FABLE [33] XXXIII. The Courtier and Proteus. 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. 111-114. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°.

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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 .