Æsop at Epsom, or, A few select fables in verse by a cit.

FAB. X. Of the Hares, and the Frogs.

A Time was fix'd when Hares should meet, And for dispatch of Business sit, Without the least delays,

To remedy their present State, Or else anticipate their Fate By proper means and ways. Strait every Puss the Form forsook, Which He or She for shelter took, And hasten'd to the place Which by appointment was design'd, To heal the mischiefs of their Kind, Or make extinct their Race. The SPEAKER chose, and Members plac'd, The House resolv'd it self at last Into a grand Committee: But what a pother, Lord! they kept? One sigh'd, another trembling wept, 'Twould move us all to pity. At length a Chief of high Renown, And Ranger of some mighty Down, First ask'd the House's leave:

And then stood up, whilst all the rest With sorrows, and with grief oppress'd Could nothing else but grieve. 'Brethren, said he, a wretched Race, 'Whom Men, and Dogs, and Eagles chase, 'The Sport of the Creation, 'In vain we're thinking to redress 'Our Grievances, or make 'em less, 'While in this living Station. 'Hounds will for ever be pursuing, 'And Hunters meditating ruine, 'Whilst we must still be flying; 'We'd better (Friends) if I might give 'Advice, this moment cease to live, 'Than always be a dying. Tho' Death is not a thing which suits With constitutions of such Brutes

As Hares are of, 'tis certain: Yet they resolv'd, with much ado, To bid the Groves, and Hills adieu, Tho' not 'thout tears at parting. By chance there was a River near The place, where these Assemblers were Debating how to die, Wherefore to put off all delays, They fix'd in that to end their days The sooner, 'cause so nigh. But Lord! how Puss would backward shrink, When almost at the very brink, And sigh she was so near! Then tell her Beads, and wish some Saint Would help her from this damn'd restraint, And ease her of her fear! At last the leading Hares were come,

Prepar'd and ready for their Doom, And at the Flood arriving, A Frog or two into it skip'd, Which made 'em look before they leap'd, And think of longer living. 'Hark ye, (said Puss who bore the sway) 'Fair and softly wins the Day, 'There's no such need to die yet, 'I'll Home again, and e'en submit 'To what my Destiny thinks fit, 'And keep my Form in quiet. 'Troth Sirs, the fate of Frogs is worse 'Than ours, which we at present curse, 'And are so much afraid at: 'For we who fear most things beside 'Are fear'd by them, and that's my Pride 'Since these are us dismay'd at.

'Sirs, it would be a pretty Jest 'If since our life is not the best 'It should be made our loathing. 'Faith, tho' I cannot be the Chief, 'I have this comfort and relief, 'I'm better far than nothing.

MORAL.

Hence let the Male-contented mind Instructive Lessons draw; Nor be uneasy, when confin'd Within the bounds of Law. What tho' his Purse is something drein'd, For Peace he ne'er desir'd, And has in part that Prince maintain'd Who might have all requir'd? A Neighb'ring King's best Subjects paid Thrice more than William's worst,

And without Mony Laws obey'd, When His with Mony curs'd. If therefore He like Hare should grieve Since small respect we show Him, Like Hare in Fable let Him live, Since He has Frogs below Him.