I cannot raise my worth too high;
Of what vaft confequence am I!"
"Not of th' importance you fuppofe,
Replies a Flea upon his nose.

Be humble, learn thyfelf to fcan;
Know, pride was never made for man,
'Tis vanity that fwells thy mind.

40

What! heaven and earth for thee defign'd!

45

For thee, made only for our need,

That more important Fleas might feed."

FRIE

RIENDSHIP, like love, is but a name,
Unlefs to one you ftint the flame.

The child, whom many fathers fhare,
Hath feldom known a father's care.
"Tis thus in friendships; who depend
On many, rarely find a friend.

A Hare who, in a civil way,
Comply'd with every thing, like Gay,
Was known by all the beftial train
Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain;

Her care was never to offend;

And every creature was her friend.

5

10

As forth fhe went at early dawn,

To tafte the dew-befprinkled lawn,
Behind the hears the hunter's cries,

15

And from the deep-mouth'd thunder flies.

She

t

She ftarts, fhe ftops, fhe pants for breath;
She hears the pear advance of death;

She doubles, to mislead the hound,

And measures back her mazy round;
Till, fainting in the public way,
Half-dead with fear the gasping lay.
What tranfport in her bofom grew,
When firft the Horse appear'd in view!

“Let me, says she, your back ascend,
And owe my fafety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight:

To friendship every burden 's light."

The Horfe reply'd," Poor honeft Pufs, It grieves my heart to fee thee thus:

Be comforted, relief is near,

For all your friends are in the rear.”
She next the ftately Bull implor'd;
And thus reply'd the mighty lord :
"Since every beast alive can tell
That I fincerely wish you well,
I may, without offence, pretend
To take the freedom of a friend.
Love calls me hence; a favourite Cow
Expects me near yon' barley-mow;
And, when a lady's in the cafe,

20

25

30

35

40

You know, all other things give place.

To leave you thus might feem unkind;

But fee, the Goat is juft behind."

The Goat remark'd "her pulfe was high, Her languid head, her heavy eye:

45

My

I 3

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 fustain'd;
Said, he was flow, confefs'd his fears.
For hounds eat fheep as well as hares.”
She now the trotting Calf addrefs'd,
To fave from death a friend distress'd.
"Shall I, fays he, of tender age,
In this important care engage?
Older and abler pafs'd you by;
How ftrong are those ! how weak am I!
Should I prefume to bear you hence,
Thofe friends of mine may take offence.
Excufe me, then; you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.
How fhall we all lament! Adieu;
For fee the hounds are just in view."

50

55

60

END OF THE FIRST PART.

FABLES

FAB LE S.

PART THE SECOND.

ADVERTISEMENT.

These Fables were finished by Mr. GAY, and intended for the prefs a fhort time before his death; when they were left, with his other papers, to the care of his noble friend and patron the Duke of Queenfberry. 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 mostly on fubjects of a graver and more political turn. They will certainly fhew him to have been (what he esteemed the best character) a man of a truly honeft heart, and a fincere lover of his country.

I KNOW you Lawyers can,

with ease,

Twist words and meanings as you please ; That language, by your skill made pliant, Will bend to favour every client;

That 'tis the fee directs the fenfe,
To make out either fide's pretence.
When you perufe the clearest case,
You fee it with a double face:
For fcepticifm's your profeffion;
You hold there's doubt in all expreffion.
Hence is the bar with fees fupply'd ;
Hence eloquence takes either fide.
Your hand would have but paltry gleaning,
Could every man exprefs his meaning.
Who dares prefume to pen a deed,
Unless you previously are fee'd?

'Tis drawn; and, to augment the cost,
In dull prolixity engroft.

And now we 're well fecur'd by law,

Till the next brother find a flaw.

Read o'er a will. Was 't ever known
But you
could make the will your own?
For, when you read, 'tis with intent
To find out meanings never meant.
Since things are thus, fe defendendo,
I bar fallacious inuendo.

Sagacious Porta's fkill could trace
Some beast or bird in every face.
The head, the eye, the nose's shape,
Prov'd this an owl, and that an ape.
When, in the sketches thus defign'd,'
Refemblance brings fome friend to mind,
You fhow the piece, and give the hint,
And find each feature in the print;