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The INDEX.

_The two Dragons_ Page 1 _The Wolf and Dog_ 2 _The Frog_ 4 _The Pumkin And Acorn_ 5 _The Hands, and Feet, and Belly_ 7 _The Countryman and the Knight_ 10 _The Plague among the Beasts_ 14 _The Grashopper and Ant_ 17 _The Milk Woman_ 18 _The c.o.c.k, the Cat, and the young Mouse_ 20 _The c.o.c.k and Pearl_ 22 _The Lyon's Court_ 23 _The Drunkard and his Wife_ 24 _The Carp_ 25 _The Nightingale and Owl_ 27 _Council held by the Rats_ 34 _The Bat and the two Weasels_ 36 _The two b.i.t.c.hes_ 37 _The Sick Lyon and the Fox_ 38 _The Satyr and the Pa.s.senger_ 40 _The Lyon in Love_ 41 _The Angler and the little Carp_ 43 _The Wolves and the Sheep_ 44 _The Wasps and the Bees_ 46 _The Lyon and Knat_ 48 _The Woodcleaver and Mercury_ 50 _The Hare and his Ears_ 52 _The Rat and the Frog_ 53 _The Cat and old Rat_ 56 _The Weasel and the Rat_ 59 _The Wolf and the Stork_ 60 _The Frogs asking for a King_ 62 _The Wolf and Lamb_ 64 _The Lyon grown old_ 65 _The two Physicians _ 66 _Love and Folly_ 67 _A She-Goat, a Sheep, and a Sow_ 69 _The Dog and a.s.s_ 71

THE

PREFACE _to the_ READER.

_Prefaces and Cuts are commonly made use of much to the same Purpose; to set off, and to explain. The latter, being too expensive, are pretty well out of date, in an Age, where there are abundance of fine things to be bought besides Books. But the first by wicked Custom, are become so necessary, that a Volume would look as defective without one, as if it wanted the very t.i.tle Page. Though it is hard I should be compelled to talk to my Reader, whether I have any thing to say to him or not. Nay, what is worse, every Body thinks a Man should be more lavish here of his Skill and Learning, than anywhere else: Here they would have him shew his Airs, and therefore most Authors adorn their Prefaces, as if they were triumphal Arches; there's nothing empty to be seen about 'em, and from top to bottom they are to be crowded with Emblems and pretty Sayings, judiciously interwoven with Sc.r.a.ps of_ Latin; _though they should borrow 'em from the Parson of the Parish. These, I say, are the Entertainments where they love to glut us with Wit and fine Language; though they starve us for ever after: Which makes some of 'em look like a rich piece of Fillegrew Work over the Door of an empty Parlour. But I am resolved my Portico shall suit with the rest of the House, and, as every thing is plain within, nothing shall be carv'd or gilt without: Besides, I hate formality, Good Reader, and all my Business with you is to let you know, that I have writ some Fables in Verse, after the Familiar Way of a Great Man in_ France, Monsieur de la Fontaine. _I have confin'd my self to strict Numbers, and endeavour'd to make 'em free and natural; if they prove otherwise, I'm sorry for it. Two of the Fables are of my own Invention; but I am so far from loving 'em the better, that I think they are the worst in the Pack: And therefore in good Manners to my self I conceal their Names. Find 'em out, and welcome.

I could wish to have furnish'd you with something more worthy your precious time: But as you'll find nothing very Instructive, so there's little to puzzle your Brain. Besides, I desire every Body to read 'em at the same Hours I writ 'em, that's when I had nothing else to do. If any like these Trifles, perhaps I may go on; if not, you shall be troubled with no more of 'em: And so fare ye well_ Reader.

_The_ TWO DRAGONS. A Fable.

Not long ago th' Amba.s.sador From the great _Turk_ to the Emperor, Extoll'd his Master's strength, beyond The _German_ Force; a Courtier, fond Of his own Country, boastingly Said, his Imperial Majesty Had many Princes under him, So powerful, that each of 'em, Could raise an Army of his own, And more than one that wore a Crown.

I know, says th' other, very well, Your Dukes and Pow'rs Electoral, With others, that advance the glory Of th' Empire. But I'll tell y' a story: I dreamt I saw a frightful Beast, That had a hundred Heads at least; At first I startled at the sight; But soon recovering from my Fright, I ventured on, and coming near it, I found I had no cause to fear it: For every Head did what it would; Some work'd with all the Force they could; But most of 'em lay of a heap, And look'd as if th' been asleep; Others, in hopes of better Prey, Were pulling quite another way.

I turn'd my Head about, and spied A mighty Beast, on the other side: One Head adorn'd his Brawny Neck; But hundred Tails did close his Back; And as the Heads march'd o'er the Land, The Tails did follow at Command; Did Execution every where; I waked, and thought the Monsters were Both Empires; but the Tails are ours, And all the glorious Heads are yours.

_The Wolf and Dog._

A Wolf so pitious poor and thin, His very Bones stuck through his Skin, (A sign the Dogs were watchful) met A st.u.r.dy Mastiff, slick and fat.

Sir Wolf, revengeful on his Foes, Had murder'd him, as one of those That hinder'd him from stealing Cattle; But was afraid of joyning Battle With one, that look'd, as if he could Stand buff, and make his party good.

And therefore in an humble way He gives the Dog the time o'th' Day; Talks mighty complaisant, and vents A Waggon Load of Compliments Upon his being in such a Case, His brawny Flank and jolly Face.

Sir Wolf, replies the Mastiff, you May be as fat as any Doe, If you'll but follow my advice; For Faith, I think you are unwise, To ramble up and down a Wood, Where's nothing to be had, that's good, No Elemosynary meat, Or e'er a bit, that's good to eat, But what is got by downright force, For which at last you pay in course.

And thus yourselves, your hagged Wives And Children lead but wretched lives; Always in fear of being caught, Till commonly y'are starv'd or shot.

Quoth Wolf, shew me a livelyhood, And then, the Devil take the Wood: I stand in need of better Diet, And would be glad to feed in quiet: But, pray, What's to be done, an't please ye?

Nothing, but what is very easy; To bark at Fellows that look poor, Fright pilfring Strolers from the Door; And then, which is the chiefest matter, To wag your Tail, to coax and flatter Those of the Family; for this They'll give you hundred Niceties, As Chicken Bones, boyl'd Loins of Mutton, As good as ever Tooth was put in, The licking of a greasy Dish, And all the Dainties Heart can wish; Besides, the Master shall caress ye, Spit in your Mouth, and----Heaven bless ye.

Good Sir, let's go immediately, Reply'd the Wolf, and wept for Joy.

They went; and tho' they walk'd apace, The Wolf spy'd here and there a Place About the Neck of Mastiff, where, It seems, his Curship lost some Hair, And said, pray Brother Dog, What's this?

Nothing. Nay, tell me, what it is; It looks like gall'd. Perhaps 'tis from My Collar. Then, I find, at home They tie you. Yes. I'm not inclin'd to't, Or goes it loose when y'have a Mind to't, Truely not always; but what's that?

What's that! quoth he; I smell a Rat; My Liberty is such a Treasure, I'll change it for no Earthly Pleasure; At that his Wolfship fled, and so Is flying still for ought I know.

_The Frog._

A Frog threw his ambitious Eyes Upon an Ox, admired his size, And, from the smallness of an Egg, Endeavoured to become as big.

He swells himself, and puffs, and blows, And every foot, cries there he goes.

Well, Brother, have I bulk enough, An't I as large, as he? What stuff!

Pray look again. The Dev'l a bit.

Then now. You don't come near him yet.

Again he swells, and swells so fast, Till, straining more, he bursts at last.

So full of Pride is every Age!

A Citizen must have a Page, A Petty Prince Amba.s.sadors, And Tradesmens Children Governours; A Fellow, that i'n't worth a Louse, Still keeps his Coach and Country-house; A Merchant swell'd with haughtiness, Looks ten times bigger than he is; Buys all, and draws upon his Friend, As if his Credit had no end; At length he strains with so much Force, Till, like the Frog, he bursts in course, And, by his empty Skin you find, That he was only fill'd with Wind.

_The Pumkin and Acorn._

A Self conceited Country b.u.mkin Thus made his glosses on a Pumkin.

The Fruit, says he, is very big, The Stalk not thicker than a Twig, Scarce any Root, great Leaves; I wonder, Dame Nature should make such a blunder: Had I been she, I would have plac'd it On yon high Oak, and 'twould have grac'd it Better than Acorns; its a whim A little Shrub would do for them; Why should a Tree so tall and fine, Bear small stuff only fit for Swine?

But hundred things are made in waste, Which shews the World was fram'd in haste.

Had I been sent for in those Days, 'Twould have been managed otherwise: I would have made all of a suit, And large Trees should have had large Fruit.

Thus he went on, and in his Eyes, The Simpleton was very wise; A little after, coming nigh An Oak, whose Crown was very high, He liked the Place and down he laid His weary Carca.s.s, in the Shade: But, as the find-fault Animal Turn'd on his Back, an Acorn fell, And hit his Nose a swinging Blow.

Good G.o.d was this the Pumkin now!

The very thought on't struck him dumb: He prais'd his Maker, and went home.

The Moral.

_The World's vast Fabrick is so well Contrived by its Creator's Skill; There's nothing in't, but what is good To him, by whom its understood; And what opposes Human Sence, Shews but our Pride and Ignorance._

_The Hands, Feet, and Belly._

The Hands and Feet in Council met, Were mightily upon the Fret, And swore 'twas something more than hard, Always to work without reward.

The Feet said, truly its a Jest, That we should carry all the rest; March at all Hours thro thick and thin, With Shoes that let the Water in; Our Nails are hard as Bullock's Horns, Our Toes beset with plaguy Corns; We rais'd four Blisters th' other Night, And yet got not a farthing by't.

Brothers, reply'd the Hands, 'tis true, We know what hardship's y' undergo; But then w' are greater Slaves than you; For tho' all day we sc.r.a.pe and rake, And labour till our Fringers ake; Tho' we've been ply'd at every thing; Yet then, without considering What pains or weariness we feel, W'are forced to serve at every meal, And often, whilst you're set at ease, Drudge to the Knucles up in Grease; As for your Corns and Nails in troth, We have the trouble of cutting both.

Take this not, Brothers, in a sence, That might create a Difference; We only hinted it, to shew We're full as badly us'd as you; Our Grievances are general, And caused by him that swallows all; The ungrateful Belly is our bane, Whom with our labour we maintain; The ill natured'st Rogue, that e'er was fed, The lazy'st Dog, that lives by Bread.

For him we starve; for what d'ye think Becomes of all the Meat and Drink?

'Tis he, that makes us look so thin, To stretch his everlasting Skin; Tho' we do all his Business, What did he ever give to us?

And therefore let my Lord _Abdomen_ Say what he will, we'll work for no Man.

Nay if we scratch him tho' he itches, Calls us a hundred Sons of b.i.t.c.hes.

And, if you do the same, you'll see, } He'll quickly be as lean as we; } What say ye, Brothers, do y' agree? } Yes, says the Feet, and he be curst, That dares to think of stirring first.