Away he scowers, 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; A fhepherd's Dog, who faw the deed, Bespoke him thus. When coxcombs prate, Thy teazing tongue had judgment ty'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, Croud Croud the vast court. With hollow tone A voice thus thunder'd from the throne. This night our minister we name, Let ev'ry fervant speak his claim Merit fhall bear this eban wand. All, at the word, ftretch'd forth their hand. Advanc'd, and for the wand addrest. With violence I perfevere. Next Gout appears with limping pace, From head to foot how swift he flies, 1 A A haggard spectre from the crew 'Tis I who taint the sweetest joy, Stone urg'd his ever-growing force. By long attack, fecure though flow. Plague represents his rapid power, Who thinn'd a nation in an hour. All spoke their claim, and hop'd the wand. Now expectation hufh'd the band, When When thus the monarch from the throne. Merit was ever modeft known. What, no physician speak his right! He shares their mirth, their focial joys, FABLE |