FABLE III.

11

THE MOTHER, THE NURSE, AND THE FAIRY.

GIVE

me a son. The blessing sent, Were ever parents more content? How partial are their doting eyes! No child is half so fair and wise.

Wak'd to the morning's pleasing care, The MOTHER rose, and sought her heir; She saw the NURSE, like one possess'd, With wringing hands, and sobbing breast.

Sure some disaster has befel!

Speak, NURSE; I hope the BOY is well.

Dear madam, think not me to blame;
Invisible the FAIRY came:

Your precious babe is hence convey'd,
And in the place a changling laid;

C 2

Where are the father's mouth and nose, The mother's eyes, as black as sloes? See here a shocking aukward creature, That speaks a fool in ev'y feature.

The woman's blind, the MOTHER cries; I see wit sparkle in his eyes.

Lord! madam, what a squinting leer! No doubt the FAIRY hath been here.

Just as she spoke, a PIGMY SPRITE Pops through the key-hole, swift as light, Perch'd on the cradle's top he stands, And thus her folly reprimands

Whence sprung the vain conceited lie, That we the world with fools supply? What! give our sprightly race away, For the dull helpless sons of clay ! Besides, by partial fondness shown, Like you, we dote upon our own. Where yet was ever found a mother, Who gave her booby for another!

And, should we change with human breed, Well might we pass for fools indeed.

THE EAGLE, AND THE ASSEMBLY OF ANIMALS.

AS JUPITER's all-seeing eye

Survey'd the worlds beneath the sky,
From this small speck of earth were sent
Murmurs and sounds of discontent;
For ev'ry thing alive complain'd
That he the hardest life sustain'd.

JOVE calls his EAGLE. At the word
Before him stands the royal bird.

The bird, obedient, from heav'n's height
Downward directs his rapid flight;
Then cited ev'ry living thing,
To hear the mandates of his king.

· Ungrateful creatures! whence arise These murmurs which offend the skies?

Why this disorder? say the cause:
For just are JOVE's eternal laws.
Let each his discontent reveal.
To yon sour dog I first appeal.

Hard is my lot, the HOUND replies, On what fleet nerves the GREYHOUND flies! While I, with weary step and slow,

O'er plains, and vales, and mountains, go;' The morning sees my chase begun,

Nor ends it till the setting sun.

pursue,

When, says the GREYHOUND, I
My game is lost, or caught in view,
Beyond my sight the prey's secure :
The hound is slow, but always sure.
And, had I his sagacious scent,
JOVE ne'er had heard my discontent.

The LION crav'd the Fox's art; The Fox, the LION's force and heart; The cock implor'd the PIGEON'S flight, Whose wings were rapid, strong, and light; The PIGEON strength of wing despis'd, And the cock's matchless valour priz'd: The FISHES wish'd to graze the plain, The BEASTS to skim beneath the main. Thus, envious of another's state,

Each blam'd the partial hand of FATE.

The bird of heav'n then cry'd aloud— Jove bids disperse the murm'ring crowd: The GOD rejects your idle pray'rs. Would ye, rebellious mutineers, Entirely change your name and nature, And be the very envy'd creature? What, silent all, and none consent! Be happy then, and learn content. Nor imitate the restless mind, And proud ambition, of mankind.