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[Page 108]
[Illustration]
FABLE [32] XXXII.
The two Owls and the Sparrow.
1 Two formal Owls together sate,
2 Conferring thus in solemn chat.
3 How is the modern taste decay'd!
4 Where's the respect to wisdom paid?
5 Our worth the Grecian sages knew,
6 They gave our sires the honour due,
[Page 109]7 They weigh'd the dignity of fowls,
8 And pry'd into the depth of owls.
9 Athens, the seat of learned fame,
10 With gen'ral voice rever'd our name;
11 On merit title was conferr'd,
12 And all ador'd th' Athenian bird.
13 Brother, you reason well, replies
14 The solemn mate, with half-shut eyes;
15 Right. Athens was the seat of learning,
16 And truly wisdom is discerning.
17 Besides, on Pallas' helm we sit,
18 The type and ornament of wit:
19 But now, alas, we're quite neglected,
20 And a pert sparrow's more respected.
21 A Sparrow, who was lodg'd beside,
22 O'erhears them sooth each other's pride,
23 And thus he nimbly vents his heat.
24 Who meets a fool must find conceit.
25 I grant, you were at Athens grac'd,
26 And on Minerva's helm were plac'd,
[Page 110]27 But ev'ry bird that wings the sky,
28 Except an owl, can tell you why.
29 From hence they taught their schools to know
30 How false we judge by outward show,
31 That we should never looks esteem,
32 Since fools as wise as you might seem.
33 Would ye contempt and scorn avoid,
34 Let your vain-glory be destroy'd;
35 Humble your arrogance of thought,
36 Pursue the ways by nature taught,
37 So shall ye find delicious fare,
38 And grateful farmers praise your care,
39 So shall sleek mice your chase reward,
40 And no keen cat find more regard.
Source edition
Gay, John, 1685-1732. FABLES. By Mr. GAY. London: Printed for J. Tonson and J. Watts, MDCCXXVII., 1727, pp. 108-110. [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
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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 [07] VII. The Lyon, the Fox, and the Geese. ()
- 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 [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. ()