears; + For if they catch m' I go to Pot. + Foh! says the Cricket, y'are a sot. + Hares Horns! what Puppy calls 'em so? + Th' are Ears. But yet, for ought you know, + Replies poor Puss, they'll pass for Horns; + And may be Horns of Unicorns. + They call the Rabbet's Fore legs, Wings, + I hold no Argument with Kings. + + + The Moral. + + _At Lyons Courts, in case of Treason, + I rather trust my Heels, than Reason._ + + + + +_The Rat and the Frog._ + + + A Graceless Rat, in special case, + Kept neither Lent nor Holidays; + But lov'd his Gut beyond his Soul, + And look'd as slick as any Mole: + Who one day having time to spare, + Went to the Marshes for some Air; + There meets a Frog, not over fat, + Who says, your Servant Mr. Rat; + And seemingly with much good Nature, + Invites the Stranger o'er the Water: + Says he, I live in yonder Fens, + Go with me I'll treat you like a Prince. + The Rat who had a mind before + To ramble, need t've heard no more; + But yet the Frog made a whole Lecture + On Country Bagnios, and their Structure, + The Voyage, and the Recreation + He'd find in his amphibious Nation; + Their Manners, and a hundred things, + Of which in Winter Evenings, + He'd tell fine Stories ten Years after, + By Fire sides in Praise of Water: + And, since he always liv'd a Shore, + There's nothing could refresh him more. + These Reasons pleas'd his Ratship so, + That he was raving mad to go. + But as your pamper'd Folks are fearful, + He said, one cannot be too careful; + 'Tis true I swim, but not like you, + And Cramps, or other things, you know, + Might happen: If I could but have + Some small Assistance.----Says the Knave, + Prithee be quiet, to prevent + All harm, I've an expedient, + That has a thousand times been tried. + Then took a bit of Rush and tied + One of the Fore feet of the Rat + To his Hind leg, and out they set. + But O thou wicked World! how evil + Are all our Hearts! this croaking Devil + Swum to the deep; where, when he got him, + He strove to pull him to the bottom; + And thought it was a lucky hit, + To meet with such a dainty bit; + Good wholesome Meat, and so went on. + The Rat, who felt he was undone, + Cry'd out, and foul'd himself for fear, } + And, tho' sometimes in half a Year, } + The Varlet never said a Prayer; } + Yet (as the Proverb tells us, he + That cannot pray, must go to Sea.) + So now, with all the Sugar Words, + A frighted Coward's Heart affords; + He call'd the Gods, and coax'd the Frog; + But, No: That false hard-hearted Dog + Is deaf to all his Protestations, + And violates the Law of Nations. + One lugs and labours like a Horse, + Th' other resists with all his Force. + The Frog's for going down; the Rat, + If 't pleased the Gods, would rather not. + And, whilst they're struggling different ways, + A Kite, that hover'd o'er the Place, + Saw what our Gentry was about, + Would fain have seen the Battle out; + If 't had been safe; but being loth + To lose his Stomack, took 'em both: + And, doubly blessed beyond his wish, + Supp'd like a Lord, on Flesh and Fish. + + + The Moral. + + _He, that's entangled in a Plot, + For want of Strength, is often caught: + And in his Practices detected + By Accidents, he ne'er suspected. + What cares a Frog for Kites, in Water? + But Villany rewards its Author._ + + + + +_The Cat and an old Rat._ + + + I've heard, and if it be a Lie, + You have it e'en as cheap as I; + That a huge Cat of mighty Name, + A second _Rodilard_ for Fame, + The _Alexander_ of the Cats; + An _Attila_, a scourge to Rats, + Had brought such horrid devastation, + And Mischief on the latter Nation; + 'Twas thought he would depopulate + The World, and swallow every Rat. + The long Tailed Gentry, far and near, + Are all possess'd with so much fear, + That there's not one in six Miles round, + That dares to venture above ground; + Their bloody minded Enemy + Is sorry, that they're grown so shy. + In vain he watch'd, and lurk'd about, + The De'l a bit as one came out. + Says he, the Scoundrels are alive, + I hear 'em stir, and must contrive + To draw 'em out; for, where they dwell, + I'm sure, they're uncomatable. + At that he gets upon a Shelf, + And to a String he hangs himself + By one Foot, dangling with his Head + Downward, as if he had been dead. + The Rats all thought, he had been taken + At stealing Cheese, or gnawing Bacon; + Perhaps he might have foul'd the Bed, + Murder'd a Bird; or, that he had + Committed any other Evil, + By instigation of the Devil, + Or his own more malicious Nature; + For which they'd hang'd the wicked Creature. + The Prisoners, who wanted Bread + Thank'd Heaven, and were very glad. + They show their Snouts, and now begin + To peep out and pop back again; + Till growing bold they leave their home, + And scamper up and down the Room. + Down comes the treacherous Malefactor, + Who rais'd to Life without a Doctor. + Fell with such rage about their House + Each Blow kill'd either Rat or Mouse; + Some made Resistance, but in vain, + The Ground is cover'd with the slain, + Such Execution did his Claw, + But when the cunning Warrior saw, + The nimble ones go off in Sholes, + And get within their crooked Holes, + He call'd to 'em, for all your haste, + I know, you'll come to me at last. + This trick you never knew before, + But I can shew you hundred more. + He'd kill'd enough to live upon + Some few Days; but when that was gone, + He kept his Word, and wheedled 'em + With quite another Stratagem. + He jump'd into a Tub of Flower, + And there stood powd'ring half an hour, + 'Till thinking he was dawbd enough, + He walks into an open trough + Where lying snug as white as Snow, + And roul'd up like a piece of Dough, + He waits the Starvlings coming to'm, + And now and then he pick'd up some. + But an old Rat, who full of Scars, + Had lost his Tail in former Wars; + Standing at th' Entrance of the Cave, + Call'd to our Cat. You, Mr. Knave, + Your Hanging or your Flower won't do, + I know your Tricks as well as you. + You was a Cat, and are so still: + Change to what form or shape you will: + Nay be a Log, I wont come nigh't. + Says th' other, Faith he's in the right. + And wisely knows, distrust to be + The Mother of Security. + + + + +_The Weasel and the Rat._ + + + A Hungry Weasel poor and lank, + With wrinkled Jaws, and Taper Flank, + Hardly recover'd from her Weakness, + Occasion'd by a Fit of Sickness. + Met with a Granary, and stole + Into it thro' a little Hole. + She bless'd herself to see the store, + No Miser sure could covet more: + And, thinking Nobody could harm her, + Fell to, and fed like any Farmer. + At Nights she slept, and snor'd at Ease, + And having Peace and Quietness, + Four Meals a Day, a wholesome Air, + A dainty Diet, little Care, + She quickly chang'd her meagre Feature, + And look'd like quite another Creature. + The Truth is, it would be a hard Case, + If all this should not mend one's Carcass. + Once, sitting at a Dish of Wheat, + She heard a Noise, forsook her Meat, + Ran to the Hole to save her Bacon, + Squeez'd to get thro'; but was mistaken. + And as she searches all about, + And finds no Crevish to get out, + She spies a Rat, and tells him, pray + What must I do, I've lost my way, + Which is the Hole? No, says the Rat, + Your way is right; but y'are too Fat. + Stay but a Week, and fast, good Dame, } + Till y'are as lean, as when you came, } + And then you'll find the Hole's the same. } + + + The Moral. + + A _Man in profitable Station, + Grown rich by Plundering the Nation, + Is often willing to resign, + But seldom to refund the Coin_. + + + + +_The Wolf and the Stork._ + + + Wolves commonly are fam'd for Eating, + As much, as Foxes are for Cheating. + One of 'em, at a Mutton Feast, + Devour'd his Meat with so much haste; + A Bone got in his Throat, and there + Stuck fast; some Learned Authors swear, + It was the _Os Sacrum_; others say, + It was one of the _Vertebræ_. + But hang disputes; since it is all one + What Bone it was; so 'twas no small one. + There stood Sir Wolf, and full of Grief + Made signs he wanted quick Relief. + And well it was he could not Cry; + For no Soul would have come a nigh. + At last he shews it to a Stork, + The long-leg'd Surgeon goes to Work; + Takes out the Bone immediately; + And when 'twas done, desir'd his Fee. + Sure, says the Wolf, whoever draws + His Head out harmless from my Jaws, + May boast of such a Happiness, + As far o'erpays all Offices; + A thing which ne'er was done before, + And may be, ne'er will happen more. + But O Damn'd Vice Ingratitude! + To scape with Life, and be so rude, + As to ask Fees! take care young Man, + You never see my Face again. + + + The Moral. + + _Some Folks are so mischievous grown, + They claim Thanks if they let y' alone._ + + + + +_The Frogs asking for a King._ + + + The Frogs, after some Ages spent + In Democratick Government, + Grew weary of it, and agree, + To change it for a Monarchy; + And humbly begg'd a King of _Jove_, + The God comply'd, and from above + Dropt 'em a very peaceful one; + But only in the falling down, + He made such Noise, that all the Frogs, + Who are but fearful skittish Dogs + Were frighted and drove under Water, + And there remain'd a good while after, + Among the Weeds; their fear was such, + There was not one, that dar'd so much + As look upon him, whom they thought + Some Giant, or the Lord knows what. + Tho' all this while 'twas but a Log, + At last came up a daring Frog; + But took care, not to swim too nigh it, + Till, seeing it lay so very quiet, + He went on, tho' in mighty awe; + But when his Fellow Subjects saw + Their Bulky King did him no harm, + In half an Hour the Pond did swarm + Of Frogs. O! what a pretty thing + It was to play about their King: + The meekest that e'er wore a Crown; + And soon they're so familiar grown, + That laying all respect aside, + They jump upon his Back, and ride. + The King says nothing, keeps his Peace, + And let's em work him as they please. + But this they hate, they'd have him move. + A second time they call on _Jove_, + And tire his Brain with clam'rous rout, + To have a King, that stirr'd about. + _Jove_ mad for being plagu'd again, + Sends em a Damn'd devouring Crane; + Who only was for Kill, and Slay, + And eat whoe'er came in his way. + Much louder now the Rascals cry; + Deliver us from Tyranny! + O _Jupiter_! if he goes on, } + We shall be murder'd every one, } + This is the Devil upon dun. } + Quoth he, I'll humour Fools no more, + You might have kept what ye had before; + You left your common wealth, to seek + A King; and then he was too meek; + You must have one forsooth, that stirs: + I hope now you have got one, Sirs. + You never chang'd without a Curse, + Keep this, for fear you get a worse. + + + The Moral. + + _Thank God, this Fable is not meant } + To_ Englishmen; _they are content, } + And hate to change their Government._ } + + + + +_The Wolf and the Lamb._ + + + It is a thing without contest, + That he that's strongest reasons best. + The Weather being sultry hot, + A Lamb to cool himself, was got + A paddling in a purling Stream. + (To Rhiming Fools a mighty Theme) + When a she Wolf (the De'l sure sent her) + Came down, in quest of some Adventure, + And hardly spy'd poor Innocence; + But pick'd a Quarrel void of Sence; + Began to sputter, Damn and Sink, + Ask'd how he dar'd to spoil her Drink, + A nasty poysoning Dog. Odsbud! + He'd make it all as thick as mud. + For which he'd punish him by _Jove_. + Madam, reply'd the Lamb, I love + To reason calmly, and will show ye, + That I am Twenty Yards below ye. + And humbly craving leave, from thence + I draw this reg'lar Consequence; + That I can't, standing in this Place, + Disturb the Liquor of your Grace. + You do, says the other, and last Year + You told some lies of me. I swear, + I was not born then, quoth the Lamb: + I han't left sucking of my Dam. + 'Twas either you or else your Brother. + I've ne'er a one. Then 'twas your Mother, + Or any other near Relation; + For all your wicked Generation + Hates me; your Dogs and Shepherds too + And without any more a do, + The Lamb was carry'd to the Wood + And serv'd the cruel Wolf for Food. + + + + +_The Lyon grown old._ + + + A Valiant Lyon, now grown old, + His Limbs and Jaws benumb'd and cold, + Lay thinking on his Royal Bed, + With scarce a Tooth in all his Head: + And Claws worn to the Stumps with Tearing: + (But every thing's the worse for wearing) + And whilst he labour'd to repent, + Complaining of his Youth mispent, + His Rebel Subjects paid no more, + That Honour, which they gave before, + But treat him with Contempt and Scorn: + The Bull does push him with his Horn, + The Horse affronts him with his Heels: + No Tongue can tell what grief he feels + From these insulting Enemies. + In comes the Ass; but when he sees, + That Coward too forget his Duty, + He dying said, _Tu quoque Brute?_ + + + + +_The two Physicians._ + + + Two graduate Physicians, + Of many Years Experience, + With Coaches to proclaim their Skill, + Are sent for to a Man that's ill. + One feels his Pulse and gives him over: + But th' other says he may recover; + I have great hopes, we'll give him some + Of my _Antithanaticum_. + No, cries the first, he is too weak; + Yes truly Sir, I'm very sick, + Replies the Patient; down they sate, + And enter'd in a deep Debate: + One quotes four Words of _Arabick_, + Th' other an Aphorism in _Greek_. + They're very hot, and every one + Sticks to his own Opinion. + The Upshot was, they writ a Bill, + Which neither lik'd of very well: + They visit him some Days, and vent + Many a learned Argument; + But as his Life went on full Speed, + He could not stay till they agreed, + And so march'd off; and when he's dead, + Both still are in the right; one said, + I told you so, his very Eye + Prognosticated he would dye: + And th' other cry'd, had I been believ'd, + I'm very sure, he would have liv'd. + + + + +_Love and Folly._ + + + The charming God, that with his Bow, + So many Thousand Years ago, + Came to that troublesome Employ, + He serves in still, is but a Boy: + His Art is so mysterious, + That to explain his business, + His Tackle, Arrows, Quiver, Taper, + Would take up several Reams of Paper; + Which being more than I've a mind + To fill; I'll only, since he is blind, + Tell you which way he lost his sight, + With what came on't, and so good Night. + Folly and Love took one another + Aside, as Boys will run together, + And crept into a Nook of Heaven, + To play at Seven or Eleven; + And here good People, Gamesters may + Behold what mischief comes from Play: + There 'rose a quarrel about the Main, + Its Eight says Love, and thought 'twas plain; + Quoth Folly, but I'm sure 'tis Nine, + You Little Cheat, the Game is mine: + At last Words growing very high, + Love gives his angry Foe the Lie; + Then up starts Folly, flings the Dice + At Love, and beats out both his Eyes. + _Venus_ would be reveng'd, bawl'd out, + And shed so many Tears about + The Peepers of her little Son, + That she was like to have spoil'd her own. + She would have Justice done, she swore, + Call'd Folly Rogue and Son 'f a Whore: + How did you do't; I'll make you dance? + Indeed said Folly, 'twas by chance. + Cry'd _Cupid_, you're a punning Cur, + And snobb'd. In comes the Thunderer, + With all the Gods and Goddesses, + To sit upon the Business, + Between Love and the Boy at Bar. + The Cuckold and the God of War + Were very hot, they'd have him dye; + But when _Minerva_ ask'd him, Why? + They said, because----Be free from rage, + Ye Gods, said _Themis_, mind his Age, + And then the Council seem'd to incline + To make him only pay a Fine + To Love. But the injur'd Mother cries, + That won't do, I'll have both his Eyes, + _Secundum legem Talionis_, + He shall pay _Corpore non bonis_. + _Apollo_ bids her to be civil. + T'have two blind Boys would be the Devil, + Said _Juno_, and this gave the hint + To _Jove_, t'inflinct a Punishment, + That might ease Love; what must he do? + He could not walk alone; and so + 'Twas fixed by all the Gods above, + That Folly should be guide to Love. + + + + +_A She-Goat, a Sheep and a Sow._ + + + A She-Goat that gave exc'lent Milk, + A Sheep, whose Fleece was soft as Silk, + And a fat Sow went to the Fair + In the same Cart, not to take th' Air, + Or to see Shows; but, as I am told, + Downright in order to be sold; + All the way long the Sow did squawl, + And scream enough to deafen 'em all; + Had she been follow'd by six score + Butchers, she could have done no more: + The other Creatures wonder'd at her, + And could not dream what was the matter; + They thought it must proceed from fear; + And yet perceived no danger near; + The Carter told her, What d'ye mean? + Who gives you reason to complain? + Your Cries have stunn'd us; what d'ye make + This horrid Noise for? prithee take + Example by your Company, + Be silent or talk civilly. + Look on that Sheep, he thinks you're mad; + Has he spoke one Word good or bad? + No: He is wise.----The Devil he is, + Replies the Sow, could he but guess, + Whither you carry us, or why; + I'm sure he'd bawl as loud as I: + He's used to Shears, and so the Fool + Thinks only that you'll take his Wool; + And this good Lady with the Beard + Has no great Cause to be afear'd; + She's daily milk'd and does depend on't, + you'll drain her Dug, and there's an end on't: + And 't maybe so, or 't may be not: + But, wou'd you have me such a sot, + Who 'm good for nothing, whilst I've Breath, + To be afraid of less than Death? + + + The Moral. + + _Upon my Word 'twas shrewdly said, + Of one that was no better bred: + Yes all this sad complaints and fear + Are for the Thing she's forced to bear: + And tho' she knew, she was to dye, + She could not change her destiny. + Therefore I think, where all is lost, + He, that sees farthest, suffers most._ + + + + +_The Dog and the Ass._ + + + Help one another is, no doubt, + A Law we can't live well without: + Yet one Day, (and how't came to pass + I don't know) 't happen'd that an Ass, + Who's otherwise an honest Creature, + Of no uncharitable Nature, + Did slight it: A large Dog and he + Were travelling in Company, + Without a thought of Strife or Care, + Followed by him whose Goods they were; + And coming to some curious Grass, + The latter went to sleep; his Ass, + Who was a Lover of good Pasture, + Made better use on't than his Master, + And fell a feeding heartily: + But the poor Dog stood starving by, + And said, Much good may do thy heart, + Dear fellow Traveller; thou art + My loving Friend.--But Mr. _Gray_, + My Meat is in your Panier, pray, + Stoop down, and let me take out some, + I han't eat since we came from home; + He gets no Answer, asks again, + But No, th' _Arcadian_ Gentleman + Thought every Word a mouthful lost, + And would say nothing to his cost, + So held his Tongue a while; at last + He told him, Friend, I am in haste, + And, when I stoop my Back, it akes; + Have patience till your Master wakes, + It won't be long, and then you'll get + Your Belly full, if he thinks fit. + Just then a Wolf came from the Wood, + And they have Appetites as good + As any; Grizz'l at a distance + Hears him, and asks the Dog's assistance; + But he don't budge, and serves him right; + Says he, I never us'd to fight + Without a cause for fighting's sake; + Stay till your Master is awake; + Hear what he says, it won't be long; + Sir Wolf won't offer any wrong; + And if you fear his Teeth or Claws, + Knock but his Brains out, break his Jaws, + And lay him sprawling on the Ground; + You're newly Shod, and Iron bound; + And whilst this fine Discourse went on, + Poor Grizzle's business was done. + + + The Moral. + + _None can live happily together, + Without assisting one another._ + + + + +_The Fox and Wolf._ + + + The Fox went on the search one Night, + The Moon had hung out all her light; + He sees her Image in a Well; + But what it was he could not tell; + Gets on the Bricks to look at ease: + At last concludes it is a Cheese: + One Bucket's down, the other up, + He jumps in that which was a-top, + And coming to the Water, sees + How little Skill he had in Cheese. + Poor Ren, remov'd from all Acquaintance, + Sits in the Bucket of Repentance; + And when the Rascal ought to have laid + The fault upon himself, it's said, + He blam'd his Stars, tho' I b'lieve rather + He curst the Moon, and all fair Weather. + Well, there he sat, and wish'd, no doubt on't, + For half his Tail that he was out on't: + Sometimes he rav'd and talk'd like mad, } + And every thing came in his Head, } + That to his purpose could be said. } + Happy are those that don't love Cheese; + We may go downward when we please, + But to come back again, _hoc opus_, + All tricks are vain; my only hope is, + That Somebody as wise as I, + Hits on my Whim, or else I die. + Two Days are past; poor Animal, + Sees Nobody come near the Well; + And now old Time had in one Place, + Cut a good piece of _Cynthia's_ Face; + For as he does all things, he eats her, + And takes a slice, where'er he meets her: + _Volpone_ spies it, and it grieved him, + To see that spoil'd which had deceiv'd him, + Thinking his case was desperate: + When on the third Night pretty late, + A Wolf who could not sleep, because + He felt an itching in his Jaws, + Look'd into it; What are you there? + Says Ren; pray see what I got here; + It is a groaning Cheese, 'twas made + From _Io's_ Milk, and _Faunus_ had + The ordering of it, 'twould have been + Kept for Dame _Juno's_ Lying in, + But she miscarry'd: I took off + This Corner; still there's Meat enough + For two or three, I thought on you, + Wish'd I might see you, and to shew, + How I esteem, love, and adore ye, + That Bucket's left on purpose for ye. + The silly Wolf believes, gets in, + And draws _Volpene_ up again. + + + The Moral. + + _Don't blame the stupid Animal, + You credit things less probable; + And most Men easily give ear, + To what they either wish or fear._ + +_FINIS._ + + + + +THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY + +_WILLIAM ANDREWS CLARK MEMORIAL LIBRARY_ + +University of California, Los Angeles + +PUBLICATIONS IN PRINT + + +#1948-1949# + + 15. John Oldmixon, _Reflections on Dr. Swift's Letter to Harley_ ... + (1712) and _A. Mainwaring's The British Academy_ ... (1712). + + 17. Nicholas Rowe, _Some Account of the Life of Mr. William + Shakespeare_ (1709). + + +#1949-1950# + + 22. Samuel Johnson, _The Vanity of Human Wishes_ (1749) and two + _Rambler_ papers (1750). + + 23. John Dryden, _His Majesties Declaration Defended_ (1681). + + +#1950-1951# + + 26. Charles Macklin, _The Man of the World_ (1792). + + +#1951-1952# + + 31. Thomas Gray, _An Elegy Wrote in a Country Churchyard_ (1751); + and The Eton College Manuscript. + + +#1960-1961# + + 85-6. Essays on the Theatre from Eighteenth-Century Periodicals. + + 90. Henry Needler, _Works_ (1728). + + +#1961-1962# + + 93. John Norris, _Cursory Reflections Upon a Book Call'd, An Essay + Concerning Human Understanding_ (1960) + + 94. An. Collins, _Divine Songs and Meditacions_ (1653). + + 95. _An Essay on the New Species of Writing Founded by Mr. Fielding_ + (1751). + + 96. Hanoverian Ballads. + + +#1962-1963# + + 97. Myles Davies, Selections from _Athenae Britannicae_ (1716-1719). + + 98. _Select Hymns Taken Out of Mr. Herbert's Temple_ (1697). + + 99. Simon Patrick, _A Brief Account of the New Sect of Latitude Men_ + (1662). + + 100. Simon Patrick, _A Brief Account of the New Sect of Latitude Men_ + (1662). + + 101-2. Richard Hurd, _Letters on Chivalry and Romance_ (1762). + + +#1963-1964# + + 103. Samuel Richardson, _Clarissa: Preface, Hints of Prefaces, and + Postscript_. + + 104. Thomas D'Urfey, _Wonders in the Sun, or, the Kingdom of the + Birds_ (1706). + + 105. Bernard Mandeville, _An Enquiry into the Causes of the Frequent + Executions at Tyburn_ (1725). + + 106. Daniel Defoe, _A Brief History of the Poor Palatine Refugees_ + (1709). + + 107-8. John Oldmixon, _An Essay on Criticism_ (1728). + + +#1964-1965# + + 109. Sir William Temple, _An Essay upon the Original and Nature of + Government_ (1680). + + 110. John Tutchin, _Selected Poems_ (1685-1700). + + 111. Anonymous, _Political Justice. A Poem_ (1736). + + 112. Robert Dodsley, _An Essay on Fable_ (1764). + + 113. T. R., _An Essay Concerning Critical and Curious Learning_ + (1680). + + 114. Two Poems Against Pope: Leonard Welsted, _One Epistle to Mr. A. + Pope_ (1730); Anonymous, _The Blatant Beast_ (1740). + + + + +William Andrews Clark Memorial Library: University of California, +Los Angeles + +THE AUGUSTAN REPRINT SOCIETY + + _General Editors_: Earl Miner, University of California, Los Angeles; + Maximillian E. Novak, University of California, Los Angeles; + Lawrence Clark Powell, Wm. Andrews Clark Memorial Library + + _Corresponding Secretary_: Mrs. Edna C. Davis, Wm. Andrews Clark + Memorial Library + + +The Society's purpose is to publish reprints (usually facsimile +reproductions) of rare seventeenth and eighteenth century works. All +income of the Society is devoted to defraying costs of publication and +mailing. + +Correspondence concerning subscriptions in the United States and Canada +should be addressed to the William Andrews Clark Memorial Library, 2205 +West Adams Boulevard, Los Angeles, California. Correspondence concerning +editorial matters may be addressed to any of the general editors. The +membership fee is $5.00 a year for subscribers in the United States and +Canada and 30/- for subscribers in Great Britain and Europe. British and +European subscribers should address B. H. Blackwell, Broad Street, +Oxford, England. Copies of back issues in print may be obtained from the +Corresponding Secretary. + + +PUBLICATIONS FOR 1965-1966 + + THOMAS TRAHERNE, _Meditations on the Six Days of the Creation_ (1717). + Introduction by George Robert Guffey. + + CHARLES MACKLIN, _The Covent Garden Theatre_ [manuscript] (1752). + Introduction by Jean B. Kern. + + ROGER L'ESTRANGE, _Citt and Bumpkin_ (1680). + Introduction by B. J. Rahn. + + DANIEL DEFOE and Others, Accounts of the Apparition of Mrs. Veal + (ca. 1705). Introduction by Manuel Schonhorn. + + HENRY MORE, _Enthusiasmus Triumphatus_ (1662). + Introduction by M. V. DePorte. + + BERNARD MANDEVILLE, _Aesop Dress'd or a Collection of Fables Writ in + Familiar Verse_ (1704). Introduction by John S. Shea. + + +_ANNOUNCEMENT_: + +The Society announces a special publication, a reprint of JOHN OGILBY, +_The Fables of Aesop Paraphras'd in Verse_ (1668), with an Introduction +by Earl Miner. Ogilby's book is commonly thought one of the finest +examples of seventeenth-century bookmaking and is illustrated with +eighty-one plates. Publication is assisted by funds from the Chancellor +of the University of California, Los Angeles. 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