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[Illustration]
FABLE [07] VII.
The Lyon, the Fox, and the Geese.
1 A Lyon, tir'd with State affairs,
2 Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares,
3 Resolv'd (remote from noise and strife)
4 In peace to pass his latter life.
5 It was proclaim'd; the day was set;
6 Behold the gen'ral council met.
[Page 23]7 The Fox was Viceroy nam'd. The croud
8 To the new Regent humbly bow'd:
9 Wolves, bears and mighty tygers bend,
10 And strive who most shall condescend.
11 He strait assumes a solemn grace,
12 Collects his wisdom in his face,
13 The croud admire his wit, his sense,
14 Each word hath weight and consequence;
15 The flatt'rer all his art displays:
16 He who hath power is sure of praise.
17 A fox stept forth before the rest,
18 And thus the servile throng addrest.
19 How vast his talents, born to rule,
20 And train'd in virtue's honest school!
21 What clemency his temper sways!
22 How uncorrupt are all his ways!
23 Beneath his conduct and command
24 Rapine shall cease to waste the land;
25 His brain hath stratagem and art,
26 Prudence and mercy rule his heart.
[Page 24]27 What blessings must attend the nation
28 Under this good administration!
29 He said. A Goose, who distant stood,
30 Harangu'd apart the cackling brood.
31 Whene'er I hear a knave commend,
32 He bids me shun his worthy friend.
33 What praise! what mighty commendation!
34 But 'twas a fox who spoke th' oration.
35 Foxes this government may prize
36 As gentle, plentiful and wise;
37 If they enjoy these sweets, 'tis plain,
38 We geese must feel a tyrant reign.
39 What havock now shall thin our race!
40 When ev'ry petty clerk in place,
41 To prove his taste, and seem polite,
42 Will feed on geese both noon and night.
Source edition
Gay, John, 1685-1732. FABLES. By Mr. GAY. London: Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts, MDCCXXVII., 1727, pp. 22-24. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°. (ESTC T13818)
Editorial principles
Typography, spelling, capitalization, and punctuation have been cautiously modernized. The source of the text is given and all significant editorial interventions have been recorded in textual notes. This ECPA text has been edited to conform to the recommendations found in Level 5 of the Best Practices for TEI in Libraries version 4.0.0.
Other works by John Gay
- [FABLE ] INTRODUCTION TO THE FABLES. The Shepherd and the Philosopher. ()
- FABLE [01] I. The Lyon, the Tyger, and the Traveller. ()
- FABLE [02] II. The Spaniel and the Cameleon. ()
- FABLE [03] III. The Mother, the Nurse, and the Fairy. ()
- FABLE [04] IV. The Eagle, and the Assembly of Animals. ()
- FABLE [05] V. The Wild Boar and the Ram. ()
- FABLE [06] VI. The Miser and Plutus. ()
- FABLE [08] VIII. The Lady and the Wasp. ()
- FABLE [09] IX. The Bull and the Mastiff. ()
- FABLE [10] X. The Elephant and the Bookseller. ()
- FABLE [11] XI. The Peacock, the Turkey, and Goose. ()
- FABLE [12] XII. Cupid, Hymen, and Plutus. ()
- FABLE [13] XIII. The tame Stag. ()
- FABLE [14] XIV. The Monkey who had seen the World. ()
- FABLE [15] XV. The Philosopher and the Pheasants. ()
- FABLE [16] XVI. The Pin and the Needle. ()
- FABLE [17] XVII. The Shepherd's Dog and the Wolf. ()
- FABLE [18] XVIII. The Painter who pleased No body and Every body. ()
- FABLE [19] XIX. The Lyon and the Cub. ()
- FABLE [20] XX. The Old Hen and the Cock. ()
- FABLE [21] XXI. The Rat-catcher and Cats. ()
- FABLE [22] XXII. The Goat without a beard. ()
- FABLE [23] XXIII. The Old Woman and her Cats. ()
- FABLE [24] XXIV. The Butterfly and the Snail. ()
- FABLE [25] XXV. The Scold and the Parrot. ()
- FABLE [26] XXVI. The Cur and the Mastiff. ()
- FABLE [27] XXVII. The Sick Man and the Angel. ()
- FABLE [28] XXVIII. The Persian, the Sun and the Cloud. ()
- FABLE [29] XXIX. The Fox at the point of death. ()
- FABLE [30] XXX. The Setting-dog and the Partridge. ()
- FABLE [31] XXXI. The Universal Apparition. ()
- FABLE [32] XXXII. The two Owls and the Sparrow. ()
- FABLE [33] XXXIII. The Courtier and Proteus. ()
- FABLE [34] XXXIV. The Mastiffs. ()
- FABLE [35] XXXV. The Barley-mow and the Dung-hill. ()
- FABLE [36] XXXVI. Pythagoras and the Countryman. ()
- FABLE [37] XXXVII. The Farmer's Wife and the Raven. ()
- FABLE [38] XXXVIII. The Turkey and the Ant. ()
- FABLE [39] XXXIX. The Father and Jupiter. ()
- FABLE [40] XL. The two Monkeys. ()
- FABLE [41] XLI. The Owl and the Farmer. ()
- FABLE [42] XLII. The Jugglers. ()
- FABLE [43] XLIII. The Council of Horses. ()
- FABLE [44] XLIV. The Hound and the Huntsman. ()
- FABLE [45] XLV. The Poet and the Rose. ()
- FABLE [46] XLVI. The Cur, the Horse, and the Shepherd's Dog. ()
- FABLE [47] XLVII. The Court of Death. ()
- FABLE [48] XLVIII. The Gardener and the Hog. ()
- FABLE [49] XLIX. The Man and the Flea. ()
- FABLE [50] L. The Hare and many Friends. ()