Æsop from Islington

FABLE VI. Of the Ox and the Leeches. (Book 6)

TO a fed Ox whose overflowing blood, Ran from his mouth and nostrils like a flood, Some Leeches from th' adjoining Marches came, And cry'd to cure him they'd divert the stream, Each fix'd himself in a convenient part And drein'd the Blood and Spirits from his heart. The panting Beast beheld the Leeches mud, Enrich'd and cover'd with his Purple blood. But when they talk'd how much their help did please, And with what skill they drew off the Disease: The fainting Ox (finding his Vitals fail) Cry'd where's the difference if my Life, Blood flows By usual maladies thro mouth and Nose, Or against nature thro' a Leeches Tail.

MORAL.

When story tells how tax'd and Bleeding France Suffer'd by Favourite Leeches heretofore; Which of them did her misery most advance Th' Ʋnnatural Catamite or natural Whore? We well may Judge the several Mestresses, And Bastards, of fourth Harry no Disease, When once compar'd with Sodom's Sulphrous Flashes That flam'd and ruin'd with the third's Bardashes.