The Phrygian Fabulist: OR, THE FABLES OF AESOP: EXTRACTED From the Latin copy, And moralised.  
By LEONARD WILLAN Gent.  
Puerilia Ludibria  
Hominum Studia.  
LONDON, Printed by W. D. for Nicolas Bourn, at the South Entrance of the Roial-Exchange, 1650,   

TO THE RIGHT honourable Edward Earl of Dorset, Knight of the most noble Order of the GARTER.  
SIR,  
IN those happy days, while yet Apollo's Tree (as a preservative against the wrath of heaven) flourished at every noble Patriot's Gate: your careless eye by chance surprised a Virgin scarcely dressed, Poor Astraea, whose Tongue and Habit I had fashioned to our use; by Her Access to your Protection, pretending to have won fair shelter from the blasts of critic Tongues; and as the Right of my Respects, to have tendered unto you, My Lord, the first fruits of my Pen; but e'er her Pastoral Reed could vent her humble strains, 'twas silenceed by the clamours of the Drum. My Designs are the same they were, my Lord; the Subject's only changed with the Times, which (since most Pens were fashioned by the Sword) Weight wants not in the Election; In which regard, my Lord, by chance This falling to my hand, I have adventured to prefer to yours. Although perhaps the Character thereof would in a vulgar eye scarcely win Credit to move Acceptance or Perusal; A Piece so antic, even worn out of use. And truly had I as slightly it perused; I should in my judgement have blemished your esteem, and in your judgement forfeited my Own, to have presumed to give it so eminent an Introductor, as yourself; The public Oracle to whom all Doubts appeal: But finding so large a Catalogue of the choicest authors of every Age, become Interpreters to This (though I confess but slight Expositors) It added yet new fervour to my Will, to make This your Divertisement, the only Object of my industry, wherein I hope the Errors you shall find will meet a favouring Censure, when you, My Lord, are pleased to weigh the variety of the Subject, not absolutely scrutable; The Troubles of the Times in which it formed was; and the integrity of His Passion to your Interests; who is  
My Lord Your humble Servant LEONARD WILLAN.   

THE LIFE of AESOP, Collected from Maximus Planudes.  
Many (in all Ages) have made it their peculiar study to search into the nature of human things; but amongst those, whose Notions have come to the light of posterity, few or none have Aesop paralleled; who, as by divine Inspiration attaining the perfection of moral knowledge, may justly be said, therein, to have born away the glory from them All: who neither by intricate definitions, nor abstruse reasoning nor from preceding examples admonishing, but only by pleasant Fables instructing, so won the affections of the Hearers, that it seemed to them a shame, that they endued with reason, should not wisely act, and foresee those things that might be for their advantage or prejudice, as did the Beast and Fowl he figured. In which image of his Philosophical commonwealth▪ seeming rather to Philosophize in works, than in words. He was a Native of Ammoria a city of Phrygia, surnamed the great; by fortune a slave; but the subjection of his body could not corrupt▪ nor yet enthrall his mind. As little gracious in his form had Nature likewise been to him, being of all men of that Age the most deformed: Sharp-headed, flat-nosed, pouch-mouthed, short-necked, crook-backed, tun-bellied, Baker-kneed, bow-legged, inverst-footed, all which were varnished with a hideous black, which gave him the distinction of his name, Aesop implying Aethiop. To these a voice obscure and inarticulate; so that in him all Pieces did agree, as he were predesigned to ignomy. But though in body thus irregular▪ his wit was sudden, and invention sharp, yet because not communicable, his Master him (as fit for no domestic use) employed only to dig up the soil: to which with much alacrity he still applied himself. The Steward to this Lord (to show himself careful to his Master's trust, and the Soil grateful to his Master's cost) presented unto him the choicest Figs the Season had afforded, which to the trust of a domestic given, till he disposed were thereof to eat: the Trustee with his Fellows privately contrived to eat the Fruit, and to charge Aesop with the theft thereof: who by these Mates accused, was judged guilty, and to Supplice brought: But Aesop prostrate at his Master's feet, obtaining a Repriev, a flagon of warm water brought before them all, whereof part drinking, he to his Fellows the remainder gave, the warmness of the water suddenly a loathing caused in their Stomachs, provoking them to vomit: from Aesop only the pure water came; but his Accusers with the wa●er straight disclosed their guilt; who justly suffered what they had prepared for the Innocent: while Aesop with Applaus dismissed, returned to his work. On which intentive two of Diana's Priests, by chance, had lost their way, to him repaired for direction, to which (after some small refection given them) Aesop became their Guide: for whose benevolence, the grateful Priests addressed their zealous Preirs to heaven, like Grace from thence might be enlarged to him. Aesop returned travel had soon o'ercome his since with sleep, in which he dreamt Fortune appeared to him, losing his fettered tongue, and him inspiring with this moral faculty; from which he waking, found the success of what was figured; thankful to heaven, Aesop, o'ercome with joy, himself addressing to his task again, espied the Steward Zenas (for some slight fault) sharply correcting one of his Mates with blows: Aesop reproaching him his daily cruelty, threatened to make complaint unto his Lord. The Steward much amazed to hear him speak, and jealous now he might provoke his Master to displeasure against him: to frustrate which, he against Aesop (with false suggestions) prepossessed his Lord, which credit winning, wrought so much dislike, that Aesop was surrendered solely to his hands, him to dispose of, as best liked him: whereon a passing Merchant requiring of him what he had to sell; Zenas presented Aesop; the Merchant much incensed, as he had mocked him, in contemt of the proffer turned suddenly away: accosting whom, Aesop desired him to accept the sale, he might be useful to him; in that, perhaps he might at home have some unhappy boys, o'er whom if he might but preside to keep them in awe, he should to them as an Hobgoblin be. The Merchant pleased with the conceit, tendered his Price, and 'mongst his new Mates, bid him choose his Pack: Aesop hereon took a great Basket, which was filled with bread for their Provision, whereat his Fellows much derided him, in that he had the greatest, might have took the least: but ere they travelled far, few meals had Aesop's carriage made so light, they envied him his burden. The Merchant with his Troop to Sames come, exposed Aesop and his Mates to sale: whom Xanthus a Philosopher abourding (neglecting Aesop) strictly examined of their Faculties, they made reply, That they could all things do; at which Aesop laughed scornfully: which Xanthus scholars observing, they desired him, he would Aesop prove; to whom addressed Xanthus asked, What he was? Aesop said, Black: Xanthus said, he mistook, he asked, Whence he was born? Aesop replied, from his mother's womb. Xanthus said he yet not apprehended him, he asked him. In what Place he was born? Aesop replied, His Mother ne'er told him, whither it were above stairs or below. Xanthus' asked, What he could do? Aesop said, Nothing; his fellows All but lately had engrossed, and nothing left to him. Xanthus' asked him if he bought him, if he'd not run away? Aesop replied, if such his purpose were, he'd of his Counsel not his Master make. Xanthus' objected, that he was deformed; Aesop replied A Philosopher ought to make the mind & not the body the Object of his choice. The Scholars much delighted with his wit, tendered his Price; & gave him to their Master for their use. The standers by o'rehearing of the Price, much wondering at the meanness of the same, asked, who it was that bought him; who him sold. But (Ashamed of his value) neither would declare themselves: Whereon Aesop said, he was the party sold; Xanthus the Chapman; The Merchant made the sale; if neither this avouch't, than he was free; Aesop brought home, no pleasing object was to Xanthus' wife: But Aesop showing her the prejudice a handsome slave might be unto her Fame, restrained the violence of her Passion; which better yet to pacify, Xanthus to a public Garden went, to buy for her a Present of the choicest Fruits, with him Aesop taking to conveie them home. Arrived there, the fruit being gathered and delivered; for which Xanthus being about to pay; the Ga●dner prayed him to accept of them, he only did desire of him solution to one doubt, which was, Why those Herbs planted by his hand, though watered and manured diligently, yet slowly took increase: but what sprung from the Earth of their accord, although neglected, sooner germinate? Xanthus' (not knowing what else well to say) replied, this, as other things was in the Government of Divine Providence: at which Aesop laughing; Xanthus' incensed, asked, if in it, he had derided him? Aesop replied; not him, but who him taught: For what was by Divine Providence done, by wise men only should be scrutable: desiring that the resolution might be left to him; which granted, Aesop thus answered it; A Woman having children by the first, became the Wife unto a second Husband, who children also by a former had: unto the children she brought forth, the Wife a most indulgent Mother was; but unto those of which she found her Husband prepossessed, a churlish stepdame, whose rights she often them abridged, to cherish more her own: So the Earth, to those that were her proper Issue, as Legitimate, plentifully administered: But unto those that planted were by Art, as Bastards, scarce afforded Nourishment. The gardener with the Answer satisfied; bad Aesop fetch fruit gratis when he would. When home returned: Xanthus' bad Aesop (among other things) prepare a pair of Hog's feet for his Supper, which on the fire set; Xanthus, occasion seeking to correct his Slave, as he was busied on some other thing, took privately out of the Pot a foot; which Aesop not long after missing (foresaw some snare was laid to entrap him) ran forthwith to a Stall at hand, and from a Hog, lately shut up to fat, chopped off a foot, dressed it, and cast it to the rest i'th' Pot▪ Xanthus (in the Interim) doubting, when Aesop should miss the foot he took for fear of Punishment would run away, went secretly, and cast it in again: when they were boiled, as Aesop poured them forth. Xanthus' discovering five feet in the dish, asked, How that came to pass? Aesop abashed, required, How many feet two Hogs should have? Xanthus' said, eight; Aesop replied, the number than was right; five in the dish, and the other three the fat Hog had, was enclosed in the Stall. Xanthus' incensed; Aesop desired his Patience, saying, he well knew, that from addition and reduction in quantity could happen no error in the whole sum. Next day a solemn feast was held by Xanthus' Scholars, where he collecting of the choicest meats, to Aesop them delivered, with a charge, he should to them present it, loved him best: he on his Mistress thinking to be revenged: came home, and in her hearing, uttering his late charge, Licaena called, a little Cur his Master of en played with in his lap, and gave to him the meat▪ his Mistress heeron high in rage and grief, withdrew unto her Chamber, there with many tears bewailing this affront, as supposed from her Husband. Aesop returned; a great dispute arose amongst the Philosophes, When the greatest disturbance should befall mankind. The Question not at Table satisfied, Aesop had leave to speak, who said▪ This happen would in the last Resurrection of the dead, when each one should require, what once they had possessed. Aesop's facetious wit heeron all much approved, and by them straight another was propounded: Why Sheep led to the slaughter, as Swine no clamours vent: The Question at a stand; Aesop replied; Sheep usually were handled to be milked, and of the burden of their Fleece to be devested; in which took from their feet, no ill suspected from the sight of iron: but Swine that neither milked were nor shorn, well knew for these respects not to be drawn, but for their flesh, which only was of use; therefore just reason for their outcry had. Aesop's conceit much laughter moved till the Feast broke up. Xanthus' returned Home, his Wife reproached him her indignity, as judging it from him; who much amazed, called Aesop to enlighten the disorder; Aesop said, he performed but his commands in giving this his Present to the Dog; as to them loved him best: for though his Mistress seemed benevolent, yet when reproved, she would revile again, the Dog though threat and beat, returned with new endearments to his Master's Lap. But all this in his wife's opinion could not Xanthus' clear, who to her Parents straight in this distaste repaired; to the disturbance of her anxious Husband; whom Aesop finding much perplexed, to pacify this trouble, by his act procured; practised this slight, to fetch her home again. With a great Basket he to Market went, which he well stored with the choicest Fowl, then near the dwelling where his Mistress was, inquired for such rarities, might grace a Nuptial Feast. Which being by one of the domestics overheard, he busily curious, unto Aesop came, to know for whom this Preparation was▪ Aesop (Feigning him not to know) replied; for Xanthus the Philosopher, who on the morrow should a fair Virgin wed. The Servant home returning with this hasty news, filled Xanthus' wife with rage and jealousy, who straight flew home to frustrate this design, where joifully received, with the Provision, feasting, she was reconciled. And to congratulate this new Union, Xanthus' next day his Scholars made his Guests; commanding Aesop for the entertainment buy the best of things. Aesop (whose aim still was to mock his Master's learning) thought, he would punish him for this his unadvised Commission to Market went, where buying nought but tongues, home he returned and dressed them sundry ways. The Guest arrived; first boiled tongues he sent in, whereat they all commended Aesop's ingenuity that to Philosophers for the first Mess thus had served Tongues, the Ministers of knowledge. For the next service, roasted Tongues was set, for the next baked; So that in Sum they nothing had but Tongues; at which the Guests were much abashed, and Xanthus much incensed; who Aesop calling rebuked with much fury: Aesop returned thanks to him; in that he favoured him with that advantage in this his reproof, to call him to account for this his default, in the presence of Philosophers, who had capacity to judge the Nature of his Crime, if such there any were, then turning to his Master, said, He bade him buy of all things the most excellent; Appealing then to the assembly, asked, What there could be more excellent than Tongues; by them all knowledge was communicated. Cities erected, Laws established, Nuptials celebrated, Men protected, Friendship confirmed; in brief the Commerce of man's whole life consisted only in the use thereof: At which all smiling approved what Aesop said; Xanthus himself (on Aesop's fault) excusing to his Guests; said, they should sup with him; and to the end they should no farther be abused in their Entertainment, they should be witness to the charge he gave; then calling Aesop, with purpose to entrap him, bade him for their Supper buy the worst of things: Which Aesop did; and for their Supper nothing served but Tongues again. Summoned heeron to answer his delinquency: Aesop for his Defence insisted o'th' particulars of his Charge, that nothing ever worse could be then Tongues: By these, quarrels were begot, Men slain, Lies forged, Execrations dispensed, perjury vented, Kingdoms overthrown; and in brief thereby the whole life entangled in error; whereat the Guests not so well pleased, one of them said, If Xanthus were not armed with Patience beyond the sufferance of a Man, Aesop would make him mad: whom Aesop straight reproving, said, he was a busy curious fellow to incens the Master so against his Servant. Xanthus' occasion taking to beat Aesop, in that he blamed his Friend as curious; imposed a Charge on him to bring him One, that was not so. Which to effect, Aesop went forth into the street, where looking earnestly about him; he descried a man a long time in a corner had sit still immoved: Aesop (him judging some simple idle drone) invited him to Dinner from his Master; the Clown not asking who his Master was or where, went home with him. Xanthus' admiring much this his new guest, asked Aesop, who he was: Aesop replied a man not curious, such as he had commanded him to bring. Xanthus' his wife straight whispering in the ear; desired her to fulfil what ere he bade her do, he might advantage win to punish Aesop's Insolence: forthwith his voice exalting, bade her bring some water to wash the feet of this his welcome Guest: Prefiguring to himself, his Guest would in civility refuse so mean a ministry from so fair a hand; and in so doing Aesop might be convicted; of which his wife desirous applied herself thereto with diligence. The Clown esteeming this as a peculiar grace to honour him, his feet extended without ceremony; which washed, as rudely he sat down. Xanthus' pursuing still his Purpose; bad fill his Guest some Wine imagining his Guest would in good manners move the Cup might first have been preferred to him; the Clown esteeming this as right to his respect, accepted it, and cleared with the Cup the doubt; then eagerly fell on the Mess that nighest was to hand; which, Xanthus following his design, condemned much in that it not well ordered was; and calling for the Cook, reviled him with sharp rebukes, which were pursued with blows; the Clown without intermission feeding, said, The Meat was very good, Xanthus might say, and do his Pleasure, it not concerned him. Xanthus much vexed he could not trap his Guest; at last service a Marchpane, seemed much to mislike, and calling for the pastry-cook, reproached him many defects i'th' composure; who made reply, Had it not been well baked, he might have born the blame; but the fault being in the making, his Mistress therein was to be condemned, who only had a hand in it: Xanthus a private signal giving to his wife, stepped in a fury to her, saying, since 'twas her fault, she only for it should be burnt alive, then to the fire bearing her in his Arms, paused a while, expecting when his Guest would run to rescue her. But he fast tied by the teeth, prayed Xanthus, if he pleased to hold his hand awhile, he would fetch his Wife too, they both might burn together. Xanthus' admiring the immotion of the Clown, yielded the victory unto Aesop's choice: and forthwith sent him to the common Bath, to be informed what company there was, if few or none, his resolution being then to bathe himself. Aesop on his errand hasting, encountered the chief Magistrate; who knowing he belonged to Xanthus, asked him, Where he went? Aesop in haste replied. He did not know; the Magistrate believing this slight answer made in scorn of him, committed him to Prison: Passing to which, Aesop said to the Magistrate, he now might see how pertinently he had answered him, he did not know that he should go to Prison: The Magistrate much pleased with his ready wit, forthwith enlarged him: Who coming to the Bath, observed many there, who at the entry stumbling at a stone, past to and fro not much regarding it: only One came, and ere like chance befell him, it removed. Aesop returned, informed his Master there was but one man only in the Bath. But Xanthus thither come, finding a multitude, reproved Aesop for abusing him: Aesop replied; all coming to and fro, had stumbled at a stone just in the entry lay, One only had removed it ere he passed, to whom the rest compared he could not judge them men, giving such slight evidence of that faculty, which should for such distinguish them: heeron Xanthus not judging it a fit time to bathe, withdrew from thence unto a private Feast of his society, to which some time before he was invited; where on discourse of lusty Bibbers, he high in wine and fancy boasted, he only would exhaust the Sea, by drinking it, which proffering by wager to make good, found an Accepter there, who from their hands deposited their rings, to confirm the Contract, which was the losers dwelling house consigned was thereby unto the winner. Xanthus, his wits recovering with his sleep missed his ring next morning, as he washed; whereof Aesop he examining, found to his grief the Error he had done, and to his succour, with large proffers, summoned Aesop's wit; Aesop replied, to win there was no possibility, but his Engagement to withdraw, that he assured him of. Which as Aesop advised, was thus pursued: Th'assembly met the wager to determine; Xanthus' immoved no part of it denied, himself preparing to the enterprise; of the sea water taking a full Bowl; first loudly published the Particulars, which were, he should the Sea drink dry, his adversary therewith summoning, as his part to stop all rivers fell into the deep, it being the Sea he only was to drink, not the fresh waters thither issuing, which demand held but just, and either Part impossible; the wager was withdrawn. Xanthus' securing both his Fame and Goods by Aesop's subtlety. When home returned; Aesop required his freedom for his recompense, to which unwilling, Xanthus bade him first to go forth, and if two Crows he did discover, to bring him word thereof, it would be to him a good Omen; if but one, it did protend ill hap. Aesop went forth, and spying two, returned▪ informing thereof, Xanthus, who, hasting forth to see them, found but one; the other in the interim being flown away: whereon Xanthus believing Aesop had derided him, fell on his skirts with blows: during which fray a Messenger came in to invite Xanthus to a public Feast. Which hearing▪ Aesop reproached his Master this his augury: saying he that had two Crows seen was heaten, his Master that but One, was feasted: Xanthus' to gratulate this Entertainment; another made soon after: at which Aesop had charge to let in none but such were lettered men. Aesop (as he was wont) his Master's learning to deride, kept the Door shut, and as the Guests knocked, asked, what the Dog moved? At which without reply, distasted All returned; but one, who when Aesop asked, What the Dog moved, replied, his Ears and Tale, to whom free entry Aesop only gave. Xanthus' perplexed to see his Guests, but this, had All deceived him, was at next meeting informed of the cause: Aesop to judgement called, objected in defence, his charge was only the literate to admit; for Proof whereof, he only asked, What the Dog moved? But they not able to resolve, he could not judge them of those Guests, his Master purposed to receive. Xanthus' (for shame, concealing his displeasure, till time produced a juster cause of Punishment) went forth with Aesop to view the public Monuments of the dead; where on a Column, Aesop finding this Inscription ({non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}.) asked of his Master, If he could interpet it; Xanthus confessed his doubts; Aesop desired to know what his reward should be, if he thereby a secret Treasure should disclose to him. Xanthus' replied, His liberty. Aesop heeron four Paces measuring from the Tomb, digged up the Earth, and found a Pot of Gold; which to his Master bringing, he his promise clameed. Xanthus' said, first he should expound to him the Sens of the Characters, which he more prized than the Gold, was by them figured; which Aesop thus did, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: which is, Going from hence four Paces, digging thou shalt find a Treasure of Gold. Xanthus' said, Since he was so subtle he should not be made free. Aesop vexed▪ thus abused, said, he must further let him know, This Treasure should be given to the Bizantian King. Xanthus' demanded, Whence he had learned that. Aesop replied, the same letters did infer the same, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}. Which is, Give the Treasure of Gold which you have found to Dionysius the King. Xanthus' now fearing to be dispossessed, bad Aesop silent be, he should enjoy his liberty, with half the Gold to boot. Aesop said, half was his right without his Gift by the Intention of the Erector of the Monument. Xanthus asked▪ Where he found that? Aesop replied, in the same Characters it was figured, {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman} {non-Roman}: which is, received, going away, divide the Treasure of Gold, which you have found. Xanthus' said, when he came home he should both have his share and liberty. Both being returned: Xanthus in fear that Aesop should divulge his new adventure; cast him in Prison. Where Aesop shamefully reproaching him the breach of his promise, was at length set free: but not restored to his liberty: which Aesop him assured he should ere long attain against his will; about which time happened this accident in the Samian State. As they were in the ceremony of a solemn Feast, an Eagle had trust up their public Seal, and dropped it in the bosom of a Slave. Amazed at this new prodigy, the Magistrates repaired to Xanthus as the chief Philosopher, t'expound the mystery: but he as full of doubt as they, some time required thereon to deliberate. In which Aesop perceiving Xanthus' full of trouble, knowing well the cause, desired him to cast the burden of his doubts on him, and the next day to let the Samians know it was no part of his Profession to interpret Auguries, but that he had a boy, who skilful was therein, and what they sought was able to resolve; and if he did enlighten the Presage, it would an honour to his Master be, who had in his Possession such a slave, but if he failed therein, the hazard of the Error would solely fall on him; to which persuaded, Xanthus' next day what Aesop had adviz'd, communicated to the Samians, whereon Aesop summoned, publicly stood forth and said, That Fortune (still the Minister of strife) had cast the prize of glory betwixt the Master and his slave, which if the servant from the Master bore, in envy he should nothing gain but blows: and if he failed in the enterprise, like stripes would punish his presumption, which disadvantage to avoid, he first desired the People to procure his liberty; the People heeron all with one assent, required Xanthus to enlarge his slave, as a peculiar Grace unto the city. Xanthus not very forward to the motion was checked by the precedent, assuring him, if he did not assent thereto, to make it their own Act. Xanthus perceiving no evasion, yielded his right, which by the common Crier published; Aesop the augur thus interpreted: The Eagle, as the King of Birds, implied a Regal Power; The public Seal, the Government of their State, the ravishing of the same, and fall thereof into a bondman's breast, prefigured the Power aforesaid should force from them their liberty, reducing them to servility. The Samians on this Presage filled with grief, dissolved: Soon after Letters had from Croesus' King of Lydia, by which they summoned were to be his Tributaries, which not accepted, to prepare for War. The Samians doubtful what herein to do, ere farther they proceeded, would consult with Aesop, who them assured; there was, as then, no Place for council left; since the more powerful still must be obeyed; to which at present he advized them, saying, That Fortune had in each man's life laid forth two several ways: The one of liberty, the entry whereof was difficult and rough, but the end smooth and pleasant. The other was of servitude, whose entry plain and easy was of access; but th'Issue thereof penable and rude. But his advice rejected by the Samians, Croesus thereof had soon intelligence who straight resolved to decree a war against the Samians: But was advised by his Ambassadors, to facilate his victory, first to draw Aesop from them; which moved to the Samians by a second embassy with release of their purposed tribute, was accepted of, resolving to deliver Aesop to their hands. Which known to Aesop, he to the People publicly declared his liking to their Purpose▪ but for Instruction told them, he had a Fable to commend to them, which was, When Beast had one with other conference, the wolus waged war against the Sheep, who had the Dogs for their confederates, 'gainst whom the wolus not able to prevail, sent to the Sheep an embassy; whereby was promised peace, if they the Dogs would yield up to their hands, to which the Sheep assenting, became unto the wolus an easy Prey. The since hereof was by the Samians quickly understood, who thereon would retract their first intention. But Aesop not assenting thereto, with promise to be helpful to them, was disinist with the Ambassadors, who to Croesus brought, the Spectacle at first incensed him with scorn, so vile a thing should be an obstacle to his enterprise. Aesop said to the King (with great humility) he nor by force, nor by necessity was compelled to his Presence, but of his own Accord; therefore desired his Pardon and liberty to speak: which granted; Aesop said; A certain man, who Locust sought to slay, by chance had took a grasshopper, whom he about to kill; the grasshopper desired him, not to destroy him without any Caus: she did the Ear no hurt, nor yet in other Action injure him; the motion of her little tongue did but delight the Passenger. Th'Allusion hereof making to himself, surprised the King with wonder and delight; who promised Aesop, he would his Life not only, but his Fate enlarge, commanding him to ask what he desired, it should forthwith confirmed be to him. Aesop requested only he to the Samians would be reconciled; of which the King assuring him, Aesop tendered him thanks, and thereon writ these Fables, which to the King presented by him esteemed highly were, and from that time preserved to future Ages. Soon after Aesop receiving letters to the Samians from the King, containing that he was in favour unto Aesop reconciled to them, with rich Gifts laden, to Samos sailed again. The Samians at his return, receiving him in triumph, brought several Crowns to him as their deliverer: whereon the King's Concessions to them published, Aesop for this Beneficence, was highly by the State rewarded. From whence departing. Aesop began his travels, disputing where he came with the Philosophers. Coming to Babylon the reputation of his wisdom, brought him in great favour with Licerus King thereof. In which times it was a custom 'mongst those Princes were at Peace together to send aenigmas or dark Sentences one unto the other, and who resolved them, contracted tribute from the tender gained, or failing forfeited to him; In which, by Aesop's help Lycerus both enlarged his Fame and treasury, Aesop being childeless, adopted for his son, one Ennus a young man of noble family, who falling into league with Aesop's Concubine, soon after was by him expelled from his house. Ennus heeron incensed, a letter forged with Aesop's hand and seal, wherein expressed was Aesop's contriving with Licerus adversares to his Prejudice, in the Solution of their Problems, which by him to Licerus shown, he facile of belief, yielded no truce to ire; but forthwith strict command gave to Hermippo, he should kill Aesop without more delay. Hermippo being Aesop's friend belied not the Character, concealing Aesop in a secret vault, whither still privately he conveied him food, while Ennus by Licerus order seized on his Possessions; Soon after this, Nectenabo King of Egypt hearing Aesop was slain, took that advantage, to send unto Licerus Problematical Letters; requiring him to send him such Architects, could build a tower might touch, nor Heaven, nor Earth and there with a man, that should resolve, what ever he should ask, which if he did, he tribute should receive if not pay to him. Licerus on receipt hereof, reflecting on the prejudice he had (in Aesop's loss) procured to his proper Interests, perplexed was in mind; which Hermippo distinguishing, laid hold on this occasion as auspicious, to let Licerus know, Aesop was by him yet preserved alive, lest that the execution of his sudden wrath, might after by him be repented of. At which Licerus overcome with joy for Aesop sent, with floods of tears restoring him to favour. Aesop his accusation knowing, and licensed now to speak, soon cleared himself in the discovery of his Dilator's treachery, for which Ennus by the King condemned to die, the sentence was repealed by Aesop's suit. who him received again to his Adoption: with gracious council him admonishing, which gentle usage pierced so much his wounded Conscience with the horror of his former guilt, that in the inward conflict thereof he soon after died. Lycerus communicating to Aesop the Contents of Necienabo's letter. Aesop the reat smiling, adviz'd him to return for Answer, That in the ensuing Spring, he should receive from him what he required: With which the Ambassador dismissed. Aesop in the Interim four choice Eaglets dressed so to hand, that each could bear into the upper Region of the Aër a child suspended in a Basket, and therewith make descent at his discretion. With this strange equipage, the Winter past, Aesop to Egypt came, where in the Presence of th'Egyptian King, he let his Eaglets with their carriages in a square figure fly; who in the Aër exalted the boys called out to them that were below to bring up the materials for the Structure. The King abashed, said, he no flying men had for the carriages; and in this part of his demand confessed himself convinced. Next followed the aenigmas, the first propounded by the King, was, That he had in his Possession certain Mares, who hearing the horse neigh in Babylon, forthwith conceived. Aesop desiring respite till th'ensuing day, for the Solution; commanded his Attendants to take a Cat, which tied in a line, to draw her through the Streets, pursuing her with blows; This put in execution, The Egyptians, who worshipped this Animal, seeing her thus miserably treated, ran forthwith to her succour, and from her Persecutors rescuing her, complaint made of the outrage to the King; who Aesop summoning required the reason, why what they held in Reverence, he used with such conteme. Aesop replied, That Cat had but last Night done to Licerus a signal displeasure, devouring a generous fighting Cock, he had in great esteem. The King replied; That was impossible, the Cat could in one night so long a voyage make: at which Aesop smiling, said; So it likewise was, that Mares should at that distance be conceived with Fole. The King well pacified herein, approved Aesop's ingenuity. And for farther trial, assembled the chief Sophisters of his Realm, inviting them with Aesop to a Feast; at which one of them addressing himself to Aesop, said, he by his God was sent to ask a Question of him. Aesop replied, he both his God abused and himself; God had no need of man's intelligence; whereat he sileneed; Another thus accosted him; There was a mighty temple in which a Column stood twelve Cities had each one by thirty beams supported, round which still ran two women. Aesop replied, With them, even children could expound such riddles. The Temple was the world; the Column was the year, the twelve Cities thereon, were the twelve months thereof; the thirty Columns supported each were days; the women that surrounded it continually were might and day, which alternately succeeded each other. The King heerat perplexed he could not Aesop foil, assembled all his Peers; to consult with them how he might avoid the payment of his tribute, made forfeit to Licerus by Aesop's subtlety. One of them said, They Aesop should enjoin to propound a Question to them, that they neither knew, nor ever heard. Th'advice received, and of Aesop required; who having respite till the following day, framed a Contract, in which Necienabo confessed himself a thousand talents indebted to Licerus, which at th'appointed time close sealed delivered to the King in presence of his Nobles (ere the inscription was unfolded, to o'erthrow Aesop's purpose) they said, they all had that oft heard and knew it to be true. Aesop replied, in respect of the payment, he was engaged to them for their testimony. The King the writing opening and purusing, said, he nothing was indebted to Licerus, all they were present could it testify; which, all confirming, said; They never knew nor heard of such a Matter. Aesop replied, If that were so, they had received what they sought of him. Nectenabo heeron applauding Aesop's ready wit; tendered to him the contracted tribute, and from his Court dismissed with much honour. Aesop returned to Babylon, recited to Licerus what had past, presenting him his tribute he had won. Licerus heeron to perpetrate to after ages Aesop's Fame and memory, in honour of him caused his Statue to be erected in Gold. Soon after Aesop obtaining licence of the King to travel, on promise to return and end his days with him; passed through Greece with great applauses, and unto Delphos came: The Delphians curious to hear, but careless of what heard: made small Account of him: In reproof whereof, Aesop compared them to a Log at Sea. which floating on the instable Billows, seemed to them that were remote from it something of value; but when viewed near at hand was found contemptible. The Delphians hearing this, applied the Allusion thereof to themselves; which seized them with jealousy, that Aesop might this judgement of them publish through the world, which if he did the high esteem all held of him would much eclipse their glory: this to prevent, they privately took from Apollo's shrine a Cup of Gold and secretly conveied it among Aesop's Goods; who on his departure thence was apprehended and accused of Sacrilege: which Aesop denying, they unbound his carriages, discovering to the tumult they had raised the Cup; whereon Aesop into Prison cast, his Judges his Accusers being, was soon convicted, and to supplice led; where calling to the multitude, he said; When Beasts could speak; the mouse made friends unto the Frog, invited him to Dinner; to gratulate which the Frog the ensuing day would have the mouse his Guest, and to avoid the danger of the Passage to his Cell, which was a Pool, the mouse unskilled in swimming, the Frog his foot unto his Guests had fastened by a line, therewith to train him over; but having won the deepest of the flood, the Frog plunged over head and ears the mouse: who drowning said; he treacherously was slain; but a more powerful would avenge his death. When dead, the mouse lay floating on the stream was by an Eagle trussed for her Prey, and with him the suspending Frog, who likewise with the injured was devoured. The Application heerto Aesop made was that Licerus and all Greece, would for his death like vengeance take of them. But this restraining not the Delphians from their purposed Act: Aesop fled from them to Apollo's Temple for his sanctuary: But from thence also forced to the Precipice again. Aesop attemting farther to dissuade them; said; An Eagle had pursued a Hare into a Beetle's Den, the distressed Beast requiring sbelter; the Beetle prayed the Eagle not to despise her impotence; but spare the refuged Hare. The Eagle yet insulting more, struck down the Beetle with her wings, and made the Hare her unresisted Prey: The Beetle to revenge this outrage sought out the eagles' Nest, and from thence cast her eggs unto the Earth; the Eagle to avoid this injury shifted her Nest much higher than it was, yet not there also from her Foe secured: The Eagle being of Jove beloved, took refuge in his bosom, the Beetle this perceiving, dirt gathered from the Earth, and in Jove's bosom cash it amongst the eggs: Jove of the eggs unmindful, shaking off the dirt, cast both unto the Earth together, who reproving the Beetle for this revenge, as an indignity to him. The Eagle arrived, and heard, by Jove was not excused; yet being unwilling that the eagles' kind should cease, adviz'd them to be reconcued, but that accord soon broken; Jove transfered the season of the eagles' breeding to another time, in which the Beetle not able is to appear. The since thereof Aesop to them, infered was, that they should not slight that God to whom he fled, though but an image they had figured him, yet could not the impious scape his punishment: But this not availing also; Aesop thus concluded, A Husbandman, who in the country had grown old, yet never saw the city, commanded his domestics to prepare for this his purposed journey: who from their work not being to be spared, in stead of Horses, as the more easy Beast, joined Asses in a Car, and left them only to the old Man's Direction: as on his way a hideous storm arose, whose obscure shrouds advanced the distant Night: wherein the Asses erring, from off a steep rock overwhelmed their Guide; who as he fell, said, Jove, what had he done, to merit such a shameful end, not procured by the conduct of the generous horse, or strenuous Mule, but of all Beast the most despised Ass: Like Fate, said Aesop, did enlarge his Grief. Whereon yet more incensed, they turned him off the Precipice; whose death being followed by an incessant Plague, the Delphians to their Oracle appealed for redress: from whence was answer made, they first should expiate the Crime of Aesop's death; of which they conscious, erected to his memory a Monument. But the neighbouring Princes not satisfied heerwith, when informed what had past, to Delphos came; where making strict inquiry into Aesop's Death, became severe avengers of the treacherous murder.   

ERRATA.  
PAg. 2 lin. 23. for often. read oft. p. 12. l. 4. for from, r. on. p. 21. l. 16. for strave, r strove, p. 42. l. 17. for shadow, r. shallow. p. 47. l. 11. for frame r. Fame, Pag. 75. l. 13. for Ears, r. Ear, p. 97. l. 9 for end, r. and. p. 122. l. 18 for soer, r. sour. p 141. l. 3. for evil, r. evils. p. 167. l. 13. for when, r. which. p. 167. l. 16. for which, r. when.   

The Phrygian Fabulist: OR, THE FABLES OF AESOP.  

1. The dunghill Cock.  
A Dunghill Cock, whose innate habits press  
To scrape the dirt, through want or wantonness,  
A Jewel there disclosed, thus did despise;  
What splendid trifle's this diverts mine eyes?  
Or what blind power to me this lot direct's?  
Welcome it were to him such toys affects;  
But to my use, which limit's my esteem,  
A grain of Barley I more worthy deem.  

MORAL.  
A stupid temper of ignoble stock  
Is figured to us in the dunghill Cock;  
Who Nature's Beauties, and Art's Mysteries,  
Doth, when presented, with such scorn misprise,  
Whilst he pursueth, with delightful toil,  
Those sensual Pleasures, which the soul defile.    

2. The Wolf and Lamb.  
A Wolf was drinking at the fountain head,  
Had far beneath a Lamb discovered,  
Refreshing Nature likewise; t'whom he went,  
And thus exclaiming did his fury vent;  
Why troubledest thou the stream wherein I drunk?  
The Lamb, dismayed, fain would away have shrunk;  
But urged again, alleged it could be  
Unto the Wolf no incommodity;  
Since from himself the water did descend.  
'Tis not a month, the Wolf insisted, Friend,  
Since in like manner you affronted me.  
Your pardon, Sir, that your mistake must be,  
Replied the Lamb; for born I was, not then.  
Thou eatest my Food, the Wolf affirmed again;  
The trembling Lamb yet hereto answered;  
Alas, I have not one tooth in my head.  
The Wolf cried out; thou art too like thy Sire,  
And for that crime thy life thou shalt expire.  

MORAL.  
Licentious Powers, thus, often circumvent  
By fals-pretences the poor innocent.  
But if those fail their purposes to form,  
Another's crime must then his guilt suborn,  
As Accesser to what the charge had missed;  
'Tis crime enough that he cannot resist.    

3. The mouse and Frog.  
twixt mouse and Frog there was a fray,  
Who should the Fennish Empire sway:  
The mouse more subtle; tufted Grass  
His sure Retreat and Ambush was:  
The Frog in agile strength prevailed,  
His foe more openly assailed:  
Their dreadful weapons were of Rush,  
Wherewith each did at other push:  
The duel sharp, yet doubtful stood,  
Had, questionless, spilled little blood;  
Until a Kite did them surveie,  
Who made both Combatants her prey.  

MORAL.  
Here, weak, yet factious Cities are expressed,  
Who only for improper Rule contest:  
While blind Revenge is busy on th'effects  
Of hostile Acts, their safety each neglect;  
Till diverted, or spent their faculties,  
Both are exposed to common Enemies.    

4. The Dog and Shadow.  
A Leering Cur a piece of flesh had stole,  
Whereof to raven crept into a hole:  
Sudden pursuit this ardeur yet suspent,  
And to soon forced him change that Element;  
Taking a brook with his beloved Rape:  
(The greater danger facilate's escape)  
The current and the sky were both so clear,  
As each to other perfect Mirror were,  
And to the Cur, who there the figure viewed  
Of that dear Prize, for which he was pursued.  
This unknown shadow soon his rage revived,  
Chopping at which, he was of both deprived.  

MORAL.  
So greedy minds, although possessed of store,  
Pursue vain hopes, attempting to have more;  
Till, thus, deluded in their eager chase,  
Their vanished substance leaves them but disgrace.    

5. The Lion and other Beast.  
A day of gen'ral Hunting was assigned  
twixt the Lion and Beast of sundry kind;  
The fearful Hart became their tragic Game,  
Who, with much toil to all, at length was slain:  
Which to divide each Beast straight rushed in,  
And, as contracted, their parts challenging.  
The Lion frowning, published that he  
Held one part his by right of dignity;  
Another part did unto him belong,  
For that he was then all the rest more strong.  
A third part his he challenged, as gain;  
For in the Chase he took the greatest pain,  
Only for one part, rested, they could look,  
Which as a Present of their Loves he took.  
Each eieed the other with remiss dismay,  
Silent and empty shrinking all away.  

MORAL.  
Greatness invested with unbalanced power  
Subverts the Office of a Governor;  
Whence some infringe what their own Acts decree,  
As mere dependants to their ministry:  
But if such Notions will not All advance,  
The Rest is tendered for their countenance.    

6. The Wolf and Crane.  
A Wolf, a Lamb devouring, felt a bone  
Stick in his throat; but help could have of none,  
Though many sought to; All reproached him, he  
The Price bore justly of his cruelty:  
With soothing words, and promises as fair,  
The Crane was won to succou r his despair,  
Who in his Guel thrust her exalted Neck,  
And thence the bone extracted with her Beck;  
Which done, forthwith she her reward desired;  
The Wolf affirmed, she had, what she required,  
Nor in his power, was greater good to give,  
'Twas by his grace and sufferance she did live;  
For when her head was in his mouth, he might  
Have sent her swiftly to her latest night.  

MORAL.  
To simple Natures, men endued with might,  
In their extremes, much promise; pay with slight.  
When in their powers, so, the wicked still  
Think they do good to them, they do no ill.    

7. The Husbandman and Adder.  
A country man, in a sharp winter storm,  
Went to secure his Cattle and his Corn;  
Where in a field he saw, benumed with cold,  
An Adder fettered in her native Fold.  
With pity moved, her home with speed he brings  
And at the fire chafeed her frozen limbs;  
Till she her former vigour took again,  
With which, her Host attempted to have slain;  
Who, thus, with mortal strokes returned the strife,  
Wouldst thou give death to him, who gave thee life?  

MORAL.  
Mischievous men, when presed with miseries,  
Seem to cast off their harmful qualities;  
under which semblance, oft the bosoms win  
Of simple Natures no ill harbouring;  
But he whose bounty their fallen state erects,  
Thus, of their Malice feels the first effects.    

8. The Ass and Bore.  
THe stupid Ass did the stout Bore deride;  
Who grined his tusks, and thereto thus replied,  
(With restrained ire) ill thou deserv'st of me,  
But not deserv'st, ill I should do to thee.  
Safely jeer on; thy meanness thee protect's;  
Revenge is wanting, where no worth reflect's.  

MORAL.  
Who from inferiors, thus, disgrace, despise,  
Turns on their heads their purposed injuries;  
But where unequal Might pursues Redress;  
That seems the more, which we would have seem less.    

9 A city-mouse and field-mouse.  
A city-mouse richly arrayed,  
To her Allies a Progress made.  
In a champion seated stood  
The Palace of his noble Blood.  
Not far from whence encountered him  
The field-mouse, top of all his kin.  
Which interview passed solemnly,  
With all due Rites of ceremony.  
Whence he conducts him to his Cel,  
The Roof whereof was Pimprenel;  
The Entrance traced sundry ways,  
(Like to the windings of a Maze)  
For strength, not state, was ordered so,  
To keep out rain, or wind, or snow.  
Suddenly served was the Feast,  
Travel had Hunger-stroke our Guest;  
A mushroom spread with Codlin-skin  
The Table was and Covering.  
A mighty Mess first ushered came,  
Which did all sorts of pulls contain:  
Of Wheat, Oat, Pea, tear, rye and Rice,  
Of Bean, Buck, barley, mixed with Spice  
Of sundry Seeds, contrived so;  
This may be called their Oleo.  
Next course, of Roots was ordered,  
Of Parsnip, carrot, White and Red;  
Turnip, Radish, Potato sweet,  
Skerret, Oringo, and of Beet;  
Some were hatched, some minceed, some sliceed;  
And with post powder all were spiceed.  
And for their Ragou and Haugou  
Were Onions served, and garlic too.  
The intercourse did next succeed,  
To urge fresh Appetite to feed.  
Of melon, Pumpi'on, Cucumber,  
Cabbidg, Colwort, and Colli-flour;  
Of Thissel-succors hatched small  
Which were well peppered with Fusball.  
Their liquour from a crystal stream  
They had, whereon ne'er shined Beam.  
In which for ambergris, or Musk,  
Infused was in Acorn-husk,  
A Pearl of Dew, or else of Hail;  
As Heat or Moisture did prevail  
The Deser, hereto closure puts;  
Of Wall, of Hair, of Hassel-nuts:  
Of Pears and Apples, Plums and cherries,  
Dew, Straw, Raspe, Mull, Bill and blackberries.  
Of Medler, Service, Corm, they fed,  
Of Grapes and Currens, white and red;  
But of Beech, Oak, Thorn, bramble-mast  
They far more sparingly did taste.  
The grasshopper, the Gnat, the Bee,  
In Consort were their minstrelsy.  
The city-mouse, the Feast thus past,  
Soberly seemed to distaste  
The meanness of the country fare;  
Boasting the Cities to be rare.  
That which might be no vapour thought,  
The field-mouse he to city brought;  
Where, in a store-house he beheld  
Such Dainties, as there most excelled:  
Here a Custard, there a Tart,  
Of a fat Capon there a part;  
Here a Gammon stuffed with cloves;  
There did a Pie red-deer enclose;  
Here Pheasant, Partridge, Woodcock, Quail;  
There Knot, Snipe, Tiel, Turtle and Rail;  
Spice, Sugar, Suckets wet and dry,  
Were all dispersed confusedly:  
Whereof so eagerly both fed,  
Order was none distinguished.  
Ere long, i'th' door rattled a key,  
Which scared both Host and Guest away.  
The field-mouse who her course forgot,  
For haste fell in a honey-pot,  
Which being nigh full, and candid o'er.  
Bemired much, he got to shore.  
Thence in a Barrel skip't of soap,  
Whence he escaped by a Rope,  
The Balance fastened to the Scale,  
From thence he rushed into a Frale  
Of Raisins, which, struggling therein,  
His clammy Coat stripped from his skin.  
Thence to a hole, where both remain,  
Till they came in, went out again.  
Then issued out the city-mouse,  
Frisking with joy about the house,  
While the poor field-mouse therewith dread  
Remained trembling, almost dead.  
'Til him the city-mouse invites  
Again to taste of his Delights;  
Assuring him the Peril o'er.  
Out sneked the field-mouse, yet forbore  
To feed; jealous surprised to be,  
Asking the city-mouse, if he  
Were often thus assaulted; who  
With confidence, replied thereto,  
Each hour, each hour; Custom make's light,  
Where that is weigh●● 〈◊〉 wants foresight.  
The field-mouse much amazed, cried;  
Was ever since so stupefied!  
With my mean Cates, I rest secured;  
Rest thou with dangerous sweets immured.  

MORAL.  
The humble, calm and innocent estate,  
This of a country life doth intimate.  
Whose sober temper only thus relies  
On what successful industry supplies.  
While city lives, their riot to support,  
Make Rapine, Fraud and Violence a sport:  
With whose alarms hourly pursued:  
So oft their lusts, so oft are griefs renewed.    

10. The Eagle and Daw.  
AN Eagle had a Cockle got,  
Which he to open knowing not;  
The prating Daw, searching for Game,  
Ere sent for was, to council came.  
And him adviz'd so high to fly,  
As hardly he might earth descry:  
From whence, if on a stone it fell,  
It, questionless, would break the shell.  
The Eagle that no art would scan,  
Herself to lessen straight began.  
While the Daw leering for the prey  
Ne'er to the Fall; snatched it away.  

MORAL.  
High soaring minds, from base suspicion free,  
Frame Others Trust from their integrity.  
Whence Men of mean parts them oft circumvent,  
While on high speculations they are bent.  
So busy knaves whispering to all new shifts,  
Level the way to facilate their Drifts.    

11. The Crow and Fox.  
A Crow had got a Prey, wherewith, a tree  
Exalted took, for more security.  
Thereon (Joy scarce contained) with lofty strains,  
She her good Fortune through the woods proclaims.  
The subtle Fox, whose ears erected are,  
This understood, so soon as he could hear:  
continued clamour led him to the place,  
The Crow saluting with unusua'l grace;  
He, thus, accosts. Fame famed a liar, we  
Have often heard; Now, find it true in thee.  
She speaks thee black, and oft doth others stain  
With like deformity, implying but thy Name.  
Yet thou more white than Swans, my sens doth prove  
Far whiter than the lily, or the Dove.  
Had thy voice equal to thy beauty been,  
I should style thee, of all the Birds, the Queen.  
The Crow surprised thus, had at first sight  
(About to feed) prepared herself for flight;  
From Foot to Bill shifting her loved Prize;  
But stayed was, with these sweet Fallacies;  
Which tickled so her sens, she must apply  
To show that Grace, might gain this dignity.  
But as her Bill oped, her Tone to give birth,  
Down dropped her envied Morsel to the Earth:  
Which the Fox seized on, & with scornful laughter,  
Left the Crow there her studied Notes to chatter.  

MORAL.  
In Man is found this strange infirmity;  
What Nature gave not, most affect to be:  
Whence, soonest they are took with flatteries sounds,  
Who, in themselves, have thereof smallest Grounds.  
So, crafty shirks use with success their Art;  
When, by the Ear, they thus infect the Heart.    

12. The declined Lion.  
A Lion, who had been the terror of the Field;  
To Time's assaults was forced his strength to yield:  
Which Impotence discovered; by each Beast  
He was with equal violence oppreest;  
The Bore with Tusks gored; the Bull with his Horn;  
But what most grieved him, was the ass's scorn;  
Who to wipe out the blemish in his Fame,  
With far more ardour, than the others, came.  
His heels assailed him, while his words upbrai'd;  
At which the Lion much perplexed, said,  
The ill I did, I justly have from them;  
Why then the good returnest not thou again?  

MORAL.  
Injurious Powers, when divested, die  
By their Foe's vengeance, their friend's jealousy;  
lest having reaped the good, in former times,  
As Accessers they should th'ill of their crimes.  
In generous minds grief is redoubled, thus,  
To fall by them are doubly infamous;  
Ingrates and cowards in one figured be,  
There Love meet's Hate; Here Courage cruelty.  
When Princes fall; none so injurious be  
To their Persons, as the rascality.    

13. The Dog and Ass.  
A painful Ass afflicted was to see  
His Masters too parti'al indulgency  
Unto a little Cur. His hands did clap,  
Stroke, feed, and oft'entice unto his lap;  
Where eas and plenty polished so his skin,  
His wanton frisks invite new cherishing,  
While the more useful Ass, still loaden, wrote;  
Felt many lashes on his tattered coat:  
Knapped on a Thissel. Nor could gracious be  
With his loved Master, or his family.  
At which repining; with himself concludes;  
If Sport gained this; he'd have his Interludes.  
Which, next his Master saw, he practiseth.  
Fetching around, till almost out of breath,  
Then, as to kiss, his Master he did meet,  
On either shoulder clapped his clubbed feet.  
Whereat his Master called the hinds for aid.  
Who, with their Flails, the ass's courtship paid.  

MORAL.  
How wanton Master's fawning servants prize  
More than the useful. This to us implies.  
Whose Artless rudeness, when to jest they fall,  
May seek to tickle, seldom shun to gall.  
Nor can the seeds of Nature changed be,  
But with ridiculous impropriety.    

14. The Lion and mouse.  
A Lion tired with heat and action lay  
Under a shade; where Mice presumed to play.  
Disturbing him; he in a fury rose;  
And for example, one amongst them chose.  
The trembling mouse implored his clemency,  
Small honour in his worthless death could be.  
The Lion freed the captive; but at length,  
The Lion snared, found little veiled his strength,  
Where his vain struggling him entangled more:  
Restrained fury made him loudly roar.  
The grateful mouse this noise distinguished;  
And by the same was to his succour led;  
Where with his teeth the knots he did divide:  
And with like freedom thus him gratified.  

MORAL.  
Thus of frail Nature generous minds obey  
The first Motives, the next they oversway.  
And that Revenge disgraceful think to be,  
Which with themselves holds no equality.  
So grateful minds to their requital speed:  
Nothing so small the greatest may not need.  
Both, this Rule figure to supremacy;  
twixt such extremes, how useful amity.    

15. The sick Kite.  
A Young Kite sick, besought his mother, she  
Would pray the gods for his recovery.  
Who replied, Son, No help expect from thence,  
Their sacred Rites thou hast with violence  
From their bright Altars ravished. Then no more  
Insist to move, that I their aid implore.  

MORAL.  
Those men, whose Actions do a God deny;  
When Death assails, believe a deity:  
To whom rejecting Nature, thus, shall be,  
Even in themselves condemning testimony.    

16. The Swallow and other Birds.  
THe Season come the fatal Hemp to sow,  
The Swallow let's the dat Birds to know  
Their ruin was at hand, for of that seed  
Should be framed Nets, to catch them, and their breed:  
Which to avoid, he wiled them, ere too late,  
Devour the seed, which else would prove their fate.  
The silly Fowl deride him, nor did fly,  
So to secure their future liberty.  
The Hemp waxed green; the Swallow to them made,  
And wiled them, yet in time, pull up the Blade:  
Which they neglecting, The Hemp ripe became;  
The Swallow to them bent his course again.  
Wishing them then, in cloudy flocks appear,  
And stoop, like Thunder, on the shaking Ear.  
But none regarded what the Swallow said;  
Whereon he left them, and a Covenant made  
Of Love, with Man. With whom he dwells with joy:  
While Hemp makes Nets, which Nets the Birds destroy.  

MORAL.  
Wisdom's true Object is the public good,  
Of few wins credit, is of all withstood:  
Nor by disgraced repuls retracts her Flight.  
So long as Nature can yield Reason light,  
She may, without impeachment, author be,  
If not of theirs, of her security.    

17. The Frogs and their King.  
THe Nation of the Frogs, who once were free,  
Would for more state, become a monarchy.  
Jove they petition, them assign a King;  
To whom, Jove smiling, down a log doth fling:  
Which weighty Lump shaking with noise the Flood;  
With silent Reverence, far retired stood  
The Frogs affrighted: which Agitation spent,  
With more assurance to their King they went.  
Whose passive Nature finding, Fear cast off,  
And make, in sport, their suffering King their scoff.  
Jove they importune, once again, to send  
A King, whose valour might from Foes defend.  
Jove gives the Crane, who stalks to view his power,  
And, in his way, doth all the Frogs devour,  
Of which cruelty they to Jove complain.  
Who sought, must suffer. Jove they move in vain,  
And every Evening (when the Crain's not there)  
In their hoars Murmurs publish their despair.  

MORAL.  
Th'affected glory, here implied we see,  
Of meaner States asspire to sovereignty:  
Who though from heaven they therewith be endued:  
God cannot please the giddy Multitude:  
If mild and peaceful, they him Coward style;  
If warlike; Him with tyranny revile.  
But in the issue, all conclude it just,  
Who could not bear the Best, should bear the worst.    

18. The Doves and Kite.  
A Long War waged twixt Doves and Kite;  
The Doves, too feeble for the Fight,  
Elect the hawk to be their King,  
They might be sheltered by his wing.  
But he, more fiercely than the Kite,  
Preied on Them for his Appetite.  
They open War now judge to be  
Better than civil tyranny.  

MORAL.  
So weak States think their Freedoms to protect,  
When, than their Fo's, they greater strength elect:  
But such unequal power, by theirs more High,  
Thus, soon reduce them into servilty.    

19 The Thief and Dog.  
A Thief to still a Dog, held Bread,  
Who, wary, thereto answered;  
Thy subtle snares I often mark;  
This thou giv'st me, I might not bark:  
But I deceitful Presents hate,  
Other's Goods should remunerate:  
For if this Morsel I accept,  
Thou wilt my Master's Goods expect.  

MORAL.  
With surly Tempers, so, sly Craft proceeds:  
The pow'rfullest Flatteries framed are on Deeds.  
But cautious men, when strangers gifts present,  
Thus wisely weigh the scope of their intent.    

20. The Wolf and Sow.  
THe Sow her fertile Litter laid,  
Tender of whom, she was affraied.  
The Wolf their Guardian sought to be:  
The Sow thanked him most courteously:  
His Diligence she did not want:  
But him desired this favour grant  
(Since he would so officious be)  
She might not have His company.  

MORAL.  
All things, from All, believe not. Shadowed be  
Unusual favours with self-property.  
Where Office and Officiate not agree,  
Forced Nature tells us, 'tis but furbery.    

21. The Mountain's birth.  
ARumor far and near was spread,  
A Mount should be delivered  
Of her huge burden; which to see,  
Of curious flocked great company.  
With Fear and Wonder all were struck;  
And for some prodigy did look:  
Immoved and silent All become;  
A mouse skip't from her pregnant womb:  
Whereat was raised such a laughter,  
The Mountain trembled at the clatter.  

MORAL.  
So swelling rumours gather as they fly,  
Till they extend t'impossibility.  
Which with such frenzy do the Rout possess,  
Their Fears and Wonders, thus, are fathomless.  
But when Time doth, her issue, Truth produce;  
Of their Experience, Mirth's the only use.    

22. The old Hound.  
A Dog, grown old, pursuing of his Game,  
With frequent shouts, his Master strave t'inflame  
New ardeur in him; which not? much availed;  
His Limbs grew stiff. At length the Beast assailed:  
But ere his Master got in to his Aid;  
(His teeth decayed) the Beast escape had made.  
The Master's threats, far off, his fury shows;  
Which, nigh, descend upon the Dog in blows.  
The Dog cried faults of my Age (Hadst thou truth)  
Might be excused by th'service of my youth.  
Nothing but Profit can thy favour win;  
Else me thou'dst cherish, for what I had been.  

MORAL.  
So churlish Master's greedy of their Gain,  
Think they lose that, which they cannot attain.  
And oft beyond their strength their Servants press,  
Because they did more, they still must do no less.  
Ingrateful minds, not weighing their friend's store,  
Forget what's done, when they can do no more.    

23. The Hares in a Storm.  
THe Woods so roared with unusual storms,  
The fearful Hares were frighted from their forms:  
Nor could be stayed in their erring course;  
Till following danger drove them to a worse.  
A deep vast Moor, where, to enlarge new dread,  
Lay floating Frogs, to them appeared dead:  
Whereat, step't forth One stouter than the rest;  
And, thus, the vainness of their fear expreest:  
Rash speed but danger changes. we may see,  
Who in our Heels place our security:  
Those with success are used, when thereto's joined,  
For their direction, a well judging mind,  
But that in us is wanting; else this storm,  
Is our disturbance, would have been our scorn.  
Extremes not lusting are: Nor need we fear.  
That Danger much, which first salute's the Ear.  

MORAL.  
From their repose, so, timed Natures rise,  
On every empty Terror them surprise:  
But while to shun vain Hazards they resolve,  
In real Dangers they themselves involv:  
In which Distraction, finding th'Impotence  
Of that Arm Nature gave them for defence,  
Place higher their tranquillity; and teach,  
The strength of mind no accident can reach.    

24. The Kid and Wolf.  
A Goat to pasture went to feed,  
Had shut the door upon her Kid:  
Commanding Her, till she return,  
Not open it to any one.  
This, undiscerned, the Wolf o'er heard:  
The Dam being gone, soon thither steered,  
Who the goat's voice doth counterfeit;  
Bidding the Kid open the gate.  
This craft distinguishing, the Kid  
Said, I to open am forbid:  
Though that I hear a goat's voice be  
Yet, through the chink, a Wolf I see.  

MORAL.  
Filial obedience is with safety crowned;  
Indulgent Nature yields the surest ground:  
To cheat the sens, though Art nigh Nature be;  
Instinctive lights disclose an enemy.    

25. The Hart and Sheep.  
BEfore a Wolf, the Hart convinced a Sheep,  
That she from him a debt long due did keep:  
Which he affirmed, of wheat a Bushel was.  
Though falls it were; the Sheep agreeed to pass  
A day of payment; which e'er long expired,  
The Hart brought to him, who his Debt required.  
The Sheep, what was assented, did deny:  
Alleging, that the Wolf was now not by:  
Nor was that promise to be kept, which she  
Was forced to make, for life's security.  

MORAL.  
When weak Abusers cannot circumvent,  
By their own Strength, the yielding Innocent:  
To their more powerful Foes appeal for Right,  
What could not be by force, might be by slight:  
Where the Defendant to false Pleas gives way,  
Rather than prove his cruel Judges prey.  
To deceive the Deceiver's no Deceit:  
What violence forged, Truth may violate.    

26. A countryman and Snake.  
A Clown a Snake aprivoised,  
With whom he played, and often fed:  
till the Clown into anger broke;  
And with an axe wounded the Snake.  
Whereon her Host she straight forsook,  
And to her native Grove betook.  
Ere long the Clown became so poor,  
That quite exhausted was his store:  
Seeking what thereof cause should be,  
He found it was the injury  
Don to the Snake; whom out he sought,  
And with kind words, would home have brought.  
The Snake replied; she him forgave;  
But would no more such traitment have:  
With him safe she could not be; where  
At hand, so many Axes were.  
The scar perchance outworn might be,  
But ne'er outworn the memory.  

MORAL.  
Vncivilized minds with Passion soon o'erflow,  
And rashly thus, the good they did o'erthrow:  
But therewith find th'increas of Blessings be  
By heaven restrained, crowned hospitality.  
(In her Emblem) wisdom shows wrongs may be  
Remembered, without stain to piety.    

27. The Fox and Stork.  
THe Fox had made the Stork his Guest,  
And on the Table poured his Feast;  
Which being liquid so diffused,  
The Stork her beak but vainly used:  
While the Fox, lapping up the stream,  
Left but his empty Guest the steam.  
The Stork his sly Host to requite,  
Did him as formally invite:  
Where, in a strait necked vessel stood,  
What she provided had for food.  
The struck, the Fox wiled not to spare,  
Whose slender Beak extract's her fare:  
While the Fox, as he did deserve,  
Might only see his food and sterv.  

MORAL.  
Th'Insolent wils the simple to resort  
Unto their Table, to become their sport.  
But when th'affront reverted thus we see,  
Of Disgrace, Mirth wipes out the infamy.    

28. A Wolf and carved Head.  
A Wolf had to the work-house got  
Of a rare Sculptor; who had wrought  
A human Head so perfectly,  
Such by the Wolf 'twas thought to be,  
Till to and fro it of't he drove,  
Yet thereof nought perceived to move,  
Cried, strange it was, that noble part  
Should have no Sens, had so much Art.  

MORAL.  
So curious Pedants, to enlarge their Fame,  
Their Works with Arts choice Ornaments do frame:  
Glorious Inscriptions, an elaborate Style;  
Crotestick terms, dark Mysteries compile:  
Which catch with wonder the illiterate Sens;  
Till farther search yield them Intelligence,  
Life's civil Notions therein wanting be,  
Who then thus mock their fruitless industry.    

29. The jay.  
THe chattering jay would once assume  
For Ornament, the Peacock's-plume:  
Who to himself appeared so fair,  
His proper kind disdainful were;  
Whence he, to dignify his stock,  
Intrudes into the Peacock-flock:  
Who soon discovering the cheat,  
With blows him of his Coat defeat.  

MORAL.  
Of mean extraction Mercenar'es, we see,  
With tricks and toys fleece the nobility:  
By which Investures, they of't mixed with them,  
Till Those by These devested are again.    

30. The fly and Ant.  
A Desperate brabble rose twixt fly and Ant;  
The fly of his more noble Birth did vaunt:  
He flew, and did in Palaces reside;  
She crept, and did herself in Dunge'ns hide:  
She knaped the sheaf, and water drank with pain:  
He feasted bravely; nor nigh labour came.  
The Ant replied, she was of mean descent,  
But not ignoble, framed to her content.  
He wandering was, she stable, her course fare  
Gave her those sweets, as him his cates more rare:  
And what therein exalted her delight,  
Her travel raised, and fed her appetite:  
She safe and cheerful was, grateful to All;  
Who Industrie's example her install.  
He, to his peril, incenest other's wrath:  
And to all men th'example was of sloth.  
She mindful was for Winter to provide,  
While he then sterved, or e'er that season died.  

MORAL.  
Obscurely bred, the Husbandman doth dwell  
Secure and cheerful in his humble Cell:  
Whose care his hands to labour doth engage;  
Which youth prolongs, and support's healthful Age.  
While roving Gallants Palaces resort,  
Enticed by th'allurements of the Court:  
Where danger, fear and strife their youth oppress,  
Want cuts of Age, if not before Excess.    

31. The Ox and Toad.  
THe Toad the ox's bulk to reach,  
Began her subtle skin to stretch  
Her Young thereon did her advise,  
Desist from this her enterprise:  
For to the Ox, she might conclude,  
She nothing was in Magnitude.  
The Dam hereat, yet swelled more;  
Her Young adviz'd her to give o'er:  
For e'er that she could equal him,  
She, certainly would crack her skin.  
Whereat the Dam (rage reinforced)  
Adds all her strength, and therewith burst.  

MORAL.  
Wise Nature doth appropriate to each thing  
Peculiar virtues, needful to their being:  
And to what proper every man was born,  
His own productions, so will each inform.  
But envy, thus, improper Forms takes on  
To Nature's utter dissolution.    

32. The horse and Lion.  
THe horse the Lion purposed for his prey,  
But age had took the flower of strength away:  
Art he puts on; which unto Art pretends;  
And for a Leech, him to the horse commends.  
The wary horse, perceiving his intent,  
Feigned in his foot a Thorn by accident;  
Which he desired the Lion to pull forth,  
Since skilled to do, to will he knew his worth.  
To which the Lion seeming to apply;  
The horse with kicks repaied the fallacy.  
Who breathless left him; bade him make his Will:  
Or on himself to practise his own skill.  

MORAL.  
When in such habits men to us appear,  
To use or Nature quite repugnant are.  
We may conclude, they are but so put on  
(Even as a vizard) for Illusion.  
As open Force may resist open Foes,  
So privy slight may private craft oppose.  
More dangerous This, therefore less Innocent:  
Fraud is no Fraud, which doth but Fraud prevent.   

Exposition.  
The aged Lion, here, doth intimate  
The declined Power of a Prince's State.  
The wandering horse, the People doth explain,  
Whose stubbornness to check, has Bit nor Reign.  
The Art to which the Lion doth pretend,  
Is by good Laws, disorders to amend:  
The Light, the horse hath of's weak state and plot,  
Is what he wills, that he commandeth not.  
The Foot, the Instrument of liberty,  
Wherein the people complain grieved to be.  
Which, as the Prince to enlarge doth apply,  
In stead of mast'ry, gains his destiny.    

33. The horse and Ass.  
A horse in his rich Trappings being adorned,  
With lofty neighings (as if earth he scorned)  
Ran on the way, but where he was to pass,  
He in his course, met with a loaden Ass.  
More fierce, thus angered, champed the foaming Bit,  
Threatening the Ass to tread him under feet,  
If way he gave not: The patient Ass stood by  
And gave him place, but therewith no reply.  
His renewed speed the struggling wind declined,  
But e'er his course performed, had cracked his wind.  
By which sad accident, was useless made,  
Or for the course, or yet for the Parade.  
Away was took his Ornaments of Gold,  
And to a Carter was, for little, sold.  
Ere long th'Ass Him in his new Function meet's,  
And, in derision, thus accosting greets:  
Where are your studded Trappings, your gilt Bit?  
This your high mind doth better much befit.  

MORAL.  
Vain, heady Natures this to us implies,  
Who on their backs bear all their Patrimonies,  
Which gaudries so their s self-conceit foment;  
O'er suffering Natures th'insult with contempt;  
But when Excess ru'ns' Person and Estate,  
The despised, then, with scorn them gratulate.    

34. The Birds and Beast.  
twixt Birds and Beast a Fight arose;  
Fear, peril, hope, each side oppose.  
The Bat his party did desert;  
And to the enemy convert;  
But to the Fowl victory, at length,  
Was attained by the eagle's strength.  
Th'Apostate Bat they then condemn  
Never to associate them.  
And lest he should distaste their sight,  
Enjoined him only fly by night.  

MORAL.  
The daily combat, this to us implies,  
Betwixt the mind and senses faculties;  
Clear-sighted Reason, and who to her side,  
Are with a glorious victory dignified:  
But such functions from her revolted are  
Dare never after to the light appear.    

35. The Wolf and Fox.  
THe Wolf of booty got great store,  
And forth to rove had long forbore:  
The Fox desire's to know hereon  
The cause of his vacation:  
The Wolf believing this a fetch,  
The Fox might to his banquet reach;  
Fain's the cause sickness to have been,  
And wills the Fox to pray for him:  
The Fox craft followed by the scent;  
And forthwith to a Shepherd went,  
Whom he shows where securely lies  
His heedless Foe; Which to surprise  
The Shepherd made no long delay,  
But in his Den the Wolf did slay:  
Hereby the Fox posseest was then  
Both of his Prey and of his Den:  
But long herein he had not joied  
Ere him the Shepherd there destroyed.  

MORAL.  
The wicked thus the wicked do detect,  
When those with these partake not of their theft:  
Under which shadow they more credit gain  
Of farther ills to facilate the train;  
Till by the same discoveries they had made  
They traced be, and thereby are betrayed.    

36. The Hart.  
THe Hart a stream his mirror made,  
Where he his shadow oft'survaid:  
He was much taken with the Form  
Of his large Front, and branchy horn:  
Which in him much abated grew,  
The smallness of his shanks to view.  
While he was in this ecstasy,  
He heard the Hounds pursuing cry;  
Away (like lightning, or the wind)  
He left the cloudy dust behind.  
Till through a Thicket forcing way,  
His horns were tangled in the spray.  
Where he was took, and too late proved,  
How much obnoxious, what he loved;  
And what distasteful seemed to be,  
How useful was their property.  

MORAL.  
So simple minds are took with specious shows,  
Which in the issue prove their overthrows.  
But what most useful Nature gave to be,  
Or few, or none do prize that faculty.    

37. The Viper and File.  
A Viper in a work-house found  
A File was scattered on the ground.  
Which as to gnaw he did begin,  
The rougher File thus spoke to him;  
Fool, break thy teeth thou sooner mayst,  
Then any whit my body waste:  
The hardness of what's hardest steeled,  
To my more hard assaults doth yield.  

MORAL.  
So malice will beyond her power attempt:  
Nor can the dead be from her rage exempt.  
But when th'unblemished, or more strong endure;  
They shame or Damage to themselves procure.    

38. The Wolf and Sheep.  
twixt Wolves and Sheep, Nature we see,  
Hath placed a great antipathy,  
Yet they at length Agreement make;  
And in exchange do hostage take:  
From the sly Wolf, her young Cubs went;  
The Sheep to send their dog's consent.  
Who then securely thought to graze;  
Till the young Cubs their howlings raise,  
Wanting their Dam, who thither came,  
And on the Sheep did much exclaim;  
That void their League, and Faith was made;  
Nor for their answer hereto stayed:  
But rushed on them with all her powers,  
Whom, their Dogs wanting, she devours.  

MORAL.  
The Sheep a Nation without fraud implies:  
The Wolf a Nation full of treacheries:  
Those think they can exact no greater tie,  
Then where Nature enforceth piety:  
These seem less strict, and strangers but demand:  
But such, whose skill and strength their craft withstand;  
Which when removed, their Pledges rescue may,  
And make their heedless foes their cruel Prey.    

39 The Wood and countryman.  
'TWas in those days that Trees had since,  
A rustic went with diligence;  
And o'th' Grove did a Helv request  
Unto his axe: the Grove expreest  
Consent thereto, nodding her head;  
Which when the Clown had finished;  
He to cut down the Trees began:  
The Grove repent's, too soon the Man  
Her easy Nature had o'ercome;  
More grieved to be herself her Doom.  

MORAL.  
So soft and debonarie minds, we see,  
Want confidence to wave a courtesy:  
But Impudents hereby encouraged,  
Never desist, till by them ruined.    

40. The belly and Members.  
THe Feet and Hands the belly often blamed,  
Her sloth devoured the profit they had gained:  
Her they command to labour, or not eat:  
The belly vainly did their help entreat,  
Till quite through want exhausted; at the length  
Began to fail the active arteries strength:  
The Hands relent, and would officious be;  
But too late came their proffered courtesy:  
The disused belly now debile became,  
And what received, returned it back again:  
So that these Members this dissension bred  
Must justly perish with the envied.  

MORAL.  
As in the natural, so i'th' politic, we  
Ought not to envy other's ministry:  
Nor from their use our Functions to restrain;  
Lest they declined, like damage we sustain.  
Each hath a commerce with each faculty,  
From whence results a perfect harmony:  
To every Office proper Gifts are lent;  
Nay even the Exscreate serves for Ornament.    

41. The Ape and Fox.  
THe Ape doth of the Fox beseech  
Part of his Tail to hide her breech;  
What was a burden unto him,  
Would use and honour to her bring.  
The Fox replied, yet ne'er the less,  
He must hereto be succourless:  
His tail he on the ground would train,  
Rather than it should hide her shame.  

MORAL.  
So rich Churls often, burdened with Excess,  
Refuse to cover the poors' nakedness:  
And rather had their coin, as useless hide,  
Then other's wants should therewith be supplied.    

42. The Stag and Oxen.  
A pursued Stag, for harbour fled  
Into a Stall, where Oxen fed;  
Of whom he seek's himself to shroud,  
That he their Crib might be allowed:  
They grant, but therewith tell him, he  
E'er long would there discovered be,  
Or by the Master, or the hind,  
Whom suddenly he there would find,  
The Stag replied, me not betray,  
The fear of them I do not weigh.  
Soon after this, the hind came in,  
And forth returned, but saw not him:  
Whereat the Stag exalts his head,  
And quite shook off his former dread:  
But one Ox wiser than the rest,  
This fleeting joy quickly suppreest:  
Assuring him, the hind to be  
A Mole in perspicuity.  
But what should crown the enterprise,  
Was to charm his Lord's argus-eys.  
Hereon what the hind might neglect,  
The Master enters to correct:  
Whose hand, as he the Crib would try,  
Made o'th' Stags horns discovery.  
His hinds he summoned to him,  
Who quickly shut the Stag therein;  
Where he with fruitless tears doth die  
In his assumed sanctuary.  

MORAL.  
The fearful Stag unto us doth express,  
What slight helps men take hold of in distress.  
Th'oxens plain, honest, painful men imply,  
Willing to succour other's misery.  
The Hinde's demeanour, herein represents  
Of most servants the usual negligence.  
The Master's actions unto us do show,  
What every Master that would thrive should do.    

43. The Lion and Fox.  
THe Lion sick, the Beasts to visit went,  
Only the Fox was herein negligent;  
To whom the Lion send's an embassy;  
Which shows, how grateful should his presence be;  
Nor was there cause of peril he should fear,  
Since ancient ties of friendship twixt them were;  
Or if this were not, the Lion infirm,  
Ill if he would, to act he could not turn.  
The Fox replied, the Lion's health he wished,  
For which to pray he would with zeal insist:  
But to this visit with Excuse denied:  
His visitants footsteps him much terrified,  
Which all unto his Cave directed were,  
But from thence back not any did appear.  

MORAL.  
Specious pretences of unusual Love  
From secret sources of bie-ends do move:  
But wisdom of her safety circumspect,  
On every circumstance doth still reflect;  
So afar off her danger to foresee,  
Shunning her own by other's misery.    

44. The Fox and weasel.  
A Fox with hunger lank become,  
Through a strait cleft crept to a room:  
Where his stuffed paunch so full did strain,  
He could not thence return again.  
As he was struggling out to get,  
A weasel came, far off was set,  
And scoffingly advised him,  
Empty return, as he came in.  

MORAL.  
When greedy Minds and empty Fortunes meet  
Thus with vast gains, timely make not retreat:  
But to improper greatness them extend,  
And unadvis'dly so procure their end:  
Or else are forced to disgorge their Rape;  
They with their Persons only might escape.    

45. The horse and Hart.  
THe Hart and horse long warfare held;  
The horse from Pasture was expeled;  
Who then implored human aid,  
With whom he did the Hart invade:  
Till he had lost, the victory gained:  
Yet to the victor's yoke restrained:  
For now the Man with bit and rain  
Make's use of him to save his pain.  

MORAL.  
So meaner States, when foiled by their foes,  
Implore more potent Power, them oppose:  
But when suppressed by their joint Aid they be,  
Who win the victory, lose their liberty.    

46. The two young men.  
TWo young Striplings, pretending meat to buy,  
Went to a Cook, who busied had his eye  
On other things; while from a basket, one  
Filched a joint, and gave it his companion  
To hide with's coat; which when the Cook had missed,  
Either to charge did of the Theft insist.  
Who took it, swore by Jove that he had none;  
Who had it, swore, that he none took; whereon  
The Cook replied; the Thief will not be known,  
He sees and knows, by whom ye both have sworn.  

MORAL.  
Who calls to witness ills, him judge shall be.  
Thinks ills are passed with impunity.  
'Tis not the shadow covert of our tongues,  
Can from his vengeance hide our secret wrongs.    

47. The Dog and Butcher.  
A Cur meat from the Shambles steal's,  
Wherewith betake's him to his heels:  
The Butcher troubled at the loss,  
Long silently confused was:  
At length his since recovering,  
Thus afar off cried out to him;  
This time securely thou mayst feed,  
Thy safety now procured by speed;  
But I hereafter, thou shalt see,  
Will of thy slights more cautious bee.  

MORAL.  
So gross and stupid spirits become wise,  
Only by expense of their Substances.  
To whom in vain, you Reason's lights reveal;  
These seldom understand but what they feel.  
The best use from ills are past remedy,  
Is to prevent succeeding misery.    

48. The Dog and Sheep.  
A Dog summoned a Sheep by Plea  
To answer to a debt, which he  
Had lent the Sheep, the Sheep denied  
Any Debt could be verified.  
The Kite, Wolf, Vultur called be,  
To give hereto their testimony;  
Which they affirm; the Sheep condemned  
The ravening Cur doth soon distend.  

MORAL.  
So greedy Misers, when as kept in awe,  
Secure snares to their rapine make the Law;  
They Innocents might ruin, to false Pleas  
Producing, thus, int'ressed Witnesses.    

49. The Lamb and Wolf.  
A Wolf a Lamb met following a Goat;  
The Wolf demands, why under his rank Coat  
To shelter, she her sweeter Dam had left,  
Whose penned Tets were with milk, ere then, nigh cleft;  
While she wooed her return with mournful bleats;  
This to betray he fawningly repeats:  
The Lamb replied, her careful Dam had chose  
Him for her Guardian, and safer it was  
Unto a Parent's purpose to obey,  
Then by seducing Words become his Prey.  

MORAL.  
So when by Parents frail Youth is resigned  
To strangers conduct, Seducers they find  
Tickle innate Propension to reflect  
On the Indulgence of the Armelet;  
T'entice them from Tuition's sower Aw,  
Them to their ruin in debauch to draw:  
But prudent Nature rather thus inclines  
To parents' pleasures, than strangers designs.    

50. The youngman and Cat.  
A youngman much enamoured on a Cat,  
Importuned Venus in his prayers, that  
She to a Woman would the Cat translate;  
She wrought the change, to Him compassionate;  
Whose form and colour, so exact, so white,  
The Suppliant took with wonder and delight:  
With whom withdrawing to his chamber, he  
In Mirth and play the day passed pleasantly.  
Venus e'er long desirous was to try,  
If, with her shape, was changed her property:  
This to determine; she let slip a mouse  
Thorough the open eavings of the house;  
Which the translated Woman straight pursued;  
As ne'er with other Form than Cat's endued:  
Which in the Goddess such an anger bred,  
She to a Cat her retransfigured.  

MORAL.  
What form or semblance any one puts on,  
None wipe out quite Nature's Impression:  
Art may embellish; industry restrain;  
But to her source Nature reverts again.    

51. The husbandman and his Sons.  
A husbandman had many youthful Sons  
Which disagreeed; the Father, as becom's,  
Striving to draw them into mutual love;  
Bad, singly, every one of them to prove.  
If they could break a bundle bound of wands;  
Which they in vain attempting with their hands;  
The Father it untied, and to each one  
Giving a wand, bade try their strength thereon;  
Which they with much eas breaking: even so  
Replied the Father, none can you o'erthrow,  
While thus you are united: but all may,  
When thus divided, make of you their prey.  

MORAL.  
This shows unto us, how weak States become  
Invincible by common union:  
And how great States by civil Discord may  
Unto less Potent soon become a prey.    

52. The countryman and horse.  
AN empty horse a Clown drove with an Ass,  
By many fardels, that sore loaden was:  
The wearied Ass required for safety's sake,  
The horse but part would of his burden take:  
The Jade refused; the Ass e'er long with weight  
Oppressed, sunk down, and died beneath his freight.  
The horse forthwith the Asse's place supplied,  
On whom was cast the Asse's load and hide.  
Who then concludes, he justly was oppreest,  
That would the Ass not succour, when distreest.  

MORAL.  
In family or State, who will not free  
His joint Companion from extremity  
Of Care and Travel; but laie's band to none,  
When these thus fail, bears their share and his own.    

53. The Collier and Fuller.  
THe Collier to his obscure Cel,  
Invites the Fuller with him dwell:  
The Fuller said, their Trades were cross,  
This courtesy was to his loss:  
For what he had took pains to scour,  
His trash would sully every hour.  

MORAL.  
Who would unblemished manners keep or fame,  
Must with the wicked seldom entertain.  
Society insensibly doth pierce  
Us with their habits, with whom we converse;  
Whence all, or most men's characters are known,  
By th'image of their conversation.    

54. The Fowler and Ring-dove.  
A Fowler on his Game intent,  
Espied afar off, as he went,  
A Ring-dove nestling in a Tree,  
Whom he aboards with treachery,  
Takes in his net; but soon doth feel  
An Adder bite him by the Heel:  
Wherewith exspiring, cried, while I  
Others ensnare, ensnared I die.  

MORAL.  
So crafty minds while they intentive are  
How they the heedless innocent may snare;  
Just Providence o'ercasts the natr'al eye,  
Which should protect their own security:  
While on the ill they thus are too intent,  
They for the ill do meet the punishment.    

55. The captive Trumpeter.  
A Trumpeter took Captive by his Foe,  
Intreats, unharmed, to let the harmless go;  
His Arms, his Trumpet was; had he the will,  
Therewith he could not any one man kill:  
His Foes hereat seem more incensed to be;  
And threaten Death with present cruelty,  
For that he had nor power, nor skill to fight,  
Them to destroy did other Men incite.  

MORAL.  
Who by lewd Counsel Prince's power oversway,  
More guilty are, than who to act obey:  
Th'Instruments oft are senseless of the Ill;  
But they the proper Agents, move the Will.    

56. The Wolf and Dog.  
A Wolf a Dog encountered on his way,  
In a thick Wood, ere it was perfect day;  
This Fortune they, saluting, gratulate:  
The Wolf demands the Dog, how he so fat,  
So clean, so neat became; the Dog replied  
His Master's strokes and Table all supplied:  
He never slept abroad; but welcome he  
And gracious was to all the family.  
The Wolf admired the Dogs so happy state,  
And wished thereof he might participate.  
The Dog doth promise him the like, if he  
Would but cast off his late ferocity,  
And be more tractable, th'agreement past,  
They both together to the Town do haste.  
Pleasant discourse less tedious made the way,  
Until the Wolf discerned, b'increasing day,  
The Dog's neck was with a bald circuit marked;  
The cause whereof he prayed him to impart.  
The Dog heeron relace's, how he at first,  
Was both to known and unknown alike cursed.  
Which his Master not brooking, with sharp blows▪  
Bade him but only thieves and wolus oppose:  
By which correction mild, did seldom bark,  
Yet of his former fierceness bore that mark.  
The Wolf this hearing, bade the Dog farewell,  
His Master did too dear his friendship sell:  
He rather had, though barely, yet live free,  
Then to enjoy a wanton servilty.  

MORAL.  
To free born spirits many things are rude,  
Even in the most glorious Servitude:  
Who can enthrall the mind unto the Sens,  
Yet never tasted the mind's Excellence.  
He according to Nature lives, lives free,  
Cares, fears and griefs tend superfluity.  
The meanest that but on themselves depend  
Are to themselves a King, a Lord, a Friend.  
Giving to great minds, is felicity:  
Receiving is a muttering injury.    

57 The husbandman and Dogs.  
A husbandman had in his Function past  
Many sharp Winters, yet was forced at last  
(Through extreme want, which ruin menaceth)  
To put his Hogs, his Goats, his Sheep to death:  
At length his Oxen he was forced to slay,  
Which the Dogs seeing, ran for fear away;  
lest their turns next should be, alleging then,  
There was no hope of safety left for them:  
Since now th'Oxen their Master slew for food,  
Who were Supporters of his livelihood.  

MORAL.  
So greedy Masters may be said to eat  
Their servants, when they scarce afford them meat:  
Nor are contented on their labours feed,  
But must devour their persons through need;  
But useless Drones being nourished by Excess,  
Stay not to bear the bane of Greediness.  
But when thought useful, from their Masters fly,  
Leaving them first in their necessity.    

58. A Fox and Lion.  
A Fox unused was to see  
The Lion's strange immensity;  
The first and second time was struck  
With fear to see his awful look;  
And from his Presence therewith fled,  
He scarce himself recovered:  
But the third time his interview  
To such a bold Assurance grew;  
As he (with confidence herein)  
Familiarly saluted him.  

MORAL.  
So rustic men, who are unused to see  
Of Prince's States the Port and majesty:  
With superstitious fear do shrink aside,  
Abashed by such a glory to be spied;  
And so confused are some time: but when  
Assured by frequent visits theyare but men;  
They then to such a hardy rudeness grow,  
They scarce observe the distance which they owe.   

Exposition.  
A servile fear on Ignorance await's,  
Till Use confused Reason animates.  
Whence Custom formed, such Habits doth put on,  
Fear is transfigured to presumption.    

59 The Fox and Eagle.  
A Fox's-Cub too soon abroad did stray,  
Was by an Eagle trussed for her Prey.  
The Cub implored the succour of his Dam,  
Unto whose rescue out forthwith she ran;  
But him perceiving forth her reach to be,  
The Eagle prayed she would her Captive free:  
But she relentless to her Eaglets bore  
Her howling Rape, to be for food their store.  
The Fox enraged, a firebrand had caught,  
Wherewith pursued to inflame her Fort:  
The Tree asscending, th'Eagle she forewarned,  
Then, if she could to keep her young unharmed;  
The trembling Eagle su'd to be forbore,  
And what she had of hers, she would restore.  

MORAL.  
So powerful Rapine seizeth on the Poor,  
Who moved to mercy, prosecute the more:  
Till Justice threats their interests call to stake,  
To stay whose hand they Restitution make.    

60. The husbandman and Stork.  
FOr Cranes and geese, that on his green Corn fed,  
A husbandman his Nets had closely spread,  
Which to the heedless felons proved a Trap;  
With whom the harmless Stork had equal hap;  
Who su'd for pardon to her Innocent,  
Nor Goos, nor Crane, but the most excellent  
Of Nature's volary: With care she fed  
Her aged Parents, when even famished.  
Her Plea was vain: the Clown made this reply,  
Since with the guilty took, with them you die.  

MORAL.  
Imprudent Youth, here warned are again,  
How dangerous 'tis t'associate wicked men:  
If present, though from th'Ill our Hands we draw,  
As Accessers, w'are guilty by the Law.    

61. The Cock and Cat.  
A Cock surprised by a Cat,  
To justify her purposed Act,  
Him of his clamours did condemn,  
So oft disturbed resting men:  
The Cock objected, he thereby  
Summoned to work mortality.  
The Cat alleged farther, he  
His Parents knew incestuously.  
The Cock insisting him to clear;  
The Cat perseu'ring bad forbear:  
For now of death the chiefest cause,  
Was that he fell into her Claws.  

MORAL.  
So violent men, when they advantage win  
Over the heedless, no ill figuring,  
Endeavour all they can, their wrong may be  
O'er glozed with the form of equity:  
But if that reach not, shame not to fulfil,  
What undertook by unrestrained Will.    

62. The Shepherds and Husbandmen.  
A Wanton shepherd's-boy did keep  
O'th'upper plains his bleating Sheep,  
Had sundry times cried out in sport,  
Help, help, the Wolf; to whom resort  
The husbandmen on each side are,  
Who finding they deluded were,  
(When the Wolf thither came indeed,  
And he cried out to be relieved)  
Came not, still thinking he did play,  
While the Wolf made the Sheep her prey.  

MORAL.  
Who ask, yet want not, charity deride,  
When wanting thereof shall not be supplied.  
Who use to lie, this wrong themselves they do,  
They seldom are believed when they say true.    

63. The Eagle and Crow.  
AN Eagle from a high Rock seized  
A tender Lamb; which action pleased  
The ravening Crow so well, he would  
Try if another truss he could,  
Which he too weak away to bear,  
I'th' wool his claws so fettered were,  
That thence himself he could not free,  
But taken was immediately,  
His towering Pinions plumed short,  
And to the boys flung for their sport.  

MORAL.  
When greedy minds, yet with mean power endued,  
Would heat those Tracts the Potent have pursued,  
To gain their Ends, do find the subtle Laws,  
Which those broke, them entangle by some claus.  
With heedless Rapine, thus ensnared they be,  
Themselves procuring Shame and poverty.    

64. The Dog and Ox.  
A Dog to eas himself that lay  
Upon a Crib was stufed with hay.  
The Ox whereof coming to feed,  
The snarling Cur did him forbid,  
The patient Ox thus by him crosed,  
Cried, how in envy art thou lost,  
That wilt not eat, nor yet agree  
That I thereof relieved should be.  

MORAL.  
Such Churls there are, roost on their useless store,  
Yet with revilings aid deny the poor:  
But their own crime their punishment doth frame,  
From what they others, they themselves restrain.    

65. The Crow and Sheep.  
A Crow upon a Sheep's back rid,  
And there his clamour published:  
The Sheep said, his loud Notes to him  
Would with some Dog, Misfortune bring.  
The Crow replied; he knew o'er whom  
He thus insulting was become;  
He on the Gentle might trespass;  
But to the fierce he friendly was.  

MORAL.  
O'er suffering Natures Cowards domineer,  
Whose innate Mildness their Outrages bear:  
But by the hardy when encountered be,  
Their Insolence stoops to base servility.    

66. The Peacock and Nightingale.  
THe Peacock besought Juno tell,  
Why sung so sweetly Philomela?  
And her hoars voice when any heard,  
Derision moved, or else them scared?  
Juno replied, each One from heaven  
Had a peculiar dow'ry given.  
Thy Plumes than Hers much fairer bee,  
As she in Voice excelleth thee.  

MORAL.  
Nature, that None despised, or enu'ed be,  
Her gifts to all dispenseth mutually:  
Great Imperfections great ornaments disguise;  
Some great Endowment great Defects supplies.    

67. The Aged weasel and Mice.  
AN aged weasel, wanting her prey,  
Her strength perceiving to decay  
So much, she could not now pursue  
The nimble Mice, that daring grew:  
In practice put this stratagem,  
He in a Meal-heap covered him:  
Whereof, when the Mice came to taste,  
He them devoured to the last.  

MORAL.  
The body's vigour when through Age declined,  
Nature supplies it with an able mind:  
And to secure us, doth her Spirits shift,  
What she took from the Arm, she gives the wit.  
Thus where the Lion's skin will not prevail,  
Advising thereto join the Fox's tail.    

69. The countryman, and his city-lord.  
A countryman had in a neighbouring field,  
An appletree, did every season yield  
Delicious fruit in plenty, of which he  
Presents his city-lord for their great rarity:  
The which so pleasant to his Palate proved,  
He to his Court would have the Plant removed:  
But the o'er-aged stock so spread his root,  
That in transplanting died tree and Fruit:  
Which told the Lord; passion checked passion, thus,  
Was't not enough, the fruit was pulled for us.  

MORAL.  
So Lux and Avarice violate Nature's course  
With their adulterate Arts untimely force.  
But when Experience th'issue brings to light,  
Her innate virtues found exstinguish't quite.  
Where Art Nature improves; observe it thus,  
We follow her, she will not come to us.    

69. The Lion and Frog.  
A Lion heard indistinct noise,  
Whereat he made a sudden paus;  
Starting aside, trembling stood he,  
Expecting some new prodigy.  
At length skip't from a neighbouring bog,  
With active slight, a croaking Frog.  
The Lion then shaking off dread,  
Did under foot his terror tread.  

MORAL.  
The minds first Motions Reason cannot reach,  
Nature th'|obeie, yet Reason not impeach  
The most confirmed Resolutions are  
Sometime surprised with ridic'lous fear:  
Because the courage formed is on discourse,  
Which Master's not, what yet is in the source.    

70. The Ant and Dove.  
A thirsty Ant went to a Well  
Thereof to drink; but therein fell:  
A turtle-Dove, her thence to free,  
Dropped a Branch from off a Tree,  
Which she asscending saved her life;  
But found her Saviour's was in strife:  
For to the Dove a Fowler came,  
Who lurking nigh, had took his aim.  
But to prevent his eager shoot,  
The Ant had bit him by the foot;  
Whereat he starting, scared away  
What he intended for his Prey.  

MORAL.  
Fate to that height doth no one man prefer,  
But may, if gracious, stoop to minister  
To th'meanest: None in so abject a State,  
But may, if grateful, good remunerate.  
Virtue from virtue no Distance divides,  
Her secret tenor in each Heart resides;  
In all Extremes they meet, as here we see,  
Compassionate Love, and grateful industry.    

71. The Peacock and Pie.  
THe feathered Nation, who were free,  
To choose a King to them agree.  
The Peacock him most worthy held,  
For that in Form the rest excelled.  
To whom received for such, the Pie  
Propound's this ambiguity:  
During thy Reign most splendid King,  
If the swift Eagl's towering Wing,  
Do us, as they were wont, pursue;  
Us to secure, What will you do?  

MORAL.  
Sage council on the end doth first reflect,  
Ere she to Action doth her course direct.  
Prince's properties are not understood,  
Set up for show, but for their people's good;  
Which to th'exterior form is not assigned,  
But t'th'Courage and Prudence of the mind.    

72. The Patient and Physician.  
A Raw Physician took in cure  
An infirm man, did more endure  
In his Prescriptions, than his Grief;  
But could of neither find relief,  
Till he expired; the Doctor then,  
Said, His intemperance killed him.  

MORAL.  
Doubtful Conclusions knaves too often try  
On others Intr'ests, their own to supply:  
But if they do miscarry in th'event,  
The Faults cast on the suffering Innocent.    

73. The Lion, Fox and Ass.  
THe Lion, Fox and Ass their force unite,  
To make a chase might feast their appetite.  
When fair success had fully crowned the day,  
The Lion bade the Ass divide the Prey;  
Wherein the Ass far more exact than wise,  
In equal parts laid forth their properties:  
Whereat the Lion much offended grew,  
And in contempt the unadvised Ass slew.  
Then on the Fox the fatal office laid,  
Who for himself the meanest Portion made.  
The Lion asked, who taught him to carv so,  
The Fox replied, the Asse's overthrow.  

MORAL.  
So in their actions cautious men do steer,  
To shun those shelus, where others ruined were.  
They at an easy rate may happy be,  
On others harms frame their security.  
Who with the Potent would not disagree,  
Must think extreme Right, extreme injury.    

74. The Kid and Wolf.  
A Kid did from a Window spy  
A roving Wolf was passing by;  
With bitter taunts reviled him;  
To whom the Wolf replied again:  
Thou wretch, dost me not this disgrace,  
But I well know, it is the Place.  

MORAL.  
In times and places privileged be,  
Cowards presume to vent their contumely  
Against such persons before whom elsewhere,  
They but at distance dare not to appear.    

75. The Ass.  
A gard'ners' Ass besought great Jove to free  
Him from his Master's stubborn cruelty,  
And change his servitude: Jove hereto joined,  
And to a Tiler the dull Ass resigned;  
Who with far greater burdens loading him:  
The Ass for change to Jove returned again,  
Craving a milder yet; Jove smiled, yet he  
Would not resist his importunity;  
But to a Tanner him surrendered,  
Whom when the Ass knew his grief thus published,  
Wretch that I am was ne'er content herein,  
I'm now to one fallen, will not spare my skin.  

MORAL.  
With their own Function no one is content:  
All covet change, though change bring Detriment.  
In human state each Office and degree  
Hath his peculiar incommodity.    

76. The Old-wife and her Maids.  
AN Old-wife many Maidens kept,  
Much after Midnight seldom slept;  
For at first cockcrow (long ere light)  
Their Dame to work would them incite.  
The Maids with daily labour spent,  
Sought this disturbance to prevent:  
And their Alarum (i'th'Hous fed)  
Attaching they chop't of his head:  
Hoping the Watch silent become,  
They might molestless sleep till noon:  
But soon their hopes were frustrated,  
The Cock their Dame perceiving dead:  
As soon as they were laid to rest,  
The yawning Maids pulled from their nest.  

MORAL.  
Each body moves more swiftly as't draw's near  
Unto the centre of his proper sphere.  
Age bends to Earth, and with more eager strains,  
Till Earth possessed, pursueth earthly gains:  
What should allay, exalts their Appetites,  
While in their course they o'erthrow Nature's Rites.  
None can escape their fury, if they shun  
One slight of theirs, they in a worser run.    

77. The Ass and horse.  
THe hors' happy fate the Ass did pleas,  
Who fat and slick was, past his days in eas:  
While he unhappy was with burdens wrought,  
Galed, tattered, lean, and even to death nigh brought.  
Ere long the envied horse to War set forth,  
Was forced to yield more painful proofs of worth:  
His Back to th'armed horseman he imparts,  
His mouth to th'Bit, his body to the Darts.  
Which when th'Ass saw, to heaven his thanks he paid,  
That he no horse was, but a poor Ass made.  

MORAL.  
Clown's envy Peers eas and delicious fare,  
Till glory calls to th'painfull theatre:  
An anxious mind doth Regal Power foil,  
While cheerful hinds make music to their toil.    

78. A Lion and a Goat.  
A Goat that on a steep Rock fed,  
A Lion had distinguished,  
Whom he advised to descend,  
And to the greener meadow bend▪  
The Goat replied; if he were gone,  
She happily might feed thereon:  
It was not for her Pleasure's sake,  
That he did this Proposal make;  
But on her, that with eas he might  
Supply his ravenous appetite.  

MORAL.  
Civil or natural Lives are best secured,  
When unto pain and hardiness enured:  
Security alluring Plenties bring;  
Security neglect, Neglect ruin.  
When unsought counsels would express our good,  
'Tis then their own that should be understood.    

79. The vulture and other Birds.  
THe vulture feigned his Natal Feast,  
To celebrate which, invites for guest  
The smaller Birds: most thither came,  
Whom he seemed fairly t'entertain:  
But when they all were fully met,  
His craft removed the counterfeit:  
All ceremony cast aside,  
The Guests themselves the Feast supplied.  

MORAL.  
When greedy minds Inferiors entertain,  
'tis but the secret Preface to their gain;  
Where oft the freedom of the heedless Guest,  
Defraie's th'expenses of the bainful Feast.    

80. The geese and Cranes.  
A Flock of geese and Cranes there fed  
Together in an unshorn Mead:  
Notice whereof to th'rustics came,  
Who on them flew for sport or gain.  
The Cranes that were of body light,  
Secured themselves by sudden flight:  
The geese surcharged with their own weight,  
The forfeit proved to their Deceit.  

MORAL.  
To shun th'Incursions of an enemy,  
To sure Retreats the poor and empty fly:  
While the rich engaged to his burdenous Pelf,  
Nor that secures, nor yet can save himself.    

81. Jove and the Ape.  
OF mortal Creatures Jove desired to see.  
Which had produced the fairest progeny.  
The Convocation published, from each place,  
Flocked Fowl and Beast with their pretending Race:  
'Mongst which th'Ape, in either arm enclosed,  
Her deformed Cubs to all their views exposed:  
Whereat from laughter no one could refrain;  
Even Jove Himself Himself could not contain:  
Th'Ape unabashed, said Jove their judge knew well  
Her Cubs all present did in form excel.  

MORAL.  
This innate folly is in all expressed,  
Their own Productions to each one seem best.  
And prudently proceeded Nature so,  
Few else would cherish, what we All must owe.  
This holds in Arts the like analogy,  
T'extract Perfection from infirmity:  
Where still the works self-blandishing delight's,  
Th'industrious hand t'unwearied toil excites.    

82. The Fox and Goat.  
A Fox and Goat oppressed with extreme drought,  
Descend a Well, whence neither could get out.  
The Fox the Goat wiled of good cheer to be,  
He had contrived a way to set them free:  
Which was, the Goat himself upright t'erect,  
And 'gainst the Wall his former feet should set,  
Then to his breast inclining down his chin,  
By's back and horns the Fox the bank would win,  
Whereon escaped, he forth would draw the Goat,  
Or by his horns, or by his shaggy Coat.  
Th'advice the Goat approved, thereto agreeed;  
And from the Well the Fox with success freed.  
The Fox at liberty much joy expressed;  
But left th'exspecting Goat still much distressed:  
Who, when thus gulled himself perceived to be,  
Accused the Fox of infidelity:  
Him in derision the Fox answered,  
Hadst thou had so much wisdom in thy head,  
As thou hast reu'rent gravity on thy Chin,  
T''ve foreseen to get out, ere thou gotest in.  

MORAL.  
Necessitie's most men inventive make;  
But few observe the vows that then they take:  
Who in Affairs to fair success pretend,  
Ere they begin, should first consult the End.  
Years bring experience, experience makes wise,  
Age wanteth else his proper Dignities.    

83. The Cocks and partridge.  
A Certain man that many Cocks had bred,  
A partridge bought, made tame, & with them fed.  
The Cocks by turns, disliking their new Mate,  
Chaceed too and fro, and with much fury beat.  
Th'afflicted partridge much perplexed in mind,  
Imputed this to his estranged kind:  
Till he astonished had observed one day  
Betwixt themselves a bloody mortal fray;  
Said, 'mongst yourselves, since thus ye disagree,  
I'll weigh no more your injury to me.  

MORAL.  
Where powerful Nature and society,  
Slighted Engagements of true Concord be.  
Strangers to both may well be pacified,  
If they resent the outrage of their pride.    

84. The boasting Traveller.  
A vapouring Youth some time had spent abroad,  
Swelled with conceit, returned to his abode;  
Boasting how many brave adventures he,  
In many Regions had past manfully:  
Chiefly at Rhodes in leaping amplifies,  
From all pretenders bore away the prize.  
In which most Rhodians then of Eminence,  
Were to his fame applausive evidence:  
If this be true, replied a slander by,  
We need thereof no farther testimony:  
See! Rhodes is here! the contestation this!  
Then makes a leap, and bade him equal His.  

MORAL.  
Where proofs are present witnesses are vain;  
Truth is suspected only words sustain.  
In man's own mouth ill sound's his proper praise,  
In stead of honour, 'twill but Laughter raise.    

85. Apollo's Tempter.  
A Wicked Fellow unto Delphos went,  
To try th'Oracle; Apollo circumvent;  
Under his cloak a Sparrow held in hand,  
And to the Tripod uttered this demand:  
What in my right hand I have covered,  
Tell me Apollo, is't alive or dead?  
Had he said dead, thus did his craft contrive;  
He would have then produced it alive;  
If it was living, had been answered;  
He straight had killed it, and produceed it dead.  
But Apollo perceived his subtlety,  
And returned, forthwith, thereto this reply;  
That in thy hand, Consultor, thou dost close,  
Living or Dead, as thou wilt it expose:  
The power and the choice rest in thy will,  
Which thou approvest, that thou mayst fulfil.  

MORAL.  
The deepest Base to the highest mischief,  
Is found to be a profane unbelief.  
Who vice affect, endeavour to make vain,  
What th'entry threats, or progress should restrain;  
In which conclusions the All-seeing eye  
Showeth his Truth, showing their fallacy.    

86. The Fisher and the small Fish.  
I'th' Sea his Net a toiling Fisher threw,  
Which he from thence but with one small Fish drew,  
Who thus craved freedom: I am of the fry;  
Leave me t'increas, and others multiply;  
That I hereafter to thy profit may,  
With small forbearance, be thy better Prey.  
The Fisher made reply, to this pretens  
Should I yield, I had surely lost my sens.  
What is in hand, though small, did I remit,  
In hope of future good, though ne'er so great.  

MORAL.  
The future's uncertain, that only ours,  
Which we possess within our present powers;  
Who part's with this, alluring Hope to feed;  
Prejudgeth not the hazards may succeed.    

87. The Man and satire.  
A civilised Man a League of Friendship made  
With a rough satire, from the desert strayed;  
Setting to eat from heaven a cold storm rose,  
Whereat the tender Man his fingers blows:  
The satire seeing this, the cause demands;  
The Man replied, he blew to warm his hands:  
Soon after hotter meat to th'Table came;  
Whereon still feeding, the Man blew again.  
The cause hereof the satire did entreat;  
The Man replied, he blew to cool his meat.  
The satire hereat much astonished,  
With sudden haste, forth from his new Friend fled;  
Bade him farewell, he'd no more commerce hold  
With him from one mouth could blow hot & cold.  

MORAL.  
Nature and Truth unblemished when they be,  
Hold in their course one single ministry:  
But when corrupted either are by Art,  
Deceit is introduced by common craft:  
From whence this caution follows; disguised wrong  
Lurks always shrouded in a double Tongue;  
A Base unfit for Love to build upon,  
Whose End still is one common union.    

88 The Fox and Leopard.  
twixt Fox and Leopard variance fell,  
Which of them did in form excel.  
The Leopard much exalts his Note  
In prais of's var'ing coloured Coat.  
The Fox seemed heerto to aver,  
In that he could not his prefer.  
Yet him returned this reply;  
How much more beautiful am I!  
Who not in body, as you find,  
But var'ing formed am of mind.  

MORAL.  
Frail are the Beauties only meet the Sens,  
Compared to them guide the Intelligence:  
Time in his hasty summons those concludes,  
While these withstand all Time's vicissitudes.    

89. The Woman and her Hen.  
A widow kept a Hen did lay  
An Egg on each ensuing day.  
The widow her hopes cherished,  
Her Hen would more lay, better fed:  
Which don, the Hen so fat was grown,  
Instead of more Eggs, she laid None.  

MORAL.  
Thus gluttony fair Nature doth oppress,  
Ruin her Funct'ons by each wild excess:  
And so blind Av'rice is to All extent;  
Whilst her own ways thus weav her punishment.    

90. A Man bitten by a Dog.  
A Man who by a Cur was bit,  
Finding no remedy for it;  
Of all his Visitants he sought,  
If they for Cure could tell him aught.  
Amongst the rest One him adviz'd,  
(If he his present safety prized)  
To take a Crust dipped in his Blood,  
And give it to the Dog for Food:  
The wounded Man in ecstasy,  
Returned thereto this reply;  
If this I did, then worthily  
Of each Dog should I bitten be.  

MORAL.  
True Friends advise us to do Good for Ill;  
Heaven might thereby his healing Balm distil:  
But pervers Nature figure's to the Sens,  
Ills are encouraged by such recompense.    

91. The two Friends and the Bear.  
TWo Friends together trau'ling on the way,  
A Bear encountered both did much dismay:  
The One more frighted ran unto a Tree,  
Which he asscended with dexterity:  
The Other thus abandoned, did suppose  
Himself too weak, should he the Bear oppose;  
Fell to th'Earth, he counterfeiting dead;  
Foreknowing Bears on Carrion never fed.  
The Bear approached him, smeled his Neck and Ear,  
Who, with much pain, did long to breath forbear.  
The Bear, him dead believing, went away;  
Whereon descended he in Covert lay;  
And of his Friend required, what the Bear  
So closely to him whispered in his Ear:  
His Friend replied, he fairly warned me,  
No more to travel with such Friends as Thee.  

MORAL.  
Many Companions Friends instyled there be,  
Few stand the trial of adversity:  
When proper interests are in balance set  
With their friend's safety, most prone Counterfeit.    

92. The Reed and Olive-tree.  
STrife rose twixt Reed and Olive-tree  
Touching their strength and constancy.  
The Olive-tree reproached the Reed,  
He was at each blast wavered.  
The patient Reed long silence kept;  
And farther trial did expect.  
Ere long arose a violent wind,  
With which the Reed was each way twined,  
While th'Olive struggling with the storm,  
From his seat by the root was torn.  

MORAL.  
Whose supple Natures their will pliant yield,  
Them from the fury of the Potent shield.  
Who to repugnant Times with slight give way,  
Shall with success their malice oversway:  
While stubborn tempers, struggling with their rage  
Both Lives and Fortunes oftentimes engage.    

93. The Beaver.  
THe Beaver, 'bove all Beast beside,  
Doth in the water most reside:  
But in such close Retreat immured,  
From vigilant foes is not secured.  
All for his Genitals are bent,  
In medicine held most excellent.  
When he by Hunters is pursued,  
(As Instinct knowledge had endued)  
His Genitals he off doth bite,  
And casts them in his followers sight;  
Who having their desired Rape,  
Suffer the Beaver to escape.  

MORAL.  
Many an Ambush for the Rich are laid,  
Who wealth retaining are by it betrayed:  
But from his Person who divides his Pelf,  
With timely expense, wisely save's themselves.    

94. The Tunie and Dolphin.  
A Tunie 'fore a Dolphin fled,  
Who in his course by fear misled:  
And being nigh took, to save himself,  
Had cast his body on a Shelf.  
The Dolphin, who himself had wound  
Into like danger, ran aground.  
Whom afar off the Tunie viewed  
Exspiring, and did thus conclude;  
With joy my life I now resign,  
Seeing his Death that caused mine.  

MORAL.  
Fear doth disarm what Nature should defend,  
And too secure, doth oft procure our End.  
Thus wronged Men are something eased to see  
Their Persecutors in adversity;  
And greedy minds, with their blind fury led,  
So often perish with the injured.    

95. The South saier.  
A sooth-sayer in the Market sat  
Foretelling to the Rout their Fate:  
To whom a Messenger rushed in,  
Did woeful tidings to him bring;  
The Door of's house was open broke,  
And all his Goods from thence were took:  
The trembling wizard in his course,  
To hasten Home adds all his force;  
Whom One espying, as He ran,  
Cried to the People; See the Man,  
By whom your Affairs are fore-shown!  
Why could he not foresee his Own?  

MORAL.  
Who do beyond their Faculties pretend,  
With their own damage mocked are in the end.  
Truly authentic he his council makes,  
First on himself proves what he undertakes.    

96. The Physician and his Patient.  
A Physician not long i'th' Function dealt,  
Asked his Patient how himself he felt.  
Who answered, he with distempered heat,  
As then lay bathed in a clammy sweat:  
The Physician replied, that was well;  
And for that visit, gave him the farewell.  
The like Question he moved when he came next;  
The Patient said, he was with griping vexed.  
The Physician said, that was well likewise;  
And therewith thinks his Fears he pacifies.  
The third time he the same inquiry made:  
To which the Patient, much perplexed, said;  
He with a Flux was then brought very low:  
The Physician said, that was well also.  
After Whom One of his Familiars came,  
And of the Patient demanded again;  
How yet he did. The Patient made reply;  
Well, well I am; but yet, alas, I die!  

MORAL.  
Many such Charlatains each where there be,  
Shadow their ignorance with like flattery:  
But who for want of knowledge or of Will,  
Preside Another's, yet approve their Ill;  
To their dishonour, guiltily do thus  
Conspire with our ills, but to ruin us,    

97. The Wolf and Ass.  
UNto a Wolf thus spoke an Ass was lame:  
Behold! the Vultur's prey, or Yours I am!  
I die with pain! this favour only I  
Request of your admired charity.  
Pull from my gangrened foot this stump, I may  
With lesser anguish close my latest day.  
This glozing style his savage Nature charms,  
'Tis strange! a Wolf relents at others harms:  
And therewith him applied to yield redress,  
Which suddenly was finished with success.  
Th'Ass forgetful of his late good turn,  
Did with the selfsame heel his Healer spurn;  
Which laid him weltering in his blood, from whom  
The Ass risked away, as if by him o'ercome.  
The Wolf as guilty did himself impeach,  
That of a Butcher would become a Leech.  

MORAL.  
For abject minds who doth good Offices,  
Shall be rewarded with such injuries:  
And who desert their Functions for the use  
Of those unpractised, reap Damage and Abuse.    

98. The Fowler and blackbird.  
A Fowler spreading of his Nets,  
To him a perking blackbird jets;  
And busily made this demand,  
What present work he had in hand?  
The Fowler (jealous of suspect)  
Said, he a city would erect:  
And therewithal stepping aside;  
Went afar off himself to hide.  
The blackbird facile of Belief;  
Hoped to the Bait for her Relief,  
(Was nigh the Net on purpose laid)  
Wherewith, poor Bird, she was betrayed,  
Seeing her caught, the Fowler ran:  
To whom the blackbird cried, O Man!  
Truly, if you such city's plant,  
You'll scarce have one Inhabitant.  

MORAL.  
The greatest mischiefs for Rapine or Blood  
Have still been shadowed with the public Good:  
To which the credulous Innocents give way,  
Till they themselves become the heedless Prey:  
But where such Rulers do preside a State  
They quickly will the Land depopulate.    

99 The Traveller.  
A Traveller about to undertake  
A long journey, to Jove a vow did make,  
Half of his findings offered should be;  
Whereon set's forth with great alacrity:  
Far on the Progress had he not advanceed,  
Ere he to find a Bag of Almonds chanceed  
Mixed with Dates, which greedily he eat,  
To th'stones and shells, all that thereof was meat.  
These useless relics he together casts,  
With which to th'Altar most devotely hastes;  
Where unto Jove himself he thus addressed,  
And no small Zeal there seemingly expressed;  
Behold! Great Jove! what without or within,  
I bring to Thee, as my vowed Offering.  

MORAL.  
Some for sinister Ends themselves apply  
To the exterior Forms of piety:  
But when their Actions truly are surveied,  
We find Devotion fraudulently paid.    

100 The boy and his Mother.  
A Little boy but late to school put forth,  
From thence a hornbook stole, of little worth,  
Which to his Mother did, returned, present;  
And she received, neglecting Chastisement.  
This daily practice he persevered in,  
Till use to greater things encouraged him:  
For which he by the Magistrates condemned,  
Was to the Gallows led, to make his End.  
Whom his bewailing Mother following;  
He of his Guard craved, she might speak to him:  
To which assenting; she with speed drew near,  
And to his munch applied close her Ear:  
Where in his teeth set (with such fury led)  
That straight her Ear he pulled off from her head,  
For which his Mother, and the standers by,  
Reproached him with this new infamy:  
But unabashed, he published that she  
The only cause was of his misery:  
For th'Horn-books theft had she corrected him,  
He had no farther Progress made therein.  

MORAL.  
Indulgent Parents to correct deny  
The seeming trifles even of infancy:  
To how imperi'us a guide they resign  
Their pliant wills, do truly not define:  
Custom a second Nature is, though blind,  
O'ersways the clearest functions of the mind:  
" With what liquour we vessels first enure,  
" Longest in them that odour will endure.    

101. The Shipwrackct Shepherd.  
A wealthy Shepherd up and down did rove,  
Close to the Sea his scattered flock had drove;  
Which being calm, his wonder and delight,  
Had him transported at so rare a sight;  
That he his present Function did despise,  
Resolved to plow the Sea for merchandise.  
To which effect, his Sheep he forthwith sold,  
And into Dates converted all his Fold:  
Put forth to sea, a hideous storm arose,  
Did to much danger him and goods expose.  
Th'o'reladen Bark each coming wave took in;  
Which him enforced, i'th'sea her freight to fling:  
Empty escapeng, home returned again;  
A few days after to the same place came:  
Where he beheld the Sea's unwrinkled face,  
Smile again on him with alluring Grace.  
Whereon he cried, In vain with me you gloze;  
Content yourself; I've no more Dates to lose.  

MORAL.  
So glorious fools are took with spetious Shows,  
Nor knowledge gain but from their overthrows,  
By loss and danger grossest minds are taught,  
Their Wit is soundest, when the dearest bought.    

102. The imprisoned Heir, and the painted Lion.  
A nobleman, who was through Age declined,  
One only Son had of a generous mind:  
Whose Inclination Hunting did oversway,  
Wherein his Game was most for beast of Prey.  
On him th'indulgent Sire his fancy set,  
Nor could removed be by Death's counterfeit:  
One Night he dreamt (to his no little pain)  
This hopeful Son was by a Lion slain:  
At which much troubled, fear sought to prevent,  
That his Dream were not followed by event:  
A stately house he built, whose rooms for grace  
Had many Pictures of each several chase;  
The Youth's mind to divert, herein confined,  
And to the vigilance of a Guard resigned:  
This more his unrestrained Courage checked,  
And on the cause yet caused him more reflect:  
Which, 'mongst the rest there viewing, drawn to life,  
He with the shadow enters thus in strife;  
Oh: cruel Beast! must I, for fear of thee,  
Be here caged up deprived of liberty:  
Whereat attempting to pull out his eyes,  
An unseen Nail his finger scarifies;  
Which hurt so festered it a Fever bred,  
The raging Fever life exstinguished,  

MORAL.  
In things to come, shallow Man's curious Sens  
Is cheated still with like Aequivalence;  
Who by his Prudence heaven's Decree would shun,  
Weaveth the thread wherewith his Fate is spun.    

103. The Bald-man.  
ONe Bald through Age or accident,  
A Periwig wore for Ornament;  
Which, as a horse he managed,  
A blast of wind drove from his head▪  
This laughter raised i'th' Standers by,  
To whom, he laughing, made reply:  
No marvel falls hairs are from me blown;  
Since they not on kept were my Own.  

MORAL.  
Since Gifts of Nature fugitive are found;  
For stay in Fortunes there is little Ground:  
He from Disgrace the Blemishes takes off,  
That on his own Shame first reverts a Scoff.    

104. The Eagle and Fox.  
THe Fox and Eagle, friendship made, agree  
(Frequent Commerce might confirm amity)  
To be nigh neighbours; th'Eagle, to that End,  
Did on a lofty Tree her Nest distend,  
Whose declined Age had level to the Foot  
Wrought a small Concave in the disclosed Root;  
Where the Fox quartered; some time past hereon;  
The Fox from's hole to quest for food being gone:  
The Eagle in like want, flew to his Hole,  
From whence the Fox-whelps for her Eaglets stole:  
The Fox returned, finding her treacherous Rape,  
Whose towering Wings made from Revenge escape:  
In Execrations his high fury vents;  
The sole recourse of wretched Impotents,  
His injured Love converted into Hate;  
Held now no ties too near to violate.  
A rural Feast hereon soon issued  
A Goat for victim had immolished;  
Th'Eagle, th'Altar rounded, sharp for prey,  
Stooping for which, a Fragment bore away;  
Whereto fast cleaved a light firebrand,  
Which to her nest brought, the wind thereon fanned,  
Till it the same had fired, of matter light;  
From whence th'Eaglets (bee'ng unapt for flight)  
(Yet Nature prompting to avoid the Flame)  
Dropped to the Earth, and by the Fox were slain:  
Who, unresisted, in the eagles' sight,  
Glutted his Passion and his Appetite.  

MORAL.  
twixt greedy minds what ties so e'er there be,  
Discord's fomented by vicinity:  
The cause is evident; boundless Desires  
In small Extents move with unequal Fi'rs:  
Their wants even All's too little to supply;  
Excess through use becom's necessity,  
All ties of Friendship with them needs must fail,  
Who for by-ends the Altar dare assail:  
But what from thence their Rapine bears away,  
Will both their house and family decay;  
While the oppressed by like vengeance shall  
Restored be in their destructive fall.    

105. The Eagle and Beetle.  
A Hare was by an Eagle long pursued,  
Who to resist with strength nor Art endued▪  
In this extreme a Beetle met, implored  
That by his Aid her peace might be restored;  
The Beetle of his new Electi'n proud,  
Solemnly forthwith, her protection vowed:  
And as th'Eagle insisted to invade  
This his new charge, the Beetle to her made;  
Willing her not his Servant to molest:  
Th'Eagle, perseu'ring, much contempt expressed  
Unto the Beetles little size and power;  
And in his presence did the Hare devour.  
This injury the Beetle bore in mind;  
And where the Eagle built long sought to find:  
Passion, at length, direct's him to her Nest;  
What had his speed, had there his force increased:  
Th'exalted Eggs down to the Earth he flings,  
And hastens thence with yet more active wings:  
So joie's the Act, so fear's to be surprised.  
The Eagle to prevent the like, devized  
Many vain shifts; at length she humbly moved  
Her Patron Jove (Jove her entirely loved)  
He to secure her Eggs, his bosom yields:  
Who dare assault what Jove's own presence shields?  
Yet thither will the spiteful fly attempt,  
And undescried, there lurked to circumvent:  
Jove saw th'Eggs move, he sought the cause to know,  
Shaking his Bosom, Both did overthrow.  

MORAL.  
Thus timid Minds, in their extremity;  
For succour to the meanest trifles fly:  
Yet let the Greatest not provoke the Least;  
Nothing so small may not the Great molest:  
Who his own safety hath but once contemned,  
Is become Master of Another's End.  
In vain to heaven for Refuge any flies,  
Who reconcile not old Inemnities.  
So blind Revenge to th'Altar will asspire,  
Though with his Foe he perish in one Fire.   

Exposition.  
The Hare, here, Fear (the child of Guilt) implies,  
Who, th'Eagle, Wisdom (Truth's discoverer) flies;  
Convinced of Error by the natural Light;  
And of the Bane molested with foresight,  
Join's with the Beetle, here blind Ignorance,  
By Unbelief to take away the Sens:  
Whose true Attendant Fear is, but th'Event  
Shows such weak Safeguards, but haste punishment.  
The prosecution of the Beetl's Hate  
Against the Eagle, here, doth intimate;  
Though Ignorance can wisdom not impeach;  
Yet will his Malice her Productions reach,  
In Arts and Sciences delivered us;  
Which to o'erthrow he still endeavor's thus.  
Till Wisdom to th'Altar (Jove's Bosom) flies,  
To shelter there her sacred Mysteries.  
Where yet attempted by her spiteful foe,  
Who working hers, work's his own overthrow.    

106. The nightinggale and Hawk.  
A Lone sat Philomela warbling on a Tree,  
(Passion affecting no society)  
On whom a sharp Hawk, roving for his Food,  
Suddenly seized for his livelihood:  
The harmless Bird now on the point to die,  
Humbly implored the fierce Hawk's clemency  
Her to dismiss, alleging in her right;  
She too small was to serve his Appetite;  
For which he only should the Great regard,  
To Use and Travel might bring full reward.  
The Hawk upon her cast an angry eye:  
And in new fury, made her this reply;  
Foolish it were, what we hold to forsake,  
To pursue that we are not sure to take.  

MORAL.  
Thus savage Natures never do relent  
At the sweet music of the Innocent.  
Nor greedy minds, although their aim be All,  
In any wise do yet neglect the Small.  
All Hopes and promises to them are vain  
Objected to forbear their present Gain.    

107. The tailless Fox.  
A Fox, who only with loss of his Tale  
Escaped a snare, did much his Fate bewail:  
His Life more Grief, than Death approaching, bred;  
So much with Shame his Spirits languished:  
At length he under show of public Good,  
Bethink himself to cheat his Brotherhood;  
In them advising to desect their Train;  
Of his disgrace so to wipe out the stain:  
To which purpose a great assembly made:  
The taleless Fox did with much Art persuade  
His Fellows to cut off that burdenous Freight,  
An Ornament but merely in conceit:  
To whom One subtle as himself replied;  
Brother! this purpose you may cast aside;  
If this be only thy commodity,  
T'advize it other's, ill becometh thee.  

MORAL.  
'Tis Good to sift all counsels by their End:  
Most do their own, when they our Good pretend.  
So vicious Natures, blemished in their Fame,  
Would All corrupt to lessen their own Shame.    

108. The Fox and Bramble.  
A Fox, whose clamorous Foes did him pursue,  
A hedge asscended Peril to eschew;  
Where his rash Foot a lusty Bramble found  
The Pat thereof did in th'encounter wound:  
Trembling with Anguish; yet in Passion wild,  
For this offence, the Bramble thus reviled;  
Distressed I to thee for Refuge flie,  
And thou betrayest me with new injury:  
The Bramble answered; 'twas his Error, thought  
With craft to catch her, as he others caught.  

MORAL.  
Extremes the soundest judgements oft obscure,  
The Present ills o'er-balance the Future.  
But who for succour to rough Natures make,  
Must not blame them, but blame their own mistake.    

109. The Crocodile and Fox.  
THe Crocodile and Fox contest,  
Of Race which was the Nobelest.  
The Crocodile most vainly high,  
The worth boasts and antiquity  
Of his Progenitors; which said,  
The scoffing Fox this Answer made;  
Friend, hadst thou not averred this,  
By thy Coat it apparent is,  
Of all the Glories of thy Kin,  
Thou hast, long since, divested been.  

MORAL.  
Virtue the Source is of nobility:  
With which, whose Actions hold no sympathy,  
To their Disgrace do extract from the Dead.  
An honour in themselves extinguished  
The empty Titles of a lasting Name,  
But ruined Monuments are to Others Fame.    

110. The Fox and Hunters.  
A tiered Fox by Hunters close pursued,  
A Woodard, cleaving Wood, by chance had viewed;  
To whom he ran, requesting, by his Aid,  
To some close shelter he might be conveyed:  
By whom directed to an obscure shed,  
The Fox, with speed, to hide him, entered:  
The Hunters, following, of the Woodman sought,  
If of the Fox he could inform them aught:  
The Woodman's words, affirmed he did not know;  
But where he lay did with his finger show:  
The Hunters not distinguishing this Sign,  
From farther pursuit did forthwith decline:  
Which when the Fox perceived, without delay,  
He creeping forth slunk silently away.  
In whose Retreat, him as the Woodman viewed,  
He him reproached with Ingratitude:  
The Fox replied, had hand to tongue been true,  
What you now'challenge, I had tendered you.  

MORAL.  
Men's words and Actions seldom do agree,  
Yet All or Most pretend integrity.  
But when Truth is discovered by Event,  
Slight proves th'Evasion from the true Intent.  
With the Performance weigh but what was spoke,  
For an Hyperbol, take an Aequivoque.    

111. A Man and his Wooden Idol.  
A Certain Man a wooden Image made  
His household-god, to whom he often prayed;  
The theme of his request was, all things might  
Flow in with plenty, issue with Delight:  
But still as he more fervent grew in prayer,  
All things at home went more against the hair:  
Whereon, at length, to Rage his Zeal being grown,  
He, in a Passion, had his God o'erthrown:  
Which in the Fall divided from the Head,  
From thence of Gold great plenty issued.  
At which the Suppl'ant joifully admired,  
O! perverse Perfide! cried, when I required  
Thy Aid with reverence, nothing wouldst dispense,  
But to rude Blows yield'st up this affluence.  

MORAL.  
Th'Object of vulgar Zeal, we learn from hence,  
Who judge nought Good, but what affect's the Sens:  
Which not attained so, violate, as vain,  
Those sacred Rites their vices did restrain:  
Which once let loose; all Courses do pursue,  
By which they may their sensual Ends accrue:  
And if successful, think they are supplied,  
Because they have such Powers vilified.    

112. The invited Dog.  
A wealthy Man, little did cost regard,  
Friends to receive a sumtuous Feast prepared:  
The household Dog, by his Example led,  
A neighbouring Cur to frolic summoned;  
Who thither come, transported was to see  
Of so great Dainties such variety;  
Concluding in himself, so well to feed,  
For many days he might no victu'll need:  
While for the Future thus his joy provides:  
His fawning Tale clapped his yet empty sides;  
The Cook this Rapture by his Gesture guest,  
Him by the Tale did silently arrest;  
Many a Round him swinging; at the last,  
Th'affrighted Cur forth of a Window cast;  
Who from the Ground astonished arose,  
With flying clamours publishing his woes.  
The neighbouring Curs him full of wonder met,  
Demanding him what dainties he had eat;  
Who faintly said, with Cheer I so abound,  
In my Return, I never felt the Ground.  

MORAL.  
Alluring Hopes do empty minds extend,  
But seldom reach to what they do pretend:  
Who for support on Other's Goods rely,  
Feed expectation with vacuity.    

113. The Man and Eagle.  
A Simple countryman an Eagle snared;  
Her Pinions pulled, and cast her in his yard:  
Amongst his poultry. Her another bought,  
And with new Plumes her empty Pinions fraught:  
With which the Eagle flying trust a Hair,  
Wherewith reward's her Benefactor's Care.  
The Fox, observing this, the Man adviz'd,  
No more to cherish what he so much prized:  
Lest, as o'th' Hair, her yet asspiring Wing  
Should in like sort be turned upon him:  
The facile Man with this to credit led,  
The grateful Eagle reimpoverished.  

MORAL.  
By Ignorance Nature's high Works defaced,  
Are in improper uses thus misplaceed:  
Which when restored by Industrious Art,  
Reward another's, prove their own Desert:  
Till All perverting Malice do detect  
Their approved Issues by unjust suspect.    

114. The dying Husbandman.  
AN aged Husbandman, whose End drew nigh,  
Desirous was to cherish industry  
In his remiss Succession, called his Sons,  
Told them that now his life to Period runs;  
The Goods end Treasure he had to conveie  
Amongst them, only in his Vineyard lay.  
The Father dead, the Sons believing hid  
This Treasure there, the Vineyard often digged;  
But found not what their eager Travel moved,  
Till the succeeding Season came, which proved  
More fertile by such Culture, then before  
Many years were; and made them rich, were poor.  

MORAL.  
Wealth from perseu'ring industry still flows,  
Though sometimes meats not what it did propose:  
Error may guide the o'er greedy Intent,  
But Success crown's it with unsought Event.    

115. The silly Fisher.  
A silly Youth in fishing inexpert,  
Yet with much Zeal pretending to the Art:  
His Net and Pipe close to the River brought,  
Where he sat piping, thinking to have caught  
The easy Fish with this his melody:  
Which finding not successful, Pipe laid by;  
And to his Net betook him, which, in haste,  
He with fresh ardour in the River cast;  
From whence of Fish he drew a numerous heap,  
Which on the shore cast, seeing them to leap;  
Cried, Sullen Race! to move Pipe could not win,  
But now I pipe not, you to dance begin.  

MORAL.  
T'improper Times and Subjects who apply  
The perfectest Art, make void their industry:  
Proportioned Functions first must meet our skill,  
Ere to our Purpose we can form the Will.    

116. The fortunate Fishers.  
A Troop of painful Fishers put to sea,  
Long tired were with fruitless industry:  
Hungry and grieved that they nought could take,  
Homeward, perplexed, as they began to make;  
A Fish pursued 'fore Another swum,  
Who to secure him in their bottom sprung:  
On whom the joiful Fishers straight laid hold,  
And at a high Rate, when returned, sold.  

MORAL.  
What Art and labour could not bring to pass,  
A secret Providence unexpected has;  
None on their Strength or knowledge might rely,  
Without due reference to the deity.    

117. The poor sick man.  
A Poor Man sick, made to the Gods a vow,  
A hundred Oxen he would them allow  
In Sacrifice, for his recovery;  
The Gods to prove this his integrity;  
Assent to his Request, and Health restore:  
The cured Suppl'ant,' Cause he was but poor,  
And Biefs had none, a hundred Oxen bones  
Gathers together, and to th'Altar comes,  
To which addressed, thus publicly doth say,  
Behold, you Gods! my vow to you I pay:  
The Gods intending to revenge the cheat,  
Him, sleeping in a vision, instigate  
Next Morning to the seaside to repair,  
And he should find an hundred Talents there:  
On his dream mindful, he got up ere day,  
But was by thieves encountered on his way,  
To whom for Ransom he a promise made,  
A thousand Talents should be to them paid.  

MORAL.  
Man in Extremes, oft to advance his Ends,  
Beyond his power his promises extends:  
Wherein, who mock the all-discerning eye,  
Will still pay Man with equal fallacy.    

118. The unfortunate Fishers.  
CErtain Fishers hailing to shore a draught,  
By the weight judged it successfully fraught;  
Which did their senses with such joy elate,  
Hope the possession did anticipate:  
Until the Net upon the Coast was thrown  
With some few small fish, and a mighty stone,  
Which to an Ebb returned their tide of Mirth,  
As dull and silent as the passive Earth.  
Whereat one of them, most advanceed in years,  
Thus sagely his dejected Fellows cheers.  
appears your trouble. Grief and joy are Twins,  
Alternate Changes rule the course of things.  
Think All the ills will happen you, which may,  
That when they come, they may the lighter weigh.  

MORAL.  
Hopes are but shadows, mocking oft the Sens,  
Raised on th'Affections, not th'Intelligence:  
Which unprescribed in their loose Extent,  
Swollen expectations frustrate the Event:  
But the best Arm the mind can use 'gainst Chance,  
Is, ere it comes, t'exspect her Repugnance.    

119. The Old man.  
A Feeble Man, through Age and Travel spent,  
To a remote Wood for his fuel went:  
Which on his shoulders in a bundle he  
Bore to supply his sad necessity.  
Returning home his Burden to conveie,  
With the weight tired, and the tedious way:  
Again his Bundle to the Earth restored,  
And to end Grief, he sadly Death implored:  
Death, unexpected, came as he desired;  
And asked the Man, what he of him required.  
Who made reply, that you would take the pain  
To help me with my Burden up again.  

MORAL.  
Weak Resolution Death through despair invites,  
But in th'Approaches most prove Hypocrites:  
Life with what change of ills soever spun,  
Frail Nature still would Dissolution shun.    

120. The Woman and Physician.  
AN Old-Wife a thick film had in each eye  
Oppressed much the visive faculty,  
Was for the perfect Cure engaged become  
Unto a Doctor in a certain Sum:  
Provided still, his pains and cost employed  
Should, if they failed, be with the covenant void.  
The physician on his Reward intent,  
T'effect his Cure on daily visits went:  
And from his Patient's dwelling brought away,  
By secret slight, some parcel every day,  
Till in the Issue, he (his cure being wrought)  
The Sum contracted of the Woman sought:  
Which she refusing, summoned was t'appear  
Before the judge, he might the difference hear:  
Who thither come, her contract not denied.  
But she not cured was, thus she justified,  
Ere in his hands, I saw my house well fraught  
With householdstuff, but there I now see nought.  

MORAL.  
Physicians' visits sometime Health restore,  
But always make the lingering Patient poor,  
Who to like slight may justly have recourse,  
Since curing one ill, they still leave a worse.    

121. The two Enemies.  
TWo Fencers in one Bark put forth to Sea  
Betwixt whom was inveterate enmity;  
Which since near Other neither would allow,  
One to the Poup got, tother to the Prow:  
Ere far advanced, arose a hideous storm,  
Wherewith the struggling Bark extremely torn:  
To sink beginning, he sat in the Prow  
Asked of the toiling sailors, which part now  
Of their wracked vessel would the first be drowned,  
Who made reply, The Poup cause first a ground;  
Whereat he cried, Death's now no grief to me,  
Since I my Foe to perish first shall see.  

MORAL.  
How strange distemper doth the Soul disguise,  
T'extract such joy from others Miseries;  
While yet frail Nature calls us to resent,  
With theirs, our own united Detriment:  
Malice doth proper safety little prize,  
Her thirsty fury where she satisfies.    

122. The Calf and Ox.  
A Fat Calf yet unyoked, beheld at Plow  
A painful Ox, to whom he would allow,  
Compared to him in Esteem, but Contempt;  
In that th'Ox wrought, in eas his days he spent:  
But when the day of Sacrifice drew nigh,  
Th'Ox was dismised; the Calf retained to die,  
Thou wert not wrought, th'Ox to him smiling said,  
Because designed to be immolished.  

MORAL.  
Fair industry the natural Life secures;  
While wantnn Sloth untimely Ends procures:  
So the divine judge doth inflict on those,  
Whom they would save, variety of Woes:  
But pampers with Excess of worldly joy,  
Whom he intends in Justice to destroy.    

123. The boy and Fortune.  
A silly boy did Cattle keep,  
Near to a Well was fallen asleep.  
Fortune arriving, waked him,  
Thus saying, drew him from the spring.  
Rise idle Knave from hence be gone,  
For thy own folly blame will none:  
If thou herein shouldst chance to fall,  
But I shall be condemned of All.  

MORAL.  
We frail Man's common Error here express;  
His proper Error no Man will confess:  
But rather thus their ill Successes lay  
On some blind powers their Action's oversway.    

128. The Mice and Cat.  
A Ravening Cat an antic fabric found,  
Where sporting Mice, with freedom did abound:  
Thither he went, & many made his Prey,  
Till they themselves perceiving their decay,  
A council called, wherein they did conclude,  
Within his Access no One should intrude.  
But to an upper Seiling to confine  
Themselves, whereto the Cat could no way climb:  
The Cat their purpose soon discovered,  
Thus counterplotted, he himself feigned dead;  
Hanging himself up by the heels upon  
A hook was fastened to an inward stone.  
One of the Mice did downward sharply pry;  
He of the Cat might make discovery:  
Cried to him, Friend! did I Cat thee know,  
Though thou wert dead, I'd not descend below.  

MORAL.  
So prudent Men from Others Harms collect,  
Where, and on whom to ground a just suspect:  
What Forms soever faithless Men put on,  
They circumvent not their firm Caution.    

125. The Ape and Fox.  
THe Beast a gen'ral council held,  
Which of them in rare Parts excelled:  
With the Ape's Frisks they so were ta'en,  
Most votes him for their King proclaim.  
The Fox, with a repining eye;  
Him envying this new dignity;  
Finding a snare laid in a pit,  
Had a flesh morsel baited it;  
To which that he the Ape might lead,  
Thus his Prerogative did plead:  
A hidden Treasure brought to light  
(Which by the Law, Sir, is your Right)  
Not far off lies: this, if you pleas,  
Your own hands may assume with Eas:  
The Ape by his persuasion led,  
With thirsty ardour hastened,  
Whereat arrived with little Care,  
Became entrapped in the Snare:  
The chattering Ape, with ireful eye,  
Reproached the Fox his treachery;  
Who replied, Others you'd protect,  
Yet cannot your own ways direct.  

MORAL.  
Who from the judgement of the Multitude  
Election for a Government conclude:  
In th'Issue, find, what Reason should despise,  
Misled their shallow giddy Fantasies:  
Since of mankind the greatest part are fools:  
Such must be he, who by their Sentence rule's:  
Nor is it fit, such men preside a State,  
Who their own Actions cannot regulate;  
But on this erring light still fix the eye,  
Which thus seduceth frail mortality:  
Envy and Malice, this also infers,  
Are unto Craft the sharpest Ministers.    

126. Jove and the Crow.  
UNto the Fowl of every kind  
A day of Council Jove assigned;  
He might elect him for their King,  
The fairest Ornaments could bring:  
Which when the Crow perceived, he,  
Conscious of his deformity,  
Of various colours others Plumes  
To deck himself forthwith assumes:  
In which, when All assembled were;  
To Jove the fairest did appear;  
For whom about to give his Vote,  
Each Bird their own stripped from his Coat:  
Whereat the naked Crow became  
Exposed to more than usual Shame.  

MORAL.  
On borrowed Notions, swell the memory,  
Ostentive minds raise their sufficiency;  
Which in their shallow judgements, groundless so,  
Fail in the use, and only serve for Show:  
But when each author is restored his own,  
Their innate weakness is with dishon'r shown.    

127. The Smith and Dog.  
A painful Smith a dull Cur kept,  
Who, while he forged, always slept:  
But when his Master went to eat,  
Then suddenly he up would get;  
And what was under Table thrown  
With nimble Gesture preyed thereon.  
The Smith observing this, began  
Against his Cur thus to exclaim;  
When I myself apply to work,  
In Sloth thou dost in corners lurk:  
But when I begin my Teeth to move,  
Thy fawning tail doth this approve.  

MORAL.  
So idle Drones on Others labours feed,  
Shrink from the Action doth supply their need:  
But when the Fruits of industry ensue,  
None so Officious as this fawning Crew.    

128. The Mule.  
A Mule become with plenty fat,  
Grew wanton in his present state;  
Soothing himself, he for his Sire,  
A Courser had, Active as Fire:  
To whom, in all things, like was he,  
Chiefly in his celerity.  
Soon after this; without Respite,  
Forced to run with all his might;  
He resty in his course became;  
Whereat, cried out, Wretch that I am!  
To think me of a horse's Race,  
Knowing my Sire was but an Ass.  

MORAL.  
Of mean Extraction ill bred Men there be,  
Swell in conceit with their prosperity;  
Pretending to such S: ock and Faculties,  
As Other Persons truly Nobilize:  
But falt'ring in the Practice, soon reflect  
Both on their natural and acquired defect.    

129. The Physician and the deadman.  
AN infirm Man did long sick lie,  
Happened under Cure to die:  
Unto whose funeral many went,  
Encountering there th'Impertinent  
Physician, who did much insert,  
To save the credit of his Art;  
Affirming, had the deceased took  
Frequently Glisters, and forsook  
The use of Wine, he had not died:  
To whom an Assistant replied;  
Friend! This Advice you should produce,  
Only when it might be of use:  
But now it nothing can avail,  
Your Purpose and our Proofs must fail.  

MORAL.  
Untimely Counsels silly babblers vent,  
Not for the future, but past Accident.  
Of mortal judgements 'tis the erring Fate;  
All Men still wise are when it is too late.    

130. The Dog and Wolf.  
A Dog without Door sleeping lay  
Was by a Wolf surprised for Prey;  
Who to his slaughter being addressed;  
The fawning Cur made this Request:  
Sir Wolf; for present kill not me,  
For lean I am, as you may see;  
At hand my Master's Nuptials are,  
Where I with such delicious fare,  
Myself will glut, that fat I may  
Become your more agreeing Prey:  
The Wolf relying on his word,  
Did freedom to the Dog afford:  
And thither soon returned again:  
But found the Dog sleeping within:  
Yet of him he his promise clamed;  
To whom the Dog this Answer framed;  
When you me sleeping without Door  
Find, Nuptials than expect no more.  

MORAL.  
The Rites of Nature first preferred should be;  
Nor Rites held, which with these hold contrariety:  
That Vow or Contract in itself is void,  
Injoin's us by ourselves to be destroyed.  
So cautious Men, when they a danger shun,  
Are in like Hazzard seldom seen to run.    

131. The Bull and Lion.  
A Lion long a mighty Bull assailed  
By sundry slights, yet of his purpose failed:  
Approaching near, the Bull did thus invite;  
Friend! if you pleas, pray Sup with me to night;  
I have a Sheep slain, whereof we will feast,  
Without more ceremony, pray be my Guest:  
The Bull assenting, forthwith followed  
The leering Lion, who to his Den him led:  
The Bull arrived, saw many a vast Cauldron,  
And mighty Spit, but Sheep he there saw none:  
Whereon returning with unusual Haste;  
The Lion asked, What moved this distaste.  
Who made reply, those Instruments you keep  
To dress a Bull more fit are, than a Sheep.  

MORAL.  
When to Inferiors Potent men profess  
Unusual Friendship, 'tis but to oppress:  
But disproportioned Entertainments may  
Show such Pretences tend but to betray.    

132: The enamoured Lion.  
A Lion of a Maid enamoured,  
Sought of her rustic Father her to wed;  
Who made reply to his disdained Request;  
His Daughter was no Marriage for a Beast:  
But when the Lion hereon looked awry,  
A grined his teeth; the Clown seemed to comply;  
Affirming, what the Lion had required;  
As earnestly he had the same desired:  
So that his Teeth and Nails dissected were,  
Whereof the tender Virgin stood in fear.  
The Lion with excess of Passion loved,  
This his Objection suddenly removed;  
Then for the Maid unto the Sire returned;  
Who seeing him of Teeth and Claws unarmed,  
A club took up wherewith he did oppose  
The Lion's pursuit with pursuing blows.  

MORAL.  
When as more potent Princes would become  
Joined to weak States in civil union:  
By slights in Treaties, proper Strengths lay down,  
To blind suspect of usurpation,  
Find, so divested, their weak Foes insist  
To punish that which they could not resist.    

133. The Lion and Fox.  
THe Fox reproached, with infamy,  
The lioness' infecundity:  
In that she never could bring forth  
But One Whelp only at a Birth:  
Who replied; yet it came to pass,  
That only One a Lion was.  

MORAL.  
Unequally Worth measured is by Sens,  
When prized for Number, more than Excellence:  
Nature herself produceth on this Stage  
Scarce One exact Man in a treble Age.    

134. The two fighting Cocks.  
TWo Cocks together long had strove  
Who Master of the Hens should prove.  
At length, One overcome became,  
Was forced to hide his Head for Shame.  
The Victor swelled with vanity,  
To the Ridg of the house did fly;  
Where he with loud Applaus proclaimed  
The Trophies from his Foe obtained:  
While arrogant Boasts he there crew out,  
An Eagle sharp, roving about,  
Trussed the Gallant for her Prey,  
And to her Young bore him away.  
Which when the subdued Cock espied,  
(As on his ruins glorified)  
He publicly stalked forth again,  
To take sole Freedom of his Game.  

MORAL.  
Vain minds, the Sens unapt to moderate,  
Become extrau'gant with their prosperous Fate;  
And thus insult o'er their dejected Foe,  
Till Fate restore these by their Overthrow.  
Here Fortune's Changes show to us how nigh  
Each Extreme is unto his contrary.    

135. The Calf and Stag.  
A Calf, who with the hind yet went,  
Held with a Stag this Argument:  
Since thou the Dogs dost far exceed,  
Both in thy Magnitude and speed:  
And with thy branchy frontlet's might,  
Far better armed art for a Fight:  
What is the Reason then, my Friend,  
Thou dost their Pursuit apprehend?  
To whom the Stag, smiling, replied;  
Though all thou sayest be verified;  
Yet I can not myself assure,  
The yelping of the Hounds t'endure;  
But when I their fierce clamours hear,  
I take my sudden flight for fear.  

MORAL.  
Nature there vainly doth her Gifts produce,  
Where she gives not the Gift to lend them use:  
Reason unaptly travels to repair  
Defects by Nature that inherent are.    

136. The Bee and Jove.  
THe Bee one day to Jove her King  
Of honey brought an Offering:  
With which Oblation Jove became  
So much delighted; bade her claim  
What ever her wish could suggest,  
He would assent to her Request.  
The Bee with Passion overswaied,  
To Jove this her Petition made;  
Who ever came a-pilfering  
To her Hive, so she might them sting,  
Therewith they might for this their theft  
Be suddenly of Life bereft.  
To which Demand Jove doubtful stood,  
'Fore Hers, preferring human Good.  
At length returned this reply;  
Let this thy blind will satisfy;  
If any come unto thy Hive,  
Thee of thy Treasure to deprive,  
And thou, by Chance, so prickest him  
To leave within the Wound thy Sting:  
That Prick to thee thy Death shall be,  
Let Life thy Sting accompany.  

MORAL.  
Revenge the highest Passion of the Will  
Neglect's her Good to procure Others Ill:  
But the All-judging eye, to check the Sens,  
As over-partial to her own Offence;  
Ordein's, who on his Foe inflicteth All  
He Can, shall by his proper fury fall.    

137. The fly.  
A fly chanceed in a Flesh-pot fall,  
Nigh suffocated there withal;  
Thus, with himself, made his Retreat;  
So much I drunk have, so much eat,  
And so well bathed myself, that I,  
In Right, may now contented die.  

MORAL.  
So prudent Men, in ills they cannot fly,  
Reflect on their former felicity,  
To counter pois the weakness of the Sens,  
O'er-whelm's the mind with heady Violence.    

138. The Swallow und the Prodigal.  
A Youthful Gallant sensually had spent  
His patrimony to his vestment:  
Seeing a Swallow ere the Season came,  
Judged Summer nigh, and forthwith sold the same.  
But Winter from this relapse soon arose,  
And pinched the Gallant stripped of his Clothes;  
Who with the Cold seeing the Swallow dead;  
Cried, faithless Bird! Us both hast ruined.  

MORAL.  
Who on irrational Subjects do reflect  
The Progress of their Actions to direct.  
To their Destruction, in the issue, see  
How far they Err, trust such uncertainty.  
From this Conclusion, here, collect we may;  
Things out of Season don do soon decay.    

139. The Woodman and Mercury.  
A Woodard selling Trees, a stream ran nigh,  
Was consecrated unto Mercury;  
Wherein, by chance, his approved Hatchet fell,  
Which to his work was no small Obstacle.  
Down on the Bank he much perplexed sat,  
Where his fresh Plaints his Griefs exaggerate.  
To him, in pity, Mercury appears,  
Seeking the cause of his excessive Tears:  
Which to him shown, said Mercury, Behold!  
Is this thy axe? showing an axe of Gold:  
Which when the poor Man had for his denied,  
With One of Silver Mercury him tried;  
This yet disclaiming, Mercury infered  
The axe of wood, which he for his avered.  
Mercury heeron gave to him all three;  
So to reward this his integrity.  
Who to his fellows coming, did relate  
The Circumstance of his auspicious Fate:  
Of whom, One this Adventure would pursue;  
Come to the Stream, therein his axe he threw:  
Then down sat weeping on the bank, till he  
Discovered had officious Mercury.  
To whom, when he had his disaster told,  
Mercury to him showed an axe of Gold:  
Asking, if that were his? He void of shame,  
Stoutly affirmed, 'twas the very same.  
Whose Impudence to Mercury thus known;  
He nor gave that, nor yet restored his Own.  

MORAL.  
So honest minds by their Afflictions tried,  
From heaven, have their Possessions amplified:  
While fraudulent men, ensnared by their Deceit,  
Their proper Substance justly ruinate.    

140. The Woman and her Hen.  
A Woman kept a Hen of old,  
That each day laid an Egg of Gold.  
she thinking her all Gold within,  
Her Head did from her carcase wring:  
Then to dissect her went about,  
Pulling her hopeful Entrails out:  
Where finding her like Others made,  
Desiring more, lost what she had.  

MORAL.  
So greedy minds would bounteous Nature force,  
Till from her Functions virtue they divorce.  
Contemning thus the Good they did enjoy,  
To pursue More, the Means of both destroy.    

141. The Frog and Fox.  
A Frog sat croaking in a Fen  
To Other Beast encountering him;  
That he a skilful Surgeon was:  
To whom replied a Fox, did pass;  
If thou wilt this to us assure:  
Thou thy own limping first must cure.  

MORAL.  
Who Others Errors to reform pretend  
Must their Own Imperfections first amend,  
Present Example is a powerful Guide,  
Placed in their Persons would our Works preside.    

142. The Husbandman and Adder.  
AN Adder near a countryman  
His lurking Hole had; to which ran  
His wanton Son, and with a Blow  
Incenceed the heedless Adder so;  
On him she with such fury flew,  
That she forthwith the Infant slew.  
At which the Father much perplexed,  
This to Revenge himself addressed;  
Taking an axe her to assail,  
Wherewith cut off the adder's Tail.  
The Man at length Agreement sought;  
Meal, Water, Salt, and honey brought  
To reconcile this injury;  
And make a League of amity:  
Then he the Adder called upon;  
Who lying underneath a Stone:  
Thus, hissing, said, Thou workest in vain,  
Friendship betwixt us now to frame:  
Reason with Sens will not prevail,  
While thou thy Son want'st, I my Tail.  

MORAL.  
Debates Subject not removed from the Sens  
Again takes fire on slight Accidents:  
Nor is firm Reconciliation made  
Where Restitution is not to be had.    

143. The Hen and Fox.  
A Fox had to a Hen-roost pressed,  
Found there a Hen sick on her Nest:  
On whom with fierce Aspect he stared;  
Asking her, How in Health she fared?  
Who replied, she should better be,  
If he would leave her company.  

MORAL.  
Unusual Favours from professed Foes,  
Suspected Trains are to our Overthrows:  
We on our Safeties most should jealous be,  
When to our Aid we them Officious see.    

144. The Lion and Man.  
A Man and Lion to travel set forth,  
As in discourse each amplified his worth;  
They to a Pillar came of Stone, whereon  
Was cut a Lion by a Man o'erthrown.  
The Man this Figure to the Lion shows,  
His Subject by Example to oppose:  
Saying, how far Men Lions do exceed  
In Strength and Courage, here you plainly read;  
The Beast replied, as Men, had lion's Art,  
Far more such Marks you'd find of our Desert.  

MORAL.  
Vain Boasters, so, on feigned Trophies raise  
Unequal Proofs to their affected praise:  
While the Deserver doth in Silence pass  
Worthily those Acts he achieved has.    

145. The Fox and Grapes.  
A Fox on Grapes had cast his eye  
Were in their full maturity:  
Which he desirous to attain,  
Attempted often had in vain:  
At length his will thus pacifies,  
Desist from the enterprise.  
Tush! let them pass; I fondly fret:  
They are, as yet, but sour meat.  

MORAL.  
When Prudent Men their Ends cannot attain,  
Thus, the blind Passion of the Will restrein:  
And to the Motions of the Sens imply,  
I'th' Subject sought some incommodity.    

146. The child and Scorpion.  
AN Infant seeking Lobsters on the sand,  
Laid on a Scorpion, by mistake, his hand:  
Who on his tender years casting an eye;  
Thus pitied much the child's simplicity.  
Sweet boy! in Peace, withdraw thine hand from me,  
lest Ignorance procure thy misery.  

MORAL.  
So heady minds, their Purpose to pursue,  
Fall oft on that, which they should first eschew.  
And so the harmful sometime do relent,  
Charmed with the Image of the Innocent.    

147. The Fowler and partridge.  
A Fowler had a partridge ta'en,  
Who on the Period to be slain;  
Cried, trembling, Fowler! let me fly;  
I will thy favour gratify:  
For by my Call I will entreat  
Many more partridge to thy Net:  
To which the Fowler made reply;  
For this thou more deserv'st to die:  
That wouldst betray, for private Ends,  
To secret Snares thy native Friends:  
Nor canst thou true be to thy Foe;  
That to thy Friends wilt not be so.  

MORAL.  
Who from Oppression would their Persons free  
By the suggestion of base treachery;  
Just Caus administer, where there was None,  
By their Oppressors to be overthrown.  
For some Advantage Treason loved was ever;  
But as suspected, was the Traitor never.    

148. The Hare and Snail.  
A Hare, by chance, a Snail espied,  
Whose creeping she did much deried.  
The Snail for wager would become  
Engaged with Her a Race to run.  
The Hare this proffer took in Scorn,  
Yet could for shame but it perform,  
The Fox (of all the Beast most wise)  
Elected was for Compremise,  
Who limit should the course, and be  
Discider of the victory.  
Sloth and Neglect laid by, the Snail  
Set forth, with Success to prevail:  
Nor Intermission suffered,  
Till he his course had finished.  
The Hare, relying on her speed,  
Lay loitering without farther heed,  
Till sleep from limbs did since divorce,  
Starting from which ran forth her course,  
Where the Snail finding ere she came,  
Was forced to yield it lost, with shame.  

MORAL.  
The perfectest Gifts that Nature can employ  
Sloth and Neglect insensibly destroy.  
While with success, perseu'ring industry  
To Subject's none had yields capacity.    

149. The Willow and Ax.  
THe axe to cut the Willow laid;  
First of the same some Wedges made;  
The solid Stock might thereby be  
Cloven with more facility.  
Which when the Willow had perceived,  
Trembling, thus, inwardly she grieved;  
I not so much bewail my Fate,  
To feel the axe me ruinate:  
As I these Wedges am to see  
My body tear, were part of me.  

MORAL.  
Foes by their Art divide us from our Friends:  
And make these Agents to advance their Ends:  
But wrongs from them most sensible must be,  
Where Love and Nature framed an unity.    

150. The Pomegranate and appletree.  
TWixt appletree and Pomegranate,  
Touching their beauty, rose Debate:  
Many and bitter Outrages  
Past to foment their Vanities.  
At length to reconcile these Foes,  
From the next hedge a Bramble rose;  
Who, with reproof, bade them no more,  
Shame to avoid, make such uproar.  

MORAL.  
Shame of dissension doth salv up the Breach,  
When the Contentious do Agreement preach:  
It ill becom's the moderate not give way,  
When the Licentious stickle to the fray.    

151. The Mole and her Dam.  
THe Mole, a Beast by Nature blind,  
His Dam told, he felt, from the wind;  
An unknown odour pass to him.  
Not long after, affirmed again;  
That he the Forgers hammers heard  
Beat on the anvil: next avered;  
He did a mighty Furnace see:  
At which the Dam replied; she  
Should judge by this; he, as his eyes,  
Had lost his other Faculties.  

MORAL.  
Vain Boasters so to light betray their Lies,  
Extending them t't'impossibilities:  
Who, to have done More than they Can, recite,  
Afford just Proofs they have not what they Might.    

152. The Wasp, partridge and Husbandman.  
THe Wasp and partridge, which extreme thirst pressed,  
Themselves together for Relief addressed  
Unto a Husbandman, who water drew,  
And with large Proffers, thus for water sew;  
The partridge said; she would his Vineyard dig,  
Replenished Clusters might enrich each Twig.  
The Wasp said, he the Vineyard oft would round,  
To keep off thieves from ent'ring on his Ground.  
The Husbandman replied, he had two beeves,  
That nothing promised, yet performed both These.  
To whom far fitter 'twas his water give,  
Then by his Travel he should them relieve.  

MORAL.  
More fit it is, our Gratitude to show,  
T'acquit ourselves of Benefits we owe,  
Then to fair promises present our Gifts,  
Which, in their Trial, leave us to our shifts.    

153. Jove.  
AS Jove his Nuptials celebrates,  
Each Beast on him with offerings wait's,  
To gratulate the ceremony  
To every one's capacity.  
The Serpent for his Present chose,  
Sprinkled with Dew a fragrant Rose;  
Which in his mouth he brought to Jove,  
Who straight affirmed, he did approve  
Of every Beast the Offering,  
Save what the Serpent brought to him.  

MORAL.  
Not only Man, but God himself detests  
Sweet flowing Words spring from malicious breasts.  
Man may secure himself from any wrong,  
But from the Poison of a Glozing Tongue.    

154. The Indulgent Ape.  
AN Ape at once two Whelps had laid,  
Only for One affection had:  
Which she brought up in much Delight;  
The Other she abandoned quite;  
It happened that in Pleasure bred,  
The sleeping Dam had stifled.  
The Other had neglected been,  
Heeron became the dam's darling:  
Which she nursed to maturity  
With equal Love and industry.  

MORAL.  
The ill success, we may collect from hence,  
Of Parents over-partial Indulgence  
Unto their Issue, whom with cock'ring, they,  
Seeking to cherish, to ruin do betray.  
While the neglected oft restored are;  
So Fortune's power exceeds human Care.    

155. The Captive Flea.  
A Flea a Man had sharply bit,  
By him was captive took for it.  
The Man asked, who it was that fed  
On his Limbs with pain nourished.  
The Flea said, she was of that kind,  
Whom Nature so to live designed:  
Nor did she him intend to kill,  
For she could do but little ill.  
The Man heerto replied again;  
For this you rather shall be slain;  
In that Hurt much, or little, you,  
In any wise, ought not to do.  

MORAL.  
Gild by the Damage measured should not be,  
But by the Agents true capacity:  
Who to his power in Evil hath excelled,  
Of all the Evils guilty may be held;  
So, in small wrongs who privileged would be,  
Should perish, as to Right an enemy.    

156. The escaped flay.  
A Flea, by Nature prompted to't,  
A Man stung smartly by the Foot;  
Which him incensed so, she ta'en;  
He would between his nails have slain:  
The Flea being active in the strife,  
Escaped his Hands, and saved her Life.  
The Man cried out, O Hercules,  
Exterminer of villainies!  
Why present were't thou not with me  
To suppress this my enemy?  

MORAL.  
So shallow Men, pressed with Impatience, call  
To heaven for Aid, on Subjects trivial:  
Whereas the Object of our prayers should be  
From all relation to the Senses free.    

157. The Ants and grasshopper.  
THe Winter Solstice being past;  
The Ants their Wheat a Sunning cast;  
The grasshopper this discovered,  
Who was with want nigh famished;  
With humble suit did them aboard,  
They would thereof him Alms afford.  
The Ants asked, what in Summer he  
Had done? or why passed slothfully?  
The grasshopper replied; he then  
Sung cheerfully to passing Men,  
To take from Them the dull delay,  
And tedious travel of the way.  
Which heard, the smiling Ants replied;  
Their suitor's folly to deride.  
Since thou in Songs hast Summer spent,  
For Passenger's Divertisement:  
In dancing now thy Limbs unfold,  
lest thou be starved with the cold.  

MORAL.  
Who hath their Youth in idle pastimes spent  
In Age may vainly beg their Nourishment:  
While the Industrious on his plenty Feasts,  
And makes their Wants the subject of his Jests.    

158. The Man and his two Wives.  
A Sensual Man his life in Pleasure led;  
When wasting time half grisled had his Head,  
Two Wives of different Ages, to him took:  
But neither Partner could a Rival brook.  
The Elder of them well advanced in years,  
Scratching his head, pulled off his youthful hairs;  
By such resemblance to procure his Love  
Solely to her, the like effect would prove  
The Younger also; scratching every day  
For the like purpose, pulled out all the Graie:  
Till he, at length, betwixt them bald became,  
And with much Laughter was exposed to shame.  

MORAL.  
This figure's to us, how ill disagree  
Declining Years with sensuality.  
To differing Tempers who resign's his Will,  
Shall neither Theirs, nor yet his Own fulfil;  
This Inconvenience must inherent be  
To all their Actions prove polygamy.    

159. The poor sick Man.  
A Poor Man sick had long time kept his bed,  
When the physicians him abandoned,  
Unto the Gods addressed himself; to whom  
He for his safety vowed a Hecatomb,  
His Wife this hearing, asked where he would get,  
When well, the hundred Oxen should complete  
This Sacrifice; who said, shall I well be,  
Think'st thou, the Gods might this require of me.  

MORAL.  
When human Aid fails Man's extremity,  
To heaven for Succour unbelievers fly.  
Who to their Powers limit not their Vow,  
' Caus, whom they make them to, they not avow.  
How can they then expect to be supplied  
By them, whom they intend but to deride.    

160. The Frogs.  
TWo Frogs, who in a Fen were bred  
By summer's drought when exhausted,  
Forsook the same, and roved about,  
To find a watery Region out.  
At length a Well profound they met,  
Wherein o'rejoied, One would have leapt:  
Till, thus, his Fellow checked him;  
If we should, Friend, descend here in;  
And this also be dried with Heat,  
From hence how shall we then retreat?  

MORAL.  
First with the Issue wise-men do advise,  
Ere undertaken is the enterprise:  
And by their Reason Accidents forerun,  
To find th'evasion ere the Evil come.    

161. The Dog and Cock.  
A Dog and Cock in friendship joined,  
twixt whom a journey was designed:  
Set forth; the Evening come; a Tree  
The Cock resolved his Roost should be:  
The Foot whereof a hollow had,  
Wherein the Dog his kennel made.  
The Cock, as he was wont to do,  
Soon after midnight often crew.  
Which new Alarum thither brought  
A roving Fox, for Prey that sought:  
Who standing underneath the Tree,  
Required the Cock most earnestly  
Descend from his exalted Place,  
He much desired to embrace  
So rare a Singer as he was:  
In vain that passion should not pass:  
The Cock replied; advising him,  
The Porter wake to let him in:  
Who underneath the Root was laid,  
To which, the Fox no small haste made:  
But when, so roused, the Dog forth came,  
The Fox was by the Porter slain.  

MORAL.  
With the deceitful who in Treaties join,  
Find Craft to Craft the surest Countermine.  
So by their Craft who Others circumvent,  
Sometime by Craft do meet their Punishment.    

162. The Lion and Bear.  
A Lion and a Bear together caught  
A tender Fawn; for which they fiercely fought;  
Each one so Other sharply had assailed,  
That in the Combat both their vigours failed,  
Ere the Strife was decided, breathless they,  
And tired, in a Truce, fell by their Prey.  
Whom when the prying Fox had prostrate seen,  
With the affected Prize that lay between:  
This he snatched from them with a nimble slight;  
And from the Peril saved himself by flight,  
Which they, for Pursuit both unapt, lament,  
That for the Fox they had their labours spent.  

MORAL.  
So Potent Men will in the Pursuit bear  
A Partner, when they will not in the share:  
While in Contention for th'affected Prize  
They quite exhausted have their Faculties,  
Some busy Knave their Actions did surveie,  
Of their industry bears the Fruit away.    

163. The Bat, the Bramble and Cormorant.  
THe cormorant, Bramble, Bat together made  
A League, agreed to drive a foreign Trade.  
The Bat much money on Exchange had sought.  
The Bramble Garments for his venter-brought.  
The Cormorant, for his commodity,  
Embarked Brass: so forth they put to Sea.  
As in their hopeful voyage, rose a storm,  
Wherewith the Bark was under-water borne:  
They with much hazard, only gained the Cost,  
Where still the cormorant dive's for what he lost:  
The Bat his Creditors t'avoid, by Night  
Dares for Provision only take his flight:  
The Bramble every Passenger goes by  
Takes by the Coat to find his property.  

MORAL.  
So greedy Tempers tempted with the Itch,  
In their frail minds, to become sudden Rich;  
Attempt unpractized hazards; till they be  
Involved i'th' snares of pressing misery;  
Some walk in Darkness; Others shift their clime:  
Some Others Goods by violence purloin.    

164. The Fox and a singular Beast.  
A Singular Beast, that in a tree was set,  
Though unprovoked, began his teeth to whet:  
The Fox this seeing asked the cause, why he  
Sharp'ned his teeth without necessity?  
Who made reply ingenuously heerto;  
When Danger comes, this be not then to do.  

MORAL.  
This Notion is for Princes singular;  
In time of Peace thus to provide for War:  
In vain it is our Weapons then to frame,  
When to the Fight alarms cry, Arm, Arm.    

165. The Lark.  
A Lark was taken in a snare,  
Thus groaned forth her last despair;  
Nor Gold, nor Silver have I ta'en,  
To make Another's Loss my Gain,  
For one poor grain of Wheat 'tis I  
Must, to my Grief, untimely die.  

MORAL.  
To lofty minds 'tis double Grief to fall  
In those Attempts whose Ends were trivial:  
Where the Sens only meet's not present Pain;  
But Reason wound's the Soul with future Shame.    

166. The covetous Man.  
A Covetous Man his Land and Goods had sold,  
And All converted to a Mass of Gold,  
Which he to hide, in secret digged a hole,  
Wherein entombed his Treasure and his Soul:  
This Idol he to worship oft repaired,  
Till frequent visits had the cause declared  
Unto a prying Workman, who e'er day  
Entered the Shrine, and bore the Saint away:  
Soon after th'Devotare thither bound  
With wonted Zeal, the Temple empty found:  
Whereat he much lamented, tore his Hair;  
And in strange Passions figured his Despair.  
Which deploration when a Neighbour had  
Observed; thus adviz'd him not be sad;  
For having Treasure, thou, alas, hadst none,  
Therefore again fill up the Hole with stone:  
Then think it Gold, and such 'twill be to thee;  
Since to thy Use both serve indifferently.  

MORAL.  
Possessions can but small Content produce,  
Where the Will is restrained from the use:  
If fancy can but oversway the Sens,  
twixt This or That is little Difference.    

167. The tortoise and Eagle.  
THe tortoise of the Eagle sought,  
She might by Him to fly be taught.  
The Eagle bade her change her mind;  
This was repugnant to her kind:  
The tortoise, in her suit, heerat  
Became far more importunate.  
The yielding Eagle here to pressed,  
Her in his talon did invest;  
With whom to'th upper Region flew,  
From whence, to practice, he her threw;  
Who falling on a heap of Stones,  
Shattered to pieces Shell and Bones.  

MORAL.  
Earth creeping minds to Speculations press,  
Unapt thereto, seldom meet fair Success:  
Beyond their power things struggling to comprise,  
Extinguish oft their natural Faculties.    

168. The Stag.  
A Stag, an eye by chance had lost,  
Was feeding near to the Sea-coast,  
The perfect eye to Earth employed,  
He might the Hunter's Wiles avoid:  
The Other turned to the Sea,  
For which he had no jealousy.  
A Man sailed by observed his Craft,  
And to Death struck him with a Shaft.  
Who thus in Tears his Fate bewailed,  
Where I most feared, no Ill assailed:  
But where I thought none could invade,  
From thence to ruin am betrayed.  

MORAL.  
On our Defects we should most cautious bee,  
For which Advantage waits our enemy.  
Those Forts or Places double guarded are;  
Or Art, or Nature leave Irregular:  
What Both most strengthen, let no One neglect,  
That part is weakest, which we least suspect.    

169. The Stag and Lion.  
A Stag before the Hunters fled,  
A Cave, for safety, entered:  
Where he was by a Lion ta'en,  
Who on the Period to be slain:  
Lamented thus, from Man I fly,  
To fall by a Beast's cruelty.  

MORAL.  
The Lights of Nature sudden fears obscure,  
And to avoid Ill, greater ills procure:  
A human Foe to act restrains his Will;  
But savage fury more than once would kill.    

170. The Stag and the Vine.  
THe hunter's pursuit to decline  
A Stag him sheltered with a Vine;  
Who when they all were by him run,  
The leaves thereof to knap begun,  
Till having round nigh pulled them clear:  
The Hunters back returned were:  
Supposing him (as then he did)  
To be in some thick Covert hid:  
Where so exposed to their view,  
With unexpected shafts him slew:  
Who dying said; Just is my End;  
To ruin that did me defend.  

MORAL.  
So barbarous minds (their Extremes passed) oppress  
Who gave them Refuge in their sad Distress:  
But when again like Evil on them come,  
Find, by such loss, themselves they have undone.    

171. The Ass, the Lion, and Cock.  
A Cock was feeding by an Ass,  
Near whom a Lion chanceed to pass.  
The Cock in his shrill Clamour crew,  
Whence, terror struck, the Lion flew.  
The Ass confirmed 'twas from his fight  
The timid Lion took his flight;  
Pursued him till past the noise  
Of the fierce cock's redoubted voice;  
The Lion then returned on him,  
And from his carcase pulled his skin:  
Who dying cried, wretch that I am,  
I not of fighting Parents came:  
What Ground should move me then, I durst  
Myself into such conflict thrust.  

MORAL.  
So shallow Men in Self-opinion strong,  
Take to themselves more then to them belong;  
Which in their minds Presumtions form so high,  
They tempt those hazards they should rather fly:  
Till in the Issue their own ruin show,  
What their frail nature's first them framed to.    

172. The gardener and his Dog.  
A Gardner's-Dog by mischance fell  
Into the bottom of a Well;  
The gardener, him to draw from thence,  
Descended in great diligence;  
Where (as to rate him he begun,  
No more into such danger run)  
Th'incensed Cur turned on him;  
And sharply bit him by the shin.  
Who cried, I justly suffer, have  
Endeavoured my murderer save.  

MORAL.  
Who churlish Tempers, with Reproof, relieve,  
To reward bounty, Damage oft receive:  
They seldom grateful prove unto their Friends,  
Who dislike Advice, but to their Good tends.    

173. The Sow and Dog.  
A Sow and Dog at variance were;  
Th'incensed Sow by Venus swore:  
She with her teeth would him divide;  
The subtle Cur heerto replied:  
Thou vowest to Venus for our Aid;  
As if she thee in favour had.  
Who doth thy foul flesh so defpise,  
She will thereof no Sacrifice:  
The Sow replied, she doth me love,  
Your Argument doth rather prove.  
Since neither me to hurt or kill  
Can be agreeing to her Will.  
But thou art neither quick nor dead  
To any one well savoured.  

MORAL.  
Weak are Conclusions drawn from human Sens,  
Since double Senses meet our Arguments.  
But they the happiest Orator must be,  
With his own Proofs convince their enemy.    

174. The Sow and Bitch.  
THe Sow and Bitch could not agree  
Concerning their fertility:  
The Bitch said, herself to prefer,  
That no Beast herein came nigh her:  
The Sow replied, but yet we find,  
You still produce your Puppies blind.  

MORAL.  
Nor Speed, nor Number give to works the Prize;  
But the Perfection of the enterprise.  
Abortive labours seldom do produce  
But Fruits imperfect and unfit for use.    

175. The Serpent and crab..  
A Crab and Serpent did agree  
To enter in society.  
The Crab, whose Manners were sincere,  
The Serpent wiled his Craft forbear;  
Who little weighed admonishing;  
But still persevered therein:  
Till the Crab sleeping took her Mate;  
And to Death pressed him with her weight;  
To whom (extended forth) when dead,  
The Crab this Notion uttered,  
Thus simple to have been you ought,  
You had not suffered what you taught.  

MORAL.  
In Commerce who themselves to Craft apply,  
Against themselves fraud teach and justify:  
For such Disguise aims but at private Ends,  
Which would supplant the interest of their Friends:  
Nor can in Friendship long Agreement be,  
Where natural Habits hold antipathy.    

176. The Shepherd and Wolf.  
A Wolf's Cub, lately whelped, a Shepherd caught,  
Which with his Dogs to foster home he brought:  
Who, as to riper Age and Strength he grew,  
With his Companions would the wolus pursue.  
When from the Flock they had surprised their rape,  
Who from the Dogs although they made escape,  
The fostered Cub continued still his way,  
He with the Wolus might partake of their Prey:  
Then Home returned; but if they none had ta'en,  
Then by himself One privately was slain,  
Which with the Dogs, he eat; thus often he  
Feasted himself with Friend and enemy.  
Until the Shepherd found how it was done,  
And on a Tree the subtle felon hung.  

MORAL.  
The seeds of Nature, in their blossoms ta'en,  
Soft Education may a while restrein:  
But when their vigour is assumed, we find,  
They still retain the Habits of their kind.  
Of All the ills this should avoided be,  
To harbour a domestic enemy.    

177. The Lion and Wolf.  
AN aged Lion Bedrid long had lain,  
To visit whom (except the Fox) all came.  
On which Occasion the fell Wolf laid hold▪  
T'accuse the Fox of Defaults manifold,  
How useless he was unto him their King,  
And of his neglect now in visiting:  
The Fox arriving in the Int'rim heard  
The latter words the Wolf had uttered:  
Which 'gainst him did the Lion much incens,  
Till the Fox made his Excuse in Defence;  
Which thus was followed; none about him stood,  
Had so much laboured for his sovereign's good,  
As he, who had each Climate traced round,  
To learn his Cure, which he in seeking found:  
The Lion, thus appeased, commanded straight,  
He should the medicine to him intimate.  
To whom the Fox with low Obedience, said,  
Command great King! a living Wolf be flaied,  
And forthwith, thereof, make the yet warm skin  
Unto thy Grief a helpful covering.  
Then, smiling, thus, the prostrate Wolf reproved,  
Thou shouldst our King to Love, not Hate have moved.  

MORAL.  
With Slanders who foment a Prince's Ire,  
By their Foes craft, prove fuel to the Fire.  
For others Harms first having digged a Pit  
Are justly thus the first that fall in it.    

178. The Woman and her drunken Husband.  
A Woman had a drunken Husband wed,  
For Cure thereto, this Device practised.  
When nature's lights, in drink, she perceived drowned  
And he, as dead, lay senseless on the Ground;  
She on her shoulders took him, to inter  
In an obscurely vaulted Sepulchre.  
Where laid, she left him, till the time drew nigh,  
Nature might work her own recovery.  
Then to the vault returned, often where  
At Door she knocked, till he asked, who was there?  
The Wife replied; 'tis I that come to bring  
Food to the Dead, their usual offering:  
To which he answered; Bring me not to eat;  
But bring me drink, I humbly thee entreat:  
When thou of Meat rememb'rest me, I'm sad;  
But give me drink, and thou wilt make me glad:  
Whereat the Wife thus mourning, struck her breast,  
By slight or reason thou nought profitest:  
So far from mending, worse thou wilt return,  
This thy disease an Habit is become.  

MORAL.  
Of all the vices human Frailties have,  
This, as the last, associates to the Grave:  
Age and disease disable us for some;  
But unto This both Ministers become.    

179. The Swan.  
A Rich man bred together Swans and geese,  
For Pleasure Those, and for the table These.  
Whenas the geese to suffer were the End,  
To which the Owner did them first intend;  
The Night was so obscure there could not be  
Distinction had in this society:  
Which caused a Mistake: for on the Swan  
The fatal Lot beyond Intention ran.  
The mournful Bird heeron herself applie's  
In Songs to celebrate her Obsequies:  
By which her Nature was discovered soon,  
And with her sweet Notes so her freedom won.  

MORAL.  
Approaching Death those shadows do disperse  
Man is disguized with in civil Commerce:  
Defects or Virtues then disclosed are All,  
Man's perfectest Trial is his utmost Fall.  
The force of music, this may yet imply,  
assuaging thus the Rage of cruelty.    

180. The Blackmore.  
A wealthy man a Niger bought;  
Whose colour he assumed thought  
By his Neglect who first him bred,  
Thereon him to his dwelling led:  
Where he by sundry washings tried  
How the Skin might be purified:  
But found unchanged still the hew,  
While from the Pain a sickness grew.  

MORAL.  
Art and industry thus are both left void,  
When on Subjects incapable employed.  
Who strive the force of Nature to o'ercome,  
Sooner than change, work Dissolution.    

181. The Crow and Swallow.  
THe Crow and Swallow did contend,  
Which of them did in Form transscend.  
The Crow objected against him;  
His colour flourished but in Spring:  
Whereas her tincture was so pure,  
It every Season would endure.  

MORAL.  
Those Parts of beauty best affect the Sens  
On which Time's changes have no Influence:  
The Superficial varnish may the skin,  
But that wins Prize that takes his Source within.    

182. The bitte.  
A bitte in a Window hung,  
The Bat asked, why by night he sung,  
And cheerful day passed silently?  
To whom the bitte made reply;  
I, heretofore singing by day,  
Became the Fowlers heedless Prey:  
From whence I cautious am to vent  
Such Seasons my Divertizement.  
The Bat said, now 'twill little stead;  
Before the Ill thou shouldst take heed.  

MORAL.  
So shallow judgements out of Season shun  
Those fatal Tracts by which they were undone:  
And after practise, what they should before;  
When the Steeds stolen they shut the Stable door.    

183. The Cockles.  
A rustic boy some Cockles had,  
Which he to roast i'th' fire laid:  
Wherein the Cockles hissing, he  
Cried out, worst of mortality;  
Do you so pleasantly now sing,  
Your Houses when on firing?  

MORAL.  
Man's exterior Demeanour, decency  
Wills with his present Fortune to agree:  
Philosophy with Reason doth commence;  
Nor is that Reason which belie's the Sens.  
Extremes are but distempers, which arise  
From struggling Natures too weak Faculties.  
But when th'Effect's contrary to the cause,  
Reason revolteth from her proper Laws.    

184. The Sorceress.  
A Sorceress, who undertook t'appeas  
The divine wrath in human miser'es:  
Many strange things t'effect perservered had,  
Whereby she long had no small profit made.  
At length, accused, detected and condemned,  
She was led forth to make a shameful end:  
To see whose execution many flocked,  
Where One amongst them thus her folly mocked:  
You the Decrees that could decline of heaven;  
Why could you not the counsels change of men?  

MORAL.  
Vain Boasters so when in Distress they fall,  
With their Defects derided are of All:  
While vulgar Scorn, evil on evil set's,  
When their own Damage proves them counterfeits.    

185. The Husbandman.  
A Husbandman digging the Ground,  
A secret heap of Treasure found:  
For which he thankful crowned the Earth,  
To him enlarged this fruitful Birth.  
Fortune, arriving, asked why he  
Ascribed her benignity  
Unto the Earth? Since if the time  
His late found treasure should resign  
Unto Another's Hand; he then  
Would for the Loss straight Her condemn.  

MORAL.  
So worldly Men to the exterior Means  
Attribute still the cause of all their Gains:  
But of their Loss the author judge to be  
Some secret power in the divinity.    

186. The Travellers.  
TWo Men together traveled,  
One whereof an axe finding, said  
Unto the Other, I have found,  
For a share to frame some Ground:  
The Other thereto made reply;  
Say, we have found, and say not, I.  
Soon after, who it lost them viewed;  
And in great Haste them both pursued.  
Who found it, seeing this, cried, we  
Shall perish now infallibly.  
Whereto the Other answered,  
Not we, say I, as you first said.  

MORAL.  
In civil Commerce faithless Men do use  
With doubtful Words thus to play fast and loose:  
They in the Profit sharers may disclaim;  
But in the Damage might them entertain.    

187. Two Frogs.  
TWo Frogs there were nigh Neighbours bred,  
Whereof One in a deep Pool fed.  
In shallow slows the Other lay,  
Adjoining were to the high-way.  
The Frog, who in the Pool was fed,  
His Fellow oft admonished  
To come to him into the Flood,  
More safe to get his livelihood:  
The slow Frog not assenting, said;  
Custom had that his firm seat made:  
Till a Cart passing on him rushed,  
And suddenly to pieces crushed.  

MORAL.  
Custom the use of Reason takes away,  
Where Practice only can the Will o'er sway.  
Error most Men hold well Authorized,  
When time hath Error once established:  
But like Success will in the Issue prove,  
What need may be long habits to remove:  
So many Changes in a State we see,  
Good Laws prove bad, if they not changed may be.    

188. The Bees.  
A Pilf'ring Knave, the Owner being from home,  
Went to a beehive, whence he took the Comb.  
Th'Owner returned, finding the Stock bereft,  
Staed there, amused, to gather what was left:  
The Bees returning met the felon fled,  
And with their Stings him sharply punished:  
Who cried, i'th'theft ye me dismissed unhurt,  
On your work busied; will you me subvert?  

MORAL.  
So vicious Men do conceal from their Friends  
The secret Scope of their sinister Ends:  
But rashly their Disorders do expose  
Unto the view of circumventing Foes.    

189. The Halcedon.  
THe Halcedon, a Bird, which usually,  
In solitude, frequent's the vastest Sea:  
She, lest by men her young should be suppressed,  
On a Sea-coasting Rock, erect's her Nest;  
Whence issuing, abroad to seek for food,  
Wherewith might be relieved her helpless brood:  
The swelling Sea chafeed with a ruffling wind,  
Within her limits could not be confined:  
In whose wild tumour the Nest overspread,  
The struggling Nestlings, at length perished:  
The Dam, returned; soon the disaster found,  
Thus, her sad Plaints did mournfully resound;  
Earth, as suspected, rashly I desert,  
To seek thy Refuge, far more faithless art.  

MORAL.  
Without more slights, A watchful jealousy,  
Secures Man from a constant enemy:  
But his Assurance in unconstant Friends  
C him soonest to their private Ends.    

190. The subtle Fisher.  
A Fisher had a clear stream met,  
Extended o'er the same his Net,  
Which with the stream left floating, he  
To either line tied cunningly  
A weighty stone, wherewith he stood  
Alternately beating the Flood,  
That so the frighted Fish might get,  
More heedlessly into his Net:  
Which by the bordering Dwellers seen,  
'Gainst him exclameed troubled the stream,  
Whereby' they could not from the Brink,  
Attain clear water for their drink,  
Who made reply; content you Friends;  
My Success on my Art depends:  
Should I the stream forbear to beat,  
I certainly shall nothing eat.  

MORAL.  
desperate Fortune's dissensions move in State,  
Securely so wealth to accumulate,  
By their sheltered disorders; when as they  
In Peace nought act, free Laws do not betray.    

191. The Ape and Dolphin.  
IT much in use was among Seaf'ring-men,  
monkeys and Apes to have aboard with them  
To be their sport; it happened one of these,  
With Men, made shipwreck in the Attic Seas.  
Nature or Imitation taught the Ape  
To swim, as did the Men, for their escape.  
A passing Dolphin seeing the Ape swim  
Among the Men, for such believed him,  
Whom he took up, and to the Landward swum,  
Till to th'Athenian Naval harbour come,  
Was called Pyraeus. The kind Dolphin there  
Asked of the Ape, if he Athenian were?  
The Ape for such affirmed himself to be,  
And in that Place of noble family.  
The Dolphin asked, if he Pyraeus knew?  
Whereon the Ape yet more assured grew;  
Believing it to be a human Name,  
Affirmed thereto, that the very same  
His Ancient friend was; the Dolphin this Lie  
Incensed so, he left him there to die.  

MORAL.  
When ignorant Men in their discourse would seem  
To know more than they do, to win esteem.  
The shallow currant of their babbling Sens  
Is soon betrayed by their Impertinence:  
Whereby they are exposed to more contemt;  
And often times meet farther Detriment.    

192. The fly.  
OF honey in a store-house shed,  
The eager Flies with freedom fed,  
Till thereto cleaved were their Feet,  
That full, from thence they could not get.  
Where drowning, cried, O wretched brood!  
To perish for a little Food!  

MORAL.  
Their stupid folly here we figured see,  
Who hasten Death through sensuality:  
The End of eating Life is to afford:  
Yet more die by the Mouth, then by the Sword.    

193. Mercury and the Statuist.  
MErcurie being desirous once to know  
In what esteem men held him here below,  
A Statuist's yard entered in human Guise,  
Where of Jove's Statue he required the Price:  
The Statuist said, a drachma the least would be:  
Passing from which, thereat smiled Mercury;  
And turned to Juno's; Asking, how much that;  
The Statuist said, that was of higher rate.  
Then of his Own asked, thinking still the Prize  
Would in the value, as the Order rise:  
The Statuist thereto this slight answer gave;  
If Those you buy; you That to boot shall have.  

MORAL.  
By Hermes, Jove's and Juno's Statues be  
Figured to us, Wisdom, Wealth, dignity:  
That more than this depraved mankind prize;  
Th'Other with them we scarce assimulize:  
Who these two have, shall in their high Repute,  
By vulgar Credit, that possess to boot.   

Exposition.  
Virtue no Object hath beyond her Sphere,  
Despising that which tickles but the Ear:  
Whence empty Souls, but moved with common Fame,  
Seeking their glory, needs must find their Shame.    

194. Mercury and Tiresias.  
MErcurie curious being once to try  
The truth of blind Tiresias prophecy.  
His Oxen from the pasture stole, than came  
To him disguised, and declared the same:  
Tiresias busied on the augury,  
Bad Hermes tell what Bird he could descry:  
Mercury told him, An Eagle took flight  
From the Left hand, and flew unto the Right.  
Tiresias said, that nothing did pertain  
Unto his Purpose; bade him look again.  
The second time Hermes informed him, he  
A Crow beheld descending from a Tree,  
Now to the Earth, then mounting to the sky,  
To that, than this, directing oft her eye.  
The Prophet said, By heaven and Earth she swore,  
He, if he would, his Cattle could restore▪  

MORAL.  
mens' secretest vices shall not rest concealed;  
But by their Mouths their guilt shall be revealed,  
Whilst creatures void of Reason thus shall be  
Perfect Dilaters to their treachery.    

195. The Dogs.  
A countryman two Dogs together bred,  
One for the Chase, th'other to guard his Shed.  
When as the Hunter did his Prey Home bring,  
The house Cur thereof would partake with him:  
Th'Hunter not brooking this, reviled his Mate,  
For that he idle, of his labours eat.  
The Other said, My Master reprehend  
Who taught me heeron only to depend.  

MORAL.  
By Education Nature's Gifts are led  
To use, which else thus lie extinguished:  
Whence, who preside Youth, yet neglect the same,  
Shall of their Errors justly bear the blame.    

196. The Husband and Wife.  
A Quiet Man a Shrew had to his Wife,  
Who with his Servants always was at strife.  
The goodman heeron (Being resolved to try  
How to her own Paternal family.  
She stood affected) with a fair pretense,  
Sent her unto her Father's Residence.  
Soon after she returned, he of her sought,  
What of her Parents domestics she thought?  
She made reply, the hinds and Herdsmen be  
Possessed with a jealousy of me:  
The Husband heeron said, O Wife! if these  
Are early forth, and late return displease.  
What then, alas! of all those judge I may,  
Who were Conversant with thee all the day.  

MORAL.  
To froward minds nor Time, nor Place agree,  
Because their Distemper Them accompany:  
How then should Others have Peace in their life,  
When with themselves they always are at Strife.    

197, The Kid and Wolf.  
A Kid, who from the Flock was strayed,  
To her pursuing Foe thus said,  
O Wolf! Since I thy Prey must be,  
Permit me to die merry.  
Play on thy Pipe, that dance I May:  
The Wolf assenting set to play:  
While the Kid to his Measures danced,  
Which notes to hear the Dogs soon chanceed,  
And suddenly pursued him,  
The frisking Kid so rescuing:  
At which the Wolf afflicted, said,  
I by my folly am betrayed;  
Since I a Cook ought only be,  
No meddler with the minstrelsy.  

MORAL.  
What use and Nature have us framed unto,  
That with Success the meanest minds May do:  
But in our Practice when both these we leave,  
We with disgrace must our own Damage weav.    

198. The Crab and Fox.  
A Crab asscended with the tide,  
From Sea to Land, would there reside;  
On whom a hungry Fox, past by,  
Casting, by chance, his searching eye,  
Unto her went without delay,  
And of her made his welcome Prey:  
Who, on the Period of her Death,  
Expired sadly thus her Breath:  
I justly die; since of the Sea,  
I coveted of Earth to be.  

MORAL.  
Such Damage simple Men incur (We see)  
Affecting Change, seek strange community:  
Long Habits only Them have judgement lent;  
Whence they thrive not, but in that Element.    

199. The Harp.  
A Harp, imperfect, long i'th' house had lain  
'Mong chalk & rubbish, crusted with the same▪  
As it was wont to do, began to play:  
Whose untuned Notes much hoarseness did betray;  
But she, heeron, herself esteemed to be  
The only Paragon of harmony:  
And in this Rapture, would herself prefer,  
To be the wonder of the Theatre;  
To which set forth, her disagreeing Tones  
From thence was driven with a shower of stones.  

MORAL.  
Vnpractized and imperfect Men swelled high  
In Self-conceit of their sufficiency;  
Because they the theory of the Schools have read;  
And undigested Notions uttered:  
When to the practic they in public come▪  
To show those seeds of Ostentation;  
They so defective in the Action prove,  
Instead of wonder, they derision move.    

200. Thieves and the Cock.  
thieves in a house themselves had wound,  
Where nothing but a Cock they found.  
Who on the Period slain to be  
Desired them, they would him free:  
Saying, he useful was to Men,  
By night to labour waking them.  
The sly thieves heerto made reply,  
For this thou more deserv'st to die;  
In that them waking to their Thrift,  
Thou us to steal wilt not permit.  

MORAL.  
Who on his Audients would work his Intent,  
To their Affections fits his Argument:  
Virtues win favour; but 'tis understood,  
When as This Object only meet's the Good.    

201. The Crow and Raven.  
A Crow the Raven envying, that he  
By augury should prophesy:  
As on the way she men saw travelling,  
Leapt to a Tree where she sat clamoring:  
The Men stayed with the noise, astonished were,  
So fierce a Clamour from one Bird to hear:  
Until One of them had distinguished  
What Fowl it was, who to his Fellows said;  
Let us pass on, it only is a Crow,  
Which nothing can in augury foreshow.  

MORAL.  
As Shadows Bodies in the Light succeed:  
Virtue in Fame from envy ne'er is freed:  
But when in Act, she would her Equal bee,  
Disgrace still follows this her mimicry.    

202. The Crow and Dog.  
A Crow proclaimed with loud cries,  
she'd to Minerva sacrifice:  
Unto the plenty of which Feast,  
Invites the Dog to be her Guest:  
The Dog demands, why vainly she  
To her held such solemnity;  
Since her the Goddess could not brook,  
But from her had her augur took?  
Much rather I (the Crow replies)  
Her to appease should sacrifice.  

MORAL.  
So worldly Men in their Afflictions urge  
They should desist to honour who them Scourge:  
But pious minds a Motive thence collect,  
More earnest Zeal should reconcile th'effect.    

203. The Raven and Serpent.  
A hungry Raven chanceed to spy,  
Beaking i'th' Sun, a Serpent lie:  
Which she trust up with eager speed,  
Intending thereon largely feed.  
The nimble Serpent 'bout her wound;  
And bit her so, she fell to th'ground.  
Who dying, cried, unhappy I!  
To find the Food whereby I die.  

MORAL.  
So greedy minds at all gains rashly fly,  
Whereof their Sens can make discovery:  
But with more Potent when they grapple, they  
Become destroyed by their purposed Prey.    

204. The Daw and Doves.  
A Daw had Pige'ns spied well fed,  
Himself with Lime white coloured;  
Then to the Dove-coat slily went,  
He might receive like Nourishment:  
The Doves thinking him one of them,  
While silent, to eat suffered him;  
But having once his craft forgot,  
When chattering by chance a Note:  
His Nature they did soon disclose,  
Chasing him thence with many blows.  
Who thus deprived of his Food,  
Returned to feed among his Brood:  
Which him not knowing for his Hew,  
To drive him thence, upon him flew.  
Thus coveting of both the Gain,  
Of neither he possessed became.  

MORAL.  
Disguized with Art, so double hearted Men  
Side with that Faction most advantage them:  
But where th'Intern with th'Extern not agree,  
Practise soon shows Professions fallacy:  
When disclosed to be led by private Ends,  
By Foes are cast off, forsook by their Friends.    

205. The Daw.  
ONe, having taken a Jack-Daw,  
Tied a string above the Claw;  
Then him delivered to his Son,  
He might to play therewith be won.  
The Daw not brooking servile bands,  
At length, escaping from his hands.  
With joyful speed, himself addressed  
Unto the Refuge of his Nest,  
Abording which, the trained Line  
About a Bough did chance to twine;  
Where he again ensnared, cried,  
I have my Evil multiplied;  
While from Man's bondage thus I strive,  
Myself I of my Life deprive.  

MORAL.  
Pressed with Impatience present ills to shun,  
So giddy Heads do into greater run.  
The silly Rout, unfit their Guides to be,  
Break Civil ties to reach at liberty:  
But such Disorders follow the Attemt,  
That common ruin meet's with the Event.    

206. Mercury.  
JOve once commanded Mercury  
A Potion mix might move to Lie:  
Then charged him it to prefer  
Unto every Artificer.  
When in a certain Measure done;  
He equally gave each one some.  
The Tailor only missed his share,  
Which yet remained much to spare:  
Which he, lest any lost should be,  
Quaffed up with great alacrity:  
Whence Lying to all Trades befell,  
While tailors therein all excel.  

MORAL.  
Gain the Supplanter of the Truth doth tie  
All Tradesmen's words to this necessity:  
'Tis for their Living, with deceitful Lies  
To set more value on their merchandise:  
But they herein will act a double share,  
Who in the Profit their own Carvers are.    

207. Jove.  
JOve having framed all mankind,  
With each habit endued the mind:  
modesty only he forgot;  
Whereof he Leven having not:  
Commanded Her into the Troop,  
To which, by no means, she would stoop:  
Till Jove it oft with Anger pressed,  
Agreeing yet to her Request;  
Which was, if Lusts impurer fire  
In mankind came, she might retire:  
From whence to pass it after came,  
That all Whores still are void of shame.  

MORAL.  
All sorts of Vices in Appearance show  
A kind of Sens to fail in what they do:  
But raging Lust inflamed by Defence,  
To cast Restraint off, puts on Impudence.    

208. Jove.  
JOve celebrating his Nuptial Feasts,  
All Animals received for Guests.  
The Snail alone arriving late,  
Jove would the cause capitulate:  
Asking, why sooner she came not?  
The Snail (her Courtship had forgot)  
Replied, her house, her house so dear:  
At which Jove angry did appear;  
Condemning her dear house to be  
Born on her back eternally.  

MORAL.  
Neglect in pious Rites worldly Men use  
With their domestic business to excuse:  
But whose dull Souls thereto so wedded are,  
Shall for their curs be burdened with that Care.    

209. The Wolf and Sheep.  
A Wolf by Dogs had bitten been,  
So long in blood lay weltering,  
Unable on his Feet to get,  
He nigh starved was for want of meat:  
Till he at length a Sheep espied,  
To whom he pitifully cried;  
She would from the overflowing Spring,  
To quench his thirst, some water bring:  
If this of her he might entreat,  
He should himself provide him meat.  
The Sheep replied, if from the Flood  
I bring thee drink, I am thy food.  

MORAL.  
Deceitful men, at last extremity,  
Can not cast off their innate treachery:  
But prudent men their Purposes forerun;  
And by their theme find their Conclusion.    

210. The Hares.  
THe fearful Hares long, heretofore,  
With the fierce eagle's warfare bore.  
The Hares too weak, the Prey being made,  
The subtle Fox called to their Aid.  
The Fox said, thereto I agree,  
But first I, of necessity,  
Must be informed, who you are,  
Then next, with whom it is you war.  

MORAL.  
Weak States t'oppose more potent Foes, elect  
Crafty confederates, wise and circumspect;  
To counterbalance their unequal might  
By the Diversion of some powerful slight:  
Who wisely thus their Faculties compare,  
Ere on the Action they intentive are.    

211. The Ant.  
Who now an Ant is, hath been heretofore,  
A Husbandman, not content with his store;  
But of his Neighbour's fruits had every day,  
Unto his own, born a large part away:  
Till Jove his angry judgement had let fall;  
And him transformed to this Animal:  
Who though in figure thus he changed be,  
Yet still retains his former quality:  
Of others labours daily taking still,  
Which he hoard's up, even to the Earth men Till  

MORAL.  
What form soever greedy Man endues,  
Gain is the Object which his Toil pursues:  
Of Means thereto, the nighest he prefers,  
Without distinction of the Ministers;  
Wherein the Passion is so blindly led,  
Oft useless things are not distinguished.    

212. The Bat and weasel.  
A Bat, by chance, that fell to ground,  
Was by a roving weasel found:  
Of whom, she, on the point to die,  
Required freedom earnestly:  
The weasel said, he could not free  
To Fowl so great an enemy:  
The Bat replied, she was a mouse  
No Bird: And by that slight got loose.  
Soon after to Earth fallen again,  
She by another weasel ta'en:  
Of him her freedom sought likewise:  
The weasel said, she was to Mice  
An enemy: The Bat avered  
She no mouse was; she was a Bird.  
Whereon dismissed, her twice changed Name  
Her Life's security became.  

MORAL.  
So variformed are frail mens' designs,  
Securest he is, can change with the Times:  
Man to the world may lend th'Exterior part;  
Provided still he keep entire the Heart.    

213. The Travellers.  
TWo Men together trau'lling near the Sea,  
Entering a Cave, had made discovery  
Of boughs and Branches floating on the flood,  
Where, with Impatience, both expecting stood,  
With Belief it a great Ship was, at hand,  
Which, to their Gain, would make wrack on the sand.  
But as the wind had driven it nigher them,  
They but a Fisher's Boat supposed it then:  
Till it approaching, they drew it a ground,  
And the true Nature of the Subject found.  
Whereon t'each Other said, abashed with shame,  
That we for nothing should expect in vain.  

MORAL.  
Remotest Hopes the largest Objects frame,  
As they Approach, they still are in the Wain:  
The cause is, they proportioned to the Sens,  
Which Bounds meet's none, can no Equivalence.    

214. The wild Ass.  
A wild Ass had an Ass domestic viewed  
Beaking i'th' Sun half covered in his food:  
To whom he went, applauding much his Fate,  
That had designed him to so happy State.  
But when soon after, he him saw again  
Loaden, his following keeper whipping him:  
Said, Thee no more I happy judge to be,  
Since such ls mix with thy felicity.  

MORAL.  
So rustic minds even envious are to see  
The splendid Lux of Rich mens' vanity;  
Until their second thoughts reflect again  
O'th' Cares and Troubles that associate them;  
Then are their judgements so from Error led,  
They even pity what they worshipped.    

215. The Asses.  
ass's (of old)' Cause they o'reburdned were,  
For Eas, to Jove had sent a Messenger.  
To whom Jove fig'ring this could not be done,  
Said, they from labour then should free become,  
When they by pissing had a River made.  
Which they believing in the Sens, as said,  
From thence forth ever after pissing stood,  
Where Piss they saw, striving to raise a Flood.  

MORAL.  
Weak men, by care toiled, heaven appeal them free  
From this condition of mortality:  
And by the Error of their Sens are led  
To think their state may so be perfected,  
With some ridiculous Means, attemting still  
Their Translation by Miracle to fulfil.    

216. The Ass and Fox.  
AN Ass hid in a Lion's skin  
Through the Forest wandering:  
All but the Fox had put to flight,  
With terror of this awful sight,  
But him attemting to have feared:  
The crafty Fox his voice had heard,  
Said, truly, I had been affraied,  
If that, by chance, thou hadst not brayed.  

MORAL.  
With glorious Spoils invested, mean Men may  
At Distance move their Betters to give way:  
But when the Tongue hath once betrayed the mind,  
Slight borrowed shadows for deceit designed.    

217. The Ass and Frogs.  
AN Ass sore loaden was with wood,  
Passing a Fen, fell in the Flood:  
Whence he not able to arise,  
Proclameed his Grief in hideous cries:  
Which when th'astonished Frogs had heard;  
They all about him gathered.  
What he would do, demanding him,  
So long as they, were he therein?  

MORAL.  
Accustomed troubles, though they grievous be,  
Weak minds oft brook with much indifferency:  
Yet yield to Passion, even in slight Events,  
When surprised with unusual Accidents.    

218. The Ass and Raven.  
AN Ass at Pasture, had his back  
Sore galled with a heavy Pack:  
A Raven to the raw flesh came,  
And with his Claws pinched the same.  
The Ass began to kick and fling;  
While nigh his Keeper laughed at Him;  
Which when a passing Wolf had seen,  
Said, if his ills tickle your Spleen.  
Woe be to us, wretches! when you  
Shall our disclosed Tracts pursue.  

MORAL.  
Who can deride their miseries do him Good,  
Without more Proofs, it may be understood;  
Relentless will with cruelty fulfil  
On them his vengeance, who have done him Ill.    

219. The Ass and Fox.  
AN Ass and Fox, did League embrace,  
Set forth together for the Chase:  
Where both a Lion did pursue,  
The Fox the Danger to eschew;  
Said, if the Lion would him spare,  
he'd lead the Ass into his snare.  
On which contract forbearance gained,  
The Ass was to the Ambush trained,  
Where being fast. The Lion flew  
Upon the Fox, and first him slew.  

MORAL.  
The Fox and Ass, implies to us two States,  
Crafty and simple, made Confederates:  
When by more powerful these assailed be,  
The crafty thus betray's by treachery  
His joint associate, himself to secure:  
Which when their potent Foes have once made sure,  
They seis on that, who farthered bad their end,  
And ruin first, who ruined had his Friend.    

220. The Hen and Swallow.  
A Hen had Serpents Eggs found out,  
To hatch them fondly went about.  
The Swallow seeing this, said, she  
Possessed was with lunacy.  
To nourish them, who as they grow,  
Will first attempt thy overthrow.  

MORAL.  
The rage of Malice charmed is by no ties,  
When time hath fully formed her Faculties:  
On him, who in his Bosom hath her bred,  
Shall this her rancour first be vomited.    

221. The Camels.  
When Camels first discovered were,  
Their mighty Bulk struck Men in fear,  
So much, that these astonished fled,  
While those could be distinguished.  
But when succeeding Time had shown  
Their gentleness to every One:  
Men then so confident became,  
By them aborded were the same:  
And after this a little while,  
They finding in the Beast no Bile.  
With more contemt went to them yet,  
On them imposing rain and Bit.  
Then as too mean a care for Men,  
Gave them to Boies to govern them.  

MORAL.  
Unusual Objects terrify the Sens,  
Till judgement be through use informed from thence  
The Nature of the Subject, which once known  
T'have with the fancy no proportion.  
Men by degrees from this so far dissent,  
What was their Terror becom's their Contemt.    

222. The Serpent.  
THe Serpent by Men trodden on,  
Complained of this Oppression  
To Jove; who said, if who thee kicked,  
Thou wouldst before but him have bit,  
The second Progress could not be  
By them offensive unto thee.  

MORAL.  
The first Evasion who can but repel,  
Shakes off his Foes, to them redoubtable:  
But they, with sufferance, i'th' first shock sit still,  
Encourage the Pursuit to farther ill.    

223. The Dove.  
A Dove oppressed with thirst extreme,  
For water roving long had been,  
Espied a Picture as he went,  
A Cup thereof did represent.  
On which, she it believing true,  
With more exalted rage she flew;  
So that her Pinions thereon broke,  
She fallen to Earth, was captive took.  

MORAL.  
Who, in Extremes, th'Emotions of the Sens  
Pursue with unrestrained violence;  
Those Faculties therein they did employ,  
Misled by Error, in th'Event destroy.    

224. The Pigeon and Crow.  
A Pigeon of the Dove-coat free,  
Grew proud in her fertility.  
Which heard, the Crow unto her came,  
Wiled her not glory in the same:  
For look how many she had bred,  
So high her Griefs were numbered.  

MORAL.  
The Pains and Troubles; This to us implies,  
Inherent are to heads of Families;  
Birth, Education and Provision, are  
Alternate marks of their incessant Care:  
And if all these be need full unto One;  
What Measure tends on vast Succession?    

225. The rich Mourner.  
A wealthy Man two Daughters had,  
For One, late dead, a funeral made:  
At which, such was their custom then,  
Hired Women did lament o'er them.  
The living Maid abashed heerat,  
The sens of Grief to aggravate,  
Said, Wretches we! to whom this woe  
Belongs, to utter it not know:  
While they, it nothing doth concern;  
Express Groans make our bowels yearn!  
To which the Mother made reply;  
Wonder not Daughter at their cry;  
Since what thou seest or hear'st them do,  
The Gain of money prompts them to.  

MORAL.  
Nature hath limits; Art extremes puts on,  
That tends to use, this but to Fiction:  
No wonder then if this do that exceed,  
When money lends high Action to the Deed.  
For which man so bewitched is, that he  
Would take on him another's misery.    

226. The Shepherd.  
A Shepherd on his flock attends,  
A neighbouring Oak, to shake, ascends,  
While under it his Coat was spread,  
To catch the Fruit he shattered.  
The Sheep drew near, seeking their meat,  
Who of the Acorns could not eat,  
Began his Coat to gnaw and tear,  
Till they by him discovered were.  
Who straight descending in a rage,  
Found his Coat in sad Equipage.  
Whereon he cried, You worst of things!  
To make your sport my Sufferings:  
To others you do Garments give;  
Me, who you feed, of mine bereav.  

MORAL.  
So silly Men endamage oft their Friends,  
Without advantage to their proper Ends:  
And without respect, unto them do good,  
Relation none have to commerce or blood.    

227. The herdsman.  
A herdsman of his Cattle negligent,  
A Calf had lost, in search whereof he went.  
Many vast places traceed he had in vain,  
Till he, at length, despairing of his Pain,  
To Jove a Kid vowed for an offering,  
If who his Calf stole he'd disclose to him:  
Whence onward going, to a Grove he came,  
Where he his Calf saw by a Lion slain;  
Whereat he trembling raised his hands to heaven,  
Saying, a Kid I promised should be given  
To thee great Jove in wonted Sacrifice,  
If thou the Thief wouldst present to mine eyes:  
But now a Bull thy offering shall be,  
If thou from him wilt but deliver me.  

MORAL.  
Weak men, in extremes, guide their prayer by sens,  
Find, in th'Event their own Improvidence:  
If God to Man's will should in all assent;  
His vain Requests would work his Punishment.    

228. The Eagle.  
A Stone an Eagle made his stand,  
His view might more extent command.  
Where watching for a Hare, his eye  
Neglected his security.  
By which, the Fowler with small craft  
Approaching, him struck with a shaft;  
The feathered notch whereof stuck right  
Before the wounded eagles' sight:  
Who said, 'tis double Grief to see  
These my own feathers ruin me.  

MORAL.  
So greedy minds for others harms do watch,  
What they intend to Other often catch:  
While all their Force is on their purpose bent:  
They thus lie open to their detriment;  
But by how much the Agents near us be,  
So much more weighty is our misery.    

229. The Worm and Fox.  
A Worm long in the dirt concealed,  
At length, himself to sight revealed.  
Proclaiming him to every Beast,  
A Physician the perfectest:  
Betwixt whom and 
* Apollo the God's Physician  Poean the Gods,  
There was, or none, or little odds.  
The Fox said, canst thou others cure,  
Yet that thy lameness wilt endure.  

MORAL.  
When our own interest the first Rites do claim;  
If proofs be wanting, words no credit gain:  
Experience then his masterpiece hath wrought,  
When with the Subject the Example's brought.    

230. The Wolf and nurse.  
A hungry Wolf roving for Prey  
Came where he heard a nurse to say  
T'her crying child. Peace, or this hour,  
The greedy Wolf shall thee devour▪  
The Wolf, these words believing, stood,  
Expecting many hours this food,  
Until declined was the day,  
Where listening still he heard her say,  
If that the Wolf come to my boy,  
We will the howling Cur destroy.  
Whereat the Wolf returned to wood,  
To seek more certain livelihood.  

MORAL.  
mens' Speeches oft reflect on others Ends;  
Such promise fair, not often prove our Friends.  
Who only for their livelihood rely  
On empty Words, scarce Nature satisfy:  
Till tired with expectation, pressing need  
Enforce them rather in a Desert feed.    

231. The Gnat and Lion.  
A Gnat unto a Lion came,  
His fury thus sought to inflame;  
I fear thee not, though I be less,  
Thy strength equals not my Address:  
In fight thou usest Tooth and Nail,  
As vixen women men assail:  
But if thou dar'st give proof of might,  
I challenge thee with me to fight.  
The Gnat (heerto the Summons rung)  
Her Foe by th'Nostrils sharply stung;  
Then to his tender eyelids flew,  
By slight the peril to eschew:  
With rage this made the Lion roar,  
Who to catch her, his own flesh tore:  
The Lion vanquished, judged to be,  
The Trumpet sounded victory  
Unto the Gnat; who from thence fled  
Into a Spider's cunning Web:  
Where she surprised bewailed her fate  
Did life so vildly terminate:  
Since she the mighty could o'erthrow,  
Should fall by so despised a Foe.  

MORAL.  
Mean minds sometimes great ills immoved withstand,  
Mastering themselves, even Fate itself command:  
Yet when to Passion is inclined the Sens,  
Yield up their Reason to slight Accidents.    

Exposition.  
When with the needy Potent men do strive,  
In vain themselves of Fame and wealth deprive;  
Such naked Trunks, nor honour have, nor gold;  
Where injury might for Revenge take hold.  
With beggars who contend themselves may fret,  
Yet in th'Advantage but a louse shall get:  
But to their Equals when they vent their brags,  
They meet with those divest them of their Rags.   
FINIS.