The Owl, the Swan, the Cock, the Spider, the Ass, and the Farmer 77

The Ravens, the Sexton, and the Earth-Worm

Aye and No

The Life of John Gay

FABLE XVII.

I

THE DOG AND THE FOX.

TO A LAWYER.

KNOW YOU LAWYERS can, with ease, Twist words and meanings as you please;

That language, by your skill made pliant,
Will bend to favour ev'ry client;

That 'tis the fee directs the sense
To make out either side's pretence.
When you peruse the clearest case,
You see it with a double face;
For scepticism's your profession;

You hold there's doubt in all expression.

Hence is the bar with fees supply'd;
Hence eloquence takes either side.

Your hand would have but paltry gleaning,
Could ev'ry man express his meaning.
Who dares presume to pen a deed,
Unless you previously are fee'd?
'Tis drawn; and, to augment the cost,
In dull prolixity engrost.

And now we're well secur'd by law,
Till the next brother find a flaw.

Read o'er a will. Was't ever known
But you could make the will your own?
For, when you read, 'tis with intent
To find out meanings never meant.
Since things are thus, SE DEFENDENDO,
I bar fallacious innuendo.

Sagacious PORTA's skill could trace Some beast or bird in ev'ry face; The head, the eye, the nose's shape, Prov'd this an owl, and that an ape. When, in the sketches thus design'd, Resemblance brings some friend to mind; You show the piece, and give the hint, And find each feature in the print; So monstrous like the portrait's found, All know it, and the laugh goes round. Like him, I draw from gen'ral nature: Is't I or you, then, fix the satire ?

So, Sir, I beg you spare your pains
In making comments on my strains.
All private slander I detest,

I judge not of my neighbour's breast;
Party and prejudice I hate,

And write no libels on the state.

Shall not my fable censure vice, Because a knave is over-nice? And, lest the guilty hear and dread, Shall not the decalogue be read? If I lash vice in gen'ral fiction, Is't I apply, or self-conviction? Brutes are my theme. Am I to blame If men in morals are the same?

I no man call or ape, or ass

'Tis his own conscience holds the glass. Thus, void of all offence, I write : Who claims the fable, knows his right.

A shepherd's DOG, unskill'd in sports, Pick'd up acquaintance of all sorts: Among the rest a Fox he knew; By frequent chat their friendship grew.

Says REYNARD-'Tis a cruel case That man should stigmatize our race. No doubt, among us rogues you find, As among DOGS and human kind;

And yet (unknown to me and you)
There may be honest men and true.
Thus slander tries, whate'er it can,
To put us on the foot with man.
Let my own actions recommend;
No prejudice can blind a friend.
You know me free from all disguise;
My honour as my life I prize.

By talk like this from all mistrust
The DOG was cur'd, and thought him just.

As on a time the Fox held forth On conscience, honesty, and worth, Sudden he stopt; he cock'd his ear; Low dropt his bushy tail with fear.

Bless us! the hunters are abroad. What's all that clatter on the road?

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 pie-ball'd mare)— Dame DOBBINS, with her poultry-ware.

REYNARD grew huff. Says he, This sneer From you I little thought to hear;