The Goat remark'd her pulse was high, Her languid head, her heavy eye; My back, fays he, may do you harm ; The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm.

The Sheep was feeble, and complain'd, His fides a load of wool fuftain'd; Said he was flow, confess'd his fears; For hounds eat Sheep as well as Hares.

She now the trotting Calf address'd, To fave from death a friend diftress'd.

Shall I, says he, of tender age In this important care engage? Older and abler pass'd you by; How ftrong are those! how weak am I! Should I prefume to bear you hence, Those friends of mine may take offence. Excufe me then. You know my heart. But dearest friends, alas! muft part. How fhall we all lament! Adieu. For fee the hounds are juft in view.

End of the Firfi Part.

K

B

FABLE S.

By the late Mr. GAY.

PART THE SECOND.

ADVERTISEMENT.

THESE FABLES were finished by Mr. GAY, and intended for the press, a short time before his death; when they were left, with his other papers, to the care of his noble friend and patron, the DUKE of QUEENSBERRY. His Grace has accordingly permitted them to the prefs, and they are here printed from the originals in the author's own hand-writing. We hope they will please equally with his former Fables, though moftly on fubjects of a graver and more political turn: they will certainly shew him to have been (what he esteemed the beft character) a man of a truly honeft heart, and a fincere lover of his country.

FABLES.

PART THE SECOND.

145

I

FABLE I.

The Dog and the Fox.

TO A LAWYER.

KNOW you Lawyers can, with ease, Twift 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 fide's pretence.
When you peruse the clearest case,
You fee it with a double face;
For fcepticism's your profession;
You hold there's doubt in all expression.

Hence is the bar with fees fupply'd, Hence eloquence takes either fide: Your hand would have but paltry gleaning,