FABLES AND ANIMALS.

'Till fainting in the public way,
Half dead with fear, she gasping lay;
What transport in her bosom grew,
When first the Horse appear'd in view!
Let me, says she, your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight;
To friendship ev'ry burden's light.

The Horse replied, Poor honest Puss!
It grieves my heart to see thee thus.
Be comforted, relief is near;

For all your friends are in the rear.

She next the stately Bull implor'd; And thus replied the mighty lord : Since ev'ry beast alive can tell

That I sincerely wish you well,

I

may, without offence, pretend

To take the freedom of a friend.

Love calls me hence; a fav'rite Cow
Expects me near yon barley-mow;

And when a lady's in the case,

You know all other things give place.

To leave you thus might seem unkind;
But see, the Goat is just behind.

93

The Goat remark'd her pulse was high,
Her languid head, her heavy eye:
My back, says he, may do you harm;

The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm.
The Sheep was feeble, and complain'd
His sides a load of wool sustain'd:
Said he was slow, confess'd his fears;
For Hounds eat Sheep as well as Hares.
She now the trotting Calf address'd,
To save from death a friend distress'd.

Shall I, says he, of tender

In this important care engage?

Older and abler pass'd you by;

age,

COUNCH OF FOXS

FABLES AND ANIMALS.

95

The COUNCIL of FOXES.

A Fox, in life's extreme decay,
Weak, sick, and faint, expiring lay;
All appetite had left his maw,

And age disarm'd his mumbling jaw.
His num'rous race around him stand
To learn their dying sire's command:
He rais'd his head with whining moan,
And thus was heard the feeble tone:

Ah, sons! from evil ways depart;
My crimes lie heavy on my heart.
See, see, the murder'd Geese appear!
Why are those bleeding Turkies there?
Why all around this cackling train,
Who haunt my ears for Chicken slain?

The hungry Foxes round then star'd,
And for the promis'd feast prepar’d.

Where, sir, is all this dainty cheer? Nor Turkey, Goose, nor Hen is here. These are the phantoms of your brain, And your sons lick their lips in vain.