IW, Inv.

G.V.dr Gucht Seul

FABLE XXVI.

The CUR and the MASTIFF.

A Sneaking Cur, the mafter's spy,

Rewarded for his daily lye,

With fecret jealoufies and fears
Set all together by the ears.

Poor pufs to-day was in disgrace,

Another cat supply'd her place;

The hound was beat, the maftiff chid,
The monkey was the room forbid,
Each to his dearest friend grew fhy,
And none could tell the reason why.

A plan to rob the house was laid;
The thief with love feduc'd the maid,
Cajol'd the Cur, and ftrok'd his head,
And bought his fecrefy with bread.
He next the Mastiff's honour try'd,
Whose honest jaws the bribe defy'd;
He stretch'd his hand to proffer more;
The furly dog his fingers tore.

Swift ran the Cur; with indignation
The mafter took his information.
Hang him, the villain's curft, he cries,
And round his neck the halter ties.

The

The Dog his humble fuit preferr'd,
And begg'd in justice to be heard.
The mafter fat. On either hand
The cited dogs confronting stand;
The Cur the bloody tale relates,
And, like a lawyer, aggravates,
Judge not unheard, the Mastiff cry'd,
But weigh the cause of either side.
Think not that treach'ry can be just,
Take not informers words on trust;
They ope their hand to ev'ry pay;
And you and me by turns betray.

He spoke. And all the truth appear❜d.
The Cur was hang'd, the Mastiff clear'd.

FABLE

IV. Kent inv.

PFourdrinier scul

FABLE XXVII.

The SICK MAN and the ANGEL.

S there no hope? the fick man faid.

The filent doctor fhook his head,

And took his leave, with figns of forrow,

Despairing of his fee to-morrow.

When

When thus the Man, with gafping breath.

I feel the chilling wound of death.

Since I must bid the world adieu;
Let me my former life review.

I grant, my bargains well were made.
But all men over-reach in trade;

'Tis felf-defence in each profeffion,
Sure felf-defence is no tranfgreffion.
The little portion in my hands,
By good fecurity on lands,

Is well encreas'd. If unawares,
My justice to my self and heirs,
Hath let my debtor rot in jail,
For want of good fufficient bail ;

If I by writ, or bond, or deed

Reduc'd a family to need,

My will hath made the world amends;
My hope on charity depends.