So faid, a ponderous trap he brought, And in the fact poor Pufs was caught. Smuggler, fays he, thou fhalt be made. A victim to our lofs of trade." The captive Cat, with piteous mews, One interest is our common care." A Cat, who faw the lifted knife, Thus fpoke, and fav'd her fifter's life. "In every age and clime, we fee, 30 35 40 Two of a trade can ne'er agree. Each hates his neighbour for encroaching: 45 'Squire ftigmatizes 'fquire for poaching; Beauties with beauties are in arms, And scandal pelts each other's charms; Kings, too, their neighbour-kings dethrone, 50 But let us limit our defires, Not war like beauties, kings, and 'squires ; FABLE FABLE XXII. THE GOAT WITHOUT A BEARD.. IS certain that the modifh paffions TISי Defcend among the crowd like fashions. Excuse me, then, if pride, conceit, (The manners of the fair and great) I give to monkeys, affes, dogs, Fleas, owls, goats, butterflies, and hogs, A Goat (as vain as Goat can be) Whene'er a thymy bank he found, 5 10 "I hate my frowzy beard, he cries,. 15 My youth is loft in this disguise.. Well might they loath this reverned figure." F 3 20 Rang'd Rang'd cups, that in the window ftood, Lin'd with red rags to look like blood; And feats him in his wooden chair: The Goat, impatient for applause, Heigh-day! what's here? without a beard! Ev'n Muscovites have mow'd their chins. 25 30 35 40 By boys our beards difgrac'd and torn?" 50 Brother, I grant you reafon well," "Were you no more with Goats to dwell, Replies a bearded Chief. Befide, If boys can mortify thy pride, How FABLES. PART I. How wilt thou ftand the ridicule Coxcombs, diftinguifh'd from the reft, To all but coxcombs are a jeft. FABLE XXIII. THE OLD WOMAN AND HER CATS. 7HO friendship with a knave hath made, With one who cures a lover's fpleen, 'Tis thus that on the choice of friends A wrinkled hag, of wicked fame, Sat hovering, pinch'd with age and froft; F 4 Teaz'd Teaz'd with their cries, her choler grew, Such imps, fuch fiends, a hellish train! Straws laid across my pace retard, 25 The horseshoe's nail'd (each threshold's guard); 30 The ftunted broom the wenches hide, For fear that I fhould up and ride; "To hear you prate, would vex a faint; 35 Who hath most reafon of complaint?" 40 In credit liv'd as beafts of chace. 'Tis infamy to ferve a hag; Cats are thought imps, her broom a nag; FABLE |