In other men we faults can spy, And blame the mote that dims their eye, Each little speck and blemish find, To our own stronger errors blind. A turkey, tired of common food, Forsook the barn, and sought the wood; Behind her ran her infant train, Collecting here and there a grain. 'Draw near, my birds,' the mother cries, 'This hill delicious fare supplies; _10 Behold, the busy negro race, See, millions blacken all the place! Fear not. Like me with freedom eat; An ant is most delightful meat. How bless'd, how envied were our life, Could we but 'scape the poulterer's knife! But man, cursed man, on turkeys preys, And Christmas shortens all our days: Sometimes with oysters we combine, Sometimes assist the savoury chine. _20 From the low peasant to the lord, The turkey smokes on every board. Sure men for gluttony are cursed, Of the seven deadly sins the worst.' An ant, who climbed beyond his reach, Thus answered from the neighbouring beech: 'Ere you remark another's sin, 27 Bid thy own conscience look within; Control thy more voracious bill, Nor for a breakfast nations kill.' _30 * * * * * FABLE XXXIX. THE FATHER AND JUPITER. The man to Jove his suit preferred; He begged a wife. His prayer was heard, Jove wondered at his bold addressing: For how precarious is the blessing! A wife he takes. And now for heirs Again he worries heaven with prayers. Jove nods assent. Two hopeful boys And a fine girl reward his joys. Now, more solicitous he grew, And set their future lives in view; _10 He saw that all respect and duty Were paid to wealth, to power, and beauty. 'Once more,' he cries, 'accept my prayer; Make my loved progeny thy care. Let my first hope, my favourite boy, All fortune's richest gifts enjoy. My next with strong ambition fire: May favour teach him to aspire; Till he the step of power ascend, And courtiers to their idol bend. _20 With every grace, with every charm, My daughter's perfect features arm. If heaven approve, a father's bless'd.' Jove smiles, and grants his full request. The first, a miser at the heart, Studious of every griping art, Heaps hoards on hoards with anxious pain; And all his life devotes to gain. He feels no joy, his cares increase, He neither wakes nor sleeps in peace; _30 In fancied want (a wretch complete) He starves, and yet he dares not eat. The next to sudden honours grew: The thriving art of Courts he knew: He reached the height of power and place; Then fell, the victim of disgrace. Beauty with early bloom supplies His daughter's cheek, and points her eyes. The vain coquette each suit disdains, And glories in her lover's pains. _40 With age she fades, each lover flies; Contemned, forlorn, she pines and dies. When Jove the father's grief surveyed, And heard him Heaven and Fate upbraid,