Fables
Book Description
Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Let bravoes then (when blood is spilt) Upbraid the passive sword with guilt. FABLE VII. THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE. A LION, tir'd with state affairs, Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares, Reso...
MorePurchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: Let bravoes then (when blood is spilt) Upbraid the passive sword with guilt. FABLE VII. THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE. A LION, tir'd with state affairs, Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares, Resolv'd (remote from noise and strife) In peace to pass his latter life. It was proclaim'd ; the day was set; Behold the gen'ral council met. The Fox was Viceroy nam'd. The crowd To the new Regent humbly bow'd. Wolves, bears, and mighty tigers bend, And strive who most shall condescend. He straight assumes a solemn grace, Collects his wisdom in his face. The crowd admire his wit, his sense : Each word hath weight and consequence. The flatt'rer all his art displays : He who hath power, is sure of praise. A Fox stept forth before the rest, And thus the servile throng addrest How vast his talents, born to rule, And train'd in virtue's honest school! What clemency his temper sways ! How uncorrupt are all his ways ! Beneath his conduct and command, Rapine shall cease to waste the land. His brain hath stratagem and art; Prudence and mercy rule his heart; What blessings must attend the nation Under this good administration ! He said. A Goose who distant stood, Harangu'd apart the cackling brood. Whene'er I hear a knave commend, He bids me shun his worthy friend. What praise ! what mighty commendation ! But 'twas a Fox who spoke th' oration. Foxes this government may prize, As gentle, plentiful, and wise ; chapter{Section 4If they enjoy the sweets, 'tis plain We Geese must feel a tyrant reign. What havoc now shall thin our race, When ev'ry petty clerk in place, To prove his taste and seem polite, Will feed on Geese both noon and night! FABLE VIII. THE LADY AND THE WASP. 7HAT whispers must the Beauty bear ! What hourly nonsense haunts her ear! Wher...
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