native Soil There was I born and bred there will I die This said he went to his Quarters and there staid Till he was pressd to death by a Cart Wheel MORAL Ill Men defer Amendment till'ts too late FAB LXXIV The Mice and Cat. A Colony of Mice planted their selves In the same House and livd in much repute And with great prudence managd their Affairs To save their selves from the insults o' th' Cat They by consent retird to the House top And resolvd there to stay during their lives Which when the Cat perceivd she took this way To countermine them and obtain her ends She hung her self upon a Pin i' th' Wall With her Head downwards feigning to be dead A Mouse who saw her in this posture said That Trick won't do I 'll not believe thee dead Tho' I should see thy Skin pulld o'er thy head The MORAL Superabundant Caution does no harm FAB LXXV The Eagle and Fox LOng had the Eagle and the Fox been Friends And that their Amity might increase resolvd To live together the Eagle built her Nest Upon the highest Branches of an Oak And the Fox made his Burrow near its Root It hapned both had young at the same time And when the Fox was gone in quest of Prey The treacherous Eagle stole his Cubbs away And with her Flesh feasted her self and brood The Fox returnd perceiving his great loss Was struck with horrour of that heinous Act Much did he grieve for his dear Childrens death But more to see himself in such a state Having no helps no prospect of Revenge But 't was not long before the Scene was changd A Country Farmer sacrified a Kid I' th' open Fields thither the Eagle flies And from the Altar steals a piece of Flesh To which stuck fast a Coal o' th' sacred Fire This being brought to her dry woody Nest Set it immediately in a bright flame Then did the Eagle see her young ones drop Half roasted into th' mouth o' th joyful Fox The MORAL Heaven vindicates the wrong done to the Poor FAB LXXVI The Trees and Thorn THE Trees desird the Olive to accept The chief Command o' th' leafy Nation To whom he said can you believe that I Who live contented with my own Estate Whose Fruit is so much prizd by Gods and Men Will change my happy Life for anxious Cares Always attending upon Crowned Heads No lay this weight on some ambitious Fool. Being thus repulsd they to the Fig-Tree went And beggd him to supply the vacant Throne Can you said he suppose I 'll quit my Fruit Which is more sweet than the Hyblean Honey For Aloes and Gall the food of Kings Being twice repulsd they to the Vine repaird And humbly beggd him to accept the Crown He shewd his Branches loaded with ripe Grapes More bright in colour than the Tyrian Purple You see said he my Riches and my Store These pleasant Grapes which such a Liquor yield That recreates the heart of God and Man Can you desire me quit this happy Station And my self ruin to preserve your Nation If I do so I justly may be deemd The greatest Fool of Trees I 'll be no King Tird with denyals they at last chose the Thorn Who greedily lays hold o' th' profferd Crown And swelld with Pride thus to his Subjects spoke Now I am King I expect to be obeyd Against all those who dare oppose my Will I 'll send a raging Fire which shall not spare The tallest Cedars of Mount Libanus The MORAL To Command over others none desire But those who intend to gratifie their Lust. FAB LXXVII Momus JOve Neptune Pallas when the World was young Strove which of them should do 't the greatest good And by consent chose Momus to be Judge Iove in his own Similitude made a Man The God o' th' Sea a Bull Pallas a House This done they sent for Momus to pronounce Which of their Gifts in his Esteem was best But he found fault with all First with the Man Because there were no Windows in his Breast Thro' which his inclinations might be seen He said the Bulls Horns were not fitly placd They would have been more useful on his Breast He blamd the House because 't was not on Wheels And could not from ill Neighbours be removd The MORAL Nothing against Detraction is secure Who dare be Vertuous must this Plague endure FAB LXXVIII The Two Dogs A Certain Dog never peepd out of Doors When the least drop of Rain fell from the Clouds Of whom a neighbouring Dog his Friend inquird The cause of this strange Humour he replyd By scalding Water once I had like t o've dyd And ever since have been afraid of Cold. The MORAL He whom a Snake has bit runs from an Eel FAB LXXIX The woman and Oculist A Woman much afflicted with sore Eyes Sent to a skilful Oculist for Cure He came and undertook it for a Sum Which she engagd to pay when she was well He often came and often dressd her Eyes And whilst forcd by the smart she kept them shut He every day stole something out o' th' House Till there was nothing left At last it chancd His Remedies had their desird Effect Then the Oculist demands his recompence But she refusd to pay 't My Sight is worse She said then when you first enterd my door Then every part o' th' House appeard to me Well stord with Goods but now I nothing see The MORAL Benefits are effaced by Injuries FAB LXXX The Boar and Fox A Fox observd a Boar whetting his Tusks And askd him why he so employd his time Having no prospect of an Enemy The Boar replyd not without cause for when I am assaulted 't will be too late then The MORAL The fittest season to provide for War Is then when we enjoy a profound Peace FAB LXXXI The Thief and his Mother A Thief to th' Place of Execution brought To suffer Death the just reward of 's Crimes As he upon the Ladder stood espyd His sorrowful Mother pressing thro the throng To take the last leave of her dying Son The Officers permitted them to embrace But he instead of a departing Kiss Bit off her Nose and spit it in her Face The Crowd detesting this unnatural Act Cryd out no torment can be great enuf No sort of Death for such a Parricide Hear me said he condemn me not unheard This Woman whom I have treated in this sort Is the only cause of my untimely death When I was Young not knowing Good from Ill And from my Play-fellows some Trifles stole I brought her them which she receivd with joy T was her Encouragement made me proceed In that lewd way and commit greater Thefts For which I undergo this shameful death From whence I might have easily been preservd Had she chastizd me for the first Offence The MORAL A cruel Mother is better than a mild Sparing the Rod is spoyling of the Child Another MORAL Quo semel est imbuta recens
his Fee The ungrateful Ass unmindful of his word Gave him so rude a Kick upon his Head That made him fall down sprawling and half dead After some time awaking from his Trance He said I justly suffer this disgrace For practising an Art I never learnt The MORAL Let not the Cobler go beyond his Last FAB LII The Mad Lion and Goat A Goat seeing a Lion raving Mad Running about and roaring said to himself If a wise King can hardly be endurd How sad is the Condition of us Beasts Who must live under Power with Madness joynd The MORAL Wrath armd with Power cannot be withstood FAB LIII The Thrushes A Numerous flock of Thrushes passd the Alps To feast upon the Grapes of Lombardy Whereof some few returning fat and plump Were envied by the rest that stayd behind They cursd their Fate their Cowardise and Sloth Which made them lose their share in that rich prey To whom one of these Travellers replyd You l change your minds and pity us did you know How many thousands of us made this Voyage And to what paucity we are reduc'd The rest being taken Prisoners Maimd or Killd The MORAL The Court has many made and more undone And even undone those whom it has made FAB LIV. The Old Man and Death A Poor Old Man carrying a heavy Load Ready to faint for want of strength and breath Threw his Pack down and calld aloud for Death To whom when Death appeard in 's ghastly shape The terrified Old Man cryd out Good Sir Pray help me lift this Burthen to my Back The MORAL Those who desire Death fear it when it comes FAB LV. The Cormorant Bat and Bramble A Cormorant a Bramble and a Bat Resolvd to try their Luck in Merchandise The Cormorant adventurd Brazen Ware The Bramble Cloth and the Bat ready Cash Borrowed of griping Bankers at great Use. They chearfully Embarqud despising Danger So prevalent with them was the hope of Gain A sudden Storm arose and sunk their Ship And they three only got alive to Land And ever since this their unhappy loss The Cormorant stands watching on the Sand Hoping the Waves will cast his Vessels up The Bramble pulls the Passenger by 's Coat Tares Patterns off to see where 't is her Cloth But the poor Bat his Debts so much affright He dares not peep out of the doors till Night The MORAL To root out Vice 't is not an easie thing 'T will grow again if you leave the least String FAB LVI The Young Raven and his Mother A Raven by th' Fysicians given ore Now at the point of death his Mother begd To procure solemn Prayers make sacred Vows And bargain with the Gods to save his life To whom she thus replyd Son 't is too late Thou hast made all the Gods thine Enemies Defild their Temples all their Altars robbd What hopes hast thou thy Prayers should prevail The MORAL They who in wicked deeds their whole life spend Cannot expect a comfortable End FAB LVII The Flie. A Hungry Flie fell in t ' a Pot of Broth And having eat and drank his fill perceivd His strength decreasd his Body heavy grown His Wings wet and unfit to bear his weight In short seeing no way to avoid death With a sedate Mind and undaunted Heart Thus to himself he said I have eat and drank And washd why should I be afraid to die The MORAL Bear patiently what thou canst not avoid Another MORAL out of I. C. Ghy moet indien ghy kondt het quade seer geneseu En so ghy niet en kondt in al 's geduldigh wesen To this purpose O Man what ever is thy Lot Either it may be remedied or not If not with patience thy Lot endure If 't may with speed the Remedy procure FAB LVIII The Fox and Raven A Raven who had found a piece of Cheese Bore it to 's Nest on one o' th' neighbouring Trees And having laid it down began to Crow Aloud that all might his good Fortune know A Fox who heard the noise and understood The meaning of it quickly leaves the Wood Draws near unto the Tree and thus did speak Just as the Raven took the Cheese in 's Beak Good Gods what beauteous Bird 's before mine Eyes How smooth they lie how do thy Feathers shine No Colour equals Black and no Black thine Would I might hear thy Voice if thou couldst Sing Thou wert a Present for the greatest King The Raven tickled with the Foxes praise And willing to hear more began to Sing With a hoarse voice and let the Cheese fall down Which when the Fox had seizd Raven said he 'T is true thou' rt handsome but thou hast no Wit The MORAL All Flattery is upon ill design And they are Fools who hear it with delight Another MORAL out of Horace Si tacitus pasci potuisset Corvus haberet Plus dapis multo rixae minus invidiaeque To the same purpose out of I. C. 'T is seker soo de â—aef kon in der stilhept eten Sy kreegh een vollen buyck en niemant sou het weten Maer mits hy by den roof soo luyde sit en Krast Soo krijght hy menigh mael een ougenooden gast That is Were the Crow wise and could with silence eat He would have fewer Spongers and more Meat Another out of I. C. Soo dickwils al 's 't Schapie bleet verliestet een veetien That is As often as the Sheep bleats he loses a monthful Another out of the same 'T is best dat 't Schap in stilheyt eet Want al 's het bleet verliest een bleet Een stil Seugh die eet de draf That is 'T is the still Sow that eats the Broth. FAB LIX The Pye and Peacock OF Birds the general Assembly met To elect a King the chiefest Candidate The Peacock popular for his great Estate His beauteous shape and glorious painted Train Had gaind the greatest part upon his side And certainly would have been chosen King Had it been put to th' Vote which when the Pye Perceivd he stood up and cravd leave to speak Turning his Face to th' Peacock Beauteous Sir Said he if th' Eagle should with us wage War How would you lead us on and bring us off The MORAL In choice of Magistrates a handsome Face Must to the Beauty of the Soul give place FAB LX. The Hart and Hind Calf A Young Red Deer thus to his Father spoke You are swifter you are greater than the Dogs And better Armd why dont you stand and fight To whom the Hart replyd Son you have said The truth Nature for me has done her part Has given me every thing but a stout heart That 's wanting when the noise of Hounds I hear I must be gone I cant command my fear The MORAL Nature in every thing will be obeyd Achilles Arms can't make a Coward fight FAB LXI The Swan and Goose. IN the same Court a white Goose and a Swan Were kept one for the rareness of his Song The other
to be eaten with a Friend A Friend arrives orders were sent toth ' Cook To kill the Goose but he unwittingly Mistook one for the other both being white And seizd the Swan who as Swans usd to do In former times sung his own Funeral Dirge And so was known and so he savd his life The MORAL Many from Dangers Eloquence preserves FAB LXII The Boy and Scorpion A Wanton Boy hunting of Grashoppers By chance espied a Scorpion on the Ground And stretchd his right hand out to take it up The Scorpion turnd up his forked Tail Then thus said to the Boy Fool touch me not For if thou dost thy Sport will cost thee dear And thou wilt Grashoppers henceforwards fear The MORAL That City's ruin's near where it is hard To know who is a good Man who a bad FAB LXIII The Lion and Fox A Fox who never had a Lion seen Met one i' th' Wood and was so much affraid He had like t o've sunk down dead upon the spot The second time he feard but not so much And the third enterview to him he weâ—t Boldly and cried God bless your Majesty The MORAL What terrible appears at the first sight Being often represented yields delight FAB LXIV The Swallow and Crow A Swallow and a Crow had a Contest Whose Beauty and whose Colour was the best And many Arguments were urgd pro and con At last the Crow this demonstration usd Your Beauty is a fading Summer Flower On mine the coldest Winter has no power To which the Swallow had nothing to reply The MORAL That Good 's to be preferd which longest lasts FAB LXV The Father and Sons A Father near to death calld up his Sons To his Bed-side and told them he had hid Great quantities of Gold i' th' Vineyard Bidding them dig it up when he was dead This said he died and left them ignorant In what part of the Vineyard the Gold lay No sooner were the Funeral Rites performd But they began to work and delve the Ground They cleard the roots o' th' Vines they broke the Clods And scourd the Ditches but they found no Gold But yet their Labour was not ill bestowd For the next Year the Cultivated Vines Enrichd the Owners with a plenteous Crop Which when the Eldest of the Sons perceivd He said This is the Gold our Father hid The MORAL Labour and Industry are surest Riches FAB LXVI The Dog Cock and Fox A Dog and Cock benighted on the Road Took up their Lodgings in an aged Oak The Cock i' th' boughs the Dog in 's hollow Trunck The Cock next morning crowd by break of day As 't is their use to whom a Fox approachd And earnestly desird him to come down For he so much delighted in his Song And Martial Mien that he should count himself The happiest Fox i' th' World to see him near To embrace and kiss him The Cock understood His fraudulent intent and thus replyed Sir I desire it much but cant come down Without the Porters leave wake him I pray He 's fast asleep in 's Den at the Oaks root The Fox suspecting nothing put in 's Head And made a hideous noise at which the Dog Leapd out seizd on him worried him to death The MORAL A Cheat ought not if cheated take it ill FAB LXVII The Ass Ape and Mole A Mole ore-heard an Ape and Ass complain Ones Tail was short the other had no Horns And thus reprovd them With what Face can you Bewail the want of useless Ornaments When you behold me Patient tho' Blind The MORAL Compare thy State with theirs who 're worse than thee Then thou wilt easily bear thy Misery FAB LXVIII The Young Men and Cook TWO Young Men went to a Cooks Shop one stole A piece of Flesh and to his Fellow gave 't The Cook soon missd it and there being none But those two in the Shop chargd them with Theft He who had took it swore he had it not And he who had it swore he stole it not Well said the Cook tho' you have deceivd me You cannot cheat the Gods who all things see The MORAL They who Swear most are least to be believd FAB LXIX The Boy and Cockles A Country Boy a dish of Cockles bought And laid them to be roasted on the Coals Which their internal moisture rarisied And causd them to emit a whistling sound Fools said the Boy is it a time to Sing Now when your Houses burn about your Ears The MORAL All Actions out of season deserve blame FAB LXX The Miser A Covetous wretch had hid a bag of Gold And almost every hour went out to see 't A Neighbour wondring at his constant Walk Observing where he went and what he did Found out the Treasure and conveyd it thence The wretch returnd next morn by break of day When he perceivd his God was flown away He wept and tore his Beard and his gray Hair And wishd for Death thro' horror and dispair A Passenger informd o' th' cause of 's grief Said Father leave lamenting hide a Stone In the same place and think it is your Gold You 'll be as rich then as you was before For he that dares not use it has no store The MORAL The Miser wants what he has and has not FAB LXXI The Olive-Tree and the Reed AN Olive and a Reed had great disputes Which was the better Plant. The Olive said Weak Fool dar'st thou compare thy self with me My Root shoots down to th' Center of the Earth Thine's in the Surface and scarce hid with Mold I scorn the strongest blasts of Northern Winds At every little breath of Air thou bowest So low that thou canst hardly rise again And always movest thy Paralytic Head The Reed not daring to reply stood mute Expecting time and place to be revengd And was ere long A furious Storm arose And laid the Olive prostrate on the ground Which when the Reed perceivd aloud she cryd This fate is due to Insolence and Pride The MORAL Trust not a Calm a Storm is always nigh FAB LXXII The Asses and Jupiter THE Asses sent a solemn Ambassade Intreating Iove to grant them a release And freedom from the Miseries they endur'd Iove answerd that could never be procur'd Till they could make a River with their Piss This he intended for a flat denyal But they believing Iove was serious Have ever since been making of the tryal And where they see one Piss all do the same The MORAL Asses believe Impossibilities FAB LXXIII The two Neigbouring Frogs TWo Neighbouring Frogs livd in great Amity One in the Road the other in a Pond A little thence removd and more secure Who as a Friend his Neighbour thus advisd Why do you choose to dwell in such a place So much exposd to danger Quit it Sir 〈◊〉 with me I have plenty void of fear To which the Courteous Frog this answer made For your kind proffer I return you thanks But cant be brought to change my
given you a Mind Too Noble for the Fate which here you find Why should a Soul so vertuous and so great Lose it self thus in an obscure retreat Let savage Beasts lodge in a Country Den You should see Town and Manners know Men And tast the generous Luxury of the Court Where all th◠Mice of Quality resort Where thousand beauteous She 's about you move And by high fare are plyant made to Love We all ere long must render up our breath No Cave or Hole can shelter us from Death Since Life is so uncertain and so short Let 's spend it all in Feasting and in Sport Come worthy Sir come and with me partake All the great things that Mortals happy make Alas what Vertue hath sufficient Arms T' oppose bright Honor and soft Pleasures Charms What Wisdom can their Magick force expel It draws this Reverend Father from his Cell It was the time that witty Poets tell That Febus into Thetis Bosom fell She blusht at first and then put out the light And drew the modest Curtains of the Night Plainly the truth to tell the Sun was set When to the Town our wearied Travellers get To a Lords House as Lordly as can be Made for the use of Pride and Luxury They come the Genteel Courtier at the Door Stops and will hardly enter in before But 't is Sir your Command and being so I 'm sworn t'Obedience and so in they go Behind a Hanging in a spacious Room The richest work of Mortlaks Noble Loom They wait a while their wearied Limbs to rest Till Silence should invite them to the Feast About the hour that Cynthias silver light Had toucht the pale Meridian of Night At last the various Supper being done It happened that the Company being gone Into a Room remote Servants and all To please their noble Fancies with a Ball Our Host leads forth his Stranger and does find All suited to the bounties of his mind Still on the Table half-filld Dishes stood And with delicious Fare the floor was strowd The courteous Mouse presents him with the best And both with fat Varieties are blest The industrious Peasant every where does range And thanks the Gods for his life 's happy change Lo in the midst of a well-fruited Pie They both at last glutted and wanton lie When see the sad reverse of prosperous Fate And what fierce Storms on mortal Glories wait With hideous noise down the rude Servants come Six Dogs before run barking into th' Room The wretched Gluttons fly with wild affright And hate the fulness which retards their flight Our trembling Peasant wishes now in vain The Rocks and Mountains coverd him again O how the change of his poor life he cursd This of all lives said he is sure the worst Give me again ye Gods my Cave and Wood With Peace let Tares and Acorns be my Food FAB XCVI Upon the same Subject TWO Mice of different Quality and Estate Contracted a strict Friendship Ones House stood I' th' Capital City the others in a Wood The Country Mouse invites his wealthy Friend To come and eat with him at his poor Cot To tast the Country Food and breath the Air The Courtier accepts this Invitation Willing to see what lives those poor Souls led What were their Pastimes upon what they fed Variety pleases both great Mice and Men. I 'll come said he dear Friend I 'll spoil your Jest When must it be You shall have notice Sir Replyd the Country Mouse and took his leave When all things were in readiness he sent Aquaints his Friend and begs him not to fail He comes is introducted to the Hall Fenced about with Reed instead of Wall And strewd with Rushes new fetchd from the Field In a remote Corner an Oyster-shell Was placd filld with clear Water from the Spring Wherewith they might both quench their thirst and wash He placd his Guest at th' upper end o' th' Board Upon a tuft of Moss and then brought forth His Store the Swaert of Bacon Chiches Beans Patings of Cheese Kernels of Nuts and Plums And other Cates i' th' Country highly prizd Which he with pain and cost and help of Friend Had got together against that great day You know said he I cannot Complement I never was bred in the Inns-of-Court Ne'er saw a College or a Dancing-School Pray Sir fall to accept this homely Treat I wish it were much better for your sake they eat and drank and pleasantly discoursd And then to help digestion walkd i' th' Field At their return he waits upon his Guest And shews him his best Chamber and best Bed Which with clean Sheets of Wheaten Straw was spread They made but one Sleep till the Sun went down Such placid Sleep to good Kings is unknown Whose care for others rest disturbs their own He brought him part of 's way to a Friends House Where they embracd and kissd and took their leaves The Guest to his courteous Host returns his thanks And makes him promise the next Holyday To come and take a Commons at his House Upon the day prefixd the Country Mouse Having washt and brusht set forwards on his way After Sun set and so orderd his pace He arrivd at Midnight at the City Gate Thence to the Palace of his Friend he goes Whom he found waiting for him at the Door The Courtier would have had him enterd first But he refusd not knowing 't was the Mode To wash his Feet he Orange Water brings Then in an upper Room shews him a Bed O' th' richest Velvet made fit for a King Pray Friend said he lie down and sleep a while You must be weary having walkd so far The Country Mouse without reply obeyd When all the Meat was set upon the Board The Courtier goes himself calls down his Guest And placing him on his right hand thus spoke Friend you are welcome eat of what you please Here 's all variety your heart can wish Olios Ambigues Bisques Grilliades Cocoes Vinellii Pigniates Pistaccios Parmisan Cheese Botargo Caveare And Ketchup which will make you please your Wife And several other Dishes whose strange Names The untravelld Mouse had never heard before They were just sate and scarce had eat one bit When suddenly the Pantry Door flies open À Light appears several Lacqueys enter Following he Master Cook with Silver Voyders At the appearance of this hated Light They both betook their selves to hasty flight As soon as those unwelcome Guests were gone Come said the City Mouse the Coast is clear Let us return and fall to our Good Cheer But his poor Friend who in a cold Sweat lay Refusd to come having lost his Appetite And not yet half recoverd out of 's fright But when he found that no Excuse would serve With much reluctancy he came sate down Pickt here and there a bit but relisht none The Meat he swallowd went down like chopt Hay The Wine seemd to his Palate prict and dead While he was thus uneasie