The King of Brutes sent all about, He was afflicted with the Gout; And orders ev'ry Species To visit him by Embassies. To see his Subject Beasts would be Some Comfort to him in his Misery: He swears them faithfully, they shall Be lodg'd, and treated very well. Then for a Safeguard, sends forsooth, Passes against his Claw and Tooth. His Vassals in obedience come, } And ev'ry Species sends him some. } Only the Foxes stay at home; } Their Reason was, they saw the Print Of ev'ry beastly Foot, that went: But found no Marks, by which, 'twas plain, That any e'er came back again: And truly that's suspicious, Says one, poor Folks are timerous. We know the King would not abuse us; But yet desire him to excuse us. As for his Pass we thank him for't, And believe 'tis good. But in his Court We know, which way we may go in, But not, which to come back again. The Moral. _Wise Men sometimes Instruction find In that, which others never mind; Examining the least of things, By Deeds, not Words, they judge of Kings; And never venture on that Coast, Where once they knew another lost._ _The Satyr and the Passenger._ A Satyr at his Country House, A dismal Cave, was with his Spouse, And Brats a going to eat some Broth: Without a Chair, or Table-Cloath, On mossy ground they squatted down, With special Stomachs of their own. And just as they fell to a main, Comes one to shelter for the Rain: The Guest's invited to sit down, Tho' in the mean time they went on. He shiver'd, look'd as cold as Death, And warm'd his Fingers with his Breath, Says ne'er a Word, takes good Advice, And stays not till they ask him twice, Falls to the Porridge, takes a sup; But being newly taken up, 'Twas hot, he blows it. Says the Satyr, Whose Palate could bear scalding-water, Friend, what the Devil are you a doing? What do you mean by all this blowing? The Stranger answers, I did blow At first to warm my hands, and now I blow again to cool my Broth. How, says my Landlord, does it both! Than y'are not like to stay with me, I hate such juggling Company. What! Out of the same Mouth to blow Both hot and cold! Friend, prithee go. I thank the Gods my Roof contains None such as you. The Fable means. The Moral. _None are more like to do us wrong; Than those that wear a double Tongue._ _The Lyon in Love._