FABLE [10] X. The Elephant and the Bookseller. 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. 32-36. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°.

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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 .