FABLE
[
33
]
XXXIII
.
The
Courtier
and
Proteus
.
Whene'er
a
courtier's
out
of
place
,
The
country
shelters
his
disgrace
;
Where
,
doom'd
to
exercise
and
health
,
His
house
and
gardens
own
his
wealth
.
He
builds
new
schemes
,
in
hope
to
gain
The
plunder
of
another
reign
;
Like
Philip's
son
would
fain
be
doing
,
And
sighs
for
other
realms
to
ruin
.
As
one
of
these
(
without
his
wand
)
Pensive
,
along
the
winding
strand
Employ'd
the
solitary
hour
In
projects
to
regain
his
power
;
The
waves
in
spreading
circles
ran
,
Proteus
arose
,
and
thus
began
.
Came
you
from
court
?
For
in
your
mien
A
self-important
air
is
seen
.
He
frankly
own'd
his
friends
had
trick'd
him
,
And
how
he
fell
his
party's
victim
.
Know
,
says
the
God
,
by
matchless
skill
I
change
to
ev'ry
shape
at
will
;
But
yet
,
I'm
told
,
at
court
you
see
Those
who
presume
to
rival
me
.
Thus
said
.
A
snake
,
with
hideous
trail
,
Proteus
extends
his
scaly
mail
.
Know
,
says
the
Man
,
though
proud
in
place
,
All
courtiers
are
of
reptile
race
.
Like
you
,
they
take
that
dreadful
form
,
Bask
in
the
sun
,
and
fly
the
storm
;
With
malice
hiss
,
with
envy
glote
,
And
for
convenience
change
their
coat
,
With
new-got
lustre
rear
their
head
,
Though
on
a
dunghill
born
and
bred
.
Sudden
the
God
a
lyon
stands
,
He
shakes
his
mane
,
he
spurns
the
sands
;
Now
a
fierce
lynx
,
with
fiery
glare
,
A
wolf
,
an
ass
,
a
fox
,
a
bear
.
Had
I
ne'er
liv'd
at
court
,
he
cries
,
Such
transformation
might
surprise
;
But
there
,
in
quest
of
daily
game
,
Each
able
courtier
acts
the
same
.
Wolves
,
lyons
,
lynxes
,
while
in
place
,
Their
friends
and
fellows
are
their
chace
;
They
play
the
bear's
and
fox's
part
,
Now
rob
by
force
,
now
steal
with
art
;
They
sometimes
in
the
senate
bray
;
Or
,
chang'd
again
to
beasts
of
prey
,
Down
from
the
lyon
to
the
ape
,
Practice
the
frauds
of
ev'ry
shape
.
So
said
.
Upon
the
God
he
flies
,
In
cords
the
struggling
captive
tyes
.
Now
,
Proteus
,
now
(
to
truth
compell'd
)
Speak
,
and
confess
thy
art
excell'd
.
Use
strength
,
surprise
,
or
what
you
will
,
The
courtier
finds
evasion
still
;
Not
to
be
bound
by
any
tyes
,
And
never
forc'd
to
leave
his
lyes
.