St;, 48 . £*< f mi i y.v ■ THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES ■m^% UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY Los Angeles This book is DUE on the last date stamped below. h)V !GE-UHU NOV 2 81982 OCT 3 1 198$ 315 ! London : Printed by W. Bulmer and W. Nicol, Cleveland Row, St. James's. PQ l$0% A/ TO THE RIGHT HONORABLE s THE LORD VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH, HIS MAJESTY'S PRINCIPAL SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE HOME DEPARTMENT, THESE TRIFLES ARE MOST RESPECTFULLY DEDICATED, BY HIS LORDSHIP'S MOST OBLIGED AND OBEDIENT SERVANT, THE AUTHOR. PREFACE. It is a trite but true observation, that Fables have, in every period of the world, been re- ceived by persons of all ages and conditions, as a useful and agreeable mode of instruction. The most antient Fable on record is that of Jotham,vide Book of Judges, chap. 9th. The sacred volume abounds with apologues ; but in a work of so light a character as the pre- sent, let us not irreverently step upon holy ground. iEsop has been supposed to have written in the time of Solon, the Fables which have been called by his name. Without entering into the discussion whether these were the invention of the Phrygian slave, or the forgery of the Monk Planudes in the 14th century, it seems certain that many compositions of this nature were handed down from remote antiquity, from whence Pheedrns and other more modern Fa- bulists have borrowed. VI PREFACE. Of all succeeding writers of this class, no one has been more deservedly popular than La Fontaine, whose elegant simplicity of style, mixed with a peculiar archness of satire, and adorned by light and airy versification, seems to set all translation and imitation at de- fiance. English writers, indeed, have not been thought happy in this species of composition. An emi- nent critic (Dr. Warton) has observed, that " we are in no respect so very inferior to the " French as in our Fables. We have no La " Fontaine. The Fables of Gay, esteemed our " best, are written in a pure and neat style, " but have not much nature or humour." The writer of the present collection by no means imagines that he is destined to give his country the boast of possessing a La Fon- taine. Taking the French poet as a master ra- ther than as a model, he has endeavoured to put some of those Fables, which most struck his fancy, into English verse of various mea- sure ; without always closely copying the thoughts, or attempting the manner of the original ; and he has introduced some allusions to the events of the times, where they were sug- PREFACE. VJLl gested by the subject. This it is hoped will not incur the same animadversion which Dr. War- ton has made on the second volume of Gay, that his Fables read like political pamphlets. The allusions inserted here are for the most part very concise. A little more latitude is taken in some of the notes. Though decid- edly hostile to levelling - , and Jacobinical — or as the cant term now is — radical principles, the writer trusts no sentiment will be found adverse to the true spirit of British constitutional liberty. From what has been premised, it will be un- derstood, that these Fables do not profess to be altogether a translation, or an imitation of La Fontaine. The writer has rather sought to occupy the ground recommended by the dictum of an ancient poetical legislator ; Publica materies privati juris erit si Nee circa vilem patulumque moraberis orbem, Nee verbum verto curabis reddere fidus Interpres He has endeavoured to comply with the in- structions laid down by this high authority. Whether the readers will derive amusement Vlll PREFACE. from this attempt remains to be proved. The composition has at least fulfilled one useful purpose to the writer, by assisting- him to dis- sipate the ennui of a painful and long- pro- tracted indisposition. The original French has been placed on the opposite page, not from the ridiculous vanity of supposing- that the English Fables would gain by the comparison, but rather that the diffi- culty of the task might be more apparent, and afford an excuse for imperfection in the per- formance. In this collection four Fables are introduced from the pen of a friend. These are marked with an asterisk. TABLE OF CONTENTS. } ion"\ PART THE FIRST. Prefatory Address to Lord Viscount Sidmouth Les Membres et l'Estomac The Force of Fable La Genisse, la Chevre, et la Brebis, en Socie"te avecle L The Lion and his Associates La Cigale et la Fourmi The Grasshopper and the Ant - "La Grenouille qui veut se faire aussi grosse que le Bceuf The Frog and the Ox - Le Corbeau et le Renard - - - - The Raven and the Fox - Les Deux Mulets The two Mules - - - Le Loup et le Chien - - - The Wolf and the Dog L'Enfant et le Maitre d'Ecole The Boy and the Schoolmaster - - La Besace - The Wallet - ... Le Loup et l'Agneau - - The Wolf and the Lamb L'Homme et son Image - Man and his Likeness - - Le Dragon a plusieurs tetes et le Dragon a plusieurs queues The Dragon with many heads and the Dragon with many tails Les Voleurs et l'Ane - The Robbers and the Ass - Simonide preserve" par les Dieux - - - Simonides preserved by the Gods - -. Le Lion et le Rat - - - The Lion and the Rat - - - Page 3 6 12 14 18 «: 24 34 38 44 48 52 56 58 66 CONTENTS. Page L' Homme entre deux ages et ses deux Maitresses 1 ^ The Man and his two Mistresses Y^La Mort et le Bucheron - - "1-76 Death and the Woodman - - -J Les Fielons et les Mouches a Miel - " ^ 80 The Wasps and the Bees . " . * " 3 Le Renard et le Cicogne - The Fox and the Stork - - Conseil tenu par les Rats - - The Mice in Council - 88 92 >Be"Chene et le Roseau - - V The Oak and the Reed - - - - J La Chauve-souris et le deux Belettes The Bat and the two Weasels - Le Loup plaidant contre le Renard par devant le Singe 1 110 Wolf Plaintiff, Fox Defendant Le Coq et le Renard - - ~ 1 114 ' The Cock and the Fox - - - Les deux Taureaux et la Grenouille - "\ llg The Bulls and the Frogs - Le Corbeau voulant imiter l'Aigle - - 1 -^2 The Eagle and the Daw - - Le Renard et le Bouc - - " 1 128 The Fox and the Goat - - - Le Loup et la Cicogne - - "I 134 The Wolf and the Stork - Les Grenouilles qui demandent un Roi - 1 13g The Frogs asking for a King - Le Lion abbatu par l'Homme - : 1 144 The Lion and the Man - - Le Rat qui s'est retire du Monde - \ ^ 4g The Rat in Retirement - - - Le Renard et les Raisins - " 1 152 The Fox and the Grapes - - La Goutte et l'Araignee - - T 156 The Gout and the Spider CONTENTS PART THE SECOND. Page Lines addressed to John Hatsell, Esq. on his Birthday 167 Con.tre ceux qui ont la Gout difficile - - "1 To the Critics . . . _ J 168 Le Lion et l'Ane chassant - _ .7 The Lion and Ass hunting - - ( ^6 La Chatte metamorphose'e en Femme - 7 The Young Man and his Cat - - f * 80 Le Cheval s'£tant voulu venger du Cerf - - ^ The Stag, the Horse, and the Man - - J lS6 Le Geai pare des plumes duPaon 1 The Daw in borrowed Feathers - - . ( ^ Le Meunier, son Fils, et l'Ane - - 7 The Miller, his Son, and the Ass - - } 19€ Le Lion devenu vieux - 7 The Lion grown old _ _ ( 204 L'Alouette et ses Petits, avec le Maitre d'un champ - 1 The Lark and her Young Ones - . / 208 i^Xes Animaux malades de la Peste - 7 The Murrain - ... Jv 21 > Phe'bus et Boree - - 7 Phoebus and Boreas - - f 229 Le Satyre et le Passant - - ~\ The Satyr and the Traveller - - r 284 Le Cheval et le Loup . - 7 The Horse and the Wolf - - _ J 242 Le Vieillard et l'Ane - - _ _ 7 The Old Man and the Ass - \ 248 Le Chien qui lache sa proie pour l'Ombre - 7 The Dog and the Shadow - . j 252 Le Chartier einbourbe' - _ 7 The Countryman and Hercules - - c 254 CONTENTS. L'Ane et le petit Chien The Lapdog and the Ass \/ Le Jardinier et son Seigneur The Gardener and the Lord of the Manor Le Serpent et la Lime The Viper and the File Le Lie v re et la Tortue The Hare and the Tortoise Le Cure et le Mort The Corpse and the Curate La Cour du Lion The Lion's Court i/Les deux Pigeons The two Pigeons L' Amour et la Folie juove and Folly Le Singe et le Chat The Monkey and the Cat La Foret et le Bucheron The Woodman and the Forest L'Ours et les deux Compagnons The Bear and the Hunters j La Mort et le Mourant Death and the Dotard La Lice et sa Compagne The two Bitches L'Ours et 1' Amateur des Jardins The Hermit and the Bear , /L'Hirondelle et les petits Oiseaux V The Swallow and the Little Birds Le Tresor et les deux Hommes The Freaks of Fortune ] Page : }' 260 : }' 264 : } 274 : } 2? 8 ■ 1 - J 282 "• } 288 : } 294 : } 304 : } 308 : } 312 : } 318 - 7 - i 324 : } 332 : } 336 : } 346 : } 354 FABLES FROM LA FONTAINE. TO LORD VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH. Whilst you, my Lord, with honest zeal Watch o'er your much-lov'd Country's weal, Where pests to former days unknown, Assail the Senate, Church, and Throne ; — Whilst you, within whose manly breast The firmest, mildest virtues rest, Arm with fresh energy the Laws, But still in Freedom's sacred cause, And crush just bursting into life The reptile brood of civil strife — Sure 'tis in Bards a public crime With idle verse to waste your time. Horace to Ceesar said the same, Yet ventur'd to incur the blame. Will this old precedent excuse The boldness of the modern Muse ? TO LORD VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH. Who not untouch'd with fear essays To offer you her lighter lays ; Howe'er she claim with gifted rhyme To lift the mystic veil of time; — And through dark clouds with eagle-eyes See brighter visions swiftly rise, Where social Peace, of angel-form, Brings sunshine back, and stills the storm :— Where Britain's sons, who long- shall share The blessings sav'd by Sid mouth's care, On him her wreath of oak bestow, And boast the gratitude they owe ! But must these trifles sue in vain, My Lord, your fav'ring smile to gain ? This simple Muse — would you receive her — Nor scorn the obtrusive gift, and giver? Too well I've marked your nature kind ; — Unspoil'd by pow'r your nobler mind, Which can from loftier cares unbend, To meet the homage of a friend. Permit me then^ with triple bow, As forms of Parliament allow, TO LORD VISCOUNT SIDMOUTH. To lay upon your Lordship's table Proof of the potency of Fable. [6] LES MEMBRES ET L'ESTOMAC. Je devois par la royaute Avoir commence mon ouvrage : A la voir dun certain cote, Messer Gaster en est 1'image. S'il a quelque besoin, tout le corps s'en ressent. De travailler pour lui les Membres se lassant, Chacun d'eux resolut de vivre en gentilhomme, Sans rien faire, alleguant Texemple de Gaster. II faudroit, disoient-ils, sans nous qu'il vecut d'air. Nous suons, nous peinons comme betes de somrae ; Et pour qui ? pour lui seul : nous n'en profitons pas ; Notre soin n'aboutit qua fournir ses repas. [7] THE FORCE OF FABLE. In days of old the mob of Rome, Like some we meet with nearer home, To honest labour took dislike, And, as the phrase is, chose to strike. For ev'ry ill that on them came, They thought the Government to blame. Each Cobler left his occupation, Instead of shoes to mend the Nation ; Night-men and Scavengers alert , Would from the Senate sweep the dirt : So foul its Nobles, for their sakes They leave uncleans'd each street and jakes ! All with one voice complain'd — the Great Did nought but sport, and drink, and cat — Whilst evVy grievous burthen they bore, Half-starv'd and worn with endless labour. And now the Raggamuffins swear Such treatment they'll no longer bear. Patricians shall be forced to toil, And wrong'd Plebeians share the spoil ; — Share office, honours, public treasure, And guide the State at their good pleasure. 8 LES MEMBRES ET l'eSTOMAC. Chommons, c'est un metier qu'il veut nous faire apprendre. Ainsi dit, ainsi fait. Les mains cessent de prendre, Les bras d'agir, les jambes de marcher : Tous dirent a Gaster qu'il en allat chercher. Ce leur fut une erreur dont ils se repentirent. Bientot les pauvres gens tomberent en langueur ; II ne se forma plus de nouveau sang au coeur ; Chaque membre en souffrit; les forces se perdirent. Par ce moyen les mutins virent Que celui qu'ils croyoient oisif et paresseux A l'interet commun contribuoit plus qu'eux. Ceci peut s'appliquer a la grandeur royale. Elle re^oit et donne, et la chose est egale. Tout travaille pour elle, et reciproquement Tout tire d'elle l'aliment. THE FORCE OF FABLE. "Vith such wild notions in their pates They camp'd without the city gates : For at some time each country yields Its H — s, its W s, its Spa-Fields. Menenius then, a Statesman grave, Prudent, but not more wise than brave, Fear'd not to face the noisy rabble : He checked their fury with a Fable ! Shew'd them how foolish their pretences, And brought them to their sober senses. Mobs of that day, we must allow, Were quite as tractable as now. Howe'er that be, the tale I'll give ye As chronicled by good old Livy : Pleas'd if the moral prove a fit one To stop one factious mouth in Britain. Once on a time the human limbs Were seizYl with odd conceits and whims. The Stomach all the rest accuse Of entertaining selfish views. They cry : " That sluggard lives at ease, " By us supplied with luxuries. " In secret indolence he lurks, " Enjoys our pains, and never works. 10 LES MEMBRES ET LESTOMAC. Elle fait subsister l'artisan de ses peines, Enrichit le marchant, gage le magistrat, Maintient le laboureur, donne paie au soldat, Distribue en cent lieux ses graces souveraines, Entretient seule tout fetal . Menenius le sut bien dire. La commune s'alloit separer du senat. Les mecontents disoient qu'il avoit tout fempire, La pouvoir, les tresors, l'honneur, la dignite : Au lieu que tout le mal etoit de leur cote, Les tributs, les impots, les fatigues de guerre. Le peuple hors des murs etoit deja poste ; La plupart s'en alloient chercher une autre terre, Quand Menenius leur fit voir Qu'ils etoient aux membres semblables ; Et par cet apologue, insigne entre les fables, Les ramena dans leur devoir. i( u u THE FORCE OF FABLE. 11 << Shall we thus early toil and late, " To swell that pamper'd glutton's state ? Shall we comply with such demands ?" Forbid it, justice !" cry the Hands. No — tho' for bread the tyrant begs" — " We swear the same P exclaim the Legs. " Unmov'd, let that base lubber tarry — " We're slaves no more — we scorn to carry !" The very Feet, till now so humble, Loud as the rest began to grumble. With one and all the gen'ral cry Was, Freedom and Equality ! The Stomach proud was now subdu'd, Debarr'd From necessary food : For no kind hand prepar'd his dishes ; Refus'd were all his wants and wishes. But soon perceiv'd each wasting limb The needful aid deriv'd from him, Whose pow'r invisible had granted To every member what it wanted : And now cut off from his supply The thoughtless rebels faint and die. Menenius finish'd his oration, The people felt the application. r i2] LA GENISSE, LA CHEVRE, ET LA BREBIS, EN SOCIETE AVEC LE LION. La Genisse, la Chevre, et leur soeur la Brebis, Avec un fier Lion, seigneur du voisinage, Firent societe, dit-on, au temps jadis, Et mirent en commun le gain et le dommage. Dans les lacs de la Chevre, un cerf se trouva pris. Vers ses associes aussitot elle envoie. Eux venus, le Lion par ses ongles compta, Et dit, Nous sommes quatre a partager la proie. Puis en autant de parts le cerf il depeca ; Prit pour lui la premiere en qualite de sire. Elle doit-etre a moi, dit-il : et la raison C'est, que je m'apelle Lion : A cela Ton n'a rien a dire. La seconde par droit me doit echoir encore : Ce droit, vous le savez, c'est le droit du plus fort. Commele plus vaillant, je pretends la troisieme. Si quelqu'une de vous touch e a la quatrieme, Je l'etranglerai tout d'abord. M. La Fontaine has here given the Lion a set of associates different from those he found in the original Fable. The pre- sent version has restored them. The French author generally preserves the probability of man- ners and character of his animals most happily. This appears to be \ioiated in the formation of his quadruple alliance. [ 13 ] THE LION AND HIS ASSOCIATES. Once a Lion with three other beasts made alliance, And set all the quadruped world at defiance. In the honour of each ev'ry member confided, That the booty they took should be fairly divided. It happeifd the Bear caught a deer in his toils, And he sent for the rest to go snacks in the spoils. They met : the fat prey each was ready to fly on, But the post of grand carver they left to the Lion ; "Who said, Here are four this fine carcase to share, Viz. myself, and the Wolf, and the Fox, and the Bear : So the party drew round the rich wind-fall they'd won, And stood licking their lips while the carving went on. Quoth the Lion, You'll think me a butcher by trade : Observe with what skill these allotments are made. The first to my rank not one beast will refuse, So this as the Lion's just option I choose. The second, of course, as my right you'll resign, By the right of the strongest that portion is mine. That the third is my own is as certainly true, To my courage can less than a quarter be due ? And now, my good friends, having settled these shares, Let him lay his paws on the remnant who dares ! [ 14] LA CIGALE ET LA FOURMI. La Cigale ayant chante" Tout Me, Se trouva fort depourvue Quand la bise fut venue : Pas un seul petit morceau De mouche ou de vermisseau ! Elle alia crier Famine ! Chez la Fourmi, sa voisine, La priant de lui preter Quelque grain pour subsister Jusqu'a la saison nouvelle : Je vous pairai, lui dit-elle, Avant Tout, foi d'animal, Interet et principal. La Fourmi n'est pas preteuse ; C'est la son moindre defaut. Que faisiez-vous au temps chaud? Dit-elle a cette emprunteuse. Nuit et jour a tout venant Je chantois, ne vous deplaise. [15 ] THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT. A Grasshopper, whose sprightly song Had lasted all the summer long, At length when wintry gales assail her Perceiv'dher old resources fail her. No tiny worm or slender fly Can now her ready food supply. Of neighbour Ant in quer'lous strain She begs a little loan of grain ; And whilst her suit she thus preferr'd Engaged an insect's honest word, She would next Lammas, to the day, Both principal and interest pay. The prudent, cautious Ant, 'tis said, Holds borrowing in a sort of dread ; And (from this charge we'll not defend her) Abhors the very name of lender. With importunity grown weary, She checks it with this single query. " Pray, neighbour, how d'ye spend your summer ?" — " I charm, an't please you, every comer ; 16 LA CIGALE ET LA FOURMI. Vous chantiez ! j'en suis fort aise ; He bien ! dansez maintenant. THE GRASSHOPPER AND THE ANT. 17 te All thro' the season every day " I sing the merry hours away." " Oh !" cries the Ant, and bars the door Which safely guards her winter's store, — I'm glad such sports your means allow ; " You'd better practise dancing now !" a G [ 18] LA GRENOUILLE QUI VEUT SE FAIRE AUSSI GROSSE QUE LE BOEUF. Uxe Grenouille vit un Boeuf Qui lui scmbla de belle taille. Elle, qui n'etoit pas grosse en tout comme un oeuf, Envieuse, s'etend, et s'enfle, et se travaille, Pour egaler l'animal en grosseur ; Disant, Regardez bien, ma soeur, Est-ce assez ? Dites moi ; n'y suis-je point encore ? Nenni. My voici done ? Point du tout. M'y voila ? Vous n'en approchez point. La chetive pecore S'enfla si bien, qu'elle creva. L J * j THE FROG AND THE OX. A Frog once saw a huge fat Ox : His shape she very much admired ; And tho' her form all semblance mocks, With envy strong the little wretch was fired, And thought she might by swelling out her figure Make her squat carcase look as big, or bigger. " Sister look here," the pigmy cries, " Am I not like yon portly creature ? " I mean, my dear, in point of size " If not in feature. 1 ' " Oh no !" — " Indeed ! — well now I guess " My growing bulk is little less, " Or equal quite.' 1 " Not the least like it." — Still in vain She puffs, and swells, and puffs again With all her might. At length the fool perceives her fatal blunder ; Her sides too much distended burst asunder ! 20 LA GRENOUILLE ET LE BOEUP. Le monde est plein de gens, qui ne sont pas plus sages; Tout bourgeois veut batir comme les grands seigneurs; Tout petit prince a des ambassadeurs ; Tout marquis veut avoir des pages. THE FROG AND THE OX. 21 Mongst men you'll find some just as wise, Where each with those above him vies Beyond the power his means afford. For instance, see that dashing Cit, By this vile rage absurdly bit, Rakes, games, and squanders like a Lord. [22 ] LE CORBEAU ET LE RENARD. Maitre Corbeau, sur un arbre perche, Tenoit en son bee un fromage. Maitre Renard, par Todeur alleche, Lui tint a peu pres ce langage. He ! bon jour, Monsieur du Corbeau ! Que vous etes joli ! que vous me semblez beau ! Sans mentir, si votre ramage Se rapporte a votre plumage, Vous etes ]e phenix des hotes de ces bois. A ces mots le Corbeau ne se sent pas de joie : Et pour montrer sa belle voix, II ouvre un large bee, laisse tomber sa proie. Le Renard s'en saisit, et dit : Mon bon Monsieur, Apprenez que tout flatteur Vit aux depens de celui qui Tecoute : Cette le9on vaut bien un fromage, sans doute. Le Corbeau honteux et confus, Jura, mais un peu tard, qu'on ne Fy prendroit plus. [23] THE RAVEN AND THE FOX. Master Raven sate perch"d on the top of a tree, A cheese stuff'd the beak of this sable marauder ; Allur'd bv the smell, Master Fox came to see What it was thro' the air spread so tempting an odour. When thus he began : " All Sir Ralph ! — a good morning: " How charming you look, and how tasteful your dress ! " Those bright glossy plumes your fine person adorning " Produce an effect — which I cannot express. " Colours glaring and tawdry were never my choice; " When I view them, disgust is my only sensation : " If you join to that plumage a mellow-toned voice, " You're the Phcenix, I vow, of the feather'd creation." The Raven cajofd op'd his bill of vast size To give his new friend a sweet sample of croaking; In the jaws of sly Renard down droppM the rich prize ; Who then took his leave with this lecture provoking: " Honest Ralph, this conclusion the premises follows ; " Give me leave your attention the maxim to press on : " He who flatters will cheat the vain blockhead who swallows. " At the price of a cheese 'tis a very cheap lesson." The Raven ashanfd, swore a little too late Never more he'd be caught by so worthless a bait. [24] LES DEUX MULETS. Deux Mulets cheminoient, Tun cTavoine charge, L'autre portanl: Fargent de la gabelle. Celui-ci glorieux d'une charge si belle, N'eut voulu pour beaucoup en etre soulage. II marchoit d'un pas releve, Et faisoit sonner sa sonnette ; Quandj Tennemi se presentant. [25] THE TWO MULES. Two Mules were pacing on the road ; This bore two panniers fiU'd with oats : That of hard cash in bags a pond'rous load. You know in these enlighten'd days We have better methods, snugger ways — In M sop's time we read of no bank-notes. The trade of one Mule's master was to measure ye Corn for the mart; — the gold was for the Treasury. In pride of place the vain Financier swells : With upstart jacks in office often so 'tis; He shakes with airy toss his jingling bells, Marches along with lofty tread, And holding high his tasscl'd head, Of his poor humble brother takes no notice. This conduct too is frequent, by the bye — At poor relations men look often shy. By chance invading enemies were near, Their scouts the travellers surprisd assail. 26 LES DEUX MULETS. Comme il en vouloit a Targent. Sur la Mulet du fisc une troupe se jette, Le saisit au frein, et l'arrete. Le Mulet en se defendant Se sent percer de coups ; il gemit, il soupire. Est-ce done la, dit-il, ce qu'on m'avoit promis ? Ce Mulet qui me suit, du danger se retire ; Et moi j'y tombe, et j'y peris ! Ami, lui dit son camarade, II n'est pas toujours bon d'avoir un haut emploi Si tu n'avois servi qu'un meunier, comme moi, Tu ne serois pas si malade. THE TWO MULES. 27 Poor Oats pass'd by unheeded, void of fear ; (To mark the difference 'twixt these nags We'll call one Oats, the other Bags) But your free-booters very seldom fail To smell out gold e'en lurking under ground, So these the fiscal Bags encompass'd round. Bags thought that some resistance was but decent ; When seiz\l he fell to kicking and to biting : But these fierce myrmidons, like some more recent, Or those of old who went to Troy To burn, sack, ravish and destroy, With man or beast had appetite for fighting. Not Frenchmen better understood marauding: — Bags soon crept wounded off without his loading. He joinM his comrade, thankful to be free, Tho' maim'd and batter'd by these savage strangers. Oats thus address'd the mortified Commis, Who groan 'd most bitterly and sigh'd, With aching ribs and humbled pride — " Brother, high office sometimes leads to dangers ; " Had you like me but serv'd a vulgar master, " You had not met this terrible disaster." [28] LE LOUP ET LE CHIEN. Un Loup n'avoit que les os et la peau, Tant les Chiens faisoient bonne garde : Ce Loup rencontre un Dogue aussi puissant que beau, Gras, poli, qui s'etoit fourvoye par megarde. L'attaquer, le mettre en quartiers Sire Loup Teut fait volontiers; Mais il falloit livrer battaille ; Et le Matin etoit de taille A se defendre hardiment. Le Loup done Faborde humblement, Entre en propos, et lui fait compliment Sur son embonpoint, qu'il admire. II ne tiendra qu'a vous, beau Sire, D'etre aussi gras que moi, lui repartit le Chien. Quittez les bois, vous ferez bien : Vos pareils y sont miserables, Cancres, heres, et pauvres diables, Dont la condition est de mourir de faim. [29 ] THE WOLF AND THE DOG. A Wolf there was so lank and lean, Thro 1 his rough hide each bone was seen. The shepherds' dogs with watchful duty Gave him no hope of fleecy booty. It happenM near the close of day, Ranging a wood in search of prey, A stout fat Mastiff chanc'd to meet him ; The hungry savage long'd to eat him : But measuring well his bulk and height He had less stomach for the fight ; So judg'd, on nice examination, 'Twas best hold civil conversation ; And with an air of meek submission He prais'd sleek Towzer's plump condition. " True," says the Dog, « I live at ease : — " But, Master Isgrim, if you please, " And to my counsel you'll incline, " Your sides may be as plump as mine. " I'll point the way to better carving : : Then leave your wretched comrades starving, 30 LE LOUP ET LE CHIEN. Car quoi ! rien d'assure ! point de franche Jipe'e ! Tout a la pointe de Tepee ! Suivez moi, vous aurez un bien meilleur destin. Le Loup reprit ; Que me faudra-t-il faire ? Presque rien, dit le Cbien : donner la chasse aux gens Portant batons, et mendians ; Flattez ceux du logis, a son maitre complaire : Moyennant quoi votre salaire Sera force reliefs de toutes les facons, Os de poulets, os de pigeons, Sans parler de mainte caresse. Le Loup deja se forge une felicite Qui le fait pleurer de tendresse. ii THE WOLF AND THE DOG. 31 Poor shabby devils, gaunt and thin, " Whose ribs are starting thro' their skin. " When they do eat, each bone they're gnawing " Is won at desperate daggers-drawing. " Here Plenty calls, make haste to meet her : — ce You'll find yourself a different creature." " Well : but if I this course should steer — " What must be done for this good cheer ?" — " Why almost nothing : — toil there's none.- " Scare a poor beggar, or a dun : — " Then fawning court with cringing look " Your master — mistress — and the cook. " Such service due reward ensures. tf Oh then what rich repasts are yours ! " Scraps of all sorts, and savoury messes, " Besides a thousand fond caresses." The Wolf with deep attention heard : Then said ; " Can / be thus preferr'd ; " I swear these jaws, inur'd to slaughter, ' For peaceful comforts strangely water.— " A new sensation seems to rise " Which fills with moisture too — my eyes ! " Lead on — here ends our ancient strife : " Dear Towzer, I'm your own for life." 32 LE LOUP ET LE CHIEN. Chemin faisant, il vit le cou du Chien pele : Qu'est-ce la ? lui dit-il. Rien. Quoi! rien? Peude chose. Mais encor ? Le collier dont je suis attache De ce que vous voyez est peut etre la cause. Attache ! dit le Loup : vous ne courez done pas Ou vous voulez ? Pas toujours : mais qu'importe ? II importe si bien 3 que de tous vos repas Je ne veux en aucun sorte, Et ne voudrois pas meme a ce prix un tresor. Cela dit, maitre Lonp s'enfuit et court encor. THE WOLF AND THE DOG. 33 As on they trotted side by side, By chance suspicious Isgrim spied (Keen eyes observe the smallest speck) A sort of ring round TowzeVs neck. " What means, " he asks, " this circle bare ?" " Something has lightly chaf'd the hair. 1 ' " What ? : ' cries the Wolf, now stopping short — " I charge you speak — I've reasons for 't." — " The veriest trifle, 'tis indeed." — " Nay, I must know ere we proceed : 1 ' — Perhaps my collar with its chain Left on my neck that little stain. " 'Tis nothing to excite surprise." " A chain l" — indignant Isgrim cries — " These liberal hosts, it seems, refuse " To let you roam where'er you choose. 1 " — " Sometimes they do r" 11 — " Why then I see " This life was never made for me. " D'ye think me such a servile beast " To sell my freedom for a feast ? " No ! — to my native woods I'll fly, " There howl and starve at liberty !" a a D [34] L'ENFANT ET LE MAITRE D'ECOLE. Dans ce recit je pretends faire voir D'un certain sot la remon trance vaine. Un jeune enfant dans 1'eau se laissa choir, En badinant sur les bords de la Seine. Le ciel permit qu'un saule se trouva, Dont le branchage, apres Dieu, le sauva. S etant pris, dis-je, aux branches de ce saule, Par cet endroit passe un maitre d'ecole. L^nfant lui crie : Au secours ! je peris ! Le Magister se tournant a ces cris, D'un ton fort grave, a contretems s^vise De le tancer. Ah ! le petit babouin ! Voyez, dit-il, ou fa mis sa sottise ! Et puis, prenez de tels fripons le soin ! Que les parents sont malheureux, qull faille Toujours veiller a semblable canaille ! Qu'ils ont de maux : et que je plains leur sort ! Ayant tout dit. il mit l'enfant a bord. [35 ] THE BOY AND THE SCHOOL-MASTER. The worth of a speech, you may learn from my rhyme, Depends very much on the place and the time. Out of season your eloquence reason condemns. A frolicksorne Boy on the shore of the Thames, Slipp'd in from the bank, where the footing unsound Gave way to his step, and had nearly been drown'd. He had met with this fate, but the branch of a willow Preserved him from sleeping with earth for his pillow. Whilst grasping it's end, the poor truant now floated, No bull could make much greater noise than his throat did. By chance the same way was a Pedagogue jogging, Who well knew the cries he oft heard at a flogging. As he plodded along at no very great distance, There was time to come up to his scholar's assistance : But ere he extended his hand, an oration He made, in the shape of this awful jobation : " What a life do I lead with your freaks and your gambols - " Young rascal! will nothing restrain your mad rambles? " Can no place suit your play but a river's steep brink ? " But drowning will ne'er be your fortune, I think. 36 l'enfant et le maitre d'ecole, Je blame ici plus de gens qu'on ne pense. Tout babillard, tout censeur, tout pedant, Se peut connoitre au discours que jVivance, Chacun des trois fait un peuple fort grand : Le Createur en a beni Tengeance, En toute affaire ils ne font que songer Au moyen d'exercer leur langue. He, mon ami, tire moi du danger ; Tu feras apres ta harangue. THE BOY AND THE SCHOOL-MASTER. 37 '•' For you and your fellows— thou vagabond urchin ! " Depend on't I'll lay a good stock of tough birch in !" Says the Boy, " Your harangue almost moves me to laughter — " First save me, dear Master, then lecture me after V Thus speeches I've heard of three hours or more When the enemy seem'd to be just at the door, Which led us to think 'twas the orator's care, Not to ward off the blow, but the plunder to share: So anxious was he, whilst the rebels were plotting, To undermine those who good places had got in. Perhaps, my good Sirs, if you listen'd to reason You would keep your reproofs for an apposite season ; And whilst your philippics the Ministers rate, Think less of yourselves, and feel more for the State. When foes would invade it, or levellers storm it, 'Tis better to save it before you reform it ! [38 1 LA BESACE. Jupiter dit un jour : Que tout ce qui respire S'en vienne comparoitre aux pieds de ma grandeur : Si dans son compose quelqu'un trouve a redire, II peut le declarer sans peur; Je mettrai remede a la chose. Venez, Singe, parlez le premier et pour cause : Voyez ces animaux ; faites comparaison De leurs beautes avec les votres. Etes-vous satisfait? Moi ! dit-il, pourquoi non? N'ai-je pas quatre pieds aussi bien que les autres ? Mon portrait jusqu'ici ne m'a rien reproche : Mais pour mon frere l'Ours, on ne Ta qu'ebauche ; Jamais, sil me veut croire, il ne se fera peindre. L'Ours venant la-dessus, on crut qu'il s'alloit plaindre. Tant s'en faut : de sa forme il se loua tres-fort, [39] THE WALLET. Jove once assembling all his creatures, Proclaim'd, whoe'er dislikM his lot, As far as outward form and features, Might have them mended on the spot. Amongst the rest he saw the Ape — Thought him fit subject for beginning : But Jacko faultless found his shape, And saw the graces in his grinning. Said Jack, " you might have pitch'd a worse on, " Sire, in the crowd that's here attending ! " There's brother Bruin's half-licked person " May need, I think, some little mending.' 1 The Bear not wishing to complain, Said, — " That pert Jackanapes must doat. *' How many beasts desire in vain, " The comforts of this shaggy coat. 40 LA BESACE. Glosa sur l'Elephant, dit qu'on pourroit encor Aj outer a sa queue, oter a ses oreilles ; Que c'etoit une masse informe et sans beaute. L'Elephant etant ecoute, Tout sage qu'il etoit, dit des choses pareilles : U jugea qu'a son appetit Dame Baleine etoit trop grosse. Dame Fourmi trouva le Ciron trop petit, Se croyant pour elle, un colosse. Jupin les renvoya, s'etant censures tous, Du reste contents d 1 eux. Mais parmi les plus fous Notre espece excella ; car tout ce que nous sommes, Lynx envers nos pareils, et taupes envers nous, Nous nous pardonnons tout, et rien aux autres hommes. On se voit d'un autre oeil, qu'Vm ne voit son prochain. Le Fabricateur souverain Nous crea besaciers tous de meme maniere, Tant ceux du temps passe que du temps d'aujourd'hui. THE WALLET. 41 *' Yon Elephant, our height o'ertopping, " In clumsy bulk perhaps is stronger — " But sure his ears require some cropping — " Should not his tail be somewhat longer ?" The Elephant these changes scouted; — The same vain notions e'en prevail In his wise head ; he rather doubted If not too large was fat dame Whale. Contented was my lady Whale; While mistress Ant believ'd miss Mite Was made on much too small a scale, She thought her own dimensions right. Not one there was in all the crowd Wish'd to be larger, smaller, straighter : — The ugliest monster there was proud Of the fair gifts bestowal by nature. Above the rest conspicuous Man Appear'd, than other creatures vainer. Great Jove contriv'd a simple plan To make this obvious truth the plainer. 42 LA BESACE. II fit pour nos defauts la poche de derriere, Et celle de devant pour les defauts d'autrui. THE WALLET. 43 At his command men Wallets bore : For holding faults was made the sack. One end, as usual, hung before, The other close behind his back. Each to his own dear failings blind, To find another's error labours ; Packs up his own faults snug behind, And crams the front pouch with his neighbour's ! [44] LE LOUP ET L'AGNEAU. La raison du plus fort est tousjours la meilleure. Nous Tallons montrer tout-a-1'heure. Un Agneau se desalteroit Dans le courant d'une onde pure. Un Loup survient a jeun, qui cherchoit aventure, Et que la faim en ces lieux attiroit. Qui te rend si hardi de troubler raon breuvage ? Dit cet animal plein de rage : Tu seras chatie de ta temerite. Sire, repond l 1 Agneau, que votre majeste Ne se mette pas en colere ; Mais plutot qu'elle considere Que je me vas desalterant Dans le courant, Plus de vingt pas au-dessous d'elle ; Et que par consequent en aucune facon Je ne puis troubler sa boisson. Tu la troubles, reprit cette bete cruelle, [45] THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. He who is strongest always argues best: This truth my simple Fable shall attest. A little Lamb approach'd a purling brook ; It was in summer time, the heat extreme. Bv chance a Wolf his morning beverage took Near the same place, at the same crystal stream. The prowling robber long had fasted, Nor lamb or mutton many days had tasted ; Therefore with pinching want his paunch was pining ; He drank his fill, but long'd the more for dining. With joy the Lamb he spied, then growling said, " Sirrah ! how dare you thus disturb my drink ? v The Lamb in answer meekly bow'd his head, " I trouble not the water, Sir, I think ; " Besides, I humbly beg to show " Your worship is above, and I below ; " And I have noticed every brook and rill " Pursue their courses constantly down hill. " Oh ! you chop logic !" — said the churlish brute: " I can chop too: — you've done me other wrong. " Youngster, with me 'tis better not dispute : " YouVe tarnish 'd my fair fame with slandVous tongue. 46 LE LOUP ET L'AGiNEAU. Et je sais que de moi tu medis Fan passe. Comment Taurois-je fait si je rfetois pas ne ? Reprit l'Agneau ; je tette encor ma mere. Si ce n'est toi, c'est done ton frere. Je n'en ai point. C'est done quelqu'un des tiens ; Car vous ne m'epargnez guere, Vous, vos bergers, et vos chiens. On me la dit, il faut que je me venge. La-dessus au fond des forets Le Loup 1'emporte, et puis le mange, Sans autre forme de proces. Fraught with such arguments, the Wolf of France. — Beasts of prey have furnished similes for warriors ever since the days of Homer. The Wolf seems particularly suited to the character of Buonaparte. He Avanted the generous magnanimity attributed to the Lion ; nor, to give him his due, does he appear like the Tiger to have shed blood for the mere pleasure of doing so j although whenever he felt a necessity, which could be sa- tisfied with slaughter, no compunctious visitings of nature ever interrupted his design. If, according to general belief, the unfor- tunate Capt. Wright expired in torture, it was probably not on account of any gratification the Tyrant derived from his pangs, but for the purpose of extorting some secret. If it were more convenient to take off a popular commander quietly, than to ex- pose him to the people on a scaffold, so it was arranged. Piche- gru was strangled in his dungeon. If the removal of the pride and hope of the loyal part of the French nation would contri- bute to the firm establishment of the new dynasty — neither the Law of Nations, or the feelings of humanity, nor the shining virtues of d'Enghien, were any obstacles to the seizure and im- molation of the victim. If the Press of Germany dared to ex- THE WOLF AND THE LAMB. 47 .. This glaring fact I chanced to hear " From good and high authority last year." " Last year ! observe, dread Sir, I'm not yet shorn. — " I at the time you mention was not born !" " Well then, I guess it was your elder brother, " By whom this great and foul offence was done ; " You're all so, like, I don't know one from t'other :" " Indeed, my Lord, I am an only son !" " I'm sure 'twas one of your vile kindred, " Nor shall my just revenge be longer hinder 'd. c< Your clan in all its branches wish my fall, " Dogs, shepherds, rams, ewes, wethers, lambs and all !" Thus said, he seized without more form of law The ready prize, to glut his empty maw. Fraught with such arguments, the Wolf of France Seiz'd with fell gripe weak Switzerland and Spain : Tho 1 soon stout watch-dogs to their aid advance, And snatch'd the victims from his jaws again. Thus Palm, brave Fichegru— tortur'd Wright — His fangs dispatclfd to endless night : And midst Vincennes' dark woods with rage accurst, In Conde's blood the monster slaked his thirst. pose his crimes — the Bookseller Palm was murdered as a check to this offensive liberty. In all his plans, he appears to have kept his view steadily on the end, perfectly indiiferent about the means ; as in his campaigns he never thought the cost of lives anj impediment to the gaining an advantageous object. [48] L'HOMME ET SON IMAGE. Un horame qui s'aimoit sans avoir de rivaux, Passoit dans son esprit pour le plus beau du monde, II accusoit tousjours les miroirs d'etre faux, Vivant plus que content dans son erreur profonde. Afin de le guerir, le sort officieux Presentoit par tout a ses yeux Les conseillers muets dont se servent nos dames : Miroirs dans les logis, miroirs chez les marchands, Miroirs aux poches des galands, Miroirs aux ceintures des f'emmes. Que fait notre Narcisse ? il se va confiner Aux lieux les plus caches qu'il peut s'imaginer, Nosant plus des miroirs eprouver l'aventure. [49 1 MAN AND HIS LIKENESS. The original was dedicated to the Duke de Rochefoucault, Author of the celebrated Moral Maxims. Once a lover there was, and he loved in strange fashion ; The flame from his breast other feelings coukl drive all Himself was the object ador'd, and this passion Reign'd fix'd in his heart ; without dreading a rival. Our Dandy Narcissus, of comical shape, Was warp'd all awry, and his head was an ass's. His mirror still shew'd him the face of an ape, But he always believ'd that the fault vvas the glass's. Other mirrors repeated, alack ! the same story ; He swore that the world had together conspired To spoil of his beautiful person the glory; So he made them his bow, and in dudgeon retired. E 50 l'homme et son image. Mais un canal, forme par une source pure, Se trouve en ces lieux ecartes : U s'y voit, il se fache ; et ses yeux irrit^s Pensent appercevoir une chimere vaine. II fait tout ce qu'il peut pour eviter cette eau. Mais quoi ! le canal est si beau Quil ne le quitte qiravec peine. On voit bien ou je veux venir. Je parle a tous ; et cette erreur extreme Est un mal que chacun se plait d'entretenir. Notre ame, c'est cet homme amoureux de lui-meme Tant de miroirs, ce sont les sottises d'autrui, Miroirs de nos defauts les peintres legitimes : Et quant au canal, c'est celui Que chacun sait, le livre des Maximes. MAN AND HIS LIKENESS. 51 Removed from all glasses a fair lake he found, Which shew'd the same image most faithfully frightful, Yet so bright the reflection, so charming the ground, He could not help owning the view was delightful. Now who do you think is this whimsical elf? I'll explain, lest you think me a mere idle prater. — 'Tis the Mind ; — 'tis you, Reader— the Poet himself — And our friends are the mirrors, which shew us our nature. The Lake — the sage maxims of one shrewd adviser, Who shews all the follies our hearts which environ : Rochefoucault may make most of us better and wiser — Let Harold hold up his dark mirror to Byron. [52] LE DRAGON A PLUS1EURS TETES, ET LE DRAGON A PLUSIEURS QUEUES. Un Envoye du Grand Seigneur Preferoit, dit l'histoire, un jour chez l'Empereur, Les forces de son maitre a celle de Pempire. Un Allemand se mil a dire : Notre Prince a des dependants Qui de leur chef sont si puissants, Que chacun d'eux pourroit soudoyer une armee. Le Chiaous, homme de sens, Lui dit : Je sais par renommee Ce que chaque Electeur peut de monde fournir ; Et cela me fait souvenir D'une aventure etrange, et qui pourtant est vraie. J'etois en un lieu sur, lorsque je vis passer Les cent tetes d\ine hydre au travers d'une haie. Mon sang commence a se glacer ; Et je crois qua moins on s'effraie. Je nen eus toutefois que la peur sans le mal : Jamais le corps de l'animal Ne put venir vers moi, ni trouver d'ouvcrture. [53] THE DRAGON WITH MANY HEADS, AND THE DRAGON WITH MANY TAILS An Envoy from the Sultan's wide domain, Who at Vienna's court had long resided, Observ'd one day, " To me 'tis very plain " The armies by my master's power provided, " And muster'd underneath the Turkish firman " Are in their structure better than the German." " Bah !" cried an Austrian, nettled at this praise, " You think too highly of your own resources : " My master has dependants, who can raise " Troops full a match for all your Turkish forces." " I know your strength : — but if your ear you'll lend, I " Will tell a strange true story," said th' Effendi. " Once on a time, on t'other side a hedge " With hundred heads a monstrous snake I saw. " I felt some fear, I'll honestly allege, " The Dragon seem'd to wish me in his maw : " But 'mongst the pales and briars, and tangled bushes, " His hundred heads the Hydra vainly pushes. 54 LE DRAGON A PLUSIEURS TETES, &C. Je revois a cette aventure, Quand tin autre Dragon, qui n'avoit qu'un seul chef, Et bien plus d\ine queue, a passer se presente. Me voila saisi derechef D'e'tonnement et d'epouvante. Ce chef passe, et le corps, et chaque queue aussi ; Rien ne les empecha, Pun fit chemin a. l'autre. Je soutiens qu'il en est ainsi De votre Empereur et du notre, THE DRAGON WITH MANY HEADS, &C. 55 " Then came, which struck me with still greater dread, " A second Dragon with a host of tails. " But this vast serpent had a single head, " Which forced its way with ease thro 1 briars and pales. — - " This, noble Count, I venture to opine, " Marks the great difference 'twixt your Lord and mine." [56 ] LES VOLEURS ET LANE. Pour un Ane enleve deux Voleurs se battoient: L'un vouloit le garder, Tautre le vouloit vendre. Tandis que coups de poing trottoient, Et que nos champions songeoient a se defendre, Arrive un troisieme Larron, Qui saisit maitre Aliboron. L'Ane c'est quelquefois une pauvre province : Les Voleurs sont tel et tel prince, Comme le Transilvain, le Turc, et le Hongrois, Au lieu de deux j'en ai rencontre trois: II est assez de cette marchandise : De mil d'eux lVest souvent la Province conquise ; Un quart Voleur survient, qui les accorde net, En se saisissant du baudet. [57] THE ROBBERS AND THE ASS. Two Thieves stole an Ass : but we frequently see Two of this trade, like other trades, cannot agree, One would take him to market — the other would not — So reproaches were mingled with arguments hot. From words the dispute quickly ripenYl to blows, Breasts resounded with thumps, and blood stream'd from each nose; But whilst in this desperate contest they grapple, Comes up a third Robber and makes off with Dapple. Whilst two petty Princes in quarrels engage, And war for some grass-plat most royally wage, In steps Buonaparte, or some other swabber, Takes the prize for himself, and makes peace for each robber. [58] SIMONIDE PRESERVE PAR LES DIEUX. On ne pent trop louer trois sortes de personnes ; Les Dieux, sa Maitresse, et son Roi. Malherbe le disoit : j'y souscris quant a moi ; Ce sont raaximes toujours bonnes. La louange chatouille et gagne les esprits, Les favours d'une Belle en sont souvent le prix ; Voyons corame les Dieux Pont quelquefois payee. Simonide avoit entrepris L'eloge d'un Athlete ; et la chose essayee, II trouva son sujet plein de recits tous nus. Les parents de P Athlete etoient gens inconnus ; Son pere un bon bourgeois ; lui sans autre merite : Matiere infertile et petite. [59] SIMONIDES SAVED BY THE GODS. Three sorts of beings may be found, Whose worthy praise we Poets cannot sing Or say too loudly. French moralists this courtly rule propound : These are, the Gods, your Mistress, and the King. Sweet praise has gain'd, grave authors tell, The yielding smiles of many a Belle, Who once look'd proudly. Kings hate not praise : — how Gods reward a Poet — This Fable read, and you will quickly know it. Simonides, the Bard of Cos, Engaged to sing a conquering Wrestler's fame. The promis'd poem He tried to weave, but soon was at a loss, Soon to the end of his dry theme he came. Of a rich cit his hero was the son, Plebeian ancestors no wreaths had won ; — He could not show 'em. In short, this wight, without wit, rank, or birth, Could wrestle, but do nothing else on earth. 60 SIMONIDE PRESERVE PAR LES DIEUX. Le Poete d'abord parla de son heros, Apres en avoir dit, ce qu'il en pouvoit dire. He se jette a cote, se met sur le propos De Castor et Pollux; ne manque pas d'e'crire Que leur exemple etoit aux lutteurs glorieux; Eleve leurs combats, specifiant les lieux Ou ces freres s"etoient signales davantage. Enfin Teloge de ces Dieux Faisoient les deux tiers de Touvrage. L 1 Athlete avoit promis d"en payer un talent; Mais quand il le vit, le galant N'en donna que le tiers ; et dit fort franchement, Que Castor et Pollux acquitassent le reste : Faites vous contenter par ce couple celeste. Je vous veux traiter cependant, Venez souper chez moi: nous ferons bonne vie; Les convies sont gens choisis, Mes parens, mes meilleurs amis. Soyez done de la compagnie. Simonide promit. Peut-etre qu'il cut peur SIMONIDES SAVED BY THE GODS. 61 The Bard embarrass'd call'd the Gods in aid, And then in lofty strains he Pollux sung, And also Castor : Their wrestling feats the Poet there display 'd, And told how shone the twins from Leda sprung, That for his fist of weighty force, This of the swift and untam'd horse The mighty master. Whilst thus Simonides their praise rehearses, He fills the best part of the Wrestler's verses. The usual fee was at a talent rated : But when the employer this encomium read, He rather drily Observ'd one half the price must be abated ; " One third indeed is all my share, 1 ' he said. " Castor perhaps or Pollux may, " If they think fit, their portion pay, " They're praised so highly. " Ask for the balance from these regions upper. — " But Sim, I've friends to night — pray come to supper." Simonides with much good humour Accepts this blunt and sudden invitation, And there attended : 62 SIMONIDE PRESERVE PAR LES D1EUX. De perdre, outre son du, le gre de sa louange. II vient ; Ton festine, Ton mange. Chacun etant en belle humeur, Un domestique accourt, l'avertit qu'a. la porte Deux hommes demandoient a le voir promptement. II sort de table, et la cohorte N'en perd pas un seul coup de dent. Ces deux hommes etoient les gemeaux de l'eloge. Tous deux lui rendent grace, et pour prix des ses vers, lis Pavertissent qu'il deloge, Et que cette maison va tomber a Tenvers. La prediction en fut vraie. Un pilier manque : et le plafond Ne trouvant plus rien qui l'etaie Tombe sur le festin, brise plats et flacons, N'en fait pas moins aux echansons. Ce ne fut pas le pis : car pour rendre complete La vengeance due au Poete. Une poutre cassa les jambes a 1' Athlete, Et renvoya les convies Pour la plupart estropie's. SIMONIDES SAVED BY THE GODS. 63 Hoping indeed, if nothing he could do more, To gain some praise himself on this occasion. He join'd the party, ate and quaff'd, Heard compliments, at stories laughM With bon mots blended. When from the company was calPd the Bard ; Two strangers at the gate were knocking hard. He quits in haste : — -what should these be Who at the Wrestler's door so loudly thunderVl ? — They were indeed The Twins divine who graced his eulogy ! The Bard with wide-stretcfrd eyes beheld and wonder Yl. They thank'd him for his tuneful lyric With all its welcome panegyric — " Now take your meed : " We come to give you timely information ; " This house now nods from top to its foundation." They vanished ; — down with dreadful clatter Fell ev'ry chimney, pillar, wall, and cieling, Which seenrfd so tight all ! Broken was there full many a jug and platter: When good Simonides devoutly kneeling, 64 SIM0N1DE PRESERVE PAR LES DIEUX. La renommee eut soin de publier Taffaire, Chacun cria miracle. On doubla le salaire Que meritoient les vers d'un homme aime des Dieux. II rTetoit flls de bonne mere Qui, les payant a qui mieux mieux, Pour ses ancetres n'en fit faire. Je reviens a mon texte, et dis premierement, Qu'on ne sauroit manquer de louer largement Les Dieux et leurs pareils : de plus que Melpomene Souvant sans deroger, trafique de sa peine. Enfin, qu'on doit tenir notre art a quelque prix. Les grands se font honneur, des lors qu'ils nous font grace Jadis, TOlympe et le Parnasse Etoient freres et bons amis. V SIMONIDES PRESERVED BY THE GODS. 65 Thank'd his kind Patrons for the warning, But the poor quibbler of the morning, O just requital ! Felt a huge beam his two shin bones assaulting, Whilst the bruis'd guests were glad to creep home halting. This wonder ran thro' all the land : Of praise the salary was now made double To the Gods' minion. / For all the dead and living verse was plann'd, And well they paid the Poet for his trouble. Then prais'd be Gods and prais'd be Kings — For both can give away good things : — In my opinion, Bards are their warmest friends: — and so they class us. — Olympus always must protect Parnassus. [ 66] LE LION ET LE RAT II faut, autant qu'on peut, obliger tout le monde ; On a souvent besoin (Tun plus petit que soi. De cette verite deux fables feront foi ; Taut la chose en preuves abonde. Entre les pattes d'un Lion, Un Rat sortit de terre assez a Tetourdie. Le Roi des animaux, en cette occasion, Montra ce qu'il etoit, et lui donna la vie. Ce bienfait ne fut pas perdu; Quelqu'un auroit-il jamais cru Qu'un Lion d'un Rat eut affaire ? Cependant, il avint qu'au sortir des forets Ce Lion fut pris dans les rets, Dont ses rugissemens ne le purent defaire. [67 ] THE LION AND THE RAT. A Rat, whose solitary plan Withdrew him from the haunts of man, In Afric's verdant forests found A safe asylum under ground. One day our Hermit, rapt in thought, For air the upper regions sought. Close by the hole which led to day, Of fearful bulk a Lion lay ! The startled Beadsman view'd with awe Close to his side a monstrous paw. He found retreat was now too late, So waited calm the will of fate. But no such bloody thoughts possest The shagg}' monarch's gen'rous breast. " Go, rash intruder, go," said he, " This wood has room for you and me : " In peace, poor Rat, pursue thy way, " My fangs demand a nobler prey." Some nights had past :— a sudden yell Reach 'd our Recluse's inmost cell; 69 LE LION ET LE RAT. Sire Rat accourut, et fit tant par ses dents, Qu'une maille rongee emporta tout l'ouvrage. Patience et longueur de temps Font plus que force ni que rage. grateful Rats will break the chain. The metaphorical use of the word Rat has long been applied to those political characters, who upon an emergency take care of themselves, and leave their friends in the lurch ; being derived from the habit of that sagacious species, which is observed to quit abuild- ing about to fall in ruins ; whilst animals, gifted with less acute instinct, are crushed by the catastrophe. Instinct has been supposed by some philosophers to be an immediate communication from above. Deus, say they, est anima brutorum. There can be no rea- son for confining the substantive Rat, or its corresponding verb, to a bad sense only. Simonides, whose adventure is recorded in a former Fable, may certainly be said to have ratted; and the Rats alluded to in this place appear to have evinced their wisdom and care, not only of themselves, but of the public, by attending, like the poet of Cos, to a hint received from the higher powers. a a THE LION AND THE RAT. 6*9 Sounds struck his ear he'd heard before : He recognisM his Patron's roar. He ran : the royal beast he found By hunters' toils encompass'd round. In vain he rages, foams, and tears, He fails to burst the stubborn snares. " Take comfort, Sire," the Hermit said, Perhaps my small and feeble aid, So very weak to all appearance, " May speed by patient perseverance.''' Thus said, the cords with zeal he gnaws. Which foiPd the Lion's teeth and claws, Who thankful ow'd his preservation To gratitude in lower station. Something like this, in other climes May chance produce in modern times. If artful Ministers design 'd Their Monarch's lawful pow'r to bind, Resolv'd to reign in his despite, And make their own his regal right, India her spoils may lend in vain, For grateful Rats will break the chain. [ 70 ] L'HOMME ENTRE DEUX AGES, ET SES DEUX MAITRESSES. Un homme de moyen age, Et tirant sur le grison, Jugea qu'il etoit saison De songer au manage. II avoit du comptant, Et partant De quoi choisir ; toutes vouloient lui plaire, En quoi notre amoureux ne se pressoit pas tant ; Bien addresser n'est pas une petite affaire. Deux Veuves sur son cceur eurent le plus de part. L'une encor verte, et l'autre un peu bien mure, Mais qui reparoit par son art Ce qu'avoit detruit la nature. Ces deux Veuves en badinant, En riant, en lui faisant fete, I 71 ] THE MAN AND HIS TWO MISTRESSES. A Bachelor of middle age Began to think he must engage In decent marriage. His lady, •when he should appoint her, Would have a very handsome jointure, And keep her carriage. Abroad when this design was once reported — Oil ! how the Adonis was caress"d and courted ! A strong impression on his breast Two Widows made, above the rest Of fair pretenders. One was a little past her prime — But if some charms will fade by time, Art well could mend hers. This circumstance might help her schemes to quicken : The other Relict was e'en yet a chicken. The Dame mature, all blythe and gay, Oft with her swain would romp and play, 72 l'hOMME ET SES DEUX MA1TRESSES L'alloient quelquefois testonnant, C'est-a-dire, ajustant sa tete. La vieille, a tout moment, de sa part emportoit Un peu de poil noir qui restoit, Afin que son amant en fut plus a sa guise, La jeune saccageoit les poils blancs a son tour. Toutes deux firent tant, que notre tete grise Demeura sans cheveux, et se douta du tour THE MAN AND HIS TWO MISTRESSES. 73 Altho' of purity a model : His cheek she patted, and would twirl With sportive fingers every curl Around his noddle. Finding the humour please, the younger Dame Took opportunities to do the same. But time had on this chevelure Made hyacinthine honours fewer ; They graced his phiz ill. Amongst the remnant left, with snow Half the brown hairs were tinged, and so Composed a grizzle. These the old Damsel tweezer\l, and he let her : I mean the brown : — grey serv'd her purpose better. AlarnVd lest she should lose her man, The younger Belle perceiv'd the plan, And vow\l to spoil it. With strong antipathy to grey She pluck'd each whitish hair away When at his toilette. The Beau soon found his pericranium bare Like a scald' pig was robb'd of evVy hair. 74 l'homme et ses deux mattresses. Je vous rends, leur dit-il, mille graces, les Belles, Qui m'avez si bien tondu : J'ai plus gagne que perdu ; Car d'Hymen point de nouvelles. Celle que je prendrai voudroit qua sa fa 9011 Je vecusse, et non a la mienne ; II n'est tete chauve qui tienne : Je vous suis oblige^ Belles, de la k^on. THE MAN AND HIS TWO MISTRESSES. 75 At once the vacillating Lover Could now each fair one's wile discover Reveal'd to view : " This thought," said he, " my passion cures ; " My will you'll never seek, but yours — " Ladies, adieu ! " I'm quite convinc'd that at my time of life, " Tis better get a peruke than a Wife !" [ 76 J LA MORT ET LE BUOHERON. Un pauvre Bueheron, tout convert de ramee, Sous le faix du fagot aussi bien que des ans Gemissant et courbe, marchoit a pas pesants, Et tachoit de gagner sa chaumine enfumee. Enfin, n'en pouvant plus d'effort et de douleur, II met bas son fagot, il songe a son rnalheur. Quel plaisir a-t-il eu depuis qu'il est au monde ? En est-il un plus pauvre en la machine ronde ? Point de pain quelquefois, et jamais de repos : Sa femme, ses enfans, les soldats, les impots. [77] DEATH AND THE WOODMAN. A Woodman poor, and somewhat old, Thro 1 summer's heat and winter's cold Toiling, in every sort of weather, Could scarce keep life and soul together. One night he trudg'd, o'ercharg'd with browse, Tow'rds that poor hut he calPd his house, And as the load his back opprest, He halted for a moment's rest. Down to the ground his freight he throws, And thus expatiates on his woes. " Lives there between the earth and sky " So poor, so sad a wretch as I ! " Must I, deprived of ev'ry joy, " In that curst wood my hours employ " With painful labour every day, " Torn by rough briar, and thorny spray ? " When home I wend to rest my head, " My starving children cry for bread ! " My wife's shrill tongue and chimney's smoke, " Mild Job ! thy patience would provoke. 78 LA MORT ET LE BUCHERON. Le creancier, et la corvee, Liii font d'un malheureux la peinture achevee. II appelle la Mort. Elle vient sans tarder, Lui demande ce qu'il faut faire. (Test, dit-il, afin de m'aider A recharger ce bois ; tu ne tarderas guere. Le trepas vient tout guerir. JMais ne bougeons d'ou nous sommes. Plutot souffrir que mourir, Cest la devise des homines, a DEATH AND THE WOODMAN. 79 i( And now my frame more feeble waxes. — " Then there are debts, and rent, and taxes ! " Oh, how I long to yield my breath — " No cure remains for me but death. Come then, great healer of all ailing, " Assist me with thy power prevailing !" Scarce had the suitor spoke" the name, When lo ! the King of Terrors came ! With speed he stalk d along the road, His joints all rattling as he strode; And having reach'd the Woodman's side — -> " What woul 'st thou, Man !" the spectre cried — v. Who soon with faltVing voice replied, * " IVe dropp'd my faggot, Sir, and fain " By your kind aid, I'd have it up again !" [80] A LES FRELONS ET LES MOUCHES A MIEL. The English Version has made some change in the Dramatis Personam of this Fable. A l'celtvre on connoit l'artisan. Quelques rayons de miel sans maitre se trouverent; Des Frelons les reclamerent ; Des Abeilles s'opposant, Devant certain Guepe on traduisit la cause. II etoit mal aise de decider la chose: [81] THE WASPS AND THE BEES. There happen'd once a suit between That insect tribe who serve a queen, Those quaker-coated flies, I mean, The industrious Bees, And the pert Wasps, that roving pack In yellow jackets trimm'd with black, Who, corsair-like, rob and attack Whome'er they please. Of the dispute this was the ground : The Wasps some honey-combs had found, Where a few Bees were straggling round, In an old tree. It was their work, the Wasps declare, Ready through thick and thin to swear. And to the Court prefer their pray'r To make decree. 82 LES FRELONS ET LES MOUCHES A MIEL. Les temoins deposoient qu'autour de ces rayons Des animaux ailes, bourdonnants, tin peu longs, De couleur fort tannee, et tels que les Abeilles, Avoient long-temps paru. Mais quoi ! dans les Frelons Ces enseignes etoient pareilles. La Guepe, ne sachant que dire a ces raisons, Fit enquete nouvelle, et pour plus de lumiere Entendit une Fourmillicre. Le point n'en put etre eclairci. De grace a quoi bon tout ceci ? Dit une Abeille fort prudente, Depuis tantot six mois que la chose est pendante, Nous voici comme aux premiers jours, Pendant cela le miel se gate. II est temps desormais que le juge se hate : N'a-t-il point assez ldche Tours ? THE WASPS AND THE BEES. 83 Lord Hornet, learned in the laws, Sate on the bench to hear the cause ; Astute in pleas to find out flaws WhenVer he chose, In Chancery or Nisi Prius : Yet some his judgments would decry as Having at times too strong a bias For friends 'gainst foes. His progress was not over speedy : For years his advocates would plead ye, And in the suit for fees were greedy However far gone. So were the clients apt to mutter, To hear the Big-wigs loudly utter Reply, rejoinder, and rebutter, In endless jargon. Now more sagacious than the rest, An old bluff Bee the Court addrest, And thus with warmth his mind exprest, Whilst anger vexes : " Long has your Lordship here been toiling, " The honey in dispute lies spoiling; 84 LES FRELONS ET LES MOUCHES A MIEL, Sans tant de contre-dits, et d'interlocutoires, Et de fatras, et de grimoires, Travaillons les Frelons et nous ; On verra qui sait faire, avec un sue si doux, Des cellules si bien baties. Le refus des Frelons fit voir Que cet art passoit leur savoir ; Et la Guepe adjugea le miel aleurs parties. Plut a Dieu qu'on reglat ainsi tous les proces ! Que des Turcs en cela Ton suivit la methode ! Le simple sens commun nous tiendroit lieu de Code II ne faudroit point tant de frais. THE WASPS AND THE BEES. 85 " Both sides, the wheel of justice oiling, " Are dry as kecksies. " Since nothing now can more be got, " Try if the Plaintiff can or not " Make such a comb upon the spot, " And the Defendant. " If to this plan the Court agree, " Which side is right at once they'll see, " Your Lordship then may make decree, And there's an end on't.'^ The Judge assents : — the Wasps decline, The Bees then gain their cause in fine. Thus slowly does the law opine, That sage old Lady ! In the best things abuses lurk, We almost wish for shorter work, Even to imitate the Turk, Rul'd by a Cadi. But such reform an empty dream is, However straight her balance beam is, 86 LES FRELONS ET LES MOUCHES A MIEL. Au lieu qu'on nous mange, on nous gruge ; On nous mine par des longueurs. On fait tant, a la fin, que Thuitre est pour le juge, Les ecailles pour les plaideurs. THE WASPS AND THE BEES. 87 The forms and fees of good Dame Themis To vast wealth hoist her : — Her records could strange stories tell ; Winners and losers know too well Their shares are often each a shell, And Iter's the oyster ! [88] LE RENARD ET LA CICOGNE. Compere le Renard se mit un jour en frais, Et retinl: a diner commere la Cicoome. Le regal fut petit, et sans beaucoup d'apprets ; Le galant pour toute besogne Avoit un brouet clair (il vivoit chichement). Ce brouet fut par lui servi sur une assiette : La Cicogne au long bee n'en put attraper miette ; Et le drole eut lape le tout en un moment. Pour se venger de cette tromperie, A quelque temps de la, la Cicogne le prie, Volonticrs, lui dit-il, car avec mes amis Je ne fais point de ceremonie. [89] THE FOX AND THE STORK. For sport once Renard, sly old sinner, Press'd gossip Stork to share his dinner. " Neighbour, I must entreat you'll stay " And take your soup with me to-day. " My praise shall not my fare enhance, " But let me beg you'll take your chance, " You're kindly welcome, were it better." — She yielded as he thus beset her. And soon arrived the pottage smoking In plates of shallow depth provoking. 'Twas vain the guest essay'd to fill With unsubstantial fare her bill. Twas vain she fish'd to find a collup, The host soon lapp'd the liquor all up. Dame Stork conccal'd her deep displeasure, But thought to find revenge at leisure ; And said, " Ere long, my friend, you'll try " My humble hospitality. " I know your taste, and we'll contrive — " To-morrow I'm at home at five," 90 LE RENARD ET LA CICOGNE. A l'heure dite il courut au logis De la Cicogne*son hotesse. Loua tres fort sa politesse, Trouva le diner cuit a point. Bon appetit sur tout ; Renards n'en manquent point. Il se rejouissoit a Todeur de la viande Mise en menus morceaux, et qu'il croyoit friande. On servitj pour l'embarrasser, En un vase a long col et d'etroite embouchure ; Le bee de la Cicogne y pouvoit bien passer, Mais le museau du Sire etoit d'autre mesure. II lui fallut a jeun retourner au logis, Honteux comme un Renard qu'une poule auroit pris, Serrant la queue, et portant bas Toreille. Trompeurs, e'est pour vous que j'ecris : Attendez vous a la pareille. Hoaxers, for you this tale is written, — The word Hoax, though sufficiently expressive, and admitted into general use, has not, perhaps, found its way into the dic- tionaries. It is, however, of some importance, as it serves in some measure to characterize the times we live in. Former periods have been distinguished by the epithets golden, silver, brazen, iron. Notwithstanding the multiplicity of metals which chemistry has now discovered, none of them may be sufficiently descriptive of the manners of men in these days. Quitting, there- fore, the ancient mode of classification, the present may not be THE FOX AND THE STORK. 91 With punctual haste the wily scoffer Accepts his neighbour's friendly offer, And ent'ring cries, '* Dear Stork how is it ? " You see I soon return your visit, " I can't resist when you invite, — " I've brought a famous appetite : " The steam which issues from your kitchen " Proves that your pot there's something rich in." The Stork with civil welcome greeted, And soon at table they w r ere seated. When lo ! there came upon the board Hash'd goose in two tall pitchers ponr'd ; Pitchers whose Ions; and narrow neck Sly Renard's jaws completely check. Whilst the gay hostess, much diverted, Her bill with perfect ease inserted. The Fox, half mad at this retorter, Sought dinner in some other quarter. Hoaxers, for you this tale is written, Learn hence that biters may be bitten. unaptly designated the Hoaxing Age. The term deserves a definition. A Hoax may be said to be a practical joke, calcu- lated more or less to injure its object, sometimes accompanied by a high degree of criminality. This definition, which is much at the [92] CO NSEIL TENU PAR LES RATS. Un Chat, nomme Rodilardus, Faisoit des Rats telle deconfiture, Que Ton n'en voyoit presque plus ; Tant il en avoit mis dedans la sepulture. Le peu qu'il en restoit, n'osant quitter son trou, Ne trouvoit a manger que le quart de son soul ; service of future English Lexicographers, includes not only the minor essays of mischievous humour, which assembles all the schoolmasters of the metropolis at one house ; the medical pro- fessors and undertakers at another ; the milliners, mantua- makers, and mercers at a third ; whilst the street before the victim's door is blocked up by grand piano-fortes, Grecian couches, caravans of wild beasts, and patent coffins • — but also the more sublime strokes of genius, which would acquire sudden wealth, by throwing Change Alley into an uproar — which would gain excessive popularity by gulling the English people with a show of mock patriotism ; — which can make bankrupts in fortune and reputation leaders of thousands and ten thousands, so as to threaten destruction to the state. The performers of all these notable exploits may be denominated Hoaxers - 3 most of whom may, in the end, find themselves involved in the predica- ment expressed in the concluding couplet of the Fable. [93] THE MICE IN COUNCIL. There once was a Cat, of all tabbies the flow'r, Who with zeal so unwearied would vermin devour, That her master's wide buildings she cleared in a trice, Destroy 'd all the Rats and two thirds of the Mice. The remnant there left, poor unfortunate souls, Were starv'd, as they scarcely dar'd peep from their holes. For like the furr'd Cats of old Rabelais' forum, She seiz'd em, and bit 'em, and claw'd 'em, and tore 'em. For like the furr'd Cats of old Rabelais forum, — The merry Friar and Physician here alluded to, whose obsolete language precludes most modern readers from his original work, and whose coarseness deters many from the translation, has attacked the administrators of the law in his time with great severity, which, probably, they well deserved. He gives them the name of furred law cats, describing them as " terrible and dreadful monsters, who devour little children;" that " their claws are so very long, strong, and sharp, that no- thing can get from them what is once fast between their clutches." No less than five chapters are filled with sharp satire on this subject. 94 CONSEIL TENU PAR LES RATS. Et Rodilard passoit, chez la gent miserable, Non pour un chat, mais pour un diable. Or, un jour qu'au haut et au Join Le galant alia chercher femme, Pendant tout le sabbat qu'il fit avec sa dame, Le demeurant des Rats tint chapitre en un coin Sur la necessite presente. Des l'abord, leur Doyen, personne tres prudente, Opina qu'il falloit, et plutot que plus tard, Attach er un grelot au cou de Rodilard ; Qu'ainsi quand il iroit en guerre, De sa marche avertis ils s'enfuiroient sous terra. Qull n'y savoit que ce moyen. Chacun fut de Tavis de Monsieur le Doven : Chose ne leur parut a tousplus salutaire, THE COUNCIL OF MICE. 95 Puss, in short, through the granary, stable, and house, Was the utter abhorrence of every Mouse. E'en the sound of her name all the Mice of the barn hate, They think her no Cat, but a devil incarnate. One night, for tho 1 cruel what heart is love-proof, With a friend an appointment she made on the roof. The Mice, when they ceas'd to see, hear, or smell her, Quickly summon'd a chapter to meet in the cellar. The cause was proclaim'd in a manner precise, To save from perdition the whole race of Mice. They met: — other members had nought to propose, When the Dean of the" synod 7 with gravity rose. " I have hit on a plan," said the senior, " with me " I think, my dear friends, you'll not fail to agree ; " Of our velvet-shod foe the rapidity such is, " Ere we hear her light footsteps we feel her sharp clutches. " On the matter in hand I'll not tediously dwell ; " My scheme — round her neck is to fasten a bell ; — " And then on our haunts as this savage beast pounces " Her approach in a moment this warning announces. " By night and by day a strict watch duly keeping " A time may be found when this daemon is sleeping. " This done, no more danger we fear from her claws.'" He ceas'd, and the conclave all murmur'd applause. 96 CONSEIL TENU PAR LES RATS. La difficulte fut d'attacher le grelot. L'un dit : Je iVy vas point, je ne suis pas si sot : L'autre, je ne saurois. Si bien que sans rien taire On se quitta. J'ai maints chapitres vus, Qui pour neant se sont ainsi tenus ; Chapitres non de Rats, mais chapitres de moines ; Voire chapitres de chanoines. Ne faut-il que deliberer ? La cour en conseillers foisonne : Est-il besoin d'executer ? L^n ne rencontre plus personne. THE MICE IN COUNCIL. 97 Said a lone; whiskerd Mouse, " For this able oration " We owe to our President much obligation, " And the plan has been voted by just acclamation. " There nothing remains but this question to ask — " What Mice volunteer for this difficult task ?" — Now silence ensued : - when he urg'd a reply, The answer return'd by each Mouse was, " Not I !" Grimalkin appear'd ; soon dissolv'd the divan, And away to their holes every mouse of them ran ! Other councils I've known the same method pursuing, Which shews the great difTrence 'twixt saying and doing. } ii [98] LE CHENE ET LE ROSEAU. Le Chene un jour dit au Roseau, Vous avez bien sujet d'accuser la nature ; Un roitelet pour vous est un pesant fardeau ; Le moindre vent qui d'aventure Fait rider la face de l'eau Vous oblige a baisser la tete ; Cependant que mon front, au Caucase pareil, Non content d'arreter les rayons du soleil, Brave Teffort de la tempete. Tout vous est Aquilon, tout me semble Zephyr. Encor si vous naissiez a l'abri du feuillage Dont je couvre le voisinage, Vous n'auriez pas tant a souffrir : Je vous defendrois de Forage ; [99] THE OAK AND THE REED. ** Alas, poor Reed !" exclaim'd an Oak, Contemptuous nodding as he spoke, " You minor beings Nature uses " Just as her wayward fancy chooses. " See that small bird with flitting wing, " Whose warbling charms the ear of Spring ; " If on your head the songster perches, " Your stem beneath the pressure courfsies. " Each breath of air you seem to dread, " At ev'ry puff you bow your head. " Such is your helpless state ; whilst I " Lift my tall branches to the sky. " The potent leaves which deck my sprays u Defy Apollo^ fiercest rays. " The gale which tears inferior trees, " To me is but a gentle breeze : " Whilst to your weak and slender form iC The softest zephyr is a storm. " And, neighbour Reed, I can but wonder " You come not my protection under, 100 LE CHENE ET LE ROSEAU. Mais vous naissez le plus souvent Sur les humides bords des royaumes du vent. La nature envers vous me semble bien injuste. Votre compassion, lui repondit l'arbuste, Part d'un bon naturel : mais quittez ce souci ; Les vents me sont moms qua vous redoutables. Je plie, et ne romps pas. Vous avez jusqu'ici Contre leurs coups epouvantables Resiste, sans courber le dos : Mais attendons la fin. Comme il disoit ces mots, Du bout de l'horizon accourt avec furie Le plus terrible des enfants Que le nord eut portes jusques la dans ses flancs. I < THE OAK AND THE REED. 101 " Since my permission kind allows " A shelter here beneath my boughs. " But you still take it in your head " To root in that low swampy bed, " Where every passing wind must hit ye,— " Believe me, Reed, you move my pity." " Thanks for your pity," cries the Reed, " Yet sympathy I little need. " Observe, I pray, my noble friend, ' I never break, but merely bend. " O'er me the tempest sweeps in vain, " I bow my head to rise again. " Your guardian power I must decline, " Be humble independence mine. " My state is low, my strength is small, " But then I fear no patron's fall. " Methinks in yon black cloud is brewing " A hurricane, which threatens ruin. " Mark we who best sustains the stroke, " The feeble Reed or stubborn Oak." Scarce had this converse reached it's close When now the awful whirlwind rose. The drenching rain in torrents pour'd — The lightning flash'd, the thunder roar'd. 102 LE CHENE ET LE ROSEAU. L'Arbre tient bon ; le Roseau plie. Le vent redouble ses efforts ; Et fait si bien qu'il deracine Celui de qui la tete au ciel etoit voisine, Et dont les pieds touchoient a Tempire des raorts. THE OAK AND THE REED. 103 No more the monarch of the wood The storaTs tremendous force withstood. Up from the soil his roots were torn, Far round his shatter'd limbs were borne. — Unhurt the bending Reed stood by, Preserv'd by safe humility. [ 104] LA CHAUVE-SOURIS ET LES DEUX BELETTES. Une Chauve-souris donna tete baissee Dans un nid de Belette ; et, sitot qu'elle y fut, L'autre, envers les souris de long temps courroucee, Pour la devorer accourut. Quoi ! vous osez, dit-elle, a mes yeux vous produire, Apres que votre race a tache de me nuire ! N'etes-vous pas souris? Parlez sans fiction. Oui, vous Petes; ou bien je ne suis pas Belette. Pardonnez-moi, dit la pauvrette, Ce n'est pas ma profession. Moi souris ! Des mechants vous ont dit ces nouvelles. Grace a l'auteur de Tunivers, Je suis oiseau : voyez mes ailes : Vive la gent qui fend les airs ! Sa raison plut, et sembla bonne. Elle fait si bien, qu'on lui donne Liberte de se retirer. Deux jours apres notre etourdie [ 105 ] THE BAT AND THE TWO WEASELS. In the hole of a Weasel a Bat popp'd his head, A Weasel, who wag'd cruel war with the mice. He the trespasser seiz'd, and in mockery said, " Those who bade you come here gave you scurvy advice, " Bold impudent Mouse ! for I'll soon let you know, " You have rush'd on the fangs of your bitterest foe." "la Mouse!" quoth the Bat, " I ne'er heard such a thing; " Did you ever yet meet with a Mouse that could fly ? " You did not observe — I came here on the wing: " With the birds of the air, good Sir, number'd am I. " I hate all the race of your Mice and your Rats — " Success is my cry, to the Weasels and Cats !" The Lord of the Castle examin'd him round — " You have certainly wings," said the Weasel, te 1 see. " As a bird, in whole skin you shall 'scape from the pound , " I have luckily breakfasted, go — you are free." Having frolick'd all night, still untaught by the warning, The Bat once again on a sunshiny morning, 106 LA CHAUVE-SOURIS ETLES DEUX BELETT1 Aveuglement se va fourrer Ghez une autre Belette, aux oiseaux ennemie. La voila derechef en danger de sa vie. La dame du logis, avec son long museau, S'en alloit la croquer en qualite d'oiseau ; Quand elle protesta qu'on lui faisoit outrage, Moi, pour telle passer ! Vous n'y regardez pas. Qui fait l'oiseau ? C'est le plumage. Je suis souris : vivent les Rats ! Jupiter confonde les chats ! Par cette adroite repartie Elle sauva deux fois sa vie. Plusieurs se sont trouves qui d'echarpe changeants Aux dangers, ainsi qu'elle, ont souvent fait la figue. With Whigs he's a Whig, and with Tories a Tory. These appellatives of Party are happily growing almost ob- solete. At present they give no definite notion of the principles of the persons to whom they are applied. At the lime of the Revolution of 1688, by a Whig was meant a supporter of civil and religious liberty, under a limited mo- narchy, in opposition to the partizans of passive obedience and non-resistance ; he was supposed also to have an attachment to the Protestant ascendancy. A Tory was understood to profess principles exactly the re- verse, and in religious matters to regard the Roman Catholic tenets with less aversion, as more congenial to arbitrary power. THE BxVT AND THE TWO WEASELS. 107 Thrust his nose in a hole : — 'twas the garrison'd house Of a species of Weasel which prey'd upon birds. Mine host had no grudge 'gainst the nation of Mouse; But he hail'd the wing'd stranger with terrible words. " Was there ever such insolence, bird, thou shalt die! " To this my domain what possess'd thee to fly ?" " May it please you, Sir Weasel, I came, 1 ' said the Bat, " Just to pay you a visit this very fine weather, " I'm closely connected with Mouse and with Rat, "la bird ! pray take notice, I have not a feather !" By the plea was the Weasel persuaded to pause, And the featherless fugitive 'scap'd from his jaws. You may find Politicians, whose principles savour Of the Bat's, who so cunningly alters his story ; To gain from the party that's uppermost favour, With Whigs he's a Whig, and with Tories a Tory. These terms were originally reproachful nick-names, given to one another by the opposite parties : the name of Whig truly belonging to certain fanatical Conventiclers in Scotland, that of Tory to a set of Popish Banditti in Ireland ; to these the two parties were respectively compared by their adversaries. In the present days, the old Tory doctrines seem nearly if not entirely exploded. The despotic system is reprobated by every English- 108 LA CHAUVE-SOURIS ET LES DEUX BELETTES. Le sage dit, selon les gens, Vive le Roi ! Vive la Ligue ! man. Those, on whom their political opponents choose to affix the name of Tory, aver that they support the prerogative of the Crown, as by law established, against the dangerous inroads of democracy. They have, in fact, driven the Whigs from their former position, and have taken possession of it themselves. The Whigs having retired from the post they occupied in the time of King William, have approached the precincts of Repub- licanism, and with a whimsical versatility of character, have in general used their endeavours to admit the Roman Catholics to a participation of political power. In this retrograde movement, they were encouraged by the Radical Reformers, who sud- denly stopped them on their march. This order of Enthusiasts, though they undoubtedly owe their existence to the inflamma- tory harangues of the Whigs, met their political parents with de- fiance and scorn ; like Satan and Death at the Infernal Gate, they appear neither to recognize, nor at all suspect their mutual affinity. The ochlocratic faction explicitly declare their deter- mination to obtain by force Universal Suffrage and Annual Par- liaments, a change which the Whigs acknowledge must sub- vert the Constitution. Many of them avow their object to be a division of property 3 and as they disclaim even the semblance of religion, which might curb in some degree their atrocious career of pillage and murder, the same tragic scenes would be repeated here, if their efforts were successful, as were performed by their prototypes in France. Among these too, as happened in France, are found some persons of a superior condition, who, untaught by the awful examples the French Revolution has exhibited, foolishly imagine they should be able to " Ride in the whirlwind, and direct the storm ; THE BAT AND THE TWO WEASELS. 109 There ever have been, and remain to this day, In coats of all colours, sly Vicars of Bray. In political, as well as in religious disputes, there is frequently a more violent degree of rancour between two sects, which have points of resemblance, than where they are totally dissimilar. Thus it was with the Radicals ; they not only assailed their more moderate rivals with rude reproaches, but on some occasions, with equally foul, but more solid missiles. The Whigs, there- fore, as " their course lay towards the raging sea," were obliged to turn and " meet the bear in the mouth," but with this adver- sary they were averse to unite, probably supposing, that though their Radical foes threatened them with plunder and blood, yet no place was left for them with the Constitutional defenders of theThrme. They were in the wretched situation in which Sinon describes himself, Cui neque apud Danaos usquam locus ; insuper ipsi Dardanidae infensi pcenas cum sanguine poscunt. The position of these middle men is indeed pitiable : but the check may be salutary if they have wisdom to profit by it : how much is it to be wished that honest men would agree to consign to oblivion both the watch-words, and the substance of party animosity, and see their true interest, in uniting against the enemies of property, of social order, of religion, of the Consti- tution. They might then soberly undertake whatever repairs may be wanted in the venerable fabric, without the danger of undermining the foundation. Such a state of political mille- nium is more to be desired than expected, as long as human passions exist, and human creatures are made of the present materials. [ no] LE LOUP PLAIDANT CONTRE LE RE- NARD PAR DEVANT LE SINGE. Un Loup disoit qu'on Tavoit vole. Un Renard, son voisin, dassez mauvaise vie, Pour ce pretendu vol par lui fut appelle. Devant le Singe il fut plaide, Non point par avocats, mais par chaque partie. Themis n"avoit point travaille, De memoire de Singe, a fait plus embrouille. Le magistrat suoit en son lit de justice. Apres qu'bn eut bien conteste, Replique, crie, tempete, Le juge, instruit de leur malice, Leur dit : Je vous connois de long-temps, mes amis, Et tous deux vous pairez l'amende : Car toi, Loup, tu te plains, quoiqu'on ne fait rien pris; Et toi, Renard, as pris ce que Ton te demande. [Ill ] WOLF, PLAINTIFF; FOX, DEFENDANT. The Wolf accus'd the Fox with stealing A fine young pullet from his larder. Judge Ape between them justice dealing : — Observ'd — No question could be harder. Each for himself the parties pleaded In very loud and long oration. No advocates the process needed, For so declar'd the proclamation. Lord Ape pronounc'd, the pleadings over, 'Gainst Plaintiff nonsuit, and the cost : For his acuteness could discover, Said pullet Plaintiff never lost. " Renard," said he, " the whole court sees " How you prevaricate and palter ; " The stolen fowl we keep for fees — " Begone : —rejoice you've scap'd a halter.' 1 '' 112 LE LOUP PLAIDANT CONTRE LE RENARD, Le juge pretendoit qu'a tort et a travers, On ne sauroit manquer, condamnant un pervers. Thus H — and Th and W . These names are not given at length ; not on account of anv delicacy towards those who bear them, but because in the pre- sent day they are sufficiently notorious : and if this book, in which their initials are chronicled, should go down to posterity, succeeding generations will care very little how the blanks might be filled up. If that sort of curiosity should be excited which formerly hunted out the name of the aspiring youth that fired the " Ephesian Dome" in spite of the decree made to consign it to oblivion, it may be gratified by having recourse to some collec- tion of trials, where these worthies are " damned to everlasting fame.'' The perishable leaves of the Newspaj^ers are now (Nov. 1819,) filled with accusations and recriminations, which none but Radical readers will take the pains to peruse. It is sufficient to collect from a glance, that these zealous Reformers charge one another with having " itching palms," of being guilty of peculation from the beggarly Treasury of Sedition, where some four or five pounds had been amassed from penny contributions, wrung from the hard hands of deluded labourers. Contemptible as such agents appear to be, there is no wisdom in despising seemingly insignificant attempts at great mischief. Indefatigable activity working on an immense mass of ignorance, may produce effects not easily calculated. Gutta cavat lapidem, says the adage : — " a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump" declares a much higher authority. Without due precaution, a broken Apothecary, who desires to " cast the water of the land," may effect the ruin of the National Constitution by his quackery : or a fugitive WOLF, PLAINTIFF; FOX, DEFENDANT. 113 The crowd applaud the sentence fair 'Gainst those in lies and fraud whose trust is ; Rogue versus Rascal thus should share The scourge of even-handed Justice. Thus H and Th and W Loudly proclaim each other's cheating, Whilst each would urge deluded sots on To mischief, at some rebel meeting. Would not the public, pleas'd to view Each knave his comrade's vizor stripping, Vote every rogue his proper due, And give to all the gang a whipping? Brewer, who had sickened his customers with the unwholesome ingredients of his mash-tub, may poison the great body of the lower orders by his still more noxious Politics. [114] LE COQ ET LE RENARD. Sub la branche d'un arbre etoit en sentinelle Un vieux Ccq adroit et matois ; Frere, dit un Renard, adoucissant sa voix, Nous ne sommes plus en querelle : Paix generale cctte fois. Je viens te l'annoncer; descends, que je t/embrasse. Ne me retarde point de grace ; Je dois faire aujourd'hui vingt postes sans manquer ; Les tiens et toi pouvez vaquer, Sans nulle crainte a vos affaires ; Nous vous y servirons en freres. Faites-en les feux des ce soir ; [ 115 1 THE COCK AND THE FOX. A Cock of shining talents, high in feather, Close to a barn sate perch"d upon a tree ; His ladies, scratching lovingly together In a yard near, Rang'd void of fear, From rivalship and jealous fancies free. The prudent Bird, lest any foe should scare 'em, Here watch 'd as sentinel, to guard his harem. A Fox of wily head and stomach keen Cautious approacrTd the ground, to reconnoitre : As soon as he gay Chanticleer had seen, " I bring great news, *' 'Twill jov diffuse " To all around," cried the insidious traitor. " Neighbour, these tidings will delight your mind ; " "Twixt all the animals a peace is signM. " Now from your perch without delay descend, " Let bonfires blaze, filfd be the festive jug — " How sweet to live in amity, dear friend ! — 116 LE COQ ET LE RENARD. Et cependant viens recevoir Le baiser d'amour fraternelle. Ami, reprit le Coq, je ne pouvois jamais Apprendre une plus douce et meilleure nouvelle, Que celle De cette paix : Et ce nTest une double joie De la tenir de toi. — Je vois deux levriers Qui, je m'assure, sont couriers Que pour ce sujet on envoie. lis vont vite, et seront dans un moment a nous ; Je descends : nous pourrons nous entrebaiser tous. Adieu, dit le Renard, ma traite est longue a faire : Nous nous rejouirons du succes de Taffaire Une autre fois. Le galant aussitot Tire ses gregues, gagne au haut, Mai content de son stratageme. Et notre vieux Coq, en soi-meme Se mit a rire de sa peur : Car c'est double plaisir de tromper le trompeur. THE COCK AND THE FOX. 117 " I love your race ! " Quick let's embrace, " I long to share a close fraternal hug !" " Friend," says the Cock, " your tidings are delicious, " With glee I hail a morning so auspicious ! " As brought by you the news is still more welcome ; "And see ! — two Greyhounds here are swiftly running — " They too, I dare believe, the news to tell come, " So fast they're racing ! — " All four embracing, " This partie quarree there will be some fun in. " The Peace established we poor fowls shall thrive all ; " To join you, I but wait the dogs' arrival. - " " Good bye, 1 ' said Renard ; " IVe a length of way — " Full fifty miles to gallop ere 'tis night — " Carousals we will have some other day." — This shortly said, The caitiff fled To gain in time a neighboiu-ing rocky height. His speed betray 'd his ill-dissembled fear, Whilst loudly chuckled cunning Chanticleer. Some deep folks think than cheating nothing's sweeter : 'Tis surely doubly sweet to cheat the cheater ! [118] LES DEUX TAUREAUX ET LA GRE- NGUILLE. Deux Taureaux combattoient a qui possederoit Une Genisse avcc Pempire, Une Grenouille en soupiroit. Qu'avez vous ? se mit a lui dire QuelqiAm du peuple croassant. Eh ! ne voyez-vous pas, dit-elle, Que la fin de cette querelle Sera Texil de l'un; que Tautre le chassant Le fera renoncer aux eampagnes fleuries ? II ne regnera plus sur Therbe des prairies, Viendra dans nos marais regner sur les roseaux ; Et, nous foulant aux pieds jusqu'au fond des eaux, Tantot l'une, et puis Tautre, il f'audra qu'on patisse 119 ] THE BULLS AND THE FROGS. Two stately Bulls prepaid for furious battle ; Warm love, and warm ambition caus'd the strife. Twas who should lord it o'er a herd of cattle, And gain a pretty Heifer for a wife. A sage old Frog, who listen 'd to the tattle About this fight, which thro 7 the marsh was rife, Vented his grief in loudest lamentation, As tho 1 some danger press"d the croaking nation. " What ails you, Gaffer, 1 ' said an idle fellow, " Does it at all or you or me concern " How much these brutes each other gore, and bellow ?'* " Ah ! my young neighbour, you have yet to learn " That our poor jackets, green, or brown, or yellow, " Must suffer from this conflict in our turn. " The vanquish "Yl Bull will quit yon flowery meads, " And food and refuge take amongst our reeds. " Whilst from his enemy he keeps aloof, " Here in our marsh he tramples up and down : " How many Frogs will fall beneath his hoof V* 120 LES DEUX TAUREAUX ET LA GRENOUILLE, Du combat qu"a cause Madame la Genisse. Cette crainte etoit de bon sens. L/'un des Taureaux en leur demeure S'alla cacher, a leurs depens ; II en ecrasoit vingt par heure. Helas ! on voit que de tout temps Les petits ont pati des sottises des grands. THE BULLS AND THE FROGS. 121 Europe has seen some heads, which wore a crown, Bring the Frog's augury to painful proof. If, smit with love of conquest, or renown, At war's deep, desperate game they madly play, Kings hold the stakes— but 'tis the People pay ! [ 122 ] LE CORBEAU VOULANT IMITER L'AIGLE. L'oiseau de Jupiter enlevant un mouton, Un Corbeau, temoin de Paffaire, Et plus foible de reins, niais non pas nioins glouton, [ 123 ] THE EAGLE AND THE DAW. Jove's Bird, upon a cliff sublime, Worn bare by tempests and by time, Where human foot could never climb, Had fbrnVd her nest. Her Royal mate, with rapid wing, Supplies of food would daily bring ; The force of this fierce feather'd King All birds confess'd. Soaring around this eyry rock He view'd below a shepherd's flock, And to increase his larder's stock Pounc'd on a lamb. The prey borne firmly thro 1 the air His hungry Eaglets joyful share, Nor for maternal sorrows care Of the robo'd dam. An imitative, pert Jackdaw The daring swoop with wonder saw : 124 LE CORBEAU VOULANT IMITER LAIGLE. En voulut sur l'heure autant faire. II tourne a l'entour du troupeau, Marque entre cent moutons le plus gras, le plus beau Un vrai mouton de sacrifice ; On l'avoit reserve pour la bouche des dieux. Gaillard Corbeau disoit, en le couvant des yeux, Je ne sais qui fut ta nourrice, Mais ton corps me paroit en merveilleux etat : Tu me serviras de pature. Sur Tanimal belant, a ces mots, il s'abat. La moutoniere creature Pesoit plus qu'un fromage; outre que sa toison Etoit d\me epaisseur extreme, Et melee a-peu-pres de la meme facon Que la barbe de Polypheme. Elle empetra si bien les serres du Corbeau, Que le pauvre animal ne put faire retraite. Le berger vient, le prend, Fencage bien et beau, Le donne a ses enfants pour servir d'amusette. THE EAGLE AND THE DAW. 125 He too attempts, with feeble claw, To gain a feast. The fool surveys with greedy eyes A fat ram mark'd for sacrifice ; ' This suits me well," the coxcomb cries " I'll rob the priest." This sire of all the fleecy train Jackdaw long strove with might and main To raise : — but finding 'twas in vain, Grew tir'd at last. The ram's long curling coat would seem The matted beard of Polypheme ; And now Jack felt with pain extreme His feet were fast ! The aspiring bird thus quickly caught, Home to his cot a peasant brought ; To 'scape in vain the captive sought, With struggling rage. The shepherd gave him to his boy, Who gladly took the living toy, And teaz'd the wretch with childish joy, Pent in a cage. 126 LE CORBEAU VOULANT IMITER LAIGLE. II faut se mesurer; la consequence est nelte. Mai prend aux volereaux de faire les voleurs. I/exemple est un dangereux leurre. Tous les mangeurs de gens ne sont pas grands seigneurs ; Ou la guepe a passe, la moucheron demeure. Napoleon Murat. The bold enterprise which these two ex-monarchs attempted in nearly a similar manner to recover the respective kingdoms from which they had been expelled, may be fairly compared to the exploits of the Eagle and the Daw in the Fable. The project of Napoleon, romantic as it appeared to be, was deeply planned and ably executed : — that of Murat was the desperate struggle of a ruined adventurer, which the most lucky chance only could have rendered successful. In the comparative view of these trans- actions, the genius of Napoleon shines with superior lustre ; but in examining the character of the two men, Buonaparte will by no means always appear the Eagle, and Murat the Daw. In personal courage the latter was at least his equal. As a sovereign Joachim had a mind much more disposed to promote the wel- fare of his subjects. Although sprung from a very low origin (for the King of Naples is said once to have acted the humble part of waiter at an Inn,) lie wore his royal honours with a better grace than some who iiave been born in the purple. Strangers, who have visited his court, bear testimony to his hospitality, and to the generosity of his disposition. The worst stain on his memory is the share he had in the massacres of Paris and Madrid ; it is not much extenuation to say, that in these cruel actions he was a mere instrument in the hands of others. At Madrid, at THE EAGLE AND THE DAW. 127 Example oft weak minds seduces ; To know one's self of potent use is. Whoe'er to act without this chooses Is but an ass. Weigh well the force of this, and that ; Mark who's the tiger — who the cat ; Thro' the thin web, which stops the gnat, The wasp may pass. Napoleon thus from exile came, KaisM armies by his very name, Him transient Fortune, fickle Fame, Their minion own. Murat attempts the same bold deed, His projects like our Daw's succeed, Naples a captive saw him bleed, Reft of a throne. least, the whole responsibility seems to rest with Murat himself His master ga\ e decided testimony to his promptitude in executing orders of this nature, when he sent him to superintend the but- chery of the Due d'Enghien. Napoleon, arbitrary and unfeeling as he was, certainly enjoyed a high degree of popularity , not only with the army, but with a large proportion of the people of France. Tho foundation of this partiality must be sought in [ 128] LE RENARD ET LE BOUC. Capitaine Renard alloit de compagnie Avec son ami Bouc, des plus haut encornes. Celui-ci ne voyoit pas plus loin que son nez : L'autre etoit passe maitre en fait de tromperie. La soif les obligea de descendre en un puits : his astonishing success — in the military fame which la grande nation, as they called themselves, acquired under his auspices. Without a single moral virtue, this false glare was sufficient to dazzle the eyes, and win the hearts of this vain-glorious people. However magnificent his designs might be, he had a soul too narrow for a hero ; he was " a beast without a heart," and on all occasions evinced a mind devoid of every sentiment which does honour to humanity. The deadl) hatred against England which he displayed on all occasions, whilst he possessed power, exhibits more strikingly his meanness when deprived of it, in supplicat- ing from the Prince Regent an asylum in England. Yet there are Englishmen who affect to censure thosd wise counsels which resolved to secure this disturber of the human race from effecting further mischief. Whilst the fallen despot and his advocates are complaining of the treatment he undergoes in his seclusion at St. Helena, can he or they forget the treachery with which the First Consul of France inveigled into his power the brave and virtuous Toussaint, who without a crime laid the foundation of the black [ 129] THE FOX AND THE GOAT. A Fox made friendship with a Goat: — A journey they agreed to take together O'er heath and mountain. His horns were high, and shaggy was his coat, 'Twas summer-time, and very sultry weather. In all their route, no river, lake, Or brook occurr'd their thirst to slake, Or bubbling fountain : But to a well at length their fortune brought 'em, Whose rocky sides had water at the bottom. Thirst will, like hunger, brave stone-walls, In storms will any harbour welcome seem. Down they both leap. — Eager to drink each weary pilgrim falls, Empire of Hay-ti. Can the Ex-Emperor forget the fate which by his order awaited that hero in the dungeons of St. Marguerite ? Is this the foul idol thy verse would adore ? By the spirit of Britain, I blush for thee, M ! L30 LE RENARD ET LE JBOUC. La chacun d'eux se desaltere. Apres qu'abondamment tous deux en eurent pris, Le Renard dit au Bouc : Que ferons-nous, compere ? Ce n'est pas tout de boire, il faut sortir d'ici. Leve tes pieds en haut, et tes comes aussi ; Mets-les contre le mur : le long de ton echine Je grimperai premierement ; Puis sur tes cornes melevant, THE FOX AND THE GOAT. 131 And quaffs with glee the pure but scanty stream, Which from the rock in liquid crystal ran. " Friend, 1 ' says the Fox, " d'ye think you can " Climb up this steep ? " To come down here was wise beyond a doubt, " But it will still be wiser to get out." The Goat had nothing to propose, Nor could his hoofs the humid dungeon scale, Being rather heavy ; Poor long-beard seldom look'd beyond his nose. " I've thought of something which can hardly fail," Said the sly Fox, " if long we stay " Some shepherd, who may stroll this way, '* Will raise a levy, A nd hurling on our heads a shower of stones, " Will leave us here to die with broken bones. " Quick your fore-feet against the side extend ; " Form with your person an inclining plane, " And hold your head high. " Then, by that slope I can with ease ascend : " From off your horns a spring the top will gain. " Thus when I've fairly reach 'd the brink, " And you are satisfied with drink, 132 LE RENARD ET LE BOUC. A l'aide de cette machine, De ce lieu-ci je sortirai, Apres quoi je t'en tirerai. Par ma barbe! dit Fautre, il est bon; et je loue Les gens bien senses comme toi ; Je n'aurois jamais, quant a moi, Trouve ce secret, je 1'avoue. Le Renard sort du puits, laisse son compagnon, Et vous lui fait un beau sermon Pour Texhorter a patience : Si le ciel t'eut, dit-il, donne par excellence Autant de jugement que de barbe au menton, Tu n'aurois pas a la legere, Descendu dans ce puits. Or, adieu, j'en suis hois Tache de t'en tirer, et fais tous tes efforts ; Car pour moi j'ai certaine affaire Qui ne me permet pas d'arreter en chemin. En toute chose il faut considerer la fin. THS FOX AND THE GOAT. 133 "Is 1 all be ready " To give my friend below a helping hand. — " What think you of the scheme my brain has plann'd?'' " Now by my beard, 1 ' the Goat replied, " 'Tis excellent ! how rare a thing " In all distresses " 'Tis to have wits in which you can confide !" Up scrambled Renard with an active spring. Then to his comrade with a grin Said, " I much fear you'll pull me in — " And bus'ness presses. " You'll find some other means to get away ; " I'm sorry time will not permit my stay." Thus when a mob would mend the State, By artful Demagogues' incitements stirr'd To fatal fury, The blockheads blindly rush upon their fate, The cunning mover neither seen or heard, When happily his projects fail, Leaves his poor tools to meet the jail, The judge, and jury, Who hang these clumsy cobblers of the nation, Pathetic subject for some new oration. [ 134] LE LOUP ET LA CICOGNE. Les Loups mangent gloutonnement. Un Loup done etant de frairie, Se pressa, dit-on, tellement, Qu'il en pensa perdre la vie : Un os lui demeura bien avant au gosier. De bonheur pour ce Loup, qui ne pouvoit crier [ 135 ] THE WOLF AND THE STORK. Onk day a Wolf in bolting down his mutton Found a sharp bone stick fast across his throat ; Writhing with pain acute the half-choak'd glutton Made the woods ring with his complaining note. A Stork appear'd : — for Storks in med'cine's art Have long been famous : — e'en upon themselves They're said to play the 'pothecary's part. Men rarely do, who phials keep on shelves. e'en upon themselves They're said to play the Apothecary's part. Mankind has obtained much instruction from the brute cre- ation, over and above what they derive from the fabulous narra- tives of iEsop and his successors. From this source is said to have sprung a practice in the me- dical art, which however salutary, has afforded XToliere continual exercise for his satirical humour. The Ibis, a species of Stork frequent in Egypt, is supposed to be liable to indigestion from his voracious activity in clearing the banks of the Nile of serpents. The mode by which the bird relieves himself from the malady, suggested to some antient professor a practice, more popular with our neighbours on the 136 LE LOUP ET LA CICOGNE. Pres de la passe une Cicogne. II lui fait signe ; elle accourt. Yoila Toperatrice aussitot en besogne. Elle retira l'os : puis, pour un si bon tour, Elle demanda son salaire. Votre salaire ! dit le Loup : Vous riez, ma bonne commere : Quoi ! ce n'est pas encor beaucoup D'avoir de mon gosier retire votre cou ? Allez, vous etes une ingrate : Ne tonibcz jamais sous ma patte. Continent than with the natives of this Island, where indeed the operation has been in general consigned to the hands of those venerable priestesses of /Esculapius, commonly called Nurses. The ingenuity of modern times, so rife in mechanical inventions, has perhaps destroyed the force of the following line of the Fable — " Men seldom do," &c. for even ia France it has re- lieved the fraternity of the Pestle from the trouble of general administration. Turbulent as the disposition of that country long has been, we hear of no rising of Luddite Pharmacopolists for the purpose of destroying machinery apparently so injurious to their interests in a principal branch of their craft. THE WOLF AND THE STORK. 137 Into his gaping mouth she thrust her bill, And pincerVl out the offending bone with ease. " Now, signor Isgrim, for my potent skill " I know," said she, " you'll pay me liberal fees.' 1 " Pay liberal fees V the surly brute repeated, " Why Gammer, surely now you must be joking ! " Has not your head safe from these jaws retreated P " Stork ! this ingratitude is most provoking !" Is there no Wolf — nay e'en upon a throne, More savage than this growling beast of ours, Who when kind Storks had freed him from his bone, Takes off their heads, and at his will devours. For such a monster should you seek in vain In other regions — turn your eyes to Spain ! [ 138 ] LES GRENOU1LLES QUI DEMANDENT UN ROI. Les Grenouilles, se lassant De Tetat democratique, Par leurs clameurs firent tant Que Jupin les soumit au pouvoir monarchique. II leur tomba du ciel un Roi tout pacifique. Ce Roi fit toutefois un tel bruit en tombant, Que la gent marecageuse, Gent fort sotte et fort peureuse, S'alla caclier sous les eaux, Dans les joncs, dans les roseaux. [139] THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING. Of Democratic squabbles tir'd, As with one mind and voice inspir'd, The Frogs of Jove a King desir'd With hoarse, loud cries. Such being the universal bent, The God, to give their hearts content, A mild, pacific monarch sent Down from the skies. Great Jove's assent had made them cheerful, Yet are the Frogs a nation fearful : And as their lake was now not near full, The King had grounded. His entry made a monstrous splash, Not one bold Frog appearVl so rash As not to dread a general smash, And fly astounded ! Thus sudden fright to joy succeeds ; Some sought the deep, and some the reeds, 140 LES GRENOUILLESj &C. Dans les trous du marecage, Sans oser de long-temps regarder au visage Celui qu'elles croyoient etre un geant nouveau. Or c'etoit un soliveau, De qui la gravite fit peur a la premiere. Qui, de le voir s'aventurant, Osa bien quitter sa taniere. Elle approcha, mais en tremblant. Une autre la suivit, une autre en fit autant ; II en vint une fourmiliere : Et leur troupe a la fin se rendit familiere Jusqu'a sauter sur Tepaule du Roi. Le bon sire le souffre, et se tient toujours coi. Jupin en a bientot la cervelle rompue, Donnez-nous, dit ce peuple, un Roi qui se remue. THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING. 141 And some the thick entangled weeds, So much they fear him. — 'Twas a huge Log ! — he seemM asleep — One curious hero dar'd to peep, Soon others follow'd, just like sheep, And ventur'd near him. The gentle monarch lay so quiet, Round him at length was held a diet, Where croaking all with clam'rous riot, And nothing slack, To shew contempt they all began ; Each to insult his sovereign ran : The basest coward of the clan Leap'd on his back ! Now with vociferating noise To Jove again they raise their voice, Begging he'd make a better choice Than he has done : " Our wooden King may have some merit, " As Jove's high gift we must infer it ; " But what we want is fire and spirit, " King Log has none !"" 142 LES GRENOUILLES, &C Le monarque des Dieux leur envoie une Grue, Qui les croque, qui les tue, Qui les gobe a son plaisir : Et grenouilles de se plaindre ; Et Jupin de leur dire : Et quoi ! votre desir A ses loix croit-il nous astreindre ? Vous avez du premierement Garder votre gouvernement ; Mais ne Tayant pas fait, il vous devoit suffire Que votre premier Roi fut debonnaire et doux De eelui-ci contentez-vous, De peur dVn rencontrer un pire. THE FROGS ASKING FOR A KING. 143 Great Jupiter then sent a Crane, Who did not bear his pow'r in vain : Each day some scores of subjects slain Now met their fate. Much as they wish'd an active stirrer, The restless wretches found their error, And long'd to change this reign of terror, — But 'twas too late. Unhappy France! in evil hour Did ruffian fangs thy sons devour, Since the vile Rabble's lust of power First turn'd thy brain. If thou should' st scruple to obey Mild Louis's paternal sway, Be sure thou wilt become the prey Of some King Crane. L 144 1 LE LION ABBATU PAR L'HOMME. Os: exposoit une peinture, Ou l'artisan avoit trace Un Lion d'immense stature, Par un seul homme terrasse : Les regardants en tiroient gloire. Un Lion en passant rabattit leur caquet. [ 145] THE LION AND THE MAN. Betwixt a Lion and a Man, (Connections odd one sometimes sees,) A sort of fellowship began, Which grew to friendship by degrees. The tale asserts (let sceptics quiz it,) The Man oft sought the Lion's den, Who in his turn repaid the visit, Not loth to view the ways of men. Off skipp'd the loungers, dreading danger, Who the streets saunter'd up and down ; Whilst the host shew'd the curious stranger, The other Lions of the town. With pride he pointed out some pictures, Where Lions fierce with Men contended, In these the Men appealed as victors, The beasts were on the earth extended. 146 LE LION ABBATU PAR l'hOMME. Je vois bien, dit-il, quen effet On vous donne ici la victoire ; Mais l'ouvrier vous a decus ; II avoit liberte de feindre. Avec plus de raison nous aurions le dessus, Si mes confreres savoient peindre. THE LION AND THE MAN. 147 " That," says the Man, " is Hercules ; " Of heroes 1 strength you've no idea : " See how he strangles at his ease, " The mighty monster of Nemaea ! " I see it all,' 1 the Lion cries, " And dare affirm my strong conviction " Your artist there — I wont say lies, " But has a wond'rous taste for fiction. r, " Could truth to canvas find the way, " Or Lions' paws but handle brushes, " You'd see us growling o'er our prey, " Whilst Men bestrew'd the ground like rushes." [148] LE RAT QUI S'EST RETIRE DU MONDE. Les Levantins. en leur lejiende, Disent qu'un certain Rat, las des soins d'ici bas, Dans un fromage de Hollande Se retira loin du tracas. La solitude etoit profonde, S'e'tendant par tout a la ronde. Notre hermite nouveau subsistoit la dedans. II fit tant des pieds et des dents, Q'en peu de jours il eut au fond de Thermitage, Le vivre et le couvert; que faut-il davantage ? II devint gros et gras ; Dieu prodigue ses biens A ceux qui font voeu d'etre siens. Un jour, au devot personnage, Les deputes du peuple Rat, S'en vinrent demander quelque aumone legere : [ 149 ] * THE RAT IN RETIREMENT. There hVd a Rat, says Eastern story, Who made devotion all his glory. Enamour 'd of a quiet life, And weary of the world, — or wife, To pays the remnant of his days at ease, He sought the shelter of a Cheshire cheese : Seeking therein much more than food, Retirement, and deep solitude. He nibbled and scratch'd, and soon work'd himself in, And he delv'd very deep — Cheshire cheese is not thin : At the bottom he found it would amply afford — 'Twas all that he wish'd — quiet, lodging, and board. Settled here at his ease, need I add that the Rat, Having " eaten and worship'd," soon grew very " fat" ? It chanced, one day, that a legation, Deputed by the Rattish nation, To sue for succour and supplies In foreign parts, from their allies, Demanding alms upon the road, Sought our secluded saint's abode. 150 LE RAT QUI S'EST RETIRE DU MONDE. lis alloient en terre etrangere, Chercher quelque secours contre le peuple Chat Ratopolis etoit bloquee ; On les avoit contraints de partir sans argent, Attendu l'etat indigent De la republique attaquee. lis demandoient fort peu, certains que le secours Seroit pret dans quatre ou cinq jours, Mes amis, dit le solitaire, Les choses d'ici-bas ne me regardent plus. En quoi peut un pauvre reclus Vous assister? que peut-il faire, Que de prier le Ciel qu'il vous aide en ceci ? J'espere qu'il aura de vous quelque souci. Ayant parle de cette sorte, Le nouveau saint ferma sa porte. Qui designe-je, a votre avis, Par ce Rat si peu secourable ? Un Moine ? non ; mais un Dervis : Je suppose qu'un Moine est toujours charitable. THE RAT IN RETIREMENT. 151 They told the purport of their mission : Their country's desolate condition ; Invaded by the feline foe, And want's still wider-wasting woe ; Ratapolis the Tabbies leaguer, They quitted it in haste so eager, That sudden sent without their pay, The embassy must beg its way. Small aid they ask'd, for, heav'n be prais'd, The siege, they said, would soon be rais'd. " My friends," replied our devotee, " The world and its concerns affect not me : " We long since parted; " Yet let me not be thought hard-hearted ; ie I give to misery all I have, a pray'r — " And hope high Heav'n may make you much its care ! " What can a solitary pauper more ? w He spoke — and speaking — clos'd the door. Whose is this image, Reader ? can you guess ? " A Monk's, I ween. " — What ! rich and pitiless ? A Monk slight the poor ! Oh no! 'tis a Dervise ! A Monk, we all know, would have render'd Vm service. [ 152] LE RENARD ET LES RAISINS. Certain Renard Gascon, d'autres disent Normand, Mourant presque de faim, vit au haut d'une treille Des raisins, murs apparemment, Et couverts d'une peau vermeille. Le galant en eut fait volontiers un repas, Mais comme il n'y pouvoit atteindre, [ 153] THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. A Fox, who having fail'd to pick, Though prowling all around the village, The bones of goose, or duck, or chick, Was bent on any sort of pillage. Saw from a trellis hanging high, Some grapes with purple bloom inviting ; His jaws with heat and hunger dry, The luscious fruit would fain be biting. His carcase than a weasel thinner, Made him for ev'ry prize alert ; He thought, though fortune brought no dinner, 'Twas best secure a good dessert. A tantalizing branch to gain, With many a spring and many a bound He strove; but finding all in vain, With this remark he quits the ground : 154 LE RENARD ET LES RAISINS. lis sont trop verds, dit-il, et bons pour des goujats Fit-il pas mieux que de se plaindre ? THE FOX AND THE GRAPES. 155 et Let those who like such trash devour, " I'll range elsewhere for better prog ; " These worthless grapes, so green and sour, " Are scarcely fit to feed a hog !" Napoleon thus, beyond the waves, Saw the white cliffs with longing eyes, But like the Fox, he told his slaves, " In Russia there's a better prize.'" And there the baffled boaster tried, For his own fame in luckless hour ; There found, to check his full-grown pride, That Russian grapes were also sour. [ 156] LA GOUTTE ET LARAIGNEE. Quaxd TEnfer eut produit la Goutte et FAraignee. Mes filles, leur dit-il, vous pouvez vous vanter D'etre pour Thumaine lignee Egalement a redouter; Or avisons aux lieux qu"il vous faut habiter ; Voyez-vous ces cases etroites, Et ces palais si grands, si beaux, si bien dores ? Je me suis propose d'en faire vos retraites. Tenez done, voici deux buchettes : Accommodez vous, ou tirez. [157] THE GOUT AND THE SPIDER. Dire Nemesis, the sure tho' slow Avenger in the realms below, Has often various schemes design 'd In this our world to vex mankind ; And oft from Pluto's dark domains Sent pestilence and hurricanes ; Earthquakes, which shake the shores of Ta Had I but known, fair Sir, your taste Not thus my labour would I waste. Henceforth to subjects more sublime I'll dedicate my toil and time. Instead of Brutes is't better seek A Turk, or Moor, or modern Greek ? Or tho' the classic theme I urge ill — Borrow a wond'rous tale from Viro-il ? Censors no longer shall complain, So here begins the Epic strain. Whilst ten long years the Greeks their powVs employ To gain the walls of heav'n defended Troy, Rang'd on each side the Gods with ardour strove ; Here Juno labours, there the Queen of Love. At length the foil'd besiegers call in aid For arts and arms renown'd, the blue-ey'd Maid : Minerva's skill exceeds their bootless force. Prompted by her, they frame a monstrous horse Of mountain size ! —and in it's hollow side 172 CONTRE CEUX QUI ONT LE GOUT DIFFICILE. D'un rare et nouvel artifice, Dans ses enormes flancs recut le sage Ulysse, Le vaillant Diomede, Ajax l'impetueux, Que ce colosse monstrueux Avec leurs escadrons devoit porter dans Troie, Livrant a leur fureur ses dieux memes en proie : Stratageme inoui, qui des fabricateurs Pay a la Constance et la peine C'est assez, me dira quelqu'un de nos auteurs : La periode est longue, il faut reprendre haleine. Et puis, votre cheval de bois, Vos heros avec leur phalanges Ce sont des contes plus etranges Qu'un Renard qui cajole un Corbeau sur sa voix. De plus, il vous sied mal d'ecrire en si haut style. Eh bien ! baissons d'un ton. — La jalouse Amarylle Songeoit a son Alcippe, et croyoit de ses soins N'avoir que ses moutons et son chien pour temoins. Tircis, qui Tappercut, se glisse entre des saules : II entend la bergere addressant ces paroles Au doux Zephyr, et le priant De les porter a son amant Je vous arrete a cette rime, Dira mon censeur a Tinstant ; Je ne la tiens pas legitime, TO THE CRITICS. 173 Clad in bright brass, her cowering heroes hide. Ulysses, great in council and the field ; Stout Ajax, master of the seven-fold shield ; Tydides — " Prithee babbler hist ! " O spare us thy pedantic list. — " This mountain horse all credence shocks, " Outdoes the Raven and the Fox ! " Your awkward stilts but make one smile, " So ill they suit your Muse's style. 1 ' Well then, again I'll change my plan, And write to please you if I can. From war and heroes pleas'd I turn To pay a more delightful duty. To mighty Love I'll incense burn, And worship at the shrine of Beauty. With old Anacreon gaily sport Where black or azure eyes pierce thro' one, Or else to eastern climes resort, And flirt 'mongst Houris with the new one : Where spicy breezes fair ones fan In the magic bow'rs of Gennistan ; Where Araby's jasmines fragrant join With Sun's rose a garland to twine ; — " Stop, friend, that rhyme's not useable ! 174 CONTRE CEUX QUI ONT LE GOUT DIFFICILE, Ni d'une assez grande vertu. Remettez, pour le mieux, ces deux vers a la fonte. Maudit censeur ! te tairas-tu ? Ne saurois-je achever mon conte ? C'est un dessein tres-dangereux Que d'entreprendre de te plaire. Les delicats sont malheureux ; Rien ne sauroit les satisfaire. TO THE CRITICS. 175 " Your measure is slovenly ; — mend your strain — " Those few lines you must melt again " In your Parnassian crucible." Critic ! since thus you turn the tables, Let me proceed to write my Fables In my own style and manner. Altho' to imitate is vain The simply elegant Fontaine, Still let me rhyme beneath his banner ! [176] LE LION ET L'ANE CHASSANT. Lb Roi des animaux se mit un jour en tete De giboyer. II celebroit sa fete. Le gibier du Lion, cene sont pas moineaux, Mais beaux et bons sangliers, daims et cerfs bons et beaux. Pour reussir dans cette affaire, II se servit du ministere De l'Ane a la voix de Stentor. L'Ane a messer Lion fit office de cor. Le Lion le posta, le couvrit de ramee, Lui commanda de braire, assure qu'a ce son Les moins intimides fuiroient de leur maison. Leur troupe rretoit pas encore accoutumee A la tempete de sa voix ; L'air en retentissoit d'un bruit epouvantable : La frayeur saisissoit les hotes de ces bois ; Tous fuyoient, tous tomboient au piege inevitable, Ou les attendoit le Lion. [177 ] THE LION AND THE ASS HUNTING. A Lion once, who lov'd the chase, Pursued his sport with so much zeal, Round his domain he clear 'd the place: The royal game such panic feel, At the least noise, bucks, stags, and boars would fly, Nor staid at all to know the reason why. Now strength and speed no more avail : This adverse run of luck to stem, Since all straight forward methods fail, He has recourse to stratagem. Low means sometimes the strongest may surpass, The Monarch gives his orders to an Ass. " Midst a thick bush, go hide thee, Donkey, "In yon far corner of the wood ; " There bray thv best in sharp and strong key !" Jack went and bray'd as loud as e'er he coifd. The beasts all flying from the fancied danger, Fell truly victims to the royal ranger. N 178 LE LION ET L'ANE CHASSANT. N'ai-je pas bien servi dans cette occasion ? Dit l'Ane, en se donnant tout l'honneur de la chasse. Oui, reprit le Lion, c'est bravement crie. Si je ne connoissois ta personne et ta race, J'en serois moi-meme effraye. L'Ane, sil eut ose, se fut mis en colere, Encor qu'on le raillat avec juste raison. Car, qui pourroit souffrir un Ane fanfaron ? Ce n'est pas la leur caractere. THE LION AND THE ASS HUNTING. 179 Finish'd the chase, the chanter came, And how his notes had sped enquir'd ; The Lion now exhibiting the game, His vocal efforts very much admir'd. " Had I not known your character and station, Said he, " myself had felt some trepidation." Poor silly Jack grew vain and saucy, Having once put the beasts to flight ; But of their fears they soon the cause see, For braggart Jack still brays from morn till night. Of every beast he grows the jest and scoff, And soon his angry patron turns him off. Such odd events sometimes 'monsrst men Have happen'd formerly, I guess ; And may perhaps betide again ; The dullest Ass by chance may gain success. But Fortune in her fickle movements varies : Braying had small effects at Buenos Ayres ! [ 180] LA CHATTE METAMORPHOSEE EN FEMME. Un homme che'rissoit eperdument sa Chatte, II la trouvoit mignonne, et belle, et delicate, Qui miauloit d\in ton fort doux ; II etoit plus fou que les fous. Cet homme done, par prieres, par larmes, Par sortileges, et par charmes, Fait tant qu'il obtient du Destin, Que sa Chatte, en un beau matin, Devient Femme : et, le matin meme, Maitre sot en fait sa moitie\ Le voila fou d 'amour extreme, De fou qu'il etoit d'amitie. Jamais la dame la plus belle Ne charma tant son favori, Que fait cette epouse nouvelle Son hypocondre de mari. [ 181 ] THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT. A silly Youth a Cat possest, The dearest idol of his breast. All day she frolic'd, mew'd, or purr'd. And seldom from his bosom stirf'd. By all the neighbourhood 'twas said, No other female shar'd his bed. At length so strong his passion grew, To Cytherea's fane he flew, And humbly falling prostrate there, He urg'd this fond, capricious prayV. " O Goddess ! aid my wishes warm, " And give my Puss a woman's form ! " With anger long had beauty's queen The Youth's perverted fancy seen. So whilst she smil'd, in vengeance granted The prodigy for which he panted. Now the charm'd Youth his Tabby sees Change to a damsel by degrees. 182 LA CHATTE METAMORPHOSEE EN FEMME. II l'amadoue ; elle le flatte : II n'y trouve plus rien de chatte ; Et, poussant l'erreur jusqu'au bout, La croit femme en tout et par-tout : Lorsque quelques souris qui rongeoient de la natte Troublerent le plaisir des nouveaux maries. Aussltot la femme est sur pietls. Elle manqua son aventure. Souris de revenir, femme d'etre en posture. Pour cette fois, elle accourut a point : Car, ayant change de figure, Les souris ne la craignoient point. Ce lui fut toujours une amorce : Tant le naturel a de force. II se moque de tout ; certain age accompli, Le vase est imbibe, l'etoffe a pris son pli, THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT. 183 Her whiskers vanish ; bloom her cheeks ; Her tongue no longer mews, but speaks; A muslin train becomes her tail, Where grew a claw, now starts a nail — No trace of fur appears in sight, In short, she was a Woman quite. And now the nuptial couch was spread, The blushing nymph adorns the bed. The raptur'd lover views her charms, All fresh within his circling arms. When, O sad chance ! unlucky minute ! But Venus' malice sure was in it, A mouse the scene of joy drew near, Whose footsteps struck the lady's ear. She listens to the well known sound, And quits her bridegroom with a bound. Now vex'd the husband finds his life Devoted to a catish wife ; Thus damp'd his love, and hurt his pride, He wishes Pluto had his bride. Strange but instructive is the story, Which this odd Fable lays before ye. 184 LA CHATTE METAMORPHOSEE EN FEMME, En vain de son train ordinaire On le veut desaccoutumer ; Quelque chose qu'on puisse faire, On ne sauroit le reformer. Coups de fourehes ni d'etrivieres, Ne lui font changer de manieres ; Et,fussiez-vous embatonnes, Jamais vous n'en serez les maitres. Qu'on lui ferme la porte au nez, II reviendra par les fenetres. THE YOUNG MAN AND HIS CAT. 185 A nymph, however fair in feature, If she's a real Cat in nature, To change her is a vain endeavour ; A Cat remains a Cat for ever. [186] LE CHEVAL S'ETANT VOULU VENGER DU CERF. De tout temps les chevaux ne sont nes pourles hommes, Lorsque le genre humain de glands se contentoit, Ane, cheval, et mule, aux forets habitoit. Et Ton ne voyoit point, comme au siecle ou nous sommes, Tant de selles, et tant de bats, Tant de harnois pour les combats, Tant de chaises, tant de carrosses ; Comme aussi ne voyoit-on pas Tant de festins, et tant de noces. Or un Cheval eut alors differend Avec un Cerf plein de vitesse, Et ne pouvant Tattraper en courant, II eut recours al'Homme, implora son adresse. [ 187 ] THE STAG, THE HORSE, AND THE MAN. In days of yore, when man on acorns fed, Ere Ceres' gifts were scatter 'd over furrows, When in some cave was made their leafy bed, Living like rabbits in their earthy burrows, Short were the rites which serv'd for marriage, The smartest Belles then us\l no carriage: O'er untill'd plains rang'd beasts of burthen idle, Their backs no saddle press'd, their mouths no bridle. In these old times a Stag of mighty force Drove all his rivals from a verdant mead ; From thence reluctant fled a vanquish 'd Horse, For there no other tenant dar'd to feed. This champion of the antler'd kind There proudly graz'd with many a hind, And there in brakes and thickets all around, His sportive fawns a safe asylum found. The Horse in dudgeon fled to artful Man, Who now had learnt the bow's elastic spring ; 188 LE CHEVAL s'ETANT VOULU VENGER DU CERF. L'Homme lui mit un frein, lui sauta sur le dos, Ne lui donna point de repos, Que le Cerf ne fut pris, et n'y laissat la vie. THE STAG, THE HORSE, AND THE MAN. 189 And swiftly now the bone-tipt shaft began To strike the mark, propell'd by sinewy string. " I come," the indignant Courser said, " O Man, to seek thy potent aid : " By those sharp arms, with me for thy ally, " For thy sole use yon haughty Stag shall die ! The Man consents ; but first to guide his course, Forms the strong rein, and adds the shining bit : And now to discipline submits the Horse ; Soon for the chase preparatives are fit. The Man all eager for the attack, Leaps on the willing charger's back : With quiver aptly fill'd, and twanging bow, The new made Centaur flies to find the foe. Beasts all are frighten'd at a sight so new, Nor dares the Stag the conflict fierce abide. The Man and Horse with rapid steps pursue : Swift fly the arrows through his bleeding side. A farther flight he vainly tries, He sinks exhausted, faints, and dies. The exulting victors on the sanguine plain, Now seize the prey, and triumph o'er the slain. 190 LE CHEVAL S'ETANT VOULU VENGER DU CERF. Et cela fait, le Cheval remercie L'Homme, son bienfaiteur, disant : Je suis a vous: Adieu ; je nVen retourne en mon sejour sauvage. Non pas cela, dit l'Homme ; il fait meilleur chez nous : Je vois trop quel est votre usage. Demeurez done, vous serez bien traite, Et jusqu'au ventre en la litiere. Helas ! que sert la bonne chere, Quand on n'a pas la liberte ! Le Cheval s'appercut qu'il avoit fait folie : Mais il n'etoit plus temps; deja son ecurie Etoit prete et toute batie. II y mourut en trainant son lien. Sage s'il eut remis une legere offense. Quel que soit le plaisir que cause la vengeance, C'est l'acheter trop cher, que Tacheter d'un bien Sans qui les autres ne sontrien. THE STAG, THE HORSE, AND THE MAN. 191 " Thanks," said the Horse, " and now I'll gladly rove, " Freed by thy help from that dead tyrant's fear ; " At large I'll range thro' grassy lawn and grove." " Not so," the Man replied, " you're better here." " A league is made 'twixt you and me, " Which cannot abrogated be : — '* My cave, good Steed, must be your future stable. 1 ' May not our neighbours profit by this Fable ? Not yet has Erin felt the Gallic curb, Nor bends her neck between the fretting rein, Tho' wayward sons, that would her peace disturb, Have often sought that treacherous aid in vain. Ah ! let her know the second place To Britain cannot be disgrace. United now in closest, firmest ties, Lost be the thought they can be enemies ! [ 192 J LE GEAI PARE DES PLUMES DU PAON. Un Paon muoit : un Geai prit son plumage; Puis apres se Taccommoda ; Puis parmi d'autres Paons tout fier se panada, Croyant etre un beau personnage. Quelqu'un le reconnut: il se vit bafoue, Berne, siffle, moque, joue, Et par messieurs les Paons plume d etrange sorte Meme vers ses pareils s'etant refugie II fut par eux mis a la porte. II est assez de Geais a deux pieds comme lui, Qui se parent souvent des depouilles d'autrui, Et que Ton nomme Plagiaires. [ 193 ] THE DAW IN BORROWED FEATHERS. The Peacocks had moulted : a foppish Jackdaw From the gay spoils array'd him with many a plume, And Juno's proud birds with astonishment saw A stranger bedeckM in their glossy costume. In this borrow , d finery strutting and flaunting, So dandily did our pert coxcomb equip him, Geese hiss'd, turkeys gobbled, whilst pecking and taunting, The Peacocks in anger surround him and strip him. Of his own, with the rest, his tormentors bereave him, For daring to seize what belong'd to his betters ; Not even the Daws will now deign to receive him ! Such things will occur in the region of Letters. If you closely examine the men of the quill, And search for goods stolen, with sharp piercing eyes, Taking these from the pages their volumes which fill, Huge quartos would shrink to a very small size. 194 LE GEAI PARE DES PLUMES DU PAON. Je m'en tais, et ne veux leur causer nul ennui : Ce ne sont la mes affaires. THE DAW IN BORROWED FEATHERS. 195 w Vain Fabulist ! what is your verse but a flam ? " Yourself will be voted a Daw, to your sorrow !" Good Critic ! have patience ; — I tell what I am, And freely confess what I openly borrow. C 196] EE MEUNIER, SON FILS, ET LANE A more than usual liberty of deviation from the French Poet is taken in the version of this Fable. The story is told in the manner related by Sir R. L'Es- trange, in his collection of Fables by JEsop and others. J'ai lu dans quelque endroit qu'un Meunier et son fils, L'un vieillard, l'autre enfant, nan pas des plus petits, Mais garcon de quinze ans, si j'ai bonne memoire, Alloient vendre leur ane, un certain jour de foire. Afin qu'il fut plus frais et de meilleur debit, On lui lia les pieds, on vous le suspendit : Puis cet homme et son fils le portent comme un lustre, Pauvres gens ! idiots ! couple ignorant et rustre ! Le premier qui les vit de rire s'eclata : Quelle farce, dit-il, vont jouer ces gens-la ? Le plus ane des trois n'est pas celui qu'on pense. Le Meunier a ces mots connoit son ignorance ; II met sur pieds sa bete, et la fait detaler. L'ane, qui goutoit fort Pautre facon d'aller, [197 ] THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS. At Athens, when a busy fair Attracted half the country there, An honest Miller, like the rest, With rage of gadding was possest. Besides, he wish'd to turn a penny, Having of Donkies one too many. He and his Son, a hopeful lad, In weeds of holiday were clad, As then the Attic peasants wore 'em ; They gently drove their Ass before 'em ; And social chatting side by side, They walk'd, for neither chose to ride. Between the town and their abode, Some damsels pass'd them on the road. Greeks of each sex, a prating tribe, On all occasions lov r, d to gibe. " Look there P exclaim'd the tittering lasses, " D'ye see that trio rare of asses ? " Friends, do you like, in all this heat, " To use those hoofs you call your feet, 198 LE MEUNIER, SON FILS, ET L'ANE. Se plaint en son patois. Le Meunier n'en a cure; II fait monter son fils, il suit: et d'aventure Passent trois bons marchands. Cet objet leur deplut. Le plus vieux au gareon s'ecria tant qu'il put : Oh la ! oh ! descend ez, que Ton ne vous le dise, Jeune homme, qui menez laquais a barbe grise ! C etoit a vous de suivre, au vieillard de monter. Messieurs, dit le Meunier, il faut vous contenter. L'enfant met pied a terre, et puis le vieillard monte. Quand trois filles passant, l'une dit, C'est grand' honte Qu'il faille voir ainsi clocher ce jeune fils, Tandis que ce nigaud, comme un eveque assis, Fait le veau sur son ane, et pense etre bien sage. II n'est, dit le Meunier, plus de veaux a mon ao-e. Passez votre chemin, la fille, et men croyez. Apres maints quolibets coup sur coup renv.oyes, L'homme crut avoir tort, et mit son fils en croupe. THE MILLER^ HIS SON, AND THE ASS. 199 *' When both, or surely one at least, " Might ride that sturdy, long ear'd beast !" Vex'd that the girls an ass should count him, The man now bade his youngster mount him. When scarce a mile was gone, they met Of codgers grave a solemn set ; This new position moves their bile ; Thus they the passive youth revile : " Is't not enough to rouse one's rage, " To see no honour paid to age ! " Can yon stout lad that beast bestride, " Nor let his ancient father ride ? " Must grey-beards walk ? — Unfeeling clown, " For shame, you graceless boy, get down !" Displeas'd such causeless blame to meet, The senior takes the young man's seat. But other tongues proclaim, ere long, Our good mans plans, as usual, wrong. " See how on foot that stripling trudges, " This churl the least indulgence grudges. " Expire with toil he'd see him rather — " He cannot be the poor child's father !" " Tis hard to please the world, I find,"" The father cries, " Boy, mount behind."" 200 LE MEUNIER, SON FILS, ET L'ANE. Au bout de trente pas, une troisieme troupe Trouve encore a gloser. I/un dit, Ces gens sont fous ! Le baudet ri'en peut plus ; il raourra sous leurs coups. He quoi ! charger ainsi cette pauvre bourrique ! N'ont-ils point de pitie de leur vieux domestique ; Sans doute qu'a la foire ils vont vendre sa peau. Parbleau ! dit le Meunier, est bien fou de cerveau Qui pretend contenter tout le monde et son pere. Essayons toutefois si par quelque maniere Nous en viendrons a bout. Ils descendent tous deux : L'ane se prelassant, marche seul devant eux. Un quidam les rencontre, et dit : Et-ce la mode Que baudet aille a Taise, et Meunier s'incommode ? Qui de Pane ou de maitre est fait pour se lasser ? Je conseille a ces gens de le faire enchasser. Ils usent leurs souliers, et conservent leur ane ! Nicolas, au rebours ; car, quand il va voir Jeanne, II monte sur sa bete ; et la chanson le dit. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS. 201 Ned under double pressure straining, In his harsli lingo vents his plaining, Whilst more attendants on the fair, Gaze at the Ass and luckless pair, And utter warm disapprobation In still more loud vociferation : " Does it not much," cries one, " amaze ye, " To see two heavy louts so lazy ! " Never, since first I us'd this road, did " I see poor beast so sadly loaded ! " To carry him they're much more able, " Such cruelty is lamentable !" '* Well, " says the Man, " my Son and I " To please will this last method try."" The tender Critic's aid he begs, To tie the pitied Donkey's legs ; Then by a pole across their shoulders, Ned rides, diverting all beholders ! They reach'd the bridge : — now shouts and cries Around them thick and threefold rise; Such hootings loud, and peals of laughter, Precede the group, and follow after. No one the gathering crowd can pass, Nor farther move the carried Ass. 202 LE MEUNIER, SON FILS., ET L'ANE. Beau trio de baudets ! Le Meunier repartit : Je suis ane, il est vrai, j'en conviens, je l'avoue, Mais que dorenavant on me blame, on me loue, Qu'on dise quelque chose, ou qu'on ne dise rien, J'en veux faire a ma tete. II le fit, et fit bien. Neckar, of France once thought the pillar, Might have learn'd something from our Miller. No one can deny to this celebrated Financier, the praise of being one of the most amiable of men. The visionary and ill- judged attempt to please all parties, and to unite them for the public good, occasioned his failure in all his measures. In more tranquil times, Neckar might have guided the helm of the State to its very greal advantage ; but a higher degree of energy was required to struggle with the tremendous storm to which his for- tune exposed him. Nature had not bestowed on him the qua- lities necessary to form a great minister. Even in the pious partiality of his daughter's account of his private life, a degree of weakness is sufficiently perceptible amongst his recorded virtues. THE MILLER, HIS SON, AND THE ASS. 203 As still the merry rabble press on, The Miller cries, " I've gain'd a lesson ; " A mob may prove a useful tutor : — " From my own brains I'll act in future. " Learn then, my Son, in this rough school, " Who would please all men is a fool — " A fool alone such efforts tries, " O Folly ! take this sacrifice, " For here with me thy reign shall close !" Then o'er the bridge the Ass he throws. And, deaf to ev'ry pert adviser, Goes home, tho' poorer, somewhat wiser. This tale suits men in every station, Who work a mill, or rule a nation. If with the stream for ever swimming, You strive to gain all hearts by trimming, When all your fruitless labour's done, You'll scarcely win the praise of one. Neckar, of France once thought the pillar, Might have learn "d something from our Miller. [ 204 ] LE LION DEVENU VIEUX. Lb Lion, terreur des forets, Charge d'ans, et pleurant son antique prouesse, Fut enfin attaque par ses propres sujets, Devenus forts par sa foiblesse. Le Cheval s ^pprochant lui donne un coup de pied, Le Loup un coup de dents, le Boeuf un coup de corne. Le malheureux Lion, languissant, triste, et morne, Peut a peine rugir, par 1 age estropie. II attend son destin sans faire aucunes plaintes ; Quand voyant l'Ane meme k son antre accourir : [ 205 ] THE LION GROWN OLD. A princely Lion, worn with age, No longer active war could wage, Or malcontents keep duly under; — Close in his den retir'd, alone, His roar now dwindled to a groan, Which erst rous'd Echo with its thunder. Soon through the forest wide 'twas known The Monarch totter'd on his throne, For, now his strength and vigour fail him : The Wolfs sharp tooth, the Bull's strong horn, The Stag's rough antlers strike in scorn, The Horse's rebel hoofs assail him. At last the stupid Ass appears, With harsh shrill voice, and flapping ears, His base insulting heels up-rearing. " Oh ! let me now resign my breath/ 1 206 le lion devenu vieux. Ah ! c'est trop, lui dit-il, je voulois bien mourir i Mais cest mourir deux fois que souffrir tes atteintes, Thus royal G Since this Fable was written, the august personage alluded to in the last stanza, has quitted his earthly crown to receive the reward of his virtues in the regions of immortality. What Englishman, whose heart is right, can reflect, that on this day " the silent tomb" is closed on the mortal remains of " the good old King j'' under whose mild reign much the greater part of his subjects have been born and grown to maturity, without feeling that he lias lost, as it were, a parent ? If his bright example could not effectually check vices inseparable from frail human nature, it gave a tone, at least, to the manners of his Court and of his People) which has rendered the name and character of a Briton respectable throughout the world. His discernment chose those ministers whose talents and character were best suited to main- tain the honour of his kingdom, and the best interests of his people. When it pleased Heaven to make it necessary that the Sovereignty of this country should be placed in other hands, the wisdom of the illustrious personage on whom that high office devolved, happily adopted the same system, and confided the reins of government to the same persons who had so well de- served to hold them. Had it been permitted by Providence that a ray of intellectual light should have been restored to the vener- able Monarch, how gratifying would have been the retrospect ! But since it was decreed that a cloud should obscure from his mind the glories which have spread a lustre over the evening of his days, he has at least been spared the pain of witnessing the THE LION GROWN OLD. 207 The Lion cries, " far worse than death, " This final blow is past all bearing !" Thus royal G long bore hard knocks, From F s, R d, N k, F x, And patiently he stood the brunt : Could he feel blows, which now presume, Not much heM B 1 reck or B m, But who could bear a kick from H 1 ? attempts made against the Morals,, the Religion, and the Con- stitution of his country, by the basest and most despicable of mankind. I6lh February, 1820. -*, The long disputed question of who was the author of Junius seems perfectly settled. No circumstantial evidence can be more conclusive than that which has been adduced to fix these cele- brated Letters on Sir P. F. [ 208 ] LALOUETTE ET SES PETITS, AVEC LE MAITRE DUN CHAMP. Ne t'attends qu'a toi seul : c'est un commun proverbe. Voici com me Esope le mit En credit. Les Alouettes font leur nid Dans les bles, quand ils sont en herbe, C'est-a-dire, environ le temps Que tout aime, et que tout pullule dans le monde, Monstres marins au fond de I'onde, Tigres dans les forets, Alouettes aux champs. Une pourtant de ces dernieres Avoit laisse passer la moitie d'un printemps Sans gouter les plaisirs des amours printanieres. A toute force enfin elle se resolut D'imiter la nature, et d'etre mere encore. Elle batit un nid, pond, couve, et fait eclore, A la hate : le tout alia du mieux qu'il put. Les bles d'alentour murs, avant que la nitee Se trouvat assez forte encor Pour voler et prendre l'essor, De mille soins divers TAlouette agitee [ 209 ] THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. Fair Nature's smiles revive in jocund spring, The fields their brightest, softest livery wear ; The feather'd choir in tuneful concert sing, To hail the sweetest season of the vear. Love seems to animate each earthly thing : To feel the glow all nature's tribes appear, The monsters of the deep, fierce beasts of prey, Not less than birds upon the blossom'd spray. A prudish Lark for once had miss'd a mate, Nor of the other Larks pursued the plan, Who in green wheat essay the nuptial state. When summer came, she yielded; — then began To form her procreant nest, tho' rather late : Scarce fledg'd her young, when now the husbandman View'd his tall corn assume a tint of brown, And thought 'twas almost time to cut it down. The anxious mother, ere she left her brood, (For distant was her flight each dewy morn, 210 l'alouette et ses petits, &c. S'en va chercher pature, avertit ses enfants D'etre toujours au guet, et faire sentinelle. Si le possesseur de ces champs Vient avecque son fils, corame il viendra, dit-elle, Ecoutez bien; selon ce qn'il dira, Chacun de nous decampera. Sitot que l'Alouette eut quitte sa famille, Le possesseur du champ vient avecque son fils. Ces bles sont murs, dit-il ; allez chez nos amis Ties prier que chacun, apportant sa faucille, Nous vient aider demain des la pointe du jour. Notre Alouette de retour Trouve en alarme sa couvee. L'un commence : II a dit que, Taurore levee, L'on fit venir demain ses amis pour l'aider. S'il n'a dit que cela, repartit l'Alouette, Rien ne nous presse encor de changer de retraite. Mais cest demain qu'il faut tout de bon ecouter. Cependant, soyez gais : voila de quoi manger. Eux repus, tout sVndort, les petits et la mere. THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. 211 To gather for her tender nurslings food, Who lay conceal'd among the ripening corn,) Trembling at thoughts of reapers 1 footsteps rude, Thus her half callow birds began to warn : " Yon farmer, with his son, comes here each day : " If I am absent, mark well what they say : M At my return report each single word, " On what you hear our movements must depend." She fled : — the rustics came, as spoke the bird — " Go," said the father, " summon evVy friend; " The wheat is ripe, and must not be deferr'd, " Let the whole troop at break of day attend. " The joyous task with glee we will begin, " And numerous hands shall get the harvest in." The little Larks heard this with throbbing heart : " Mother !" said they, " to-day the farmer calls " His friends to work, and each will take a part : " What fate to-morrow our poor nest- befalls ! v " If that's the worst," said she, " we need not start : " This news with no alarm my mind appals. " Sleep sound to-night, my children, free from sorrow, " But listen with increasing care to-morrow. 11 212 LALOUETTE ET LE SES PETITS, &C. L'aube du jour arrive, et cTamis point du tout. L'Alouette k l'essor, le maitre s'en vient faire Sa ronde, ainsi qu'a Tordinaire. Ces bles ne devroient pas, dit-il, etre debout. Nos amis ont grand tort, et tort qui se repose Sur de tels paresseux, a servir ainsi lents. Mon fils, allez chez nos parents, Les prier de la meme chose. I/epouvanle est an nid plus forte que jamais. II a dit, ses parents, mere ! c'est a. cette heure — Non, mes enfants, dormez en paix : Ne bougeons de notre demeure. L'Alouette eut raison, car personne ne vint. Pour la troisieme fois, le maitre se souvint De visiter ses bles. Notre erreur est extreme, Dit-il, de nous attendre a d'autres gens que nous. II n'est meilleur ami, ni parent, que soi-meme. Retenez bien cela, mon fils : et savez-vous THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. 213 Bright dawn'd the day, and glorious rose the sun. Off flew the Lark : — the farmer takes his round, As usual,— but of friends appear'd not one ! " Poor help, 1 ' the good-man cries, " in friends is found. " Haste thee, my boy, to all our kindred run, " In relatives, thank Fortune, we abound — " No more we'll trust, my son, in friendship fickle, " But ask our cousins each to bring his sickle," At sounds like these more terror seiz'd the nest ;• — " Mother," they cry, " he sends for all his kin, " Who will at once comply with his request : " To-morrow's dawn will see the work begin P* " Let not this threat, my dears, disturb your rest ; " Not yet the foe will this asylum win. " Here sleep in peace, nor yield to groundless fear, " But lend to all that's said attentive ear." The morning broke, but not a cousin came ! T' r armer, mindful of his rural pelf, Said, " Twice, my son, have I been much to blame; " Who trusts in friends is but a foolish elf; " He who confides in kindred is the same : " A wise man still depends upon himself. 214 l'alouette et ses petits, &c. Ce qu'il faut faire ? II faut qu'avec notre famille Nous prenions des demain chacun une faucille ; C'est la notre plus court ; et nous acheverons Notre moisson quand nous pourrons. Des lors que le dessein fut su de T Alouette : C'est a ce coup qu'il faut d^camper, mes enfants. Et les petits, en meme temps, Voletants, se culebutants, Delogerent tous sans trompette. THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES. 215 " To-morrow you and I our hooks will wield ; " Slow perseverance well shall rid the field." When this the Lark was told, " My children, now, " Here to remain no longer must we dare ; " No longer stay the Destinies allow : " To spoil our nest in earnest they prepare. " Before the sun ascends yon mountain's brow, " Weak tho' your pinions, you must tempt the air." At dawn of day the active rustics come, And the young Larks decamp sans beat of drum. [216 ] LES ANIMAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Un mal qui repand la terreur, Mai que le Ciel en sa fureur Inventa pour punir les crimes de la terre, La peste (puisqu'il faut Tappeller par son nom) Capable d'enrichir en un jour l'Acheron, Faisoit aux animaux la guerre, lis ne mouroient pas tous, mais tous etoient frappes ; On n'en voyoit point d'occupes A chercher le soutien d'une mourante vie; Nul mets nexcitoit leur envie. Ni loups ni renards n'epioient La douce et Tinnocente proie ; [217] * THE MURRAIN. A dire disease, which Heaven in wrath Devis'd, to work wide woe and scath, For crimes committed here on earth, A sickness sore, — a frightful evil, More grievous far than war or dearth, Consigning myriads daily to the Devil : In one short word, the Plague, with dreadful ravage, Broke out amongst the brute creation, Assail'd all animals both tame and savage, And widely spread around it's devastation, Nor fur nor feather spar'd — nor males nor ladies, But birds and beasts despatched en masse to Hades. If some died not, they scarcely liv'd, Nor seem'd aware they had surviv'd, — Their instincts gone, — and vanish'd quite Propensities and appetite. Nor fowls nor geese the fox allure, And Isgrim's jaws are sinecure. All mop 1 d in melancholy mood, Reckless alike of fight or food. 218 LES ANIMAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Les tourterelles se fuyoient ; Plus d'amour, partant plus de joie. Le Lion tint conseil, et dit : Mes chers amis, Je crois que le Ciel a permis Pour nos p£ches cette infortune: Que le plus coupable de nous Se sacrifie aux traits du celeste courroux : Peut-etre il obtiendra la guerison commune. L'histoire nous apprend qu'en de tels accidents On fait de pareils devouments. THE MURRAIN. 219 The sometime tender turtle-dove, Indiff rent now to life and love, (For life and love to her were one) Her pining partner fain would shun : The moulting mates disconsolate, Droop, victims of the common fate. The Lion in this sad conjuncture, Whose conscience had receiv'd a puncture, Resold to hold a bed of justice, And state to all in what his trust is. " My fellow sufferers and friends," 1 (The royal speech in form begins,) " From righteous Heav'n in wrath descends " This visitation for our sins. " Let all, then, secret crimes unfold, " And every tale of guilt be told. " So shall the greatest sinner seal, " Self-sacrihVd, the general weal. " Nor deem it a new-fangled notion ; " All hist'ry's full of such devotion. " To shorten, therefore, the debate, " Without unfruitful long digression, " That we may rightly judge our slate, " Proceed we briefly to confession : 220 LES ANIMAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Ne nous flattons done point ; voyons sans indulgence, L'etat de notre conscience. Pour moi, satisfaisant mes appetits gloutons, J'ai devore force moutons. Que m'avoient-ils fait ? nulle offense. Meme il m'est arrive quelquefois de manger Le berger. Je me devourai done, s'il le faut : mais je pense Qu'il est bon que chacun s'accuse ainsi que moi. Car on doit souhaiter, selon toute justice, Que le plus coupable perisse. Sire, dit le Renard, vous etes trop bon roi ; Vos scrupules font voir trop de delicatesse. THE MURRAIN. 2*21 " Without reservation " Or equivocation " With openness, freedom, and honest contrition, " Let us candidly look at our ghostly condition. " To begin with ourself, — I must own Tm a glutton, " And have too much indulg'd a strong fancy for mutton. " Now and then, it is true, too, — poor pastoral elf! " I have made a bonne bouche of the shepherd himself. " Yet what harm had they done me, the poor bleating prey ? " Their greatest offending was running away ! " I am ready to die, and deserve it, I own ; " But is death for injustice to me due alone ? " No — Justice demands that the deadliest sinner " Of such self-devotion should be the beginner. " Let's confess seriatim — and then, I opine, " You may hear of some greater offences than mine." The monarch ceas'd, and judgment begs. The Fox was quickly on his legs, And having caught the Lion's eye, He hasten'd thus to make reply : " Ah ! Sire, indeed you're much too good " To take account of such vile blood — " Too scrupulous and delicate " For one of vour exoltcd state ! 222 LES ANIMAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Eh bien ! manger moutons, canaille, sotte espece, Est-ce un peche ? Non, non : vous leur files, seigneur. En les croquant beaucoup d'honneur. Et quant au berger, Ton peut dire, Qu'il etoit digne de tous raaux, Etant de ces gens-la qui sur les animaux Se font un chimerique empire. Ainsi dit le Renard ; et flatteurs d'applaudir. On n'osa trop approfondir Du Tigre, ni de l'Ours, ni des autres puissances Les moins pardonnables offenses. THE MURRAIN. 223 " Your Majesty is much too nice, " To deem sheep-slaughter such a vice ! " Such slight unmeritable things ! " Is mutton fare too fine for kings ? " This for the brutes ; — then, for the man, — " I think your Highness said — he ran. " Desert his flock ! — the precious pastor ! " I'm glad your Majesty ran faster: " You were right to demolish so worthless a shepherd ! " Would the wolf have done less ? or the bear? or the leopard ? " Our judgment, Sire, secure abide: " 'Twas justifiable homicide. " Besides, the wretch, in my opinion, " Held illegitimate dominion ; " O'er quadrupeds us'd crooked rule, " And was as much a knave as fool. " Let your Majesty's eyes then be speedily wiped, " Are so many tears worth the while for a biped I" The Fox sat down ; loud cheers resound, And hear, hear, hear ! was echoed round. The Tiger next, and savage Bruin, Tho' guilty of less venial ruin, The court discovcr'd faults but few in: } 224 LES AN1MAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Tous les gens querelleurs, jusqu'aux simples matins, Au dire de chacun, etoient de petits saints. L'Ane vint a son tour, et dit : J'ai souvenance Qu'en un pre de moines passant, La faim, Toccasion, Therbe tend re, et, je pense, Quelque diable aussi me poussant, Je tondis de ce pre la largeur de ma langue. Je n'en avois nul droit, puisquil faut parler net. A ces mots, on cria haro ! sur Je baudet. Un Loup, quelque peu clerc, prouva par sa harangue Qu'il falloit devouer ce maudit animal, Ce pele, ce galeux, d'ou venoit tout le mal. THE MURRAIN. 225 Can crime exist in such high station ? All that had teeth, or tusks, and spirit, Absolv'd at once from all demerit, Were guiltless found by acclamation. At length the Ass came to confession, And thus denounc'd his own transgression : " On thorny thistles starv'd, and sad dock, " I chanc'd to pass the Parson's paddock ; " The sacred sward seem'd sweet and green, " My appetite, I own, was keen, i( And fair occasion urged to revel — "Or might it not have been the Devil? ci Whate'er it were — I cropp'd the grass ; " 'Twas but a blade, as I'm an Ass ! " I own 'twas wrong — we must speak out — '•' I was a trespasser, no doubt !" A general shout of indignation Folio w'd the Donkey's declaration : " I charge thee, Ass. de par le lioi," The Tiger cried, (and rais"d his paw) " Surrender, —in the name of Law !" Which, he maintaind, tho' no great clerk, Was neither doubtful here, nor dark : That sacrilege a deadly sin 226 LES ANIMAUX MALADES DE LA PESTE. Sa peccadille fut jugee un cas pendable. Manger Therbe d'autrui ! quel crime abominable ! Rien que la mort n'etoit capable D'expier son forfait. On le lui fit bien voir. Selon que vous serez puissant ou miserable, Les jugements de cour vous rendront blanc ou noir. weakness is our first offence, And strength the surest innocence. Selon que vous serez puissant ou miserable, Lesjugemens Je cour vous rendront blanc ou noir. Notice has been already taken of the Courts of Law in France at an earlier period ; but even in the time of La Fontaine this satire was no less true than severe. The weight which the powerful and wealthy had in turning the scale of justice, was no- torious and disgraceful. In the present times, justice may be administered there with honest intentions ; but in their mode of examining the accused, they appear ignorant of the very first principles. In one circumstance only does the French Criminal Court deserve imitation ; the accused person is placed as much at his ease as possible, hearing the process against him in a sit- ting posture. In this country of ours, whatever improvements may be desirable in the system of Criminal or Civil Jurispru- dence, not the smallest imputation has fallen on the adminstra- tion of either. The invariably upright conduct of our Judges has ever been the subject of deserved panegyric ; on some late oc- casions the invincible patience of our highest Court of Criminal Judicature, has been as conspicuously praise-worthy as its impartiality. THE MURRAIN. 227 Was deem'd, — and so had ever been. The life of that dull long-ear'd loon Must expiate his guilt, — and soon. With one accord, and general clatter, All vote the case a hanging matter. " What ! crop the close ! the Parson's too ! " For this can less than death be due ? " When thorns and thistles grew so plenty, " Could nothing but the glebe content ye ? " From such a sin but death can purge ye — " Death without benefit of clergy !" Quick execution follow , d sentence — And short the space for sad repentance. The dying Ass perceiv'd too late (Let biped Asses mark his fate) That weakness is our worst offence, And strength the surest innocence. [ 228 ] PHEBUS ET BOREE. BoB.eE et le Soleil virent un voyageur Qui s'etoit muni par bonheur Contre le mauvais temps. On entroit dans l'automne, Quand la precaution aux voyageurs est bonne : II pleut ; le Soleil luit ; et l'echarpe d'Iris Rend ceux qui sortent avertis Qu'en ces mois le manteau leur est fort necessaire : Les Latins les nommoient douteux pour cette affaire. Notre homme s"etoit done a la pluie attendu : Bon manteau bien double, bonne etoffe bien forte. Celui-ci, dit le Vent, pretend avoir pourvu A tons les accidents ; mais il n'a pas prevu [ 229 ] PHCEBUS AND BOREAS. Boreas and Sol, one April day, Met in their course on Heav'n's high way, And greeting spoke. Whilst looking tow'rds this lower sphere, They chanc'd to see a cavalier Wrapp'd in a cloak. This traveller had judged, and with good reason, 'Twas best to arm against this doubtful season. For, Iris to the world below Display\l her many-colour'd bow, Sure si«n of show'rs. Tho' sunshine now cheers all beholders, The prudent always cloak their shoulders, As when it low'rs. " D'ye see that horseman," cries the blustering North, " Who there so closely mantled sallies forth ? 44 He thinks himself now vastly sager 44 Than light-clad pilgrims ; — for a wager, 230 PHEBUS ET BOREE. Que je saurai souffler de sorte, Qu'il n'est bouton qui tienne ; il faudra, si je veux, Que le mantean s'en aille au diable. L'ebbattement pourroit nous en etre agreable : Vous plait- il de Tavoir ? Eh bien ! gageons nous deux, Dit Phebus, sans tant de paroles, A qui plutot aura degarni les epaules Du cavalier que nous voyons. Commencez : je vous laisse obscurcir mes rayons . II n'en fallut pas plus. Notre souffleur a gage Se gorge de vapeurs, s^nfle comme un ballon, Fait un vacarme de demon, Siffle, souffle, tempete, et brise en son passage Maint toit qui n'en peut mais, fait perir maint bateau ; Le tout au sujet d'un manteau. Le cavalier eut soin d'empecher que l'orage Ne se put engouffrer dedans. Cela le preserva Le Vent perdit son temps ; Plus il se tourmentoit, plus Tautre tenoit ferme ; II cut beau faire agir le collet et les plis. Sitot qu'il fut au bout du terme Qu 1 a la gageure on avoit mis, PHCEBUS AND BOREAS. 231 " I'd make him know " That cloaks with buttons, or tough strings, " Are very weak and worthless things " If I but blow. " I, who strong oaks, and stronger towers can level, " May surely sweep that mantle to the devil !" " Done !" cried Apollo, " let us try : " Who moves the mantle, you or T, " The bet shall win. " My power is strongest, I conjecture — " The prize shall be a bowl of nectar: " You shall begin. 4 * Each take an hour. ,, — Against the man and horse Old Aquilo now bent his utmost force. With sleet and hail he blanch'd the ground ; Stripp'd roofs, sunk ships ; — but still he found The cloak a poser : With rage his swelPd cheeks almost crack — The mantle to the traveler's back But sticks the closer. When baffled Boreas with his efforts tir'd Gave in; — the hour allotted had expir'd. 232 PHEBUS ET BO REE. Le Soleil dissipe la nue, llecree et puis penetre enfin le cavalier, Sous son balandras fait qu^l sue, Le contraint de s'en depouiller : Encor n'usa-t-il pas de toute sa puissance. Plus fait douceur que violence. PHOEBUS AND BOREAS. 233 Now Phoebus blithely clear'd the sky, The hail soon melts, the fields grow dry, All smiles below. The cloak, before so closely wrappVl, The well-warm'd horseman quickly strapp'd On's saddle bow. Boreas confess'd how vain was all his puffing, Since smoothing seemVl more potent far than roughing. [ 234 ] LE SATYRE ET LE PASSANT. Au fond d'un antre sauvage, Un Satyre et ses enfans Alloient manger leur potage, Et prendre 1 ecuelle aux dents. On les eut vus sur la mousse, Lui, sa femme, et maint petit ; lis n'avoient tapis ni housse, Mais tous fort bon appetit. Pour se sauver de la pluie, Entre un Passant morfondu. Au brouet on le con vie : II n'etoit pas attend u. [ 235 ] THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. Written in March, 1819. A Satyr in a rocky den Liv'd, distant from the haunts of men : Tho' half a goat, he seldom ran To revel in the train of Pan : But led a quiet sober life With one fair Dryad for his wife ; And she, engross'd by household matters, Prepare! his soup, and brought young Satyrs. It happen 'd on a wint'ry day A Traveller had lost his way, And stiff with cold, and drench 'd with rain, He joy'd the Satyr's cave to gain. He peeps ; and midst recesses inner, He sees his horned host at dinner. He halts, and near the entrance lingers, And, blowing hard his aching fingers, He frames apologetic speeches, To his landlord with the shaggy breeches. 236 LE SATYRK ET LE PASSANT. Son hote n"eut pas la peine, De le semondre deux fois. D'abord avec son haleine II se rechauffe les doigts. Puis sur le niets qu'on lui donne Delicat, il souffle aussi. Le Satyre sen etonne : Notre hote ! a quoi bon ceci ? L'un refroidit mon potage, L'autre rechauffe ma main. Vous pouvez, dit le Sauvage, Reprendre votre chemin. THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. 237 But ere he could excuse begin, A hoarse rough voice exclaims, " Come in ! " If you can dine without a cloth, " Stranger, you're welcome to my broth. " My curious wife would fain be knowing, " What "'tis with so much care youVe blowing." " Thanks," said the Man, " Til not be shy " To accept your hospitality. " To please your lady, I'll inform her, " I blow my hands to make them warmer." The mistress of the rocky cottage Pours for her guest some smoking pottage ; Who to gulp down his mess the quicker, Blows, ere he tastes, the scalding liquor. The Satyr o'er the table leaning, Surpris'd, once more enquires his meaning. " Sir," said the Stranger, " you shall know it — 4; It is to cool my broth I bio., it." " Hold !" cries the host, " is that your plan ? *' Are these the double ways of man ? " Stranger, away ! you see the door, " Nor dare approach my mansion more. " Whilst I possess this vaulted roof — (And fiercely then he rais'd his hoof) 238 LE SATYRE ET LE PASSANT. Ne plaise aux dieux que je couche Avec vous sous meme toit. Arriere ceux dont la bouche Souffle le chaud et le froid ! THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. 239 " No mouth it's mossy sides shall hold " Which blows at once both hot and cold !" Tell me, ye Westminster Electors, Who love political projectors, Whom cunning state-empirics please, Have you not met with mouths like these ? Mouths which advance assertions bold, Blow sometimes hot and sometimes cold. Have you no smooth-tongu'd sophist found, Who Proteus-like still shifts his ground, Promulging for the public good Schemes by no mortal understood ? Whose patriot soul, so truly Roman, Would trust the regal power to no man, Tho' check'd and limited it be Like Britain's well-pois'd monarchy; Yet plasters praises thick and hearty U|>on his fav'rite Buonaparte ? To British honour much alive, Yet hates to see her laurels thrive ; And strives to pluck the shining bough From her great Hero's glorious brow : THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER. 241 Who deeply ting"d with classic lore, Would now with lofty Byron soar, Displaying to our wond'ring sight A literary paper kite ! Giving, as Harold mounts the gale, Collected scraps, to form his tail : — Now takes a lower road to fame, CharmM if the rabble shout his name, When every zealous wild supporter Proves Parliaments are best when shorter, By windows broke in every quarter : Whilst fractur'd heads demonstrate clearly, These sports should be repeated yearly ! When such mad follies meet our eye, Is't right to laugh ? — or must we cry ? We smile at such attempts to fob us — But sigh to find the hoaxer H ! Electors ! midst this horrid clatter, Twas well to imitate the Satyr. [ 242 J LE CHEVAL ET LE LOUR Un certain Loup, dans la saison Que les tiedes zephyrs ont Therbe rajeunie, Et que les animaux quittent tous la maison Pour s'en aller chercher leur vie ; Un Loup, dis-je, au sortir des rigueurs de l'hiver, Appercut un Cheval qu'on avoit mis au verd. Je laisse a penser quelle joie. Bonne chasse, dit-il, qui Tauroit a son croc ! Eh ! que n'es tu mouton ! car tu me serois hoc : Au lieu qu'il faut ruser pour avoir cette proie. Rusons done. Ainsi dit, il vient a pas comptes, [ 243 J THE HORSE AND THE WOLF. When Nature, releas'd from the cold icy trammels, Which winter had forrrTd, all her lustre renews, When the gold of the cowslip each meadow enamels, And the amethyst blends with soft emerald hues ; At this sprightly season of love and of joy, A Horse from his stable was sent by his master, In freedom these holiday hours to employ, And graze at his ease in a rich verdant pasture. A Wolf who was prowling in search of adventures, The glossy, plump animal joyfully spies : With caution the paddock's enclosure he enters, In hopes of possessing so tempting a prize. " Ah ! wert thou, stout beast,' 1 cries the thief, " but a mut- ton — - " In a moment that carcase I'd seize as my own : " As it is, some disguise I must artfully put on, " Before I can tear thy fat flesh from the bone." 244 LE CHEVAL ET LE LOUP. Se dit ecolier cTHippocrate ; Qu'il connoit les vertus et les proprietes De tous les simples de ces pres ; Qu'il sait guerir, sans qu'il se flatte, Toutes sortes de maux. Si Don Coursier vouloit Ne point celer sa maladie, Lui Loup, gratis le gueriroit. Car le voir dans cette prairie Paitre ainsi sans etre lie Temoignoit quelque mal, selon la medecine. tTai, dit la bete chevaline, Une apostume sous le pied. Mon fils, dit le docteur, il n'est point de partie Susceptible de tant de maux. THE WOLF AND THE HORSE. 245 So gravely saluting, he question'd the Steed — " Are you here, my fair Sir, for your health or your pleasure ? " From the symptoms I fear you're a great invalid, " For in health men allow their poor nags but small leisure. " Asa pupil of Galen accept my assistance ; " By feeling your pulse I shall find what your state is ; " I have travellVI thus far, from a very great distance, " To give the afflicted my best advice gratis. i< a Very choice are the wise in selecting their food, " For plants that are noxious the functions disturb all, As Solomon knew well the bad from the good, " I can point out each root in old Culpepper's herbal .' , The Horse Isgrim's character knew by repute, And plainly perceiv'd what the traitor design'd : So he says, " Learned Doctor, my pains are acute, " An abscess is form'd in my off-foot behind. 1 ' " A delicate part !"" quoth the Leech, i( and indeed " In the choice of a surgeon 'tis well to be wary ; 246 LE CHEVAL ET LE LOUP. J'ai Thonneur de servir nosseigneurs les chevaux, Et fais aussi la chirurgie. Mon galant ne songeoit qu'a bien prendre son temps, A fin de happer son malade. L 'autre, qui sen doutoit, lui lache une made Qui vous lui met en marmelade Les mandibules et les dents. C'est bien fait, dit le Loup en soi-meme, fort triste ; Chacun a son metier doit toujours s'attacher, Tu veux faire ici fherboriste, Et ne fut jamais que boucher. THE WOLF AND THE HORSE. 247 il Allow me to touch it, and then I'll proceed " Like a perfect adept in the art veter'nary. " But first of your pain let's examine the cause — " The Horse launch 'd his heels, and no kick could be kinder, It crush'd to a mummy the hypocrite's jaws, And dash'd from their sockets each holder and grinder. " All this I deserve," said the Wolf, full of sadness : " In the trade of a Butcher I'd been quite at home, ah ! " To change my profession was absolute madness — " Who dares kill a patient without a diploma !' [ 24 8 ] LE VIEILLARD ET LANE. Un Vieillard sur son Ane appercut en passant Un pre plein d'herbe et fleurissant ; Jl y lache sa bete : et le grison se rue Au travers de Therbe menue, Se veautrant, grattant, et frottant, Gambadant, chantant, et broutant, Et faisant mainte place nette. L'ennemi vient sur fentrefaite, Fuyons, dit alors le Vieillard. Pour quoi ? repondit le paillard : Me fera-t-on porter double bat, double charge ? Non pas, dit le Vieillard, qui prit d'abord le large. Et que m'importe done, dit FAne, a qui \e sois ? [ 249 ] THE OLD MAN AND THE ASS. An ancient Codger, mounted on an Ass, Thump'd his tough hide along a smooth high-way ; They reach 'd a pl;.ce where sprang abundant grass: Upon this fair, luxuriant mead He turn'd his Donkey loose to feed — Who, at the rare occasion blithe and gay, Kick'd up his heels, and rolling, braying, brousing, Was glad at heart to enjoy such fine carousing. The trumpet's blast announc'd th' approaching foe : Jack ! said the Man, for flight we must prepare. " Why so ?" replied the Donkey—" fain I'd know, " If I be taken whilst I tarry, " Shall I a double burthen carry, " Or on my back two pair of panniers bear ?" " No," quoth the Man: — " I'll stay then— what care I ? " Who e'er is master is our enemy." Thus when the Pole's rich soil was cut in three. Little indeed the torpid people car'd 250 LE VIEILLARD ET l'aNE. Sauvez-vous, et me laissez paitre. Notre ennemi, c'est notre maitre : Je vous le dis en bon Francois. THE OLD MAN AND THE ASS. 251 Under whose iron rod their lot might be : What was to them their Despot's name ? To slaves all masters are the same : And thvis the dull, submissive herd was shar'd. Their youth beneath the destin'd banners range, Their blind allegiance shift, and scarcely mark the change. Far other feelings, other thoughts prevail In that dear land, which Freedom calls her own. I foreign foemen dare her shores assail, Each son his ready weapon draws To guard her liberties and laws, Which form the very basis of the throne. Howe'er Whigs, Tories, Mobists, act their part — This is the language of a British heart. [ 252 ] LE CHIEN QUI LACHE SA PROIE POUR L'OMBRE. Chacun se trompe ici bas ; On voit courir apres Tombre Tant de fous, qu'on n'en sait pas, La plupart du temps, le nombre. Au Chien dont parle Esope il faut les renvoyer. Ce Chien, voyant sa proie en Teau representee, La quitta pour Timage, et pensa se noyer ; La riviere devint tout d'un coup agitee ; A toute peine il regagna les bords, Et n'eut ni lombre ni le corps. [ 253 ] THE DOG AND THE SHADOW. Human pursuits are mostly empty shadows ; Reason is left for toys and fancies wild ; The man mature acts as the thoughtless lad does ; The lad — no better than the foolish child. This truth is well exemplified by iEsop, Whose Doo- with loaded mouth beholds the stream, Whilst he the bright reflection strives to seize up, Loses the substance like a flitting dream. Thus did the brain-sick Demagogues of France, With a fair model close within their reach, Blow bubble-plans of Freedom as by chance, Neglecting all experience sage would teach. Successive phantoms rise, and glare, and vanish : Whilst deep in blood each desp'rate schemer waded ; Till all their hopes Imperial mandates banish ; Thus dropp'd the substance, thus the shadow faded ! [ 254 ] LE CHARTIER EMBOURBE. Le Phaeton d'une voiture a foin Vit son char embourbe. Le pauvre homme etoit loin De tout humain secours : c'etoit a la campagne, Pres d\in certain canton de la basse-Bretagne, Appelle Quiinper Corentin. ' Tis call'd the Haywood to this day. The Haywood forest, near the city of Hereford, is supposed to be the place where an incident happened, which gave rise to Milton's beautiful Mask. Vide note on the Life of Milton, in Murphy's collection of Johnson's Works, Vol. IX. The Lady Alice Egerton and her two Brothers, are said to have lost their way and been benighted in this Forest on their road to Ludlow, where their Father, the Earl of Bridgewater, re- sided, as President of Wales. Milton raised his highly poetical structure on this foundation. The Drama was represented in Ludlow Castle in the year 1634, by the personages who had experienced the adventure. It may be remarked, that had the Poet been well acquainted with the geography of this part of the country, he probably would not have had recourse to Sabrina to dissolve the spell of Comus. A Naiad of still more attractive beauty might have been found in Vaga, whose waters flow nearer to the scene of action. The greater part of this Forest, under whose shade the writer has often roved, " muttering his wayward fancies," is now (as the [255] THE COUNTRYMAN AND HERCULES. A Pkasant thro" 1 a miry road Convey "d of hay a pond'rous load ; "Twas whilst the heathen Gods bore sway : — The place — old records fail to say ; But as the soil was sthTest clay, I guess (if wrong it matters not) A certain forest was the spot, Where sloughs and quagmires scar'd the rider That erst explor'd the Land of Cider ; Such was it's antient state ; — the place Now wears a somewhat dift'rent face. Still trees of various size and form Give shade, and shelter from the storm ; Whilst Cambrian hills of azure hue Adorn the smiling distant view. Terhaps from this fanfd load of hay 'Tis call'd the Haywood to this day. s picturesque Mr. Gilpin would have said) " deformed by the miserable scratches of cultivation." 256 LE CHARTIER EMBOURBE. On sait assez que le Destin Adresse la les gens quand il veut qu'on enrage. Dieu nous preserve du voyage ! Pour venir au Chartier embourbe dans ces lieux, Le voila, qui deteste et jure de son mieux, Pestant, en sa fureur extreme, Tantot contre les trous, puis contre ses chevaux, Contre son char, contre lui-meme. 11 invoque a la fin le Dieu dortt les travaux Sont si celebres dans le monde. Hercule, lui dit-il, aide-moi : si ton dos A porte la machine ronde, Ton bras peut me tirer d'ici. Sa priere etant faite, il entend dans la nue Une voix qui lui parle ainsi : Hercule veut qu'on se remue ; Puis il aide les gens. Regarde d\)u provient L'achoppement qui te retient : Ote d'autour de chaque roue Ce malheureux mortier, cette maudite boue, Qui jusqu' a l'aissieu les enduit ; THE COUNTRYMAN AND HERCULES. 257 Here jolly Com us held his revels With all his mischief-loving: devils : Who pleas'd beheld full many a wain Stick in the dirt of his domain; And when they saw the flound'ring team in, With laughter heard the clowns blaspheming. In that old time, our Peasant's wagon The horses could no longer drag on : For axle-deep the wheels had now Sunk, in a wet, tenacious slough. Hodge first discharged, with angry folly, Of oaths a very copious volley : But as a spark of grace he felt, Down on his marrow bones he knelt, And pray'd as hard as he was able To him, who cleans'd th' Augean stable; The God so stout in dirty dealing Hodge hop'd, might have a fellow-feeling. Alcides from a shining; cloud Heard the petition urg'd so loud. " Rise, honest Hodge, — now wield your spade, " And clear this mud the rain has made, " Which clogs each hampered spoke and felly, " And reaches e'en your cattle's belly. s 258 LE CHARTIER EMBOURBE. Prends ton pic, et me romps ce caillou qui te nuit : Comble moi cette orniere. As tu fait ? Oui, dit l'homme. Or bien, je vais faider, dit la voix : prends ton fouet. Je Tai pris .... Qu'est ceci ? mon char marche a souhait ! Hercule en soit loue ! Lors la voix : Tu vois comme Tes chevaux aisement se sont tires de la. Aide toi, le Ciel t'aidera. THE COUNTRYMAN AND HERCULES. 259 " Have you remov'd the strong resistance ? — " Thus do the Gods bestow assistance. " Now clap your shoulder to the wheel " And let the whip your horses feel.' 1 A miracle the Bumpkin sees : His striving cattle move with ease ! He joyful thanks great Hercules. Mortals! to Heav'n address your pray'r, But seek not all your succour there : — Deaf to the careless, slothful elf, Heav^i helps the man, who helps himself. L 2G0 3 L'ANE ET LE PETIT CHIEN. Nk foreons point notre talent : Nous ne ferions rien avec grace. Jamais un lourdaud, quoiqu'il fasse, Ne sauroit passer pour galant. Peu de gens, que le ciel cherit et gratifie, Ont le don d'agreer infus avec la vie. C'est un point q u^il leur faut laisser, Et ne pas ressembler a Pane de la fable, Qui pour se rendre plus aimable, Et plus cher a son maitre, alia le caresser. Comment ! disoit-il en son ame, Ce Chien, parce qu'il est mignon, Vivra de pair et compagnon Avec Monsieur, avec Madame ! Et j'aurai de coups de baton ! Que fait-il? il donne la patte, Puis aussilot il est baise: S'il en faut faire autant afin que Ton me Matte, Cela n'est pas bien mal-aise. Dans cette admirable pensee, [2(51 ] THE LAPDOG AND THE ASS. Some men mistake their talent, some their station : Each of these errors shews a lack of brains. If grey-beard suitors aim at gay flirtation, The dotards are but laugh 'd at for their pains. Beau B , if he chose, could sadly tell 'Tis wrong to bid some People ring the bell ! An Ass once saw with envy those caresses, A Lapdog gain'd from Misses and from Madam ; Thus to himself his murmurs he expresses : — " Those fond endearments — O that once I had em ! " I see the cause ;— I'm not enough familiar. " My stupid, distant manners vastly silly are. " 111 change the plan ; — delightful pats and kisses " Will then be mine, instead of kicks and beating. " Like Pompey now I'll frisk about the Misses, " And hail my Mistress with a playful greeting. 11 Soon as he made this well-judg'd resolution, Jack put his hopeful scheme in execution. 262 LANE ET LE PETIT CH1EN. Voyant sont maitre en joie, il s'en vient lourdement. Leve une corne tout usee, La lui porte au menton fort amoureusement, Non sans accompagner, pour plus grand ornement, De son chant gracieux cette action bardie. Oh ! oh ! quelle caresse ! et quelle melodie ! Dit le maitre aussitot. Hola, Martin-baton ! Martin-baton accoui t, l'Ane change de ton, Ainsi finit la comedie. THE LAPDOG AND THE ASS. 263 Meeting the Lady, in a humour gay, He rais'd his long rough hoofs about her neck, Gracing the action with a tuneful bray : — Aloud she scream'd : —the fond salute to check, A storm of blows from whips and cudgels blended Shower'd on his back, and thus Jack's project ended. [ 264 ] LE JARDINIER ET SON SEIGNEUR. Un amateur du jardinage, Demi-bourgeois, demi-manant, Possedoit en certain village Un jardin assez propre, et le elos attenant. II avoit de plant vif ferine cette etendue : La croissoit a plaisir Toseille et la laitue, De quoi faire a Margot pour sa fete un bouquet, Peu de jasmin d'Espagne, et force serpolet. Cette felicite par un lievre troublee, Fit qu'au Seigneur du bourg notre homme se plaignit. [ 265 THE GARDENER AND THE LORD OF THE MANOR. In the gay days of France, when her ancient regime Allow'd her noblesse to do just what they pleas'd ; — By feudal oppression, now gone like a dream, Roturiers rather too roughly were squeez'd : — One of these of a handsome snug cottage was master, With a garden well-stor'd, and some acres of pasture. But chief in the garden was center'd his joy : — His exercise, luxury, solace was there. Yet all human pleasures some crosses annoy ; The fiend which this paradise cross'd was — a hare ! With sorrow, with anger, with malice he view'd her, His strong hawthorn hedge could not bar the intruder. He dar'd neither trap her, nor shoot her, nor stone her : — To pot went the parsley, the pease, and the salad ; But not to the pot of the poor luckless owner — The fruits of his labour this pilferer all had. At length he no longer could suffer the pillage, So he carried his plaints to the Lord of the village. 266 LE JARDINIER ET SON SEIGNEUR. Ce maudit animal vient prendre sa goute'e Soir et matin, dit-il, et des pieges se rit : Les pierres, les batons, y perdent leur credit : II est sorcier, je crois. Sorcier ! je Ten defie, Repartit le Seigneur : fut-il diable Miraut, En depit de ces tours, l'attrapera bientot. Je vous en deferai, bon homme, sur ma vie ; Et quand ? Et des demain, sans tarder plus long-temps. La partie ainsi faite, il vient avec ses gens. Ca, dejeunons, dit-il : vos poulets sont-ils tendres? La fille du logis, qu^n vous voie, approchez : Quand la marierons-nous ? quand aurons-nous des gendres ? Bon homme, c'est ce coup qu'il faut, vous m'entendez, Qu'il faut fouiller a Tescarcelle. THE GARDENER AND LORD OF THE MANOR. 267 This Lord was a sportsman; — a good-humour'd wight, If his game they'd respect, and due reverence show him, (Tho' his freedoms sometimes put the nymphs in a fright) He seldom did mischief to persons below him. He said, " My good fellow, now banish your sorrow, * Of the culprit I'll make an example to morrow. " To morrow at breakfast I'll beat up your quarters, " I've heard, my friend Jacques, that your hams are much boasted : " Your chicken are famous by many reporters !"" — So the gammon was boil'd, and the pullets were roasted. Half the night was employM on this joyful occasion, For my Lord's august presence to make preparation. Next day came his Honour, his train, and his hounds : He guttled and swill'd, and he prais'd his regaling. — With horns and with shouts all the village resounds ! Monsieur show'd a spice of his principal failing. Whilst the crew of attendants still quaff 'd in the kitchen, And made a great hole both the tap, and the flitch in, 268 LE JARDIMER ET SON SEIGNEUR. Disant ces mots, il fait connoissance avec elle, Aupres de lui la fait asseoir, Prend une main, un bras, leve un coin du mouchoir : Toutes sottises dont la belle Se defend avec grand respect : Tant qu'au pere a la fin cela devient suspect. Cependant on fricasse, on se rue en cuisine. De quand sont vos jambons ? ils ont fort bonne mine. Monsieur, ils sont a vous. Vraiment, dit le Seigneur, Je les recois, et de bon coeur. II dejeune ties bien, aussi fait sa famille, When a bride — she was his by the Laws of the Manor. The imitator will not take upon him to assert on positive au- thority, that the degrading privilege here alluded to, actually subsisted either in France or England. The very notion of it strikingly shews the aristocratic tyranny of Lords under the feu- dal sysetm, and the abject submission of their vassals. Black- stone informs us, that it certainly prevailed in Scotland under the name of Mercheta. But as this custom is said to have been abolished by Malcolm III, who was successor to Macbeth, and co-temporary with our Edward the Confessor, it can scarcely be supposed to have remained in France down to a very late period. There is every reason to believe, that this custom subsisted in other countries of Europe, as well as among our northern neigh- THE GARDENER AND LORD OF THE MANOR. 269 My Lord at the host's pretty daughter that waited, 'Twixt the morsels he swallowed, cast amorous glances • Press'd her hand, — smack'd her lips, — she was soon to be mated, So he whisper'd some stuff, as the fashion of France is. ""Twas scarcely worth while to take pains to trepan her — When a bride — she was his by the Laws of the Manor. hours. As a confirmation of this opinion, Voltaire mentions it in his Essai sur les Mceurs et V Esprit des Nations, without any allusion to Scotland ; another passage in the same Essay states, that all the feudal regulations in France were derived from Italy. The tenure of Borough English which obtained in some parts of England, by which the youngest son, and not the eldest, succeeded to the burgage teneme^tr-osi the death of his father, affords ground for the supposition that it prevailed here at some period of our history. Anachronisms may be pardoned in works of fancy. Availing himself of this licence, one of our early dra- matic writers has made this claim the subject of a play, called the Custom of the Manor, which produces some comic effect. The successful lover of a rich heiress being about to take pos- session of his fair mistress and her property, is coolly informed, that, by the custom of the Manor, the Lord has an imprescriptible right to the first favours of the bride. After having his fears and his feelings worked up to the highest pitch, he is relieved from his painful embarrassment by the intelligence that the lady's husband by the ceremony of marriage became himself the Lord, and consequently entitled to all the manorial privileges. 270 LE JARDINIER ET SON SEIGNEUR. Chiens, chevaux, et valets, tous gens bien endentes. II commande chez l'hote, il prend des liberies, Boit son vin, caresse sa fille. L'embarras des chasseurs succede au dejeune. Chacun s'anime et se prepare : Les trompes et les cors font un tel tintauiarre, Que le bon homnie est etonne. Le pis fut que Ton mit en piteux equipage Le pauvre potager : adieu planches, carreaux, Adieu chicoree et poireaux : Adieu de quoi mettre au potage. Le lievre etoit gite dessous un maitre chou. On le quete, on le lance : il s'enfuit par un trou, Non pas trou, mais trouee, horrible et large plaie Que Ton fit a la pauvre haie Par ordre du Seigneur ; car il eut ete mal Qiron n'eut pu du jardin sortir tout a cheval. Le bon homme disoit : Ce sont la jeux de prince. Mais on le laissoit dire ; et les chiens et les gens Firent plus de degat en une heure de temps, Que n'en auroient fait en cent ans Tous les lievres de la province. THE GARDENER AND LORD OF THE MANOR. 271 The father with joy saw the clan quit the house all ; They mounted their steeds for the storming the garden : Tho' much he begrudg'd them this wasteful carousal, At least the conclusion he hop'd some reward in. They levell'd the hedge which surrounded the place, And in dash'd at once all the pomp of the chase. But now 'twas his fate to contemplate with pain The horses'" hoofs tearing each bed and each border ; The work of a twelvemonth was labour in vain — Here herbs, flow'rs, and frames lie in fatal disorder ! Cer the wreck of his hopes his eyes mournfully pass, And he views in despair the sad fragments of glass ! " I find," said poor Jacques, " I was strangely mistaken. " The hare to be sure— these kind sportsmen have caught " her, " But they've drank up my wine, ate my fowls and my " bacon, " Destroy 'd all my garden, and tousled my daughter ! " Thro' the year should ten hares all my pot-herbs devour, " They will do me less harm than my friends in an " hour !" 272 LE JARDINIER ET SON SEIGNEUR. Petits Princes, vuidez vos debats entre vous ; De recourir aux rois vous seriez de grands fous. II ne les faut jamais engager dans vos guerres. Ni les faire entrer sur vos terres. THE GARDENER AND LORD OF THE MANOR. 273 Into errors like these even nations may fall, and Such feats may be done on a much larger scale : When Frenchmen were pray'd to give freedom to Holland, They listenM with joy to the Jacobin tale; — Mynheer lost the burthen he grumbled to bear, Just as our honest Jacques was reliev'd from his hare. [ 274 ] LE SERPENT ET LA LIME. Ox conte quW Serpent, voisin (Tun Horloger, (C'etoit pour l'Horloger un mauvais voisinage) Entra dans sa boutique, et, cherchant a manger, N'y ren contra pour tout potage Qu\me Lime d'acier, qifil se mit a ronger. Cette Lime lui dit, sans se mettre en colere : Pauvre ignorant ! eh ! que pretends-tu faire ? Tu te prends a plus dur que toi, Petit Serpent a tete folle ; Plutot qiu-d'em porter de moi Seulement le quart d'une obole, Tu te romprois toutes les dents. Je ne crains que celles du temps. [275] THE VIPER AND THE FILE. A Viper chanc'd his head to pop Into a neighbouring blacksmith's shop; Long near the place had he been lurking, And staid till past the hours for working. As with keen eyes he glanc'd around In search of food, a File he found : Of meats he saw no single item, Which tempted hungry jaws to bite 'em; So with his fangs the eager fool Attack 'd the rough impassive tool ; And whilst his wounded palate bled, Fancied on foreign gore he fed. When thus the File retorted coolly : — " Viper ! this work's ingenious, truly ! " No more those idle efforts try; " Proof 'gainst assaults like your's am I. " On me you'd fracture ev'ry bone, " I feel the teeth of Time alone." 276 LE SERPENT ET LA LIME. Ceci s'adresse a vous, esprits du dernier ordre, Qui, n'etant bons a rien, cherchez sur tout a mordre : Vous vous tourmentez vainement. Croyez-vous que vos dents impriment leurs outrages Sur tant de beaux ouvrages ? lis sont pour vous d'airain, d'acier, de diamant. THE VIPER AND THE FILE. 277 Thus did a Poet, vain and young, (Who since has palinody sung,) His fangs upon a Minstrel's lay Fix hard : — Twas labour thrown away ! On that sweet Bard of Doric strain This venoir/d bite was tried in vain : His flights, thro' no dark medium view'd, Derive from fog no magnitude ; But bright and clear to charm our eyes, His vivid pictures boldly rise. In painting manners, arms, and dress sure, Time shew'd him all his form and pressure. Bard of the North ! thou still shalt be A File to Critics, harsh as he. Tho' Time has teeth — thou need'st not fear 'em, Thy verse defies old Edax Rerum 1 [ 2 78 ] LE LIEVRE ET LA TORTUE. Rikn ne sert de courir : il faut partir a point. Le Lievre et la Tortue en sont un temoi^nase. Gageons, dit celle-ci, que vous n'atteindrez point Sitot que moi ce but. Sitot ! etes-vous sage ? Repartit Paiiimal leger : Ma commere, il faut vous purger Avec quatre grains d'ellebore. Sage ou non, je parie encore. Ainsi fut fait ; et de tous deux On mit pres du but les enjeux. Savoir quoi, ce ntest pas l'aifaire, Ni de quel juge Ton convint. t 279 ] THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. Ye men of genius -gifted brains, Who scoff at tardy wits as muddy, That gain their point by toil and pains — You deem mispent the hours severe of study ; More pleas'd with feasting, frolicking, or nodding ; Learn from this tale the potency of plodding. A Tortoise, nothing swift, but somewhat cunning, Said to a brisk, young, thoughtless Hare, " Friend, if you wish to shew your skill in running, " I will against your speed a trial dare. " A verdant parsley-wreath shall grace the winner, u To wear — or else to make a savoury dinner. 1 ' " You run with me !" said wondVing Puss, " Have you these megrims, Gossip, had before ? " Till now I never saw you thus — " Pray take to-night some grains of hellebore.'" 1 u My brains are sound as your's :" the Tortoise cried ; And so at once the eNpcriment was tried. 280 LE LIEVRE ET LA TORTUE. Notre Lievre n'avoit que quatre pas a faire, J'entends de ceux qu'il fait, lorsque, pres d'etre atteint, II s'eloigne des chiens, les renvoie aux calendes, Et leur fait arpenter les landes. Ayant, dis-je, du temps de reste pour brouter Pour dormir, et pour ecouter D'ou vient le vent, il laisse la Tortue Aller son train de senateur. Elle part, elle s'evertue, Elle se hate avec lenteur. Lui cependant mepi'ise une telle victoire, Tient la gageure a peu de gloire, Croit qu'il y va de son honneur De partir tard. II broute, il se repose, II s'amuse a toute autre chose Qu' a la gageure. A la fin, quand il vit Que Tautre touchoit presque au bout de la carriere, II partit comme un trait : mais les elans qu'il fit Furent vains ; la Tortue arriva la premiere. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE. 281 The garland at the goal was laid : The Hare, in half a dozen bounds (Such as she makes when much afraid, And throws at distance e'en the fleetest hounds) Could reach the promis'd prize with ease and pleasure ; She thinks her fame demands to start at leisure. She takes a nap ; — then idly grazes, Frisks round, and listens to the wind ; Doubles thro' all her wanton mazes, Nor seems the contest once to bear in mind : Letting the Tortoise creep her solemn pace, At the last moment means to win the race, Ah ! thought the Tortoise, " you'll repent ye : " These foolish freaks too late you'll rue. " My motto still, ^^iwa lente, " My course thus steadily I'll still pursue." Now starts the Hare, and like an arrow flies — The Tortoise had already touch'd the prize ! [282 ] LE CURE ET LE MORT. Un Mort s'en alloit tristement S'emparer de son dernier gite ; Un Cure s'en alloit gaiement Enterrer ce Mort au plus vite. Notre defunt etoit en carrosse porte, Bien et dument empaquete, Et vetu d'une robe, helas ! qu'on nomme biere, Robe d'hiver, robe d'dte, Que les morts ne de'pouillent guere. Le Pasteur etoit a cote, Et recitoit, a l'ordinaire, Maintes devotes oraisons, Et des pseaumes, et des lecons, Et des versets, et des repons. Monsieur le Mort, laissez-nous f'aire, On vous en donnera de toutes les facous : II ne s'agit que du salaire. [ 2S3 ] * THE CORPSE AND THE CURATE. A Corpse was passing on the road, Towards it's long and last abode ; And with it went a Curate merry, The cold and stiff defunct to bury. Wrapt in a shroud, the lump of clay Within a leaden coffin lay, His only robe a winding-sheet, In winter's cold and summer's heat ; Henceforth in damp sepulchral dirt, Doom'd never more to change his shirt ! No matter ! — We must all endure it : He rode in state beside the Curate, Who chaunted with religious care Meet orisons, and many a pray'r ; The lessons, psalms, responses, verses, — Sad, solemn, serenade of hearses. Yet duly thus or said or sung, They only occupied his tongue ; His mind was brooding o'er the gains Accruing from these pious pains. 284 LE CURE ET LE MORT. Messire Jean Chouart couvoit des yeux son Mort, Conime si Ton eut du lui ravir ce tresor, Et, des regards, sembloit lui dire : Monsieur le Mort, j'aurai de vous Tant en argent, et tant en cire, Et tant en autres menus couts. II fondoit la-dessus Tachat d'une feuillette Du meilleur vins des environs : Certaine niece assez proprette, Et sa chambriere Paquette, Devoient avoir des cotillons. Sur cette agreable pensee Un heurt survient ; adieu le char. Voila Messire Jean Chouart, Qui du choc de son Mort a la tete cassee : Le paroissien en plomb entraine son Pasteur; Notre Cure' suit son seigneur ; Tous deux s'en vont de compagnie. THE CORPSE AND THE CURATE. 285 His looks intent, and eager eyes, Seem'd fearful he might lose his prize ; And pensively appeared to count To what the funeral fees amount — In money, cloth — in waxen lights, Scarf, gloves, and other perquisites : Of wine he deem'd 'em worth a barrel, And something over for apparel, For presents to his maid, and — niece, — At least a petticoat apiece. Rapt in these pleasing meditations, — Indulging fond anticipations, A sudden shock — (the coachman's blunder,) HurFd headlong both, — the Curate under. Dash'd to the ground, the Corpse and Pastor Felt not alike the deep disaster : The Corpse was dead enough before, And having died, could die no more, From life's long labours once releast; — Not so the visionary Priest : Of health, and hope, and spirits full, The falling coffin crack'd his skull ; Dispatch'd at once from musing glee, To death's eternal reverie. 286 LE CURE ET LE MORT. Proprement, toute notre vie Est le Cure Chouart, qui sur son Mort comptoit, Et la Fable du Pot au lait. THE CORPSE AND THE CURATE. 287 Thus, future prospects gaily gilding, We pass our lives in castle-building : Whilst life itself is but a breath, And soon— too soon — the bubble bursts in death. [ 288 ] LA COUR DU LION. Sa Majeste lionne un jour voulut connoitre De quelles nations le ciel Pavoit fait maitre. II manda done par deputes Ses vassaux de toute nature, Envoyant de tous les cotes Une circulaire ecriture Avec son sceau. L'ecrit portoit Qu'un mois durant le roi tiendroit Cour pleniere, dont l'ouverture Devoit etre un fort grand festin, Suivi des tours de Fagotin. Par ce trait de magnificence Le prince a ses sujets etaloit sa puissance. En son Louvre il les in vita. Quel Louvre ! un vrai charnier, jdont Podeur se porta D'abord au nez des gens ; l'Ours boucha sa narine : [ 289 ] THE LION'S COURT. The King of Beasts once issued a decree, That all his loving subjects, high and low, Of whatsoever station and degree, Without delay should to his presence go. The Monarch whTd with his own eyes to see His vassals all, their several states to know. The royal mandate, duly sign'd and seal'd, Was sent to ev'ry tenant of the field. This gala was to last a month at least : And there was spread a general report, The whole would open with a splendid feast, With gay spectacles — ev'ry kind of sport, To suit the taste of ev'ry loyal beast, Worthy the grandeur of this sylvan court Held in the Lion's — call it what you please, The Porte, Escurial, or the Tuileries. O what a Court it was ! for here assail'd The nostrils scents would surfeit carrion crows : u 290 LA COUR DU LION. II se fut bien passe de faire cette mine ; Sa grimace deplut: le monarque irrite L'envoya chez Pluton faire Le degoute. Le Singe approuva fort cette severite ; Et, flatteur excessif, il loua la colere Et la griffe du prince, et l'antre, et cette odeur : II n'etoit ambre, il n'e'toit fleur, Qui ne fut ail au prix. Sa sotte flatterie Eut un mauvais succes, et fut encor pnnie. Ce monseigneur de Lion la Fut parent de Caligula. the lion's court. 291 From ev ry corner putrid fumes exhafd ! The Bear approaching turn'cl and stopp'd his nose. Unlucky movement ! — there his duty fail'd : The Sovereign marks the high contempt he shows, And, in the paroxysm of anger's fever, Sends him to Dis, to learn the savoir vivre. The fawning Ape this apt occasion caught, To cram with praise the offended Monarch's ear. " Bruin, great Sir, was punish'd as he ought, " And future Bears that potent paw will fear, " By just example better manners taught. " This perfume Flora's fragrance comes not near, " With such no musk or ambergris can vie, " All here delights the nose and charms the eye."" This dose the royal critic thought too strong, And roaring cried, " Such fulsome fools I hate !" In dealing castigation seldom long, He gave to prating Jacko Bruin's fate ; For in correction of opinions wrong He copied Harry Tudor's rules of state. But Harry broiPd his victims — always raw King Lion gave his subjects to his maw. 292 LA COUR DU LION. Le Renard etant proche : Or 9a, lui dit le sire, Que sens-tu ? dis-le moi : parle sans deguiser. L'autre aussi-tot de s'excuser, Alleguant un grand rhume : il ne pouvoit que dire Sans odorat. — Bref, il s'en tire. Ceci vous sert d'enseignement. Ne soyez a la cour, si vous voulez y plaire, Ni fade adulateur, ni parleur trop sincere, !Et tacbez quelquefois de repondre en Normand. the lion's court. 293 The Fox was near ; " Ho ! Renard, 1 ' cries the King, " By you at once we shall be freely told " What sorts of odour from our palace spring: " Speak out, good Renard, speak with freedom bold, "A voice like your's must honest council bring.'" " Your pardon, Sire," said Renard, " I've a cold ; " A judge less fit, my Liege, could not be chose — . " Just now, I can't tell garlick from a rose V [ 294 ] LES DEUX PIGEONS. Deux Pigeons s'aimoient d'amour tendre ; L'un deux s'ennuyant au logis, Fut aussi fou pour entreprendre Un voyage en lointain pays. L'autre lui dit— Qu'allez-vous faire ? Voulez-vous quitter votre frere ? L'absence est le plus grand des maux: Non pas pour vous, cruel ! au moins, que les travaux, Les dangers, les soins du voyage, Changent un peu votre courage. Encor, si la saison s'avancoit davantage ! Attendez les zephyrs : qui vous presse ? Un corbeau Tout-a-1'beure annoncoit malheur a quelque oiseau. Je ne songerai plus que rencontre funeste, Que faucons, que reseaux. Helas ! dirai-je, il pleut; [ 295 ] THE TWO PIGEONS. Two Doves, twin-brothers of a nest, By tender friendship's flame possest, Long liv'd, as Pythias with his Damon — Neither abroad desir'd to roam ; Till one at length, grown sick of home, A restless, rambling fancy came on. To check the whim, his brother tried : " Can you then leave me thus ?" he cried — " On absence think what pangs attend ! " Think of the peril which besets " The wandVing bird — storms, falcons, nets : — " O spare the feelings of your friend. " Or stay at least till spring's mild season — " Then lightly skim the tepid breeze on ; " But now you wayward fate provoke. " At evVy driving show'r of sleet " My anxious heart will sadly beat ! " Heard you that boding raven's croak ?" 296 LES DEUX PIGEONS. Mon frere, a-t-il tout ce qu'il veut, Bon soupe, bon gite, et.le reste ? Ce discours ebranla le coeur De notre imprudent voyageur ; Mais le desir de voir, et Hiumeur inquiete, L'emporterent enfin. II dit: Ne pleurez point : Trois jours au plus rendront mon ame satisfaite ! Je reviendrai dans peu conter de point en point Mes aventures a mon frere. Je le desennuyerai : quiconque ne voit guere, N'a guere a dire aussi. Mon voyage depeint Vous sera d\in plaisir extreme. Je dirai : J'etois la, telle chose m'avint ; Vous y croirez etre vous-meme. A ces mots, en pleurant, il se dirent adieu. Le voyageur s'eloigne : et voila qu\m nuage L'oblige de cherclier retraite en quelque lieu. Un seul arbre s'offrit, tel encor que Torage Maltraita le Pigeon en depit du feuillage. L'air devenu serein, il part tout morfondu, Seche du mieux qu'il peut son corps charge de pluie THE TWO PIGEONS. When first these fond complaints were heard, It shook the purpose of the Bird ; But soon the roving rage prevails. " Grieve not, dear friend," he says, and sighs, " By travel, men and birds grow wise ; " How charm'd you'll be to hear my tales ! " The distant scenes beheld by me, " In narrative yourself shall see — " Who nothing sees, can nothing tell : «a*~ " And three short days, at most, shall bring w Your brother home on rapid wing : " So dry your tears — adieu — farewell !" He fled: — the harbingers of storm, Black gathering clouds, heavVs face deform, And loud and shrill the tempest blows : In torrents pour'd the drenching rain; One leafless tree upon the plain, Alone its shelter thin bestows. But soon, the pelting deluge done, His ruffled plumage to the sun 297 298 LES DEUX PIGEONS. Dans un champ a lecart voit du ble repandu, Voit un Pigeon aupres ; cela lui donne envie : II y vole, il est pris : ce ble couvroit d'un lacs Les menteurs et traitres appas. Le lacs etoit use ; si bien que, de son aile, De ses pieds, de son bee, l'oiseau le rompt enfin Quelque plume y perk : et le pis du destin Fut, que certain Vautour, a la serre cruelle, Vit notre malheureux, quit trainant la ficelle, Et les morceaux du lacs qui Tavoit attrape, Sembloit un forcat echappe. Le Vautour s^n alloit le lier, quand des nues Fond a son tour un Aigle aux ailes etendues. THE TWO PIGEONS. 299 He spreads, and joyful onward flies : 'Till in his course a shelter'd nook, Where grain was strewM, with eager look, Hungry, and wet, and faint, he spies. A Pigeon, too, was feeding there : So, heedless of the lurking snare, He darted down as swift as thought. Too soon he finds the fell deceit ; The toils surround his tangled feet — The novice in the trap is caught. But fickle Fortune here was kind ; His limbs tho' hempen fetters bind, Distress and joy arrive together. Thro' meshes weak, by time decay 'd, With bill, wings, feet, a breach he made, And scap'd, with loss of many a feather. The captive freed a Vulture saw, And aimYl to seize with felon claw: — Fortune again evinc'd her sway; A royal Eagle, soaring high, Shot thro' the liquid azure sky, And claim'd, as his, the helpless prey. 300 LES DEUX PIGEONS. Le Pigeon profita du conflit des voleurs, S'envola, s'abattit aupres d'une masure, Crut pour ce coup que ses malheurs Finiroient par cette aventure : Mais un fripon d'enfant (cet age est sans pitie) Prit sa fronde, et du coup tua plus d'a-moitie, La volatille malheureuse, Qui, maudissant sa curiosite, Trainant l'aile, et tirant le pied, Demi-morte, et demi-boiteuse, Droit au logis s'en retourna : Que bien, que mal, elle arriva Sans autre aventure facheuse. Voila nos gens rejoints : et je laisse a juger De combien de plaisirs ils payerent leurs peines. Amants, heureux amants, voulez-vous voyager ? Que ce soit au rives prochaines. Soyez-vous l'un a l'autre un monde toujours beau, Toujours divers, toujours nouveau : Tenez-vous lien de tout, comptez pour rien le reste. THE TWO PIGEONS. 301 Whilst the two ruffians fiercely strove, Escapes th' emancipated Dove, And flatt'ring hope to dawn began : But soon an urchin with his sling, Observ'd him rest his weary wing : — How cruel are the sports of man ! The whizzing stone, with dextVous aim, Flew to its mark : now hurt, and lame, Our Dove of rambling rage was cur'd. He crept home safe, tho' tempest-tost, And in th' embrace of friendship, lost The pain his luckless flight endur'd. Ye Lovers ! to these lays attend : Take warning by this roving friend — ""Twill profit those who well receive it. If once in port your sails are furl'd, There anchor : — there you've all the world — You'll lose your treasure if you leave it. Yet absence ( O forgive, Fontaine, If I pervert thy tender strain) 302 LES DEUX PIGEONS. J'ai quelquefois aime ; je n'aurois pas alors, Contre le Louvre, et ses tresors, Contre le firmament, et sa voute celeste, Change les bois, change les lieux Honores par les pas, eclaires par les yeux De Paimable et jeune bergere Pour qui, sous le fils de Cythere, Je servis, engage par mes premiers serments. Helas ! quand reviendront de semblables moments ! Faut-il que tant d'objets, si doux et si charmants, Me laissent vivre au gre de mon ame inquiete ! Ah ! si mon coeur osoit encore se renflammer ! Ne sentirai-je plus de charme qui m'arrete ? Ai-je passe le temps d'aimer ? THE TWO PIGEONS. 303 Brings sweeter bliss when joy returns. The torch of Love then blazes highV, And steady Friendship's sacred fire By absence fann'd still brighter burns. r 304 ] L'AMOUR ET LA FOLIE. Tout est mystere dans l'Amour, Ses fleches, son carquois, son flambeau, son enfance : Ce n'est pas l'ouvrage d'un jour Que d'epuiser cette science. Je ne pretends done point tout expliqtier ici : Mon but est seulement de dire a ma maniere, Comment l'aveugle que voici (C'est un Dieu) comment, dis-je, il perdit la lumiere; Qu'elle suite eut ce mal, qui peut-etre est un bien. .Ten fais juge un amant, et ne decide rien. La Folie et l'Amour jouoient un jour ensemble. Celui-ci n'etoit pas encore prive des yeux. Une dispute vint : TAmour veut qu'on assemble La-dessus le conseil des dieux. [ 305 ] LOVE AND FOLLY. In the good days of yore, before Cupid was blind, With eyes keen as his arrows he aim'd at each bosom ; Old records of Paphos the cause have assign \i, How the playful young Deity happen'd to lose 'em ; And they show, why so small is the portion of bliss, In the tender connection from that time to this. Master Love, and Miss Folly were very great cronies; One minute they kiss'd, the next moment they pouted : The cause of these frequent dissensions unknown is ; Which did the most mischief may fairly be doubted: But so it fell out, upon one April day, A terrible quarrel took place at their play. Folly teaz'd him to join, on the day of her fete, A silly young Fop to a rich ancient Widow. Love thought for the Dame 'twas a little too late, Therefore bcgg'd to decline the mad prank he was bid do; x 306 l'amour et la folte. L 'autre n'eut pas la patience : Elle lui donne un coup si furieux, Qu'il en perd la clarte des cieux. Venus en demande vengeance. Femme et mere, il suffit pour juger de ses cris; Les dieux en furent etourdis, Et Jupiter, et Nemesis, Et les juges d'enfer, enfin toute la bande. Elle representa 1 enormite du cas ; Son fils, sans un baton, ne pouvoit faire un pas : Nulle peine n"etoit pour ce crime assez grande : I-e dommage devoit etre aussi repare. Quand on eut bien considere L'interet du public, celui de la partie, Le resultat enfin de la supreme cour Fut de condamner la Folie A servir de guide a l'Amour. Threw at him the bauble she us d for her sceptre. This will be illustrated by inserting an extract from a note by one of the Commentators on Shakspeare, upon a passage in All's well that Ends well, Act 4. Scene 5. '■' Part of the furniture of a Fool was a Bauble, which though '- it be generally taken to signify any thing of small value, has a " precise and determinate meaning. It is, in short, a kind of LOVE AND FOLLY. 307 When Folly, enrag'd that at arm's length he kept her, Threw at him the bauble she us'd for a sceptre. The missile thus hurFd hit him full in the eyes : So hard was the blow, he was blind ever after. Cupid made all Olympus resound with his cries, Whilst Folly broke out into loud, silly laughter. From hence all his schemes, e'en if wisely he plann'd 'em, Were marr'd, for his arrows were scatter'd at random. A synod of Gods was conven'd at the place : Jove patiently heard what was urg'd by each pleader. For the good of mankind he determin'd the case, That the culprit should now to the blind boy be leader; And e'en to this day, thousand instances prove, Folly still is the guide and the leader of Love. " truncheon, with a head carved on it, which the Fool anciently " carried in his hand." With this interpretation in view, the phrase used by that Ra- dical Reformer, Cromwell, in his clearing out the House of Commons, appears more pointedly sarcastic. [ 308 ] LE SINGE ET LE CHAT. Bertrand avec Raton, l'un Singe et Tautre Chat, Commensaux d'un logis, avoient un commun maitre. D , animaux malfaisants cetoit un tres-bon plat : lis lVy craignoient tous deux aucun, quelqu'il put etre. Trouvoit-on quelque chose au logis dc gate; L"on ne s'en prenoit pas aux gens du voisinage: Bertrand deroboit tout : Raton, de son cote, Etoit moins attentif aux souris qu'au fromage. Un jour, au coin du feu, nos deux maitres fripons Regardoient rotir des marrons. Les escroquer etoit une tres-bonne affaire : Nos galants y voyoient double profit k faire, Leur bien premierement, et puis le mal d'autrui. [309 ] THE MONKEY AND THE CAT. An Ape and Cat, in roguery and fun Sworn brothers twain, both own'd a common master, Whatever mischief in the house was done, By Pug and Tom contrivYl was each disaster. The feat performed, in chimney corner snug, With face demure, sat cunning Tom and Pug. By Tom were mice and rats but rarely taken, A duck or chicken better met his wishes ; More than the rats Tom gnaw'd the cheese and bacon Twas Pug's delight to break the china dishes, And on the choicest viands oft a guttler, Still made it seem the footman or the butler. One winter's day was seen this hopeful pair Close to the kitchen-fire, as usual, posted. Amongst the red-hot coals the cook with care Had plac'd some nice plump chestnuts to be roasted, From whence in smoke a pungent odour rose, Whose oily fragrance struck the Monkey 1 s nose. 310 LE SINGE ET LE CHAT. Bertrand dit a Raton : Frere, il faut, aujourd'hui, Que tu fasses un coup de maitre. Tire-moi ces marrons Si Dieu m'avoit fait naitre Propre a tirer marrons du feu, Certes. marrons verroient beau jeu. Aussitot fait que dit : Raton avec sa patte, D\ine nmniere delicate, Ecarte un peu la cendre, et retire les doigts ; Puis les reporte a plusieurs fois ; Tire un marron, puis deux, et puis trois en escroque ; Et cependant Bertrand les croque. Une servante vient : adieu mes gens. Raton Netoit point content, ce dit-on. Aussi ne le sont pas la plupart de ces princes Qui, flattes d'un pareil emploi, Vont s'echauder en des provinces Pour le profit de quelque roi. THE MONKEY AND THE CAT. . 311 " Tom ! ' says sly Pug, " pray could not you and I " Share this dessert the cook is pleas'd to cater? " Had I such claws as your's, I'd quickly try: * c Lend me a hand— 'twill be a coup-de-mattre :' 1 So said, he seiz'd his colleague's ready paw, Pull'd out the fruit, and crannu'd it in his jaw. Now came the shining Priestess of the fane, And off in haste the two marauders scamper'd. Tom for his share of plunder had the pain, Whilst Pug his palate with the dainties pamper'd. Pug had the prize ; Tom gain'd at least the learning, That Pug lov'd nuts, and gave his friend the burning. France has had Cats whose paws have felt the fire, Obsequious friends, whodeenVd her mandates honours: Dutch, Spanish, Danish Tabbies have stood by her, And nearer home, O'Coigleys and O'Connors. Ambitious France ! her selfish ends pursuing, GraspYl all she could, and careless view'd their ruin. [312] LA FORET ET LE BUCHERON. Un Biicheron venoit de rompre ou cTegarer Le bois, dont il avoit emmanche sa cognac Cette perte ne put sitot se reparer, Que la Foret rfen fut quelque temps epargnee. L'homme enfin la prie humblement, De lui laisser tout doucement, Emporter une unique branche, Afin de faire un autre manche. II iroit employer ailleurs son gagne-pain : II laisseroit debout maint chene et maint sapin, Dont ehacun respectoit la vieillesse et les charmes. [313] THE WOODMAN AND THE FOREST. A Woodman the handle had lost of his hatchet ; He lost, too, his living, unless he could match it : So he went to the wood, and addressing an Oak — In these moving accents submissively spoke. " Great King of the Forest ! O deign to allow, " To this my distress, one superfluous bough. " Munificent Monarch ! give ear to my prayV — " The boon I implore, you can very well spare. " Till this faithful tool with a handle is fitted, " My family starves — we are much to be pitied ! " Excuse me that thus I your goodness importune, " When my axe is repair'd, then repair'd is my fortune. " On gorse, thorns, and brambles, I'll steadily toil, " Which smother the saplings, that spring from the soil. " I know 'tis reported, by ill-natur'd folks, " That I formerly liv'd a sworn foe to the Oaks. " Nay, many a stick thro' the woodland still preaches, " That I harbour designs against Elms, Firs, and Beeches; " That faggots have blaz'd, which were all of my tying — " O how this vile world is addicted to lying ! 314 LA FOIIET ET LE BUCHERON. L'innocente Foret lui fournit d'autres armes, Elle en eut du regret. II emmanclie son fer : Le miserable ne s'en sert Qu'a depouiller sa bienfaitrice De ses principaux ornemens : Elle gemit a tous momens : Son propre don fait son supplice. Voila le train du monde et de ses sectateurs ; On s'y sert du bienfait contre les bienfaiteurs. Je suis las d'en parler. Mais que de doux ombrages Soient expose a ces outrages ; Qui ne se plaindroit la-dessus? Save that Persecution poor Catholics feel, Whom cruel laws bar— from the Chancellors seal ! If there is any one right, which seems incontestably to be- long to man, it is, that he should be permitted to pay his ho- mage to his Creator in the manner he thinks most acceptable in his sight. To annul this right has however been the particular object of the Roman Catholic religion. As their tenets allow of no salvation out of the pale of their church, it is considered by them as an act of Christian charity towards Heretics, to " com- pel them to come in j" and thus has this text of Scripture been interpreted. To effect this purpose, the most violent means have been employed in different ages and nations ; tortures have THE WOODMAN AND THE FOREST. 315 ** No malice or guile ever dwelt in my breast ; " Vouchsafe, gracious Monarch, to grant my request.' 1 The Oak saw with pity the Woodman's condition, And yields, thus cajol'd, to his artful petition. But as soon as the innocent hatchet was mended, At once was demonstrated what was intended. Each dutiful subject discover 'd with wonder, That their ligneous king had committed a blunder ; For the man and the axe scatter'd havock around, And the pride of the forest lay flat on the ground. Some think that this tale of old iEsop comes pat on The warm, long effusions of eloquent Grattan. We're told, that old stories our fancies bewilder ; That Rome's ardent spirit by age becomes milder, As the wine in our cellars grows mellow by keeping : That Charity wakes — Persecution lias sleeping : — Save that Persecution poor Catholics feel, Whom cruel laws bar — from the Chancellor's seal ! been used, at least as horrible as those which disgraced the Hea- then world, when the primitive Christians were the victims of their malice. It is in vain we endeavour to lessen our repugnance to the 316 LA FORET ET LE BUCHERON. Helas ! j'ai beau crier, et me rendre incommode ; L'ingratitude et les abus N'en seront pas moins a la mode. Church of Rome, by contemplating the virtues and amiable qualities of our acquaintance and friends ; who being born' and educated in these tenets, continue to profess them. It is in vain we find evidence of the mild spirit of that Church, in the more liberal notions of some of its professors in England, or among the simple manners of the mountains of Switzerland. If intolerance and conversion by force, are not inseparable from the genius of Catholicism, all history is gross deceit ; the Holy Office of the Inquisition, as they choose to call it, is most foully calumniated ; the religious zeal of the conquerors of Peru and Mexico, the massacres of St. Bartholomew, and the flames of Smithfield, are idle romances and lying tales. It is to prevent the possibility of a repetition of these horrors on British ground, that the friends of Protestantism ought watch- fully to defend the outworks of their Establishment. Granting freely to the Roman Catholics that full Toleration, which they deny to others, every avenue to power should be strictly shut against them. This is the severity of which their advocates in this country have thought fit so grievously to complain ; — this is what they are pleased to call Persecution ! If this be Per- secution — O ye spirits of Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer! — if ye are conscious of what passes in this lower world — with what contempt must you look down on such pretensions to the crown of martyrdom. THE WOODMAN AND THE FOREST. 317 However the modes of old Popery vary, Let Britons remember there once reign'd Queen Mary : Unpar'd Inquisition's sharp talons remain, The scarlet Dame's daughter, so cherishM in Spain. If Rome and the Protestant Church become equal, Be my warning remember 'd, when seen is the sequel. For ne'er, like the Cuckoo, Rome's spirit will rest, 'Till her rival is fairly toss'd out of the nest. Since the schemes of Benevolence sometimes are plann'd ill, Let us pause ere we grant Popish Woodmen a handle. For ne'er, like the Cuckoo, Rome's spirit will rest, 'Till her rival is fairly toss\l out of the nest. The natural history of the Cuckoo, so curiously investigated and described by Dr. Jenner, the celebrated Inventor of Vacci- nation, may not be known to all readers. The female bird, as careless, but less cruel, than the mothers of the Arreoy Coterie, in Otaheite, a society where infanticide was among the standing orders — drops her egg into the nest of the Hedge- Sparrow, com- mitting the trouble of incubation and nutrition to this uncon- scious step-mother. When hatched, she feeds the young Cuc- koo with the same attention as she bestows upon her natural offspring. The tingrateful intruder, desirous of monopolizing the whole of the nurse's maternal kindness, labours incessantly with its unfledged wings to eject its partners of the nest, which at length it never fails to accomplish. [ 318] L'OURS ET LES DEUX COMPAGNONS. Deux Compagnons, presses d'argent, A leur voisin fourreur vendirent La peau d'un Ours encor vivant, Mais qu'ils tueroient bien-tot, du moins a ce qu'ils dirent. Cetoit le roi des ours. Au compte de ces gens, Le Marchand a sa peau devoit faire fortune : Elle garantiroit des froids les plus cuisans ; On en pourroit fourrer plutot deux robes qu'une. Dindenaut prisoit moins ses moutons, qu'eux leurs ours, Leur, a leur compte, et non a celui de la bete. S'offrant de la livrer au plus tard dans deux jours, lis conviennent de prix, et se mettent en quete, [ 319 ] THE BEAR AND THE TWO HUNTERS. In the cold regions of the north, Once two brisk Hunters sallied forth, Their game — the Bear. In this pursuit, our Chasseurs bold Thought not so much of sport, as gold They meant to share. For in a wood, hard by, their wond'ring eyes Had seen a Bear of most stupendous size. As their finances were but low, To a rich furrier first they go : Their scheme they tell him. For muffs or tippets, they aver, Never was seen such lovely fur ! The skin they sell him. Than any common price they're promisM more, and To bind the bargain, touch some cash before-hand. Well arnVd with pistols, spear, and sabre, Each starts for this heroic labour, 320 l'ours et les deux compagnons. Trouvent l'Ours, qui s'avance, et vient vers eux au trot. Voila mes gens frappes comme d'un coup de foudre. Le marche ne tint pas, il fallut le resoudre : D'interets contre l'Ours, on n'en dit pas un mot. L'un des deux compagnons grimpe au faite d'un arbre ; L'autre, plus froid que n'est un marbre, Se couche sur le nez, fait le mort, tient son vent, Ayant quelque part oui dire Que TOurs s'acharne peu sou vent Sur un corps qui ne vit, ne meut, ni ne respire. Seigneur Ours, comme un sot, donna dans ce panneau : II voit ce corps gisant, le croit prive de vie ; Et de peur de supercherie, Le tourne, le retourne, approche son museau, Flaire aux passages de l'haleine. C'est, dit-il, un cadavre : otons-nous, car il sent. A ces mots, l'Ours s'en va dans la foret prochaine. L'un de nos deux marchands de son arbre descend, Court a son Compagnon, lui dit que c'est merveille Qu'il n'ait eu seulement que la peur pour tout mal. Eh bien ! ajouta-t-il, la peau d'animal ? Mais que t'a-t-il dit a l'oreille ? Car il t'approchoit de bien pres, Te retournant avec sa scrre. THE BEAR AND THE TWO HUNTERS. 321 With courage hot. Soon as the Hunters reach'd the place Tow'rds them the beast with rapid pace, Came at full trot. Scar'd at the sudden sight their valour fled ; One climb'd a tree, the other dropp'd as dead, For he had heard, detesting carrion, Bears a dead carcase will not tarry on : He held his breath. Bruin, resolvM to clear the doubt, Sought with his scrutinizing snout For signs of death ; Rummag'd the corpse as on the ground it lay, And, snuffing fetid odours, stalked away. The danger past, soon met the friends : This quickly rises, — that descends — Each now could rally : Said Percher, " Of the Bear and you " I had a charming bird's-eye view, " My prudent ally ! But what said Bruin? — prithee solve the puzzle — Close to your ear I saw him thrust his muzzle. 11 Y tt « 322 l'ours et les deux compagnons. II m'a dit qu'il ne faut jamais Vendre la peau de TOurs qu'on ne l'ait mis par terre. THE BEAR AND THE TWO HUNTERS. 3*23 " In fact," said Corpse, " my comrade brave, " Not bad advice the savage gave, " And it was this: