"O Jupiter! who from thy regal brow Drew forth Minerva, my old enemy, List to the prayer of a poor Spider now; Listen, I pray to thee. Progne here and there, all day, and everywhere, Ever skimming, flitting, fifty times a day, Passes by me sitting in my trimly woven lair; Passes by me impudent, and bears away my prey: Yes, swallows up the flies that are crowding to my net, Which with skilful patience 'tween the laurel boughs I've set." Thus the Spider, who of yore so artistically wove, But now reduced in rank to the state of humble spinner, Regarding every fly as hers of right for dinner, Complained in noisy accents unto all-deciding Jove. But in spite of this harangue, Still Philomel's swift sister sprang Past the luckless Spider's door, Ever with her main and might, And with pitiless delight, Bearing to her brood incessantly the food, Which the clamorous little gluttons demanded more and more. But sad it is to tell! still worse was yet to come, For the Swallow, skimming, flitting, Spied the Spider sadly sitting, And snatched her hanging helpless from her once well-ordered home. In this world here below, it is Jupiter's plan Two tables to spread for two different classes; At the one feasts the skilful, strong, vigilant man, At t'other starve feeble and ignorant masses. FABLE CC. THE PARTRIDGE AND THE FOWLS. Once to a red-legged Partridge it befell Amongst a lot of fighting Cocks to dwell. Now, as the latter are a gallant race, Fighting with pleasure for a dame's embrace, The Partridge hoped that she would treated be, By these brave birds, with hospitality. But soon, alas! her hopes were cross'd, For oft, by angry passions toss'd, Her fiery hosts, with spur and beak, Would tear her plumage, brown and sleek. At first, this grieved the Partridge much; But when, as soon she did, she saw her foes Inflicting on each other equal woes, She ceased to blame them; "For," said she, "they're such As Jupiter has made them; and we know That he has planted many various creatures here below: The Partridge, mild; the Game-cock, rude and wild. If I could be as I would be, I'd pass my life in gentle company. But what avails these vain regrets? The master here takes Partridges in nets, And forces them to live with Fowls. We owe To man, and not to Nature, all our woe." FABLE CCI. THE LION.