I [The Cock and the Gem.]

A Cock who to a neighbouring Dunghill tries,

Finding a gemme that mongst the Rubish lyes,

Cry’d he – a Barly come woud please me more,

Then all the Treasures on the eastern shore.

Morall

Gay nonsense does the noysy fopling please,

Beyond the noblest Arts and Sciences.

II [<italic>The Wolf and the Lamb</italic>.]

A Wolfe who at the Rivers head did drink,

Seeing a trembling Lambe upon the brink,

Disdaining that should tast what he injoys,

First quarrells, then the innocent destroys.

Morall

Thus the proud great by lawless might opress,

While the complaining poore find no redress.

III [<italic>The Lion and Four Bulls</italic>.]

The Lyon saw three Bulls securely feed,

By murmuring springs, in a large flowery mead,

First by perswasive power the friends divide,

Then makes ‘em fall, the Ravage of his Pride.

Morall

Thus mighty states, are to Confusion hurld,

Which when united woud subdue the world.

<target id="page_233" target-type="page">233</target>IV [<italic>The Frog and the Fox</italic>.]

A Bog borne Frog a Doctor woud commence,

And the dull Heard trust his false Eloquence,

But the more subtile Fox in scorne replyes,

To give me faith cure thy owne maladyes.

Morall

Vaine are the precepts they to others give,

Who do themselves, in ill Examples live.

V [<italic>The Ass eating Thistles</italic>.]

A sordid Ass, while on his back he bore,

Of chosen delicates, a plenteous store;

His courser Appetite with Thistles treats,

And starves beneath his load of nobler meats.

Morall

Profuseness is a farr less dangerous vice

Than the Ill natur’d damning Avarice.

VI [<italic>The Lark’s Nest in the Corn</italic>.]

When the old Lark did heare the neighbouring swaines,

Woud joyn to cutt the corne she still remains,

But when she heard the owner, and his sone,

Would do’t themselves, she cry’d – then let’s be gone.

Morall

Services done by friends come slowly on,

He acts himselfe, who has his work well done.

<target id="page_234" target-type="page">234</target>VII [<italic>The Fox and the Cock in a Tree</italic>.]

The Fox perswades the Cock to quit his shade,

Since betweene Birds, and Beasts, a truce was made.

But he secur’d amidst the hinder boughs,

Reply’d, I’ll first be certaine of your news.

Morall

The wise from publick fame no judgments make,

But such as they from righter reasoning take.

VIII <italic>The Fox in the Well</italic>.

The Fox in a deep well implores the aid,

Of a grave wolfe, who many questions made,

How he came there, the Fox halfe drown’d replyes,

Oh cease vaine words & help thy friend that dyes.

Morall

Men oft good Counsell can bestow in griefe,

But with no reall good will bring reliefe.

IX <italic>The Wolves and Sheep</italic>.

A truce concluded was twixt wolves, and sheepe,

The wolves, their dogs as a firm hostage keepe,

The Sheepe, their whelps who with design complaine,

Their Dames break in and slaughter o’re the plaine.

Morall

Those who with foes too mighty make a peace,

Give ‘em but power to hurt ‘em with more ease.

<target id="page_235" target-type="page">235</target>X <italic>The Eagle’s Nest</italic>.

A Foxes cub the kingly Eagle prest,

And bore the trembler to her royall nest,

The Fox inrag’d, the sacred Pile will burne,

To save her throne the prise she does returne.

Morall

The haughty great with caution shoud oppress,

Since Slaves provok’d deep injuryes may redress.

XI <italic>The Wolf in Sheeps Clothing</italic>.

A subtile Wolfe, more safly to betray,

In a sheepes Clothing does himselfe aray,

And unexpected now whole flocks destroys,

Till a kind halter ends his stoln joys.

Morall

The zealous Cheat has wrought the land more woe,

Than bare fac’d villainie coud ever doe.

XII <italic>The Ringdove and Fowler</italic>.

While the young fouler sought, with eager skill,

An Adder in the floury mead beneath,

A Ring Dove in a neighbouring Tree to kill,

Stung the unhappy youth, and stung to death.

Morall

The young usurper, who design’d t’invade,

An others right, himselfe the victim made.

<target id="page_236" target-type="page">236</target>XIII <italic>The Sow and her Pigs</italic>.

The Wolf intreats the Sow, that he might be,

A guard to keep her Pigs from injury,

The Sow, who knew the nature of the Beast,

Replyd – when absent Sir youl guard ‘em best.

Morall

Belive not those who often Friendship swear,

Least they som privat Intrest would prefer.

XIV <italic>The Horse and Ass</italic>.

A Horse, whom guilded Equipage made gay

Commands a Drudging Ass to yield the way,

But when diseasd, and to a Cart condemn’d,

The Ass lookt big, and his owne form esteem’d.

Morall

The great are often lost in stormes of State,

While the poore Cottager despises fate.

XV <italic>The Wolf and Goat</italic>.

The Wolf endeavor’d to perswade the Lamb,

To leave her Gardian Goat and to her Damm

To trust her selfe with him, but she reply’d,

I know his friendship, yours I never try’d.

Morall

He that old Loves, and Friends forsakes for new,

Deserves no Mistress, nor a friend that’s true.

<target id="page_237" target-type="page">237</target>XVI <italic>The Doves and Hawk</italic>.

Twixt Doves and Kites a Combatt rose while they

The Spar hawk chose for King beneath whose sway

The Doves with greater rage opprest complaine

And wish lesse Tyrant Kite woud reigne againe.

Morall

We nere are pleas’d with what the Gods bestow

To worse we change when ere we change for new.

XVII <italic>The City Mouse and Country Mouse</italic>.

The City Mouse invites her Country Guest,

To tast the daintyes of a Citty feast,

But oft disturb’d by interupted noys,

They hide, and fear his appetite destroys.

Morall

The great the Hurry of the world indure,

And tis the country life alone’s secure.

XVIII <italic>The Swallow and other Birds</italic>.

The Swallow saw pernicious Hempseed sowne,

And vow’d to spoyle the Tillage of the Clowne,

The Birds are summond, but they being slow

Permits that weed that ruins ‘em to grow.

Morall

They that neglect the Councell of the wise,

Suffer small faults to grow past remedies.

<target id="page_238" target-type="page">238</target>XIX <italic>The Hunted Beaver</italic>.

The hunted Beaver knowing what sweet Prise,

Woud make him to the dogs a sacrifice,

Bites of the prey, and ends the eager strife,

And with the loss of treasure bailes his life.

Morall

Who woud not part with momentary Toys,

To purchass to themselves eternall joys.

XX <italic>The Fox and Cat</italic>.

The Fox pretends a thousand shifts t’ave found,

To save him from the hard persuing Hound,

The Catt but one, who climes the Tree amaine,

Anon the dogs persue, and Renards slaine.

Morall

One Action where discretion is its guide,

Transcends all the results of noys and pride.

XXI <italic>The Cat and Mice</italic>.

The Mice consult how to prevent their fate

By timely notice of th’ aproaching Catt,

We’ll hang a Bell about her neck, cryd one,

A third replyd – but who shall putt it on.

Morall

Good Councell’s easy given, but the effect

Oft renders it uneasy to transact.

<target id="page_239" target-type="page">239</target>XXII <italic>The Lyon and other Beasts</italic>.

Hunting, the beasts agree to share the Prey

One part the Lyon claimes as bearing sway,

An other for his strength, a third his toyle,

The last in gratitude they ought to make his spoile.

Morall

Proud Senatts thus by easy Monarchs thrive

Incroaching on their whole prerogative.

XXIII <italic>The Lyon and Mouse</italic>.

The Royall Beast intangl’d in a snare,

Coud not with teeth and claws the ambush tear,

When a kind humble Mouse, the Cord untwind,

And broke that Mase the Forest King confind.

Morall

Doe not despise the Service of a Slave,

An Oak did once a glorious Monarch save.

XXIV <italic>The Lion and Mouse</italic>.

The Mouse for his late service fild with pride,

Demands the Royall virgin for his bride,

The match agreed while he in flames admir’d,

He unawares, crusht by her paw expir’d.

Morall

To false ambition if thy thoughts are bent,

Reflect on a late pittyed president.

<target id="page_240" target-type="page">240</target>XXV <italic>The Dog with a Clog</italic>.

A Dog whose fierceness was with fetters checkt,

Fancyd himselfe with some new honour deckt,

Thy folly’s great the wiser currs replye,

For glory, to mistake thy infamie.

Morall

Thus dareing debauchee[s] do often boast,

In those loose vices men dishonour most.

XXVI <italic>The Ox and Toad</italic>.

The Toad woud needs the Oxes size attaine,

And with fell poyson puffs up every veine,

Then askd her sone if equall were their size,

Then swells againe, and with her [v]enome dyes.

Morall

The woud-bee witts to Lawrrels woud aspire,

And write till damn’d they shamefully retire.

XXVII <italic>The Lion and Fox</italic>.

When first the Fox the forest monarch saw,

He gaz’d with trembling feare & reverend awe,

But by degrees more boldly he adrest,

Than holds a Parly with the Royal Beast.

Morall

Vertues seem rigid to the wild and loose,

But grow familiar by their constant use.

<target id="page_241" target-type="page">241</target>XXVIII <italic>The Ape and Fox</italic>.

The Ape implord, the fox her bum woud vaile,

With a proportion of his useless Taile,

But he replyd — tho me no good it do,

I will not Spare an Inch to favour you.

Morall

Thus the Ill naturd Rich reserve their store,

And please themselves to see their nighbours poor.

XXIX <italic>The Dog and Ox</italic>.

An Envious Dog in a full manger lay,

Nor eats himselfe, nor to the Ox gives way,

Who griev’d reply’d – ah grudge not me that meat,

Which (cruell) thou thy selfe disdainst to eate

Morall

Thus aged Lovers with young Beautys live,

Keepe off those joys they want the power to give.

XXX <italic>The Birds and Beasts</italic>.

Twixt birds and beasts a fatall warr is held,

The winged powers are conquer[or]s o’re the field,

The Batt is captive tane whom all detest

For she forsook her nation and her nest.

Morall

A Traytor all behold with just disdaine,

Who basely quitts his cause, and sovereigne.

<target id="page_242" target-type="page">242</target>XXXI <italic>The Tigre and Fox</italic>.

The Tyger boasts to guard the Beasts from harme,

Since his tough hide so well his vitals arme,

Which the young hunter heareing sent a dart,

That pierc’d the fancy’d victor to the heart.

Morall

So the young Hero on his strength relying,

Renderd him more remark’d and worthyer dying.

XXXII <italic>The Lionness and Fox</italic>.

The Fox will with the Lyoness compaire,

For noble Reace, cause she does numbers bear,

Who thus reply’d – tho I but one do bring

That one shall rule thy numbers as their King.

Morall

‘Tis not a gawdy title formes the great

Who shoud with nobler vertue be repleat.

XXXIII <italic>The Oak and Reed</italic>.

The wind bore downe a mighty Oake that stood,

To shade the margent of a silver flood,

Who seeing the Reed unruffl’d by the storme,

He dying, wisht that he’d been humbly borne.

Morall

He that to elivated hights arrives

Is oft in stormes and still in danger lives.

<target id="page_243" target-type="page">243</target>XXXIV <italic>The Wind and Sun</italic>.

Opprest with wind the Traveller girts on,

His warm Surtout, anon the rageing Sun,

With his fierce beames does incomode him more,

Then all the ill supported storme before.

Morall

In every passion moderation chuse,

For all extreames doe bad effects produce.

XXXV <italic>The Kite, Frog, and Mouse</italic>.

The Frog and Mouse themselves to armes betake,

To fight for the Dominion of the Lake,

But while in field the boasting Champions dare,

The Kite makes both her prey, so ends the warr.

Morall

The fond aspiring youth who empire sought

By dire ambition was to ruine brought.

XXXVI <italic>Jupiter and the Frogs</italic>.

The Frogs implore a king, and Iupiter

To please the Rable does king Log preffer,

But too unactive he – again they implore,

love sends the Stork who does the fooles devour.

Morall

If Kings be mild they’r dull, if active they

We blast’em with the guilt of Tyrant sway.

<target id="page_244" target-type="page">244</target>XXXVII <italic>The old Woman and her Maids</italic>.

When the shrill Cock told that the morn was nigh,

The good-wife calls her maids to Houswifry,

But they too soone awackt the telltale kill,

And now their Dame calls earlyer with a Bell.

Morall

He who to cure his love to drinking runes

Contracts a greater evill then he shunes.

XXXVIII <italic>The Lion and Bear</italic>.

The Bear and Lyon on a summers day,

A combate held for the divided prey,

When both growne faint with fatigues of warr,

Suffer the fox the prize away to beare.

Morall

Thus nations oft by Civill Conflicts tome

By a third power away the scepter’s borne.

XXXIX <italic>The Crow and Pot</italic>.

A thirsty Crow the medow did survey,

But found no streame her faintings to allay,

Till in the Bottom of a Pott, whose drink

She boys with pebles to the kinder brink.

Morall

One wisely manag’d pleasure brings more joys,

Than all dull fancy can create with noyse.

<target id="page_245" target-type="page">245</target>XL <italic>The Porcupines and Adders</italic>.

The Aders had the Porcupines deceiv’d

Of their warme Nest which could not be retrieu’d

By subtillty possession first was gaind,

But now by force the title is mentain’d.

Morall

Crownes got by force are often times made good,

By the more rough designes of warr, and blood.

XLI <italic>The Hares and Storm</italic>.

The Hares in storms to close recesses hye,

And thro’ a scanted breach themselves convey,

But when they find a Lake they must wade thro’

Forward they dare not, backward can not goe.

Morall

When counsell’d thus by a more prudent Hare

What can’t be remedied with patience bear.

XLII <italic>The Fox and Wolf</italic>.

A Fox does to a Hunters rage betray

A Lambe gorg’d wolf who close in kenelld lay,

The conquering Swain his lustice to evince

First kills the wolf, and then the Evidence.

Morall

From this that certaine truth we may inferr

Who loves the guilt, [hates] the discoverer.

<target id="page_246" target-type="page">246</target>XLIII <italic>The Dog and Sheep</italic>.

The Dog impeacht a Sheep of Crimes unthought,

And the false wolfe, and kite for wittnes brought,

The innocent by perjury betrayd,

Is to the black caball a victim made.

Morall

He that woud search for presidents so base,

Let him survey our home bread perjurd Race.

XLIV <italic>The Crane and Peacock</italic>.

The gay plumd Peacock with a nice disdaine,

Scornd the cheap clothing of the humbler Crane,

But she replyd, my wings can reach the skye,

Thy duller beautys do but please the eye.

Morall

Scorn not the courser sort whose mind may be

Richer then thou, with all thy pedigree.

XLV <italic>The Viper and File</italic>.

An hungry Viper neare a Black Smiths forge,

Snatcht at a file his eager maw to gorge,

But the tough steele his feebler teeth repells,

Its dinted force his jaws with anguish fills.

Morall

Contend not with a power too great t’orecome,

Least toyle and shame become thy certaine doome.

<target id="page_247" target-type="page">247</target>XLVI <italic>The Lion, Ass, and Cock</italic>.

The Lyon meets the Cock, whose early straynes,

Frights the rough forest monarch ore the plaines,

The Ass who thought his presence made him scowre,

Persuing, falls a victim to his power.

Morall

The forward spark who thinks his noys may pass

Incountering sense perceives himself an Ass.

XLVII <italic>The Jay and Peacock</italic>.

The Jay woud for a gawdy Peacock pass,

And with their borrowed plumes her tayle dos grace

But when from thence each had his feathers tome,

By her own Birds she is receiv’d with scorne.

Morall

Tis the gay Dress that makes the Lover doat,

Not the fine Soule, but the fine Petticoat.

XLVIII <italic>The Ant and Fly</italic>.

The Fly thus to the Ants – poore humble things,

You live on Dunghills, while I feast with Kings,

The Ant reply’d – thy feasts by thift are gained,

Mine tho’ with toyle are with repose mayntaind.

Morall

The humble life the Rurall Swain injoys,

Exceeds High Birth with all its pomp & noys.

<target id="page_248" target-type="page">248</target>XLIX <italic>The Ant and Grasshopper</italic>.

The wanton Grasshopper implores the Ant

In winter season to relive her want,

But she replyd – thou all the plentious spring

Took’st care for nought, but how to dance and sing.

Morall

He that his helpless age from want would free

Must in his youth learn Industry of me.

L <italic>The Countryman and Snake</italic>.

Even dead with winters cold, a pittying Swain,

Finds an expiring Snake upon the plaine,

Which home he brought and scarce with heat reviv’d

He then persues his life by whome he livd.

Morall

Mercy extended to ungratfull men

Does but impower em to rebell agen.

LI <italic>The Sick Lion</italic>.

The Lyon (past his hunting youth) pretends

He’s sick, and begs the visitts of his friends,

All but the Fox obey, who thus bespake

Footsteps to’s Den I find, but none turn’d back.

Morall

Of Specious overtures lett all be ware,

‘Twas fair pretences rais’d the western warr.

<target id="page_249" target-type="page">249</target>LII <italic>The Wanton Calf</italic>.

A Calf who ne’re the presures felt of yoakes,

Sawcily triumphed ore a labouring Oxe,

At length with Garlands crown’d the Scorners led,

And by a Priest a sacrifice is made.

Morall

Labour in rustick Swaines dull Life supports.

Longer than all the Luxuries of Courts.

LIII <italic>The Clown and Cart</italic>.

A Clowne whose Cart in a deep quagmire stuck,

For speedy aid did Hercules invoke

Who thus replyd – first your owne strength essay,

Without your Industry in vain you pray.

Morall

Lazy Devotion’s not enough to live,

Add Dilligence to prayer and then you’ll thrive.

LIV <italic>The Belly and Members</italic>.

The hands and feet the Belly do upbraid,

And will no more the useless Slugard aid,

Who fainting all the members share its fate,

And now they’d work, but it is now too late.

Morall

In states all Intrests must each other prop,

Which if they clash will into ruine drop.

LV <italic>The Horse and Lion</italic>.

The Lyon Age’d does now in Ambush ly,

And to secure his prey setts up for Surgery,

The Hors pretends a thorne his foot opprest,

And asking Cure spurnes the deceiving beast.

Morall

T’has been a Maxim that the world belives,

That ‘tis no sin to cuzen who deceives.

LVI <italic>The Stork and Geese</italic>.

A Clown an Ambush spread for Cranes & Geese,

Whose Ravage wasted his sowne field of pease.

A Stork surprisd did for his life request,

No quoth the Clowne thou dy’st for heading with the rest

Morall

He that adheres but to a villainie,

(As well as he that acts) deserves to dye.

LVII <italic>The Cat and Cock</italic>.

The Catt does on the Cock with fury fly,

And many reasons urg’d that he must dy,

The Cock denys the fact, in vaine thou pleadst,

Replyd the Catt, for right or wrong thou bleedst.

Morall

So a luxurious power Oft makes its will,

The only cause of an oppression still.

<target id="page_251" target-type="page">251</target>LVIII <italic>The Leopard and Fox</italic>.

250 The Leopard, for the splender of his hide,

Boasts himself Lord of Beasts, the Fox replyd

Tho thou the fairest art of all beast kind,

Other[s] excell in beauties of the mind.

Morall

Not the gay spark that in guilt Coach does roule

Can forme the Hero, but the nobler soule.

LIX <italic>The Shepherd’s Boy</italic>.

A wanton rurall boy with false alarms,

Oft frights the shepherds with approaching harmes

But when indeed the Wolf surpris’d a Lambe

Deceiv’d before, none to his rescue came.

Morall

Deceitfull tongues no creditt can infuse,

An tho’ even truths they tell, they pass for lyes.

LX <italic>The Goat in the Well</italic>.

The Goat implores the Fox (since he was freed

From the deep well) to help his friend with speed,

But he replyd, ah foole did thy witt bear

Proportion with thy beard, thoudst ne’re been there.

Morall

Try friends before you of their kindnes boast,

Least they decline you when you need ‘em most.

<target id="page_252" target-type="page">252</target>LXI <italic>Cupid and Death</italic>.

Cupid and Death by dire mistake chang’d Darts,

Death shot young flames into the Aged hearts,

From Cupids Bow deaths fatall arow flyes,

And when the youth shoud only languish dyes.

Morall

Tis death to youth by age to be imbrac’d,

And winters snow woud Junes gay Roses blast.

LXII <italic>The Old Man and his Sons</italic>.

The Father does a heap of Osiers take,

And bids his jarring sons the boundle break,

They strive in vaine, at the last the Rods devide,

And then they broke with ease – the Sire reply’d

Morall

Lo thus my sones by concord things obtaine

New vigour, which by discord break in twaine.

LXIII <italic>The Old Deer and Fawn</italic>.

Says the young Fawne my father why do ye dread,

The Hownds since nature so well armes your head

When he reply’d, my Child when Dogs I hear,

My homes can not secure my heart from feare.

Morall

Cowards by nature, by no magic Art,

Can be incorag’d with a Heros heart.

<target id="page_253" target-type="page">253</target>LXIV <italic>The Old Hound</italic>.

The Hownd grown old no more persues the game,

But bends beneath the Huntman’s weighty Cane,

And being opprest, does thus his cace bemone

O spare my age for what in youth I’ve done.

Morall

Old servants when their labour’s past are scorn’d,

And out of favour and of Service turn’d.

LXV <italic>Jupiter and the Camels</italic>.

For horns the Camell Iupiter implord,

With which so many beasts so well were stord,

The God inrag’d reply’d, thy forehead wears

Hence forth no horns, and what is worse no eares.

Morall

With what kind heaven bestowes be thou at rest,

For that knows where to place its bounty best.

LXVI <italic>The Tailess Fox</italic>.

The Fox (who lost her Tayle) perswades the rest,

To bob their traines, as most commod, and best,

When one reply’d – we more discreet disdaine

to buy conveniences with public[k] shame.

Morall

He that grave Councell for your good pretends,

Fifty to one, promotes his private ends.

<target id="page_254" target-type="page">254</target>LXVII <italic>The Fox and Crow</italic>.

The Crow with laden beak the tree retires,

The Fox to gett her prey her forme admires,

While she to show her gratitude not small,

Offering to give her thanks, her prize lets fall.

Morall

Shun faithless flatterors, Harlots jilting tears

They are fooles hopes, and youths deceitfull snares.

LXVIII <italic>Of the Dove and Hawk</italic>.

A Sparohawk being taken in a traine,

For life did thus implore the seizing swain,

Those that devour thy Come I make my food,

The Lad replyd thou’rt worse that lives by blood.

Morall

Many pretend in Warr their King to aid

When they in blood for private intrest trade.

LXIX <italic>The Nurse and Wolf</italic>.

A Nurse, to make her Bantling cease to cry

Told it, the Wolf shoud eat it instantly,

This heard the Wolf, and for his prey he waits,

But the Child slept, and all his hopes defeats.

Morall

Trust not a womans vows, her fickle mind

Is far less constant than the seas and wind.

<target id="page_255" target-type="page">255</target>LXX <italic>The Tortoise and Hare</italic>.

The Hare, and Tortois being to run a Race,

The Hare first slept, depending on his Pace

The Tortois still krept on, with motion Slow,

And won the Victory from her swift heeld foe.

Morall

Mean parts by Industry have luckyer hitts,

Than all the fancy’d power of lazyer witts.

LXXI <italic>The Young Man and his Cat</italic>.

A Youth in Love with Puss, to Venus prayd

To change the useless Beauty to a maid,

Venus consents, but in the height of Charmes

A Mouse she cry’d, and leaves his ravisht armes.

Morall

Ill principles no mercy can reclaime,

And once a Rebell still will be the same.

LXXII <italic>The Ass in a Lion’s Skin</italic>.

The Ass puts on the Lyons feirce disguise,

And does the heard with awfull feare surprise,

But when the master came, the asses eares

Betray’d the Cheat, and rid them of their fears.

Morall

A hott brained Statesman once sett up for wise,

But knave, and foole was plaine thro the disguise.

<target id="page_256" target-type="page">256</target>LXXIII <italic>The Birth of the Mountains</italic>.

The Mountaine grones and some prodigious birth

The wondering Crowd expect her to bring forth,

A second Alps at least, her time being come,

A litle Mouse starts from her teeming Wombe.

Morall

Our most aspiring hopes abortive are,

And fall like Towers whose Bases are the air.

LXXIV <italic>The Satyre and Clown</italic>.

The Satyr sees the Clowne whom Cold asailes

To heat his hands by breathing on his nailes,

Finding him blow his broath, the cause demands,

Cryd he, that cooles my broath that warmes my hands.

Morall

The Sycophant with the same breath can praise

Each faction and whats upermost obeys.

LXXV <italic>The Young Kite and his Mother</italic>.

The sick Kite begs his mother to apply,

Her self to Heaven for some kind remedy,

But she reply’d in health you Heaven blasphemd,

And can not hope (in pain) to be redeemd.

Morall

He that tho late woud to the Gods repair,

Must seeke their blest abodes with early prayr.

<target id="page_257" target-type="page">257</target>LXXVI <italic>The Nightingale and Hawk</italic>.

The eager Hawk surprisd the Nightingall,

Who with soft notes her foe did thus assaile,

Ah let me go, I’m nought but song, cryd she

There is a Bird just by worth two of me.

Morall

The ne’re so small loose not an intrest gain’d

Which industry or meritt has obtain’d.

LXXVII <italic>The Peacock and Nightingale</italic>.

The Peacock to the wife of Jove complaines,

The Nightingall out charm’d her in her straines,

Juno reply’d – tho’ she in voice excell,

She cannot thy bright beauties parallell.

Morall

Envy not others good since Providence,

Guifts fitted to each genious does dispence.

LXXVIII <italic>The Angler and Little Fish</italic>.

The litle fish implores he may be throwne

Back to the stream till he were bigger growne,

And then he’d come to’s angle, no quoth he

While thou art here small friend I’m shure of thee.

Morall

Let no false flatterers have it in their power

To make thee quit what gone is thine no more.

<target id="page_258" target-type="page">258</target>LXXIX <italic>The Geese in the Corn</italic>.

The Geese, and cranes a field of Corn do wast

And being surpris’d the Cranes with nimble hast

Out fly revenge, the Geese whome bulk and weight

Made slow of flight, for all must expiate.

Morall

In Civel broyles the Indigent are freed,

And he thats rich most likly is to bleed.

LXXX <italic>The Dog and Piece of Flesh</italic>.

The Dog who with his prey the River swam

Saw his owne laden Image in the streame,

The wishing Curr growne covetous of all,

To catch the Shadow letts the Substance fall.

Morall

So fancy’d Crownes led the young warriour on,

Till loosing all he found himselfe undone.

LXXXI <italic>The Ass and little Dog</italic>.

With a fine Dog his Masters care and joy,

The Ass with anguish oft had seen him play,

With the same grace he thinks he may carress,

And with an awkward onsett makes adress.

Morall

The worne out Beauty for eighteen woud pass,

And nautiously acts youth with fullsome grace.

<target id="page_259" target-type="page">259</target>LXXXII <italic>The Wolf and Crane</italic>.

In vaine the tortourd Wolf to all complaine,

Till meeting with the Crane in hope of gaine,

She gives him ease, when asking to be paid

Fond foole cryd he go thank me for thy head.

Morall

Well meaning love is often paid with heat,

And a good natures lost on an ingrate.

LXXXIII <italic>The Covetous and Envious Man</italic>.

The Miser heard what ere his friend did crave,

From love a doble portion he shoud have,

There stood mute – the envious man replyes,

love I’ll spare one so he may loos both eyes.

Morall

The sin of Envy nought can equalize

But the ungenerous sensless Misers vice.

LXXXIV <italic>The two Pots</italic>.

Two Potts (of Earth and Brass) at distance swim,

The first of lighter burden cuts the stream,

The Brass intreats her stay, but she replyd

No, thines too rough to touch my tender side.

Morall

Mix not with those whose wealth for thines too great,

To keepe an equal pace with them thou’t break.

<target id="page_260" target-type="page">260</target>LXXXV <italic>The Fox and Stork</italic>.

The Crane in pure revenge the Fox invites

To dinner, and dispos’d her delicates

In a glass viall, which her beak alone

Coud reach, the Fox asham’d went empty home.

Morall

Fraud is by fraud but justly paid againe,

And to deceive the Cusener is no shame.

LXXXVI <italic>The Bear and Bee-hives</italic>.

A Bee’s keene sting a Bear did so inrage,

That with the Hives a war he does ingage,

The numbers joyne, and on the foe do fall,

Who grieves, his private fewd prov’d nationall.

Morall

So petty tumults by the Rout persu’d

Have often mighty common wealths subdu’d.

LXXXVII <italic>The Bear and two Travellers</italic>.

A Bear approcht two Travellers one fled

To a safe tree, th’other lay still as dead,

The Bear but smelling to his face retird

The friend descends and laughing thus inquird

Morall

What was ‘t he whisperd in his ear, quoth he

He bad me shun a treacherous friend like thee.

Francis Barlow’s illustration and Behn’s poem of the fable of the fox and the stork (Francis Barlow, <italic>Aesop’s Fables with his Life in English, French and Latin</italic> (1687), fable LXXXV). https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781351259484/45c6613e-e6a3-4aed-a741-cef1e870b44a/content/p-3.tif"/> Francis Barlow’s illustration and Behn’s poem of the fable of the bear and bee-hives (Francis Barlow, <italic>Aesop’s Fables with his Life in English, French and Latin</italic> (1687), fable LXXXVI). https://s3-euw1-ap-pe-df-pch-content-public-p.s3.eu-west-1.amazonaws.com/9781351259484/45c6613e-e6a3-4aed-a741-cef1e870b44a/content/p-4.tif"/> <target id="page_261" target-type="page">261</target>LXXXVIII <italic>The Captive Trumpeter</italic>.

A Trumpeter implores for life, and said

His harmless sounds alass no victims made,

But you designd, cryd they, for greater ill

Who men each other do excite to kill.

Morall

Those that by secrett ways do ills contract

Will be as guilty found, as those that act.

LXXXIX <italic>The Fighting Cocks and Partridge</italic>.

The Partridge grieus the Cock shoud use her ill,

But when she found they did each other kill,

She sighing cryd, no wonder me th’ annoy

Who do maliciously themselves destroy.

Morall

Mallice in men breeds to themselves more wo

Than their ill nature can in others do.

XC <italic>The Fowler and Partridge</italic>.

The Partridge caught for life the man woud bribe

By whedeling to his Netts her heedless tribe,

No, thou deserv’st, said he, a Double Doom

Who woudst betray thy friends to martyrdom.

Morall

Traytors who men impeach a life to gaine,

If they be honest tis against the graine.

<target id="page_262" target-type="page">262</target>XCI <italic>The Eagle and Crow</italic>.

The Crow who saw an Eagle seize a Lamb,

Thinks with like force to beare away a Ram.

The Shepherd takes him captive, prunes his wings,

And him in scorn t’insulting Children flings.

Morall

Ambition shoud to mighty parts be borne,

Least wanting sence it fall the vulgar scorne.

XCII <italic>The Lion, Ass, and Fox</italic>.

The Ass claimes part o’th’prey for which shees killd,

But the wise Fox does his proportion yield,

The Lyon asks the Reason – He replyes

The Asses fate has taught me to be wise.

Morall

That prudent man is circumspect alone

Who by an others fall declines his owne.

XCIII <italic>The Fox and Grapes</italic>.

The Fox who longd for grapes, beholds with paine

The tempting Clusters were too high to gaine,

Grieu’d in his heart he forc’d a careles smile,

And cryd, they’r sharpe, & hardly worth my toyle.

Morall

Young Debauchees to Beauty thus ingrate,

That vertue blast, they can not violate.

<target id="page_263" target-type="page">263</target>XCIV <italic>The Horse and Hart</italic>.

The Horse unable to out-race the Hart,

Implores the aid of man to take his part,

Then won the prize, but hence his fate began

For ever since he’as been inslavd by man.

Morall

He who by th’Rables power a Crowne does weare

May be a King, but is a Slave to feare.

XCV <italic>The Young Man and Swallow</italic>.

The spend thrift seeing the swallow yet to fly,

Sells all his cloaths, and dreames not winters nigh,

Deceivd, the killing frost he does behold,

and with the flattering bird even dyes with cold.

Morall

Each little hope cajoles the prodigall,

And fancying miracles he looses all.

XCVI <italic>The Man and his Goose</italic>.

The man whose Goose ven[t]s dayly golden ore,

Belives her paunch containes a wonderous store,

So kills her but alas his vaine desire,

And greedy hopes doe with his Goose expire.

Morall

He that too soone vast Riches woud attaine,

Oft missing of the mark comes off with shame.

<target id="page_264" target-type="page">264</target>XCVII <italic>The Wolf and Dog</italic>.

A Dog who boasts of luxury, and ease

Was by the Wolf demanded, what bald crease

Was that about his Neck, replyd the Dog

To civilize me Sir I wear a Clog.

Morall

Reply’d the Wolf, in Woods I’d rather range,

Then my rough freedom for Court slavery change.

XCVIII <italic>The Wood and Clown</italic>.

The Clowne implord the tree, that he woud spare

A bitt of Wood, his Hatchett to repair

The tree Consent, but the false Clowne betr[a]yd

The generous Stock, and all in ruins layd.

Morall

Ungratfull People thus on Princes fall,

And given some liberties rebell for all.

XCIX <italic>The Old Lion</italic>.

The Lyon sick the beasts do all agree,

To take revenges for past injury.

He beares with royal patience, till he feeles

The dull Ass spume him with his sawcy heeles.

Morall

Then dying cryd, let the proud great be warn’d,

For when they’r false by kneaves, and fooles they’r scornd.

<target id="page_265" target-type="page">265</target>C <italic>The Horse and Loaded Ass</italic>.

The laden Ass implord the Horse woud bear,

Of her unconsionable load a share,

Which he disdaining, the poore Ass falls dead,

Then on the scorners back they place the load.

Morall

They who do men contemn whom griefs oppress,

Will in like circumstance find like Success.

CI <italic>The Old Man and Death</italic>.

An aged man whose shoulders bowd beneath

Almighty load, in anguish wisht for death,

Death straight aprocht and asking his command,

Cryd – only Sir to lend your helping hand.

Morall

Tho wrackt with various paines yet life does please

Much more then death, which all our pressures ease.

CII <italic>The Boar and Ass</italic>.

While the dull Ass the sturdy Boar derides,

The Boar whom moderation wisely guides,

Replyd – Iest on thou dull insipid thing,

Fooles cannot move, their railiery wants sting.

Morall

Be not concerned when Coxcombs witty grow

Least others think their pert aspersions true.

<target id="page_266" target-type="page">266</target>CIII <italic>The Dolphin and Tunis</italic>.

The Tunis to escape the Dolphin’s shock,

Flying for safty to a fatall Rock,

There lay insnar’d, as was her foe beneath,

Who to behold him perish, welcomes death.

Morall

The injurd innocent is pleas’d to see

His treacherous friend opprest as well as he.

CIV <italic>The Peacock and Pie</italic>.

The Birds woud chuse a King, the Peacocks claime

By all confirmed, they chuse him soveraign,

But the wise Pye reprocht his forward pride,

And to the listening Sennat thus reply’d,

Morall

Elective Monarchs shoud not be indu’d

With a gay form alone, but fortitude.

CV <italic>The Forrester and Lion</italic>.

The Image of a man the Lyon spy’d,

Conquering the Royall Beast, when he reply’d,

Coud we but paint youd find less victorys won

O’re us by men than we o’re feebler man.

Morall

So Bullys boast when they pretend to’ve done

Acts which they never durst adventur on.

<target id="page_267" target-type="page">267</target>CVI <italic>The Stag looking into the Water</italic>.

The Stag admires the beauty of his hornes

But the ill graces of his legs he scornes,

The Dogs aproach, and with those legs he’ad fled,

Had he not been intangled by the head.

Morall

That which we vallue most may help us least

And often we despise what serves us best.

CVII <italic>The Stag in the Ox-stall</italic>.

A Stag whom Hounds pursu’d to an Oxstall flyes,

Where straw secures him from dull heards mens eyes,

But when the Master came he was betrayd,

And the poore weeping prize his victim made.

Morall

Our ruin oft does from those acts begin

Our fears at first contriv’d to shield us in.

CVIII <italic>The Dove and Pismire</italic>.

A Pismire once sav’d by a gentle Dove,

Who seeing her like to be insnar’d, she strove

With her keen sting the Fowlers heele to frett,

The Dove perceiv’d it and avoyds the nett.

Morall

Behold unthinking man the pious Ant

Can teach you gratitude, and industry in want.

<target id="page_268" target-type="page">268</target>CIX <italic>The Lion in Love</italic>.

A Maid who by a Lyon was adord

Consents to love, but first she him implord

To quitt his nailes, and teeth, the Monarch yields

Which done, with ease she her fond Lover kills.

Morall

Almighty Love asailes with powerfull charmes,

And both our Prudence, and our strength disarmes.

CX <italic>The Tortoise and Eagle</italic>.

The Tortois begs the Eagle her to beare,

To search for Iewells in a Rock oth’ Ayr,

But having ransackt all the distant skyes,

He finds the cheat, and makes his load the prize.

Morall

Promise not princes what you never meant,

Least death, or worse deserv’d be the event.