Wootton inuenit B. Baron. fcul. FABLE XLVI. The CUR, the HORSE, and the SHEPHERD'S DOG. T HE lad, of all-fufficient merit, With modesty ne'er damps his fpirit, Prefuming on his own deferts, On all alike his tongue exerts; His noify jokes at random throws, And pertly fpatters friends and foes; In wit and war the bully race Too late the forward youth fhall find A village-cur, of fnappish race, Was bleft with mufick's fweetest note; The yelping nufance of the way; For not a creature paft along But had a fample of his fong. Soon as the trotting steed he hears, He ftarts, he cocks his dapper ears, A. Away he fcowers, affaults his hoof, Now near him fnarles, now barks aloof; With fhrill impertinence attends, Nor leaves him 'till the village ends. It chanc'd, upon his evil day, A Pad came pacing down the way; The Cur, with never-ceafing tongue, The horse, from fcorn provok'd to ire, Bespoke him thus. When Coxcombs prato, Thy teazing tongue had judgment ty'd, Thou hadst not, like a puppy, dy'd. D FABLE XLVII, The COURT of DEATH. EATH, on a folemn night of state, In all his pomp of terrors fate: Th' attendants of his gloomy reign, Diseases dire, a ghastly train, Croud Croud the vaft court. With hollow tone This night our minifter we name, Let ev'ry fervant speak his claim; Merit shall bear this eban wand. All, at the word, ftretch'd forth their hand, Advanc'd, and for the wand addrest. Let thofe exprefs my fervent zeal, With violence I perfevere, Next Gout appears with limping pace, Pleads how he shifts from place to place, From head to foot how swift he flies, And ev'ry joint and finew plys, Still working when he seems fuppreft, A |