New doubts indeed they daily strove to raise, Suggested dangers, interposed delays; And emissary Pigeons had in store, Such as the Meccan prophet used of yore, To whisper counsels in their patron's ear; 1100 And veil'd their false advice with zealous fear. The master smiled to see them work in vain, To wear him out, and make an idle reign: He saw, but suffer'd their protractive arts, And strove by mildness to reduce their hearts: But they abused that grace to make allies, And fondly closed with former enemies; For fools are doubly fools, endeavouring to be wise. After a grave consult what course were best, One, more mature in folly than the rest, 1110 Stood up, and told them, with his head aside, That desperate cures must be to desperate ills applied: And therefore, since their main impending fear Was from the increasing race of Chanticleer, Some potent bird of prey they ought to find, A foe profess'd to him, and all his kind: Some haggard Hawk, who had her eyrie nigh, Well pounced to fasten, and well wing'd to fly; One they might trust, their common wrongs to wreak: The Musquet and the Coystrel were too weak, 1120 Too fierce the Falcon; but, above the rest, The noble Buzzard[137] ever pleased me best; Of small renown, 'tis true; for, not to lie, We call him but a Hawk by courtesy. I know he hates the Pigeon-house and Farm, And more, in time of war has done us harm: But all his hate on trivial points depends; Give up our forms, and we shall soon be friends. For Pigeons' flesh he seems not much to care; Cramm'd chickens are a more delicious fare. 1130 On this high potentate, without delay, I wish you would confer the sovereign sway: Petition him to accept the government, And let a splendid embassy be sent. This pithy speech prevail'd, and all agreed, Old enmities forgot, the Buzzard should succeed. Their welcome suit was granted soon as heard, His lodgings furnish'd, and a train prepared, With B's upon their breast, appointed for his guard. He came, and crown'd with great solemnity; 1140 God save king Buzzard, was the general cry.