FABLES. THE ANT AND CATERPILLAR. As an Ant, of his talents superiorly vain, plete; I guide all my motions with freedom and ease, Run backward and forward, and turn when I I please : Of nature (grown weary), you shocking essay! Ere long the proud Ant, as repassing the road (Fatigued from the harvest, and tugging his load), The beau on a violet bank he beheld, Whose vesture, in glory, a monarch's excell'd; His plumage expanded-'twas rare to behold The Ant quite amazed at a figure so gay, Bow'd low with respect and was trudging away: Stop, friend (says the Butterfly)-don't be surprised, I once was the reptile you spurn'd and despised; But now I can mount, in the sunbeams I play, While you must, for ever, drudge on in your way.' MORAL. A wretch, though to-day he's o'erloaded with [morrow. May soar above those that oppress'd him-to sorrow, THE ROSE AND BUTTERFLY. bride: AT day's early dawn a gay Butterfly spied Their faith was soon plighted; as lovers will do, I The Rose thus reproach'd him-"Already so this? cold! [told! How feign'd, O you false one! the passion you "Tis an age since you left me:' she meant a few hours; [flowers: But such we'll suppose the fond language of 'I saw when you gave the base violet a kiss: How-how could you stoop to a meanness like [spise, Shall a low little wretch, whom we Roses deFind favour, O love! in my Butterfly's eyes? On a tulip quite tawdry I saw your fond rape, Nor yet could the pitiful primrose escape : Dull daffodils too were with ardour address'd, And poppies in scented you kindly caress'd.' The coxcomb was piqued, and replied with a [my dear; That you're first to complam I commend you, But know, from your conduct my maxims I drew, And if I'm inconstant, Το copy from you. sneer, 'I saw the boy Zephyrus rifle your charms, I saw how you simper'd and smiled in his arms; The honey-bee kiss'd you, you cannot disown, You favour'd besides-O dishonour!-a drone; Yet worse-'tis a crime that you must not deny, Your sweets were made common, false Rose ! to a fly.' MORAL. This law, long ago, did Love's Providence make, That every Coquette should be cursed with a Rake. THE SHEEP AND THE BRAMBLE BUSH. A THICK-TWISTED brake, in the time of a storm, Seem'd kindly to cover a sheep: So snug, for a while, he lay shelter'd and warm, It quietly sooth'd him asleep. The clouds are now scatter'd-the winds are at My friend! who the thicket of law never tried, THE FOX AND THE CAT. THE Fox and the Cat, as they travel'd one day, With moral discourses cut shorter the way: 'Tis great (says the Fox) to make justice our guide!' How godlike is mercy!' Grimalkin replied. Whilst thus they proceeded, a Wolf from the wood, Impatient of hunger, and thirsting for blood, Grimalkin's astonish'd-the Fox stood aghast, To see the fell beast at his bloody repast. What a wretch (says the Cat)-'tis the vilest of brutes! Does he feed upon flesh, when there's herbage and roots?" [so good, Cries the Fox-' While our oaks give us acorns What a tyrant is this, to spill innocent blood!' Well, onward they march'd, and they moralized still, [by a mill; Till they came where some poultry pick'd chaff Sly Reynard survey'd them with gluttonous eyes, And made (spite of morals) a pullet his prize. A Mouse too, that chanced from her covert to stray, The greedy Grimalkin secured as her prey. A Spider that sat in her web on the wall, Perceived the poor victims, and pitied their fall; She cried Of such murders how guiltless am I!' So ran to regale on a new-taken fly. MORAL. The faults of our neighbours with freedom we blame, But tax not ourselves, though we practise the same. |