FABLE [04] IV. The Eagle, and the Assembly of Animals. John Gay Alexander Huber Editor Bodleian Libraries, University of Oxford
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Eighteenth-Century Poetry Archive
Taylor Institution Library St Giles' Oxford OX1 3NA UK info@eighteenthcenturypoetry.org https://www.eighteenthcenturypoetry.org/
Oxford This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. T13818 Gay, John, 1685-1732. FABLES. By Mr. GAY. London Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts, MDCCXXVII. 1727 pp. 12-15. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°.

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FABLE [ 04 ] IV . The Eagle , and the Assembly of Animals . AS Jupiter's all-seeing eye Survey'd the worlds beneath the sky , From this small speck of earth were sent Murmurs and sounds of discontent ; For ev'ry thing alive complain'd That he the hardest life sustain'd . Jove calls his Eagle . At the word Before him stands the royal bird . The Bird , obedient , from heav'n's height Downward directs his rapid flight ; Then cited ev'ry living thing , To hear the mandates of his king . Ungrateful creatures , whence arise These murmurs which offend the skies ; Why this disorder ? say the cause : For just are Jove's eternal Laws . Let each his discontent reveal . To yon sour dog I first appeal . Hard is my lot , the hound replys , On what fleet nerves the greyhound flys ! While I with weary step and slow O'er plains and vales and mountains go ; The morning sees my chase begun , Nor ends it 'till the setting sun . When ( says the greyhound ) I pursue , My game is lost , or caught in view , Beyond my sight the prey's secure : The hound is slow but always sure . And , had I his sagacious scent , Jove ne'er had heard my discontent . The lyon crav'd the foxe's art ; The fox , the lyon's force and heart ; The cock implor'd the pidgeon's flight , Whose wings were rapid , strong and light ; The pidgeon strength of wing despis'd , And the cock's matchless valour priz'd : The fishes wish'd to graze the plain , The beasts to skim beneath the main . Thus , envious of another's state , Each blam'd the partial hand of Fate . The bird of heav'n then cry'd aloud . Jove bids disperse the murm'ring croud : The God rejects your idle prayers . Would ye , rebellious mutineers , Entirely change your name and nature , And be the very envy'd creature ? What , silent all , and none consent ! Be happy then , and learn content . Nor imitate the restless mind , And proud ambition of mankind .