Shall I, who to learn’d Greece belong, Neglect her honour and her song, And by dull sloth myself disgrace? Since we can reckon up in Thrace, The authors that have sweetest sung, Where Linus from Apollo sprung; And he whose mother was a muse, Whose voice could tenderness infuse To solid rocks, strange monsters quell’d, And Hebrus in his course withheld. Envy, stand clear, or thou shalt rue Th’ attack, for glory is my due. Thus having wrought upon your ear, I beg that you would be sincere, And in the poet’s cause avow That candor, all the world allow. FABLE I. THE OLD WOMAN AND EMPTY CASK. An ancient dame a firkin sees, In which the rich Falernian lees Send from the nobly tinctured shell A rare and most delicious smell! There when a season she had clung With greedy nostrils to the bung, “O spirit exquisitely sweet!” She cried, “how perfectly complete Were you of old, and at the best, When ev’n your dregs have such a zest!” They’ll see the drift of this my rhyme, Who knew the author in his prime. II. THE PANTHER AND SHEPHERDS. Their scorn comes home to them again Who treat the wretched with disdain. A careless Panther long ago Fell in a pit, which overthrow The Shepherds all around alarm’d; When some themselves with cudgels arm’d; Others threw stones upon its head; But some in pity sent her bread, As death was not the creature’s due. The night came on--the hostile crew Went home, not doubting in the way To find the Panther dead next day. But she, recovering of her strength, Sprang from the pit and fled at length. But rushing in a little space From forth her den upon the place, She tears the flock, the Shepherd slays, And all the region round dismays. Then they began to be afraid Who spared the beast and lent their aid; They reck not of the loss, but make Their pray’r for life, when thus she spake: “I well remember them that threw The stones, and well remember you Who gave me bread--desist to fear, For ’twas the oppressor brought me here.” III. THE APE’S HEAD. A certain person, as he stood Within the shambles buying food, Amongst the other kitchen fare Beheld an Ape suspended there; And asking how ’twould taste, when dress’d, The butcher shook his head in jest; “If for such prog your fancy is, Judge of the flavour by the phiz.” This speech was not so true as keen, For I in life have often seen Good features with a wicked heart, And plainness acting virtue’s part. IV. ESOP AND THE INSOLENT FELLOW.