FABLE [30] XXX. The Setting-dog and the Partridge. 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. 101-103. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°.

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FABLE [ 30 ] XXX . The Setting-dog and the Partridge . The ranging Dog the stubble tries , And searches ev'ry breeze that flies ; The scent grows warm ; with cautious fear He creeps , and points the covey near . The men in silence , far behind , Conscious of game , the net unbind . A Partridge , with experience wise , The fraudful preparation spies , She mocks their toils , alarms her brood , The covey springs , and seeks the wood ; But ere her certain wing she tries , Thus to the creeping spaniel cries . Thou fawning slave to man's deceit , Thou pimp of lux'ry , sneaking cheat , Of thy whole species thou disgrace , Dogs should disown thee of their race ! For if I judge their native parts , They're born with honest open hearts , And , ere they serv'd man's wicked ends , Were gen'rous foes or real friends . When thus the Dog with scornful smile . Secure of wing , thou dar'st revile . Clowns are to polish'd manners blind ; How ign'rant is the rustick mind ! My worth sagacious courtiers see , And to preferment rise like me . The thriving pimp , who beauty sets , Hath oft' enhane'd a nation's debts ; Friend sets his friend , without regard ; And ministers his skill reward . Thus train'd by man , I learnt his ways , And growing favour feasts my days . I might have guess'd , the Partridge said , The place where you were train'd and fed ; Servants are apt , and in a trice Ape to a hair their master's vice . You came from court , you say . Adieu . She said , and to the covey flew .