reades Family INTRODUCTION TO THE FABLES. PART FIRST. THE SHEPHERD AND THE PHILOSOPHER. REMOTE from cities liv'd a swain, A deep philosopher (whose rules Hast thou old Greece and Rome survey'd, And hast thou fathom'd Tully's mind? Their customs, laws, and manners weigh'd? I ne'er the paths of learning try'd: To read mankind, their laws and arts; The daily labours of the bee Awake my soul to industry: 20 30 40 In constancy and nuptial love From Nature, too, I take my rule, Can grave and formal pass for wise For who talks much must talk in vain. Nor would I, with felonious slight, Kites, hawks, and wolves, deserve their fate. Thy fame is just, the Sage replies; But he who studies Nature's laws 80 TO HIS HIGHNESS WILLIAM, DUKE OF CUMBERLAND. FABLE I. THE LION, THE TIGER, AND THE TRAVELLER. ACCEPT, young Prince! the moral lay, Princes, like beauties, from their youth And turn my morals to a jest? The Muse disdains to steal from those Who thrive in courts by fulsome prose. But shall I hide your real praise, Or tell you what a nation says? 10 20 |