For all my fawning rogues agree, That human heroes rule like me."

FABLE II.

THE SPANIEL AND THE CAMELEON. A SPANIEL, bred with all the care That waits upon a favourite heir, Ne'er felt Correction's rigid hand; Indulg'd to disobey command,

In pamper'd ease his hours were spent: He never knew what learning meant. Such forward airs, so pert, so smart, Were sure to win his lady's heart; Each little mischief gain'd him praise; How pretty were his fawning ways!

The wind was south, the morning fair, He ventures forth to take the air: He ranges all the meadow round, And rolls upon the softest ground; When near him a Cameleon seen, Was scarce distinguish'd from the green. "Dear emblem of the flattering host, What, live with clowns! 2 genius lost! To cities and the court repair; A fortune cannot fail thee there: Preferments shall thy talents crown; Believe me, friend; I know the town." "Sir," says the sycophant, "like you, Of old, politer life I knew: Like you, a courtier born and bred, Kings lean'd their ear to what I said. My whisper always met success; The ladies prais'd me for address. I knew to hit each courtier's passion, And flatter'd every vice in fashion. But Jove, who hates the liar's ways, At once cut short my prosperous days, And, sentenc'd to retain my nature, Transform'd me to this crawling creature. Doom'd to a life obscure and mean, I wander in the sylvan scene: For Jove the heart alone regards; He punishes, what man rewards. How different is thy case and mine! With men at least you sup and dine; While I, condemn'd to thinnest fare, Like those I flatter'd, feed on air."

FABLE III.

THE MOTHER, THE NURSE, AND THE FAIRY. "GIVE me a son!" The blessing sent, Were ever parents more content? How partial are their doting eyes! No child is half so fair and wise.

Wak'd to the morning's pleasing care, The mother rose, and sought her heir. She saw the nurse like one possest, With wringing hands and sobbing breast. "Sure some disaster has befell! "Speak, nurse; I hope the boy is well." "Dear madam, think not me to blame; Invisibly the Fairy came:

Your precious babe is hence convey'd,
And in the place a changeling laid.

Where are the father's mouth and nose! The mother's eyes, as black as sloes? See, here, a shocking awkward creature, That speaks a fool in every feature!"

"The woman's blind," the mother cries; "I see wit sparkle in his eyes."

"Lord! madam, what a squinting leer! No doubt the Fairy hath been here."

Just as she spoke, a pigmy sprite Pops through the key-hole swift as light; Perch'd on the cradle's top he stands, And thus her folly reprimands.

"Whence sprung the vain conceited lye, That we the world with fools supply? What! give our sprightly race away For the dull helpless sons of clay! Besides, by partial fondness shown, Like you, we doat upon our own. Where yet was ever found a Mother Who'd give her booby for another? And, should we change with human breed, Well might we pass for fools indeed."

FABLE IV.

THE EAGLE AND THE ASSEMBLY OF ANIMALS

As Jupiter's all-seeing eye.
Survey'd the worlds beneath the sky,
From this small speck of Earth were sent
Murmurs and sounds of discontent;
For every thing alive complain'd,
That he the hardest life sustain'd.

Jove calls his Eagle. At the word,
Before him stands the royal bird.
The bird, obedient, from Heaven's height,
Downward directs his rapid flight;
Then cited every living thing,
To hear the mandates of his king.

"Ungrateful creatures! whence arise
These murmurs which offend the skies?
Why this disorder? say the cause;
For just are Jove's eternal laws.
Let each his discontent reveal;
To yon' sour dog I first appeal."

"Hard is my lot, the Hound replies;
On what fleet nerves the Greyhound flies!
While I, with weary step and slow,
O'er plains, and vales, and mountains, go.
The morning sees my chase begun,
Nor ends it till the setting Sun."

"When" (says the Greyhound)
My game is lost, or caught in view;
Beyond my sight the prey's secure;
The Hound is slow, but always sure;
And, had I his sagacious scent,
Jove ne'er had heard my discontent."

"I pursue,

The Lion crav'd the Fox's art; The Fox the Lion's force and heart: The Cock implor'd the Pigeon's flight, Whose wings were rapid, strong, and light: The Pigeon strength of wing despis'd, And the Cock's matchless valour priz'd, The Fishes wish'd to graze the plain; The beasts, to skim beneath the main. Thus, envious of another's state, Each blam'd the partial hand of Fate.

The bird of Heaven then cry'd aloud: "Jove bids disperse the murmuring crowd;

THE WILD BOAR AND THE RAM.

AGAINST an elm a sheep was ty'd,
The butcher's knife in blood was dy'd;
The patient flock, in silent fright,
From far beheld the horrid sight.
A savage Boar, who near them stood,
Thus mock'd to scorn the fleecy brood.

"All cowards should be serv'd like you.
See, see, your murderer is in view!
With purple hands, and reeking knife,
He strips the skin yet warm with life.
Your quarter'd sires, your bleeding dams,
The dying bleat of harmless lambs,
Call for revenge. O stupid race!
The heart that wants revenge is base."
"I grant, an ancient Ram replies,
We bear no terrour in our eyes;
Yet think us not of soul so tame,
Which no repeated wrongs inflame;
Insensible of every ill,

Because we want thy tusks to kill.
Know, those, who violence pursue,
Give to themselves the vengeance due;
For in these massacres they find

The two chief plagues that waste mankind.
Our skin supplies the wrangling bar,
It wakes their slumbering sons to war;
And well revenge may rest contented,
Since drums and parchment were invented."

FABLE VI.

THE MISER AND PLUTUS.

THE wind was high, the window shakes,
With sudden start the Miser wakes;
Along the silent room he stalks,
Looks back, and trembles as he walks,
Each lock and every bolt he tries,
In every creek and corner pries;
Then opes the chest with treasure stor'd,
And stands in rapture o'er his hoard.
But now, with sudden qualms possest,
He wrings his hands, he beats his breast;
By conscience stung, he wildly stares,
And thus his guilty soul declares:

"Had the deep Earth her stores confin'd,
This heart had known sweet peace of mind.
But virtue's sold. Good gods! what price
Can recompense the pangs of vice!
O bane of good! seducing cheat!
Can man, weak man, thy power defeat?
Gold banish'd honour from the mind,
And only left the name behind;
Gold sow'd the world with every ill;
Gold taught the murderer's sword to kill :

'Twas gold instructed coward-hearts
In treachery's more pernicious arts.
Who can recount the mischiefs o'er?
Virtue resides on Earth no more!"
He spoke, and sigh'd. In angry mood
Plutus, his god, before him stood.
The Miser, trembling, lock'd his chest;
The vision frown'd, and thus address'd:

"Whence is this vile ungrateful rant,
Each sordid rascal's daily cant?
Did I, base wretch! corrupt mankind?
The fault's in thy rapacious mind.
Because my blessings are abus'd,
Must I be censur'd, curs'd, accus'd?
Ev'n virtue's self by knaves is made
A cloke to carry on the trade;

And power (when lodg'd in their possession)
Grows tyranny, and rank oppression.
Thus, when the villain crams his chest,
Gold is the canker of the breast;
'Tis avarice, insolence, and pride,
And every shocking vice beside:
But, when to virtuous hands 'tis given,
It blesses, like the dews of Heaven:
Like Heaven, it hears the orphan's cries,
And wipes the tears from widows' eyes.
Their crimes on gold shall Misers lay,
Who pawn'd their sordid souls for pay?
Let bravoes, then, when blood is spilt,
Upbraid the passive sword with guilt."

FABLE VII.

THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE,
A LION, tir'd with state-affairs,
Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares,
Resolv'd (remote from noise and strife)
In peace to pass his latter life.

It was proclaim'd; the day was set;
Behold the general council met.
The Fox was viceroy nam'd. The crowd
To the new regent humbly bow'd.
Wolves, Bears, and mighty Tigers, bend,
And strive who most shall condescend.
He straight assumes a solemn grace,
Collects his wisdom in his face.
The crowd admire his wit, his sense;
Each word hath weight and consequence.
The flatterer all his art displays.:
He who hath power is sure of praise.
A Fox stept forth before the rest,
And thus the servile throng addrest:

"How vast his talents, born to rule,
And train'd in Virtue's honest school!
What clemency his temper sways!
How uncorrupt are all his ways!
Beneath his conduct and command,
Rapine shall cease to waste the land.
His brain hath stratagem and art,
Prudence and mercy rule his heart.
What blessings must attend the nation
Under this good administration !"

He said. A Goose, who distant stood, Harangu'd apart the cackling brood: "Whene'er I hear a knave commend, He bids me shun his worthy friend. What praise! what mighty commendation! But 'twas a Fox who spoke th' oration.

Foxes this government may prize,
As gentle, plentiful, and wise;
If they enjoy the sweets, 'tis plain
We Geese must feel a tyrant-reign.
What havock now shall thin our race,
When every petty clerk in place,
To prove his taste, and seem polite,
Will feed on Geese both noon and night!"

FABLE VIII.

THE LADY AND THE WASP.

WHAT Whispers must the Beauty bear!
What hourly nonsense haunts her ear!
Where'er her eyes dispense their charms,
Impertinence around her swarms.
Did not the tender nonsense strike,
Contempt and scorn might look dislike;
Forbidding airs might thin the place,
The slightest flap a fly can chase:

But who can drive the numerous breed?
Chase one, another will succeed.

Who knows a fool, must know his brother;
One fop will recommend another :
And with this plague she's rightly curst,
Because she listen'd to the first.

As Doris, at her toilette's duty,
Sat meditating on her beauty,

She now was pensive, now was gay,
And loll'd the sultry hours away.
As thus in indolence she lies,
A giddy Wasp around her flies.
He now advances, now retires,
Now to her neck and cheek aspires.
Her fan in vain defends her charms;
Swift he returns, again alarms;
For by repulse he bolder grew,
Perch'd on her lip, and sipt the dew.

She frowns; she frets. "Good gods!" she cries, "Protect me from these teazing flies!

Of all the plagues that Heaven hath sent,
A Wasp is most impertinent."

The hovering insect thus complain'd :
"Am I then slighted, scorn'd, disdain'd?
Can such offence your anger wake?
'Twas beauty caus'd the bold mistake.
Those cherry lips that breathe perfume,
That cheek so ripe with youthful bloom,
Made me with strong desire pursue
The fairest peach that ever grew."

"Strike him not, Jenny," Doris cries, "Nor murder Wasps like vulgar flies; For though he's free, (to do him right) The creature's civil and polite.'

In ecstasies away he posts;
Where'er he came, the favour boasts;
Brags how her sweetest tea he sips,
And shows the sugar on his lips.

The hint alarm'd the forward crew;
Sure of success, away they flew :
They share the dainties of the day,
Round her with airy music play:
And now they flutter, now they rest,
Now soar again, and skim her breast.
Nor were they banish'd, till she found
That Wasps have stings, and felt the wound.

FABLE IX.

THE BULL AND THE MASTIFF.

SEEK you to train your favourite boy?
Each caution, every care, employ;
And, ere you venture to confide,
Let his preceptor's heart be try'd:
Weigh well his manners, life, and scope;
On these depends thy future hope.

As on a time, in peaceful reign,
A Bull enjoy'd the flowery plain,
A Mastiff pass'd; inflam'd with ire,
His eye-balls shot indignant fire.
He foam'd, he rag'd with thirst of blood.

Spurning the ground, the monarch stood,
And roar'd aloud: "Suspend the fight;
In a whole skin go sleep to-night:
Or tell me, ere the battle rage,
What wrongs provoke thee to engage?
Is it ambition fires thy breast,
Or avarice, that ne'er can rest?
From these alone unjustly springs
The world-destroying wrath of kings."
The surly Mastiff thus returns:
"Within my bosom glory burns.
Like heroes of eternal name,
Whom poets sing, I fight for fame.
The butcher's spirit-stirring mind
To daily war my youth inclin'd;
He train❜d me to, heroic deed,
Taught me to conquer, or to bleed."

"Curs'd dog!" the Bull reply'd, "no more I wonder at thy thirst of gore;

For thou (beneath a butcher train❜d,
Whose hands with cruelty are stain'd,
His daily murders in thy view)
Must, like thy tutor, blood pursue.
Take, then, thy fate." With goring wound
At once he lifts him from the ground:
Aloft the sprawling hero flies,
Mangled he falls, he howls, and dies.

FABLE X.

THE ELEPHANT AND THE BOOKSELLER.

THE man who with undaunted toils Sails unknown seas to unknown soils, With various wonders feasts his sight: What stranger wonders does he write! We read, and in description view Creatures which Adam never knew; For, when we risk no contradiction, It prompts the tongue to deal in fiction. Those things that startle me or you, I grant, are strange; yet may be true. Who doubts that Elephants are found For science and for sense re own'd? Borri records their strength of parts, Extent of thought, and skill in arts; How they perform the law's decrees, And save the state the hangman's fees; And how by travel understand The language of another land. Let those, who question this report, To Pliny's ancient page resort. How learn'd was that sagacious breed! Who now (like them) the Greek can read?

i

As one of these, in days of yore,
Rummag'd a shop of learning o'er,
Not, like our modern dealers, minding
Only the margin's breadth and binding,
A book his curious eye detains,

Where, with exactest care and pains,
Were every beast and bird pourtray'd,
That e'er the search of man survey'd ;
Their natures and their powers were writ
With all the pride of human wit:
The page he with attention spread,
And thus remark'd on what he read:
"Man with strong reason is endow'd ;
A beast scarce instinct is allow'd:
But, let this author's worth be try'd,
'Tis plain that neither was his guide.
Can he discern the different natures,
And weigh the power of other creatures,
Who by the partial work hath shown
He knows so little of his own?
How falsely is the spaniel drawn !

Did man from him first learn to fawn?
A dog proficient in the trade!
He the chief flatterer Nature made!
Go, man! the ways of courts discern,
You'll find a spaniel still might learn.
How can the fox's theft and plunder
Provoke his censure or his wonder?
From courtiers' tricks and lawyers' arts,
The fox might well improve his parts.
The lion, wolf, and tiger's brood,
He curses, for their thirst of blood.
But is not man to man a prey?
Beasts kill for hunger, men for pay."

The Bookseller, who heard him speak,
And saw him turn a page of Greek,

* Thought, "What a genius have I found!"
Then thus address'd with bow profound:
"Learn'd sir, if you'd employ your pen
Against the senseless sons of men,

Or write the history of Siam ;
No man is better pay than I am.

Or, since you're learn'd in Greek, let's see
Something against the Trinity."

When wrinkling with a sneer his trunk, "Friend," quoth the Elephant," you're drunk: I E'en keep your money, and be wise;

Leave man on man to criticise:
For that you ne'er can want a pen
Among the senseless sons of men.
They, unprovok'd, will court the fray;
Envy's a sharper spur than pay.
No author ever spar'd a brother:
Wits are gamecocks to one another."

FABLE XI.

THE PEACOCK, THE TURKEY, AND THE GOOSE.

IN beauty faults conspicuous grow;
The smallest speck is seen on snow.

As near a barn, by hunger led,
A Peacock with the poultry fed,
All view'd him with an envious eye,
And mock'd his gaudy pageantry.
He, conscious of superior merit,
Conterms their base reviling spirit;
His state and dignity assumes,
And to the Sun displays his plumes,

Which, like the Heavens' o'er-arching skies,
Are spangled with a thousand eyes.
The circling rays, and varied light,
At once confound their dazzled sight;
On every tongue detraction burns,
And malice prompts their spleen by turns.
"Mark with what insoleuce and pride
The creature takes his haughty stride!"
The Turkey cries. "Can spleen contain?
Sure never bird was half so vain!
But, were intrinsic merit seen,
We Turkeys have the whiter skin."

From tongue to tongue they caught abuse;
And next was heard the hissing Goose:
"What hideous legs! what filthy claws!
I scorn to censure little flaws.

Then what a horrid squalling throat!
Ev'n owls are frighted at the note."

"True: those are faults," the Peacock cries;
"My scream, my shanks, you may despise;
But such blind critics rail in vain.
What! overlook my radiant train!
Know, did my legs (your scorn and sport)
The Turkey or the Goose support,
And did ye screain with harsher sound,
Those faults in you had ne'er been found:
To all apparent beauties blind,

Each blemish strikes an envious mind."
Thus in assemblies have I seen

A nymph, of brightest charms and mien,
Wake envy in each ugly face,

And buzzing scandal fills the place.

FABLE XII.

CUPID, HYMEN, AND PLUTUS.

As Cupid in Cythera's grove Employ'd the lesser powers of Love, Some shape the bow, or fit the string, Some give the taper shaft its wing, Or turn the polish'd quiver's mould, Or head the darts with temper'd gold. Amidst their toil and various care, Thus Hymen, with assuming air, Address'd the god: "Thou purblind chit, Of awkward and ill-judging wit, If matches are not better made, At once I must forswear my trade. You send me such ill-coupled folks, That 'tis a shame to sell them yokes. They squabble for a pin, a feather, And wonder how they came together. The husband's sullen, dogged, shy, The wife grows flippant in reply: He loves command and due restriction; And she as well likes contradiction: She never slavishly submits; She'll have her will, or have her fits. He this way tugs, she th' other draws; The man grows jealous, and with cause. Nothing can save him but divorce; And here the wife complies of course." "When," says the boy, "had I to de With either your affairs or you? I never idly spend my darts; You trade in mercenary hearts. For settlemerts the lawyer's feed; Is my hand witness to the deed?

If they like cat and dog agree, Go rail at Plutus, not at me."

Plutus appear'd, and said, " "Tis true, In marriage, gold is all their view; They seek not beauty, wit, or sense, And love is seldom the pretenec. All offer incense at my shrine, And I alone the bargain sign. How can Belinda blame her fate? She only ask'd á great estate. Doris was rich enough, 'tis true; Her lord must give her title too : And every man, or rich or poor, A fortune asks, and asks no more." Avarice, whatever shape it bears, Must still be coupled with its cares.

FABLE XIIT.

THE TAME STAG.

As a young Stag the thicket past,
The branches held his antlers fast.
A clown, who saw the captive hung,
Across the horns his halter flung.

Now safely hamper'd in the cord,
He bore the present to his lord.
His lord was pleas'd; as was the clown,
When he was tipp'd with half-a-crown.
The Stag was brought before his wife;
The tender lady begg'd his life.

How sleek's the skin! how speck'd like ermine!
Sure never creature was so charming!

At first within the yard confin'd,
He flies and hides from all mankind;
Now bolder grown, with fix'd amaze,
And distant awe, presumes to gaze;
Munches the linen on the lines,
And on a hood or apron dines:
He steals my little master's bread,
Follows the servants to be fed :
Nearer and nearer now he stands,
To feel the praise of patting hands;
Examines every fist for meat,
And, though repuls'd, disdains retreat;
Attacks again with levell'd horns,
And man, that was his terrour, scorns.
Such is the country maiden's fright,
When first a redcoat is in sight;
Behind the door she hides her face,
Next time at distance eyes the lace:
She now can all his terrours stand,
Nor from his squeeze withdraws her hand.
She plays familiar in his arms,
And every soldier hath his charms.
From tent to tent she spreads her flame;
For custom conquers fear and shame.

So forth he fares, all toil defies:
Misfortune serves to make us wise.

At length the treacherous snare was laid
Poor Pug was caught; to town convey'd;
There sold. (How envy'd was his doom,
Made captive in a lady's room!)
Proud, as a lover, of his chains,
He day by day her favour gains.
Whene'er the duty of the day
The toilette calls, with mimic play
He twirls her knots, he cracks her fan,
Like any other gentleman.

In visits, too, his parts and wit,
When jests grew dull, were sure to nit.
Proud with applause, he thought his mind
In every courtly art refin'd;

Like Orpheus, burnt with public zeal,
To civilize the Monkey-weal;
So watch'd occasion, broke his chain,
And sought his native woods again.

The hairy Sylvans round him press,
Astonish'd at his strut and dress.
Some praise his sleeve, and others glote
Upon his rich embroider'd coat,
His dapper perriwig commending,
With the black tail behind depending;
His powder'd back, above, below,
Like hoary frosts, or fleecy snow;
But all, with envy and desire,
His fluttering shoulder-knot admire.

"Hear and improve," he pertly cries; "I come to make a nation wise. Weigh your own worth; support your place, The next in rank to human race. In cities long I pass'd my days,

Convers'd with men, and learn'd their ways.
Their dress, their courtly manners, see;
Reform your state, and copy me.
Seek ye to thrive? In flattery deal;
Your scorn, your hate, with that conceal.
Seem only to regard your friends,
But use them for your private ends.
Stint not to truth the flow of wit;
Be prompt to lie whene'er 'tis fit.
Bend all your force to spatter merit;
Scandal is conversation's spirit.
Boldly to every thing pretend,
And men your talents shall commend.
I knew the great. Observe me right;
So shall you grow, like man, polite."

He spoke, and bow'd. With muttering jaws The wondering circle grinn'd applause.

Now, warm'd with malice, envy, spite, Their most obliging friends they bite; And, fond to copy human ways, Practise new mischiefs all their days.

Thus the dull lad, too tall for school,
With travel finishes the fool,
Studious of every coxcomb's airs,

He drinks, games, dresses, whores, and swears;
O'erlooks with scorn all virtuous arts,
For vice is fitted to his parts.

FABLE XIV.

THE MONKEY WHO HAD SEEN THE WORLD.

A MONKEY, to reform the times, Resolv'd to visit foreign climes; For men in distant regions roam, To bring politer manners home.

FABLE XV.

THE PHILOSopher and THE PHEASANTS.

THE Sage, awak'd at early day, Through the deep forest took his way;