FABLE
[
10
]
X.
The
Elephant
and
the
Bookseller
.
The
man
,
who
with
undaunted
toils
Sails
unknown
seas
to
unknown
soils
,
With
various
wonders
feasts
his
sight
:
What
stranger
wonders
does
he
write
!
We
read
,
and
in
description
view
Creatures
which
Adam
never
knew
;
For
,
when
we
risque
no
contradiction
,
It
prompts
the
tongue
to
deal
in
fiction
.
Those
things
that
startle
me
or
you
,
I
grant
are
strange
;
yet
may
be
true
.
Who
doubts
that
elephants
are
found
For
science
and
for
sense
renown'd
?
Borri
records
their
strength
of
parts
,
Extent
of
thought
,
and
skill
in
arts
;
How
they
perform
the
law's
decrees
,
And
save
the
state
the
hang-man's
fees
,
And
how
by
travel
understand
The
language
of
another
land
.
Let
those
,
who
question
this
report
,
To
Pliny's
ancient
page
resort
.
How
learn'd
was
that
sagacious
breed
!
Who
now
(
like
them
)
the
Greek
can
read
!
As
one
of
these
,
in
days
of
yore
,
Rummag'd
a
shop
of
learning
o'er
,
Not
like
our
modern
dealers
,
minding
Only
the
margin's
breadth
and
binding
;
A
book
his
curious
eye
detains
,
Where
,
with
exactest
care
and
pains
,
Were
ev'ry
beast
and
bird
portray'd
,
That
e'er
the
search
of
man
survey'd
.
Their
natures
and
their
powers
were
writ
With
all
the
pride
of
human
wit
;
The
page
he
with
attention
spread
,
And
thus
remark'd
on
what
he
read
.
Man
with
strong
reason
is
endow'd
;
A
Beast
scarce
instinct
is
allow'd
:
But
let
this
author's
worth
be
try'd
,
'Tis
plain
that
neither
was
his
guide
.
Can
he
discern
the
diff'rent
natures
,
And
weigh
the
pow'r
of
other
creatures
,
Who
by
the
partial
work
hath
shown
He
knows
so
little
of
his
own
?
How
falsely
is
the
spaniel
drawn
!
Did
man
from
him
first
learn
to
fawn
?
A
dog
proficient
in
the
trade
!
He
,
the
chief
flatt'rer
nature
made
!
Go
,
man
,
the
ways
of
courts
discern
,
You'll
find
a
spaniel
still
might
learn
.
How
can
the
foxe's
theft
and
plunder
Provoke
his
censure
,
or
his
wonder
?
From
courtiers
tricks
,
and
lawyers
arts
The
fox
might
well
improve
his
parts
.
The
lyon
,
wolf
,
and
tyger's
brood
He
curses
,
for
their
thirst
of
blood
;
But
is
not
man
to
man
a
prey
?
Beasts
kill
for
hunger
,
men
for
pay
.
The
Bookseller
,
who
heard
him
speak
,
And
saw
him
turn
a
page
of
Greek
,
Thought
,
what
a
genius
have
I
found
!
Then
thus
addrest
with
bow
profound
.
Learn'd
Sir
,
if
you'd
employ
your
pen
Against
the
senseless
sons
of
men
,
Or
write
the
history
of
Siam
,
No
man
is
better
pay
than
I
am
;
Or
,
since
you're
learn'd
in
Greek
,
let's
see
Something
against
the
Trinity
.
When
wrinkling
with
a
sneer
his
trunk
,
Friend
,
quoth
the
Elephant
,
you're
drunk
;
E'en
keep
your
money
,
and
be
wise
;
Leave
man
on
man
to
criticise
,
For
that
you
ne'er
can
want
a
pen
Among
the
senseless
sons
of
men
,
They
unprovok'd
will
court
the
fray
,
Envy's
a
sharper
spur
than
pay
,
No
author
ever
spar'd
a
brother
,
Wits
are
game-cocks
to
one
another
.