_The Fable shews you, Honesty Is always the best Policy._
Some stupid horn'd Beast or other, Trotting along to get some fother, Had run the Lyon in his Side; Who, for the future to provide Against such Accidents as this, Sends Writs, by which he banishes From his Dominions every one, That wore a Horn: And when 'twas known, The Stags sneak off with Bulls and Rams, The very Calves went with their Dams: And, whilst they are moving every where To foreign parts, a fearful Hare, That saw the shadow of his Ears, Was startled at the sight; and fears, Some Villain might maliciously Say they were Horns; What Remedy? Says he, they're long, and I can't tell. Well Neighbour Cricket Fare-you-well: My Ears are Horns too; I'll march off; They're very long, and that's enough: Nay, were th' as short as Ostrich Ears, It would not rid me of my fears; For if they catch m' I go to Pot. Foh! says the Cricket, y'are a sot. Hares Horns! what Puppy calls 'em so? Th' are Ears. But yet, for ought you know, Replies poor Puss, they'll pass for Horns; And may be Horns of Unicorns. They call the Rabbet's Fore legs, Wings, I hold no Argument with Kings.
_At Lyons Courts, in case of Treason, I rather trust my Heels, than Reason._
A Graceless Rat, in special case, Kept neither Lent nor Holidays; But lov'd his Gut beyond his Soul, And look'd as slick as any Mole: Who one day having time to spare, Went to the Marshes for some Air; There meets a Frog, not over fat, Who says, your Servant Mr. Rat; And seemingly with much good Nature, Invites the Stranger o'er the Water: Says he, I live in yonder Fens, Go with me I'll treat you like a Prince. The Rat who had a mind before To ramble, need t've heard no more; But yet the Frog made a whole Lecture On Country Bagnios, and their Structure, The Voyage, and the Recreation He'd find in his amphibious Nation; Their Manners, and a hundred things, Of which in Winter Evenings, He'd tell fine Stories ten Years after, By Fire sides in Praise of Water: And, since he always liv'd a Shore, There's nothing could refresh him more. These Reasons pleas'd his Ratship so, That he was raving mad to go. But as your pamper'd Folks are fearful, He said, one cannot be too careful; 'Tis true I swim, but not like you, And Cramps, or other things, you know, Might happen: If I could but have Some small Assistance.----Says the Knave, Prithee be quiet, to prevent All harm, I've an expedient, That has a thousand times been tried. Then took a bit of Rush and tied One of the Fore feet of the Rat To his Hind leg, and out they set. But O thou wicked World! how evil Are all our Hearts! this croaking Devil Swum to the deep; where, when he got him, He strove to pull him to the bottom; And thought it was a lucky hit, To meet with such a dainty bit; Good wholesome Meat, and so went on. The Rat, who felt he was undone, Cry'd out, and foul'd himself for fear, } And, tho' sometimes in half a Year, } The Varlet never said a Prayer; } Yet (as the Proverb tells us, he That cannot pray, must go to Sea.) So now, with all the Sugar Words, A frighted Coward's Heart affords; He call'd the Gods, and coax'd the Frog; But, No: That false hard-hearted Dog Is deaf to all his Protestations, And violates the Law of Nations. One lugs and labours like a Horse, Th' other resists with all his Force. The Frog's for going down; the Rat, If 't pleased the Gods, would rather not. And, whilst they're struggling different ways, A Kite, that hover'd o'er the Place, Saw what our Gentry was about, Would fain have seen the Battle out; If 't had been safe; but being loth To lose his Stomack, took 'em both: And, doubly blessed beyond his wish, Supp'd like a Lord, on Flesh and Fish.