IW. Jm

G.V.Gucht Scul

FABLE VII.

The LYON, the Fox, and the GEESE.

A

Lyon, tir'd with State affairs,

Quite fick of pomp, and worn with cares,

Refolv'd (remote from noise and strife)
In peace to pass his latter life.

It

It was proclaim'd; the day was fet;
Behold the gen'ral council met.

The Fox was Viceroy nam'd. The croud
To the new Regent humbly bow'd:
Wolves, bears and mighty tygers bend,
And ftrive who moft fhall condefcend.
He strait affumes a folemn grace,

Collects his wifdom in his face,

The croud admire his wit, his sense,

Each word hath weight and consequence;

The flatt'rer all his art displays:

He who hath power is fure of praise.
A fox stept forth before the reft,

And thus the fervile throng addrest.
How vast his talents, born to rule,
And train'd in virtue's honest school!
What clemency his temper sways!
How uncorrupt are all his ways?

Beneath

Beneath his conduct and command

Rapine shall cease to waste the land;
His brain hath stratagem and art,
Prudence and mercy rule his heart.
What bleffings must attend the nation
Under this good administration!

He faid. A Goose, who distant stood, Harangu'd apart the cackling brood.

Whene'er I hear a knave commend,

He bids me fhun his worthy friend.
What praise! what mighty commendation!
But 'twas a fox who spoke th' oration.
Foxes this government may prize
As gentle, plentiful and wife;

If they enjoy these sweets, 'tis plain,
We geese must feel a tyrant reign.

What havock now fhall thin our race!

When ev'ry petty clerk in place,

To prove his tafte, and seem polite,
Will feed on geese both noon and night.

FABLE

W

FABLE VIII.

The LADY and the WASP.

HAT whispers must the Beauty bear!

What hourly nonsense haunts her ear! Where-e'er her eyes dispense their charms Impertinence around her swarms.