Mean are ambitious heroes' boasts Of wasted lands and slaughtered hosts. Pirates their power by murders gain, Wise kings by love and mercy reign. _70 To me your clemency hath shown The virtue worthy of a throne. Heaven gives you power above the rest, Like Heaven to succour the distress'd.' 'The case is plain,' the monarch said; 'False glory hath my youth misled; For beasts of prey, a servile train, Have been the flatterers of my reign. You reason well: yet tell me, friend, Did ever you in courts attend? _80 For all my fawning rogues agree, That human heroes rule like me.' * * * * * FABLE II. THE SPANIEL AND THE CAMELEON. A spaniel, bred with all the care That waits upon a favourite heir, Ne'er felt correction's rigid hand; Indulged to disobey command, In pampered ease his hours were spent; He never knew what learning meant. Such forward airs, so pert, so smart, Were sure to win his lady's heart; Each little mischief gained him praise; How pretty were his fawning ways! _10 The wind was south, the morning fair, He ventured forth to take the air. He ranges all the meadow round, And rolls upon the softest ground: When near him a cameleon seen, Was scarce distinguished from the green. 'Dear emblem of the flattering host, What, live with clowns! a genius lost! To cities and the court repair: A fortune cannot fail thee there: _20 Preferment shall thy talents crown, Believe me, friend; I know the town.' 'Sir,' says the sycophant, 'like you, Of old, politer life I knew: Like you, a courtier born and bred; Kings leaned an ear to what I said. My whisper always met success; The ladies praised me for address, I knew to hit each courtier's passion, And flattered every vice in fashion. _30 But Jove, who hates the liar's ways, At once cut short my prosperous days; And, sentenced to retain my nature, Transformed me to this crawling creature. Doomed to a life obscure and mean, I wander in the sylvan scene. For Jove the heart alone regards; He punishes what man rewards. How different is thy case and mine! With men at least you sup and dine; _40 While I, condemned to thinnest fare, Like those I flattered feed on air.' * * * * * FABLE III. THE MOTHER, THE NURSE, AND THE FAIRY.