Making black white, and white of sable; As did judge Reynard in the fable. A plague once fill'd the beasts with dread, A council of his subjects call'd. 'My friends,' the humbl'd king begins, 'Heaven, to repay our crying sins, 'This dreadful plague no doubt decreed: Then to confession let's proceed: 'And, when each has his crimes confess'd, Let him who deepest has transgress'd, 'Be sacrificed for all the rest. 'Heaven may the sacrifice receive, And now, each, blushing for transgression, With plea less pointed than essential. The Lion first- Ah, woe is me ! 'Where can a greater sinner be? "What herds have I by force o'erpower'd! 'What numbers in my rage devour'd! 'To me what injury had they done? 'Alas! enormous sinner! none! Nay, once,' tis true, with shame I speak, 'Tho' glorious beef, that would not do→ 'For crimes so dread; content, resign'd, The worst of sinners! justly die.' Humbly he spoke, but look'd so fierce His flashing eyes judge Reynard pierce, } Who trembling sat, but wisely knew! From Leo's contrite looks his cue. The Beasts again applauding roar: Judge Fox with gravity conn'd o'er The royal sins, and thus exclaim'd'Such acts would be as murder nam'd 'If by your subjects done; but in 'You, Sire, high sanction bars the sin. 'You deign'd upon the herd to feed, 'But they the act had guaranteed; 'For where's the subject, day by day, 'And hour by hour, who fails to say 'O Sire, accept our homage due, 'Our lives devoted all to you? Thus equity the act shall save, 'You only took what they first gave. 'Besides the rule has flourish'd long 'That Royalty can do no wrong. You ate the herdsman-here's a case • Mankind superior nature wear; And claims all rule; suppose this reason, 'The deed was positive high treason: 'But man's our foe, and we disclaim His right and rule; this bars the blame; 'Denied his claim to sov'reignty, Themselves allow, in ancient Saw, 'Hence, Sire, your pious fears may cease; Then down he sat, 'mid brute applause, Enough,' the Judge,-'No fault there falls, Hunger, we know, eats thro' stone walls; And, if by instinct we're directed, 'Are we not by its laws protected?' The Leopard, Blood against me rises, 'Goats, sheep and lambs, have been my prizes; 'I see the crime, but knew not then • Its baseness; were 't to do again 'I'd ne'er offend.'-The Fox replied, 'As ignorance was then your guide, ⚫ And as intention forms the guilt, "No law condemns the blood you spilt.' The Bear succeeded-In my time 'I've slain enough, and own the crime; The hapless victims cross'd my way. 'When hunger rag'd, and fell my prey.' The judge' If in your way they came, 'You stand acquitted; their's the blame; Against stone walls who run, insane, 'Shall they of broken heads complain?' The gaunt Wolf growl'd-' My very name 'Has grown a sound of guilt and shame. With lawless range I prowl by night; The shepherd tracks at morning light 'My ruffian course, by blood-marks common; 'And once I supp'd on-an old woman.' Reynard Allow'd you've kill'd your share, 'But did the shepherd take due care To fold his flock, could you destroy? 'His carelessness is your decoy; Then let him bear the burthen, pray Who threw temptations in your way. 'Your last crime must have been a dream; 'Eat an old woman? this may seem 'Contempt of court; proof all can bring 'Mankind declare there's no such thing. • Non est inventus is your plea; 'The bill's thrown out, and you are free. |