Nor Pindar's heav'nly lyre, nor Horace when a swan.

Your ancestors proceed from race divine: From Brennus and Belinus is your line; Who gave to sov'reign Rome such loud alarms,

That ev'n the priests were not excus'd from

arms.

"Besides, a famous monk of modern times Has left of cocks recorded in his rhymes, 64 That of a parish priest the son and heir, (When sons of priests were from the proverb clear,)

Affronted once a cock of noble kind,
And either lam'd his legs or struck him
blind;

For which the clerk his father was disgrac'd,
And in his benefice another plac'd.
Now sing, my lord, if not for love of me,
Yet for the sake of sweet Saint Charity;
Make hills, and dales, and earth, and heav'n
rejoice,

And emulate your father's angel voice." 650 The cock was pleas'd to hear him speak so fair,

And proud beside, as solar people are;
Nor could the treason from the truth descry,
So was he ravish'd with this flattery:
So much the more, as, from a little elf,
He had a high opinion of himself;
Tho' sickly, slender, and not large of limb,
Concluding all the world was made for him

660

Ye princes, rais'd by poets to the gods, And Alexander'd up in lying odes, Believe not ev'ry flatt'ring knave's report, There's many a Reynard lurking in the court;

And he shall be receiv'd with more regard, And listen'd to, than modest truth is heard.

This Chanticleer, of whom the story sings, Stood high upon his toes, and clapp'd his wings;

Then stretch'd his neck, and wink'd with both his eyes,

Ambitious as he sought th' Olympic prize. But while he pain'd himself to raise his note,

False Reynard rush'd, and caught him by

the throat.

670

Then on his back he laid the precious load, And sought his wonted shelter of the wood; Swiftly he made his way, the mischief done, Of all unheeded, and pursued by none..

Alas, what stay is there in human state, Or who can shun inevitable fate?

And to the neighb'ring maple wing'd his flight.

Whom when the traitor safe on tree beheld,

He curs'd the gods, with shame and sorrow fill'd;

Shame for his folly, sorrow out of time, For plotting an unprofitable crime: Yet mast'ring both, th' artificer of lies Renews th' assault, and his last batt'ry tries. "Tho' I," said he, "did ne'er in thought offend,

How justly may my lord suspect his friend? Th' appearance is against me, I confess, 780 Who seemingly have put you in distress: You, if your goodness does not plead my

"Nay," quoth the cock, "but I beshrew us both,

If I believe a saint upon his oath:

An honest man may take a knave's advice,
But idiots only will be cozen'd twice.
Once warn'd is well bewar'd; no flatt'ring'
lies

Shall soothe me more to sing with wink

ing eyes,

800

And open mouth, for fear of catching flies., Who blindfold walks upon a river's brim, When he should see, has he deserv'd to swim?"

"Better, sir cock, let all contention cease; Come down," said Reynard, "let us treat of peace."

"A peace with all my soul," said Chanticleer,

"But, with your favor, I will treat it here; And, lest the truce with treason should be mix'd,

'Tis my concern to have the tree betwixt."

THE MORAL

In this plain fable you th' effect
may see 8:0
Of negligence and fond credulity;
And learn besides of flatt'rers to beware,
Then most pernicious when they speak too
fair.

The cock and fox the fool and knave imply;
The truth is moral, tho' the tale a lie.
Who spoke in parables, I dare not say;
But sure he knew it was a pleasing way,
Sound sense, by plain example, to convey.
And in a heathen author we may find,
That pleasure with instruction should be
join'd;

820

So take the corn, and leave the chaff behind.