FABLE LXXX. THE GOLDFINCH AND THE CRICKET. IN a fair valley stood a cot: Who liv'd within, it matters not: Their cheer was good, and good their fire, Of these there rose a num'rous race, In voice and beauty, strength and size, All his superior grace confess'd. Thus daily flatter'd, prais'd, admir'd, In the same cot a Goldfinch hung, One day the cot deserted lay: Both family and dog away; No sound was heard but Dicky's note, Thou think'st thy voice more sweet than mine, And that thy beauties brighter shine. 'But know I am so wond'rous fair, • No Cricket can with me compare ; 'In strength and size superior found, 'No Cricket half so high can bound. 'Thy frightful legs, and hideous claws 'Are quite unlike my pretty paws. And know, thou monst'rous painted thing, I, sweet and loud as thou can sing.' With that he rais'd his hideous note, And almost rent his shrieking throat; Then leap'd on high, at ev'ry stroke His slender legs he almost broke. The Crickets heard, with strange surprise, THE GOLDFINCH AND THE CRICKET. 233 The lovely bird, devoid of pride,ow adW With placid air, unmov'd, replied; Poor silly, self-conceited thing! 'Like me thou can'st not look nor sing. Know, fool, all who from nature stray, 'Resolv'd to shine a different way, 'Attempt to force what she denies, And, spite of her, be fair or wise, 6 . Her counsel with disdain reject, 6 Folly were rare, did she but rule: "Tis affectation makes the fool. parts, in 'The lowest creatures ever seen, Then, prithee, poor conceited elf, 'Retire, and learn to know thyself, 'Contented rest with Nature's will, 'And be a shrieking Cricket still.' Thus spoke the bird, but spoke in vain : The reptile heard him with disdain: And no surprise; for wisdom's rules. Are always thrown away on fools, The Cricket with these truths was stung; Nor once observ'd a watchful Cat, Puss ey'd him, as he madly hopp'd, Thus, to his folly and his pride, FABLE LXXXI. THE COCK AND THE DOVES. IN farmer's yard, one summer's day, Their attitude was bill to bill. The Cock, impatient of the sight, Thus, taunting, cried, Methinks all day, 'Two faithful Doves can bill and play! If blest indeed, as ye pretend, "Your bliss is vast, and without end! But I'm convinc'd 'tis all pretence; Can one to one such joys dispense ? 'Hence with your ostentatious loves; 'I hate all hypocritic Doves!' With plumage varying in the sun, Tom rais'd his head, and thus begun: Abusive scorner! falsely vain! • Unmov'd your insult we sustain ! . 6 6 Our mated loves, endear'd by truth, Survive the transient bloom of youth: Not with the kiss our pleasure ends, Not lovers only-Doves are friends. 'Thro' life, but one our mutual aim, 'Our fears, hopes, wishes, all the same; Unlov'd, unloving, wretched bird! . With female rakes, a rake you herd. 'When stung by jealousy or rage, You bold and bloody combat wage, "Of all your train will one stand by, 'With panting breast, and wishful eye ? You fall, another fills your place; 'Most welcome still the newest face.' As meet, her place Tom's female knew, (In Turtles prudent wives we view) |