When I resolved my hand to stay For this, that others might have play, On reconsidering of my part I soon recanted in my heart: For if a rival should arise, How can he possibly devise The things that I have let alone, Since each man’s fancy is his own, And likewise colouring of the piece?-- It was not therefore mere caprice, But strong reflection made me write: Wherefore since you in tales delight, Which I, in justice, after all, Not Esop’s, but Esopian call; Since he invented but a few; I more, and some entirely new, Keeping indeed the ancient style, With fresh materials all the while. As at your leisure you peruse The fourth collection of my muse, That you may not be at a stand, A fifth shall shortly come to hand; ’Gainst which, if as against the rest, Malignant cavillers protest, Let them carp on, and make it plain They carp at what they can’t attain. My fame’s secure, since I can show How men of eminence like you, My little book transcribe and quote, As like to live of classic note. It is th’ ambition of my pen To win th’ applause of learned men. I. DEMETRIUS AND MENANDER. If Esop’s name at any time I bring into this measured rhyme, To whom I’ve paid whate’er I owe, Let all men by these presents know, I with th’ old fabulist make free, To strengthen my authority. As certain sculptors of the age, The more attention to engage, And raise their price, the curious please, By forging of Praxiteles; And in like manner they purloin A Myro to their silver coin. ’Tis thus our fables we can smoke, As pictures for their age bespoke: For biting envy, in disgust To new improvements, favors rust; But now a tale comes in of course, Which these assertions will enforce. Demetrius, who was justly call’d The tyrant, got himself install’d, And held o’er Athens impious sway. The crowd, as ever is the way, Came, eager rushing far and wide, And, “Fortunate event!” they cried. The nobles came, the throne address’d: The hand by which they were oppress’d They meekly kiss’d, with inward stings Of anguish for the face of things. The idlers also, with the tribe Of those who to themselves prescribe Their ease and pleasure, in the end Came sneaking, lest they should offend. Amongst this troop Menander hies, So famous for his comedies. (Him, though he was not known by sight, The tyrant read with great delight, Struck with the genius of the bard.) In flowing robes bedaub’d with nard, And saunt’ring tread he came along, Whom, at the bottom of the throng, When Phalereus beheld, he said: “How dares that fribble show his head In this our presence?” he was told-- “It is Menander you behold.” Then, changed at once from fierce to bland, He call’d, and took him by the hand. II. THE THIEF AND THE TRAVELLERS.