'Bless us! the hunters are abroad-- What's all that clatter on the road?' _80 'Hold,' says the dog, 'we're safe from harm; 'Twas nothing but a false alarm. At yonder town, 'tis market day; Some farmer's wife is on the way; 'Tis so, (I know her pyebald mare) Dame Dobbins, with her poultry ware.' Reynard grew huff. Says he, 'This sneer From you I little thought to hear. Your meaning in your looks I see; Pray, what's Dame Dobbins, friend, to me? _90 Did I e'er make her poultry thinner? Prove that I owe the Dame a dinner.' 'Friend,' quoth the cur, 'I meant no harm; Then, why so captious? why so warm? My words in common acceptation, Could never give this provocation. No lamb (for ought I ever knew) May be more innocent than you.' At this, galled Reynard winced and swore Such language ne'er was given before: _100 'What's lamb to me? the saucy hint-- Show me, base knave, which way you squint, If t'other night your master lost Three lambs, am I to pay the cost? Your vile reflections would imply That I'm the thief. You dog, you lie.' 'Thou knave, thou fool,' the dog replied, 'The name is just, take either side; Thy guilt these applications speak; Sirrah,'tis conscience makes you squeak.' _110 So saying, on the fox he flies, The self-convicted felon dies. * * * * * FABLE II. THE VULTURE, THE SPARROW, AND OTHER BIRDS. TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY. Ere I begin, I must premise Our ministers are good and wise; So, though malicious tongues apply, Pray what care they, or what care I? If I am free with courts; be't known, I ne'er presume to mean our own. If general morals seem to joke On ministers, and such like folk, A captious fool may take offence; What then? he knows his own pretence. _10 I meddle with no state affairs, But spare my jest to save my ears. Our present schemes are too profound, For Machiavel himself to sound: To censure them I've no pretension; I own they're past my comprehension. You say your brother wants a place, ('Tis many a younger brother's case,) And that he very soon intends To ply the Court, and tease his friends. _20 If there his merits chance to find A patriot of an open mind, Whose constant actions prove him just To both a king's and people's trust; May he with gratitude attend, And owe his rise to such a friend. You praise his parts, for business fit, His learning, probity, and wit; But those alone will never do, Unless his patron have them too. _30 I've heard of times (pray God defend us, We're not so good but He can mend us) When wicked ministers have trod On kings and people, law and God; With arrogance they girt the throne, And knew no interest but their own. Then virtue, from preferment barr'd, Gets nothing but its own reward. A gang of petty knaves attend 'em, With proper parts to recommend 'em. _40