FABLE [50] L. The Hare and many Friends. 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. 170-173. [14],173,[1]p.: ill.; 4°.

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FABLE [ 50 ] L. The Hare and many Friends . FRiendship , like love , is but a name , Unless to one you stint the flame . The child , whom many fathers share , Hath seldom known a father's care ; 'Tis thus in friendships ; who depend On many , rarely find a friend . A Hare , who , in a civil way , Comply'd with ev'ry thing , like Gay , Was known by all the bestial train , Who haunt the wood , or graze the plain : Her care was , never to offend , And ev'ry creature was her friend . As forth she went at early dawn To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn , Behind she hears the hunter's cries , And from the deep-mouth'd thunder flies ; She starts , she stops , she pants for breath , She hears the near advance of death , She doubles , to mis-lead the hound , And measures back her mazy round ; 'Till , fainting in the publick way , Half dead with fear she gasping lay . What transport in her bosom grew , When first the horse appear'd in view ! Let me , says she , your back ascend , And owe my safety to a friend , You know my feet betray my flight , To friendship ev'ry burthen's light . The horse reply'd , poor honest puss , It grieves my heart to see thee thus ; Be comforted , relief is near ; For all your friends are in the rear . She next the stately bull implor'd ; And thus reply'd the mighty lord . Since ev'ry beast alive can tell That I sincerely wish you well , I may , without offence , pretend To take the freedom of a friend ; Love calls me hence ; a fav'rite cow Expects me near yon barley mow : And when a lady's in the case , You know , all other things give place . To leave you thus might seem unkind ; But see , the goat is just behind . The goat remark'd her pulse was high , Her languid head , her heavy eye ; My back , says he , may do you harm ; The sheep's at hand , and wool is warm . The sheep was feeble , and complain'd , His sides a load of wool sustain'd , Said he was slow , confest his fears ; For hounds eat sheep as well as hares . She now the trotting calf addrest , To save from death a friend distrest . Shall I , says he , of tender age , In this important care engage ? Older and abler past you by ; How strong are those ! how weak am I ! Should I presume to bear you hence , Those friends of mine may take offence . Excuse me then . You know my heart . But dearest friends , alas , must part ! How shall we all lament ! Adieu . For see the hounds are just in view .