Æsopicks: or, A second collection of fables, paraphras'd in verse, adorn'd with sculpture, and illustrated with annotations. / By John Ogilby, esq; his Majesty's cosmographer, geographick printer, and master of revels in the kingdom of Ireland.

SECT. VIII.

THe grateful King well pleas'd to see his Guest Rellish those Dishes in such manner drest, Thus smiling said, I'm wondrous glad that you To this strange Fare so handsomly fall to: I once abhorr'd raw Treatments mixt with Gore, Then Wine, not Water, swell'd my Goblet o're; I had—What had I not! A Princely House, Attendants, Nobles, and a beauteous Spouse; A Humane Prince, not in a shady Den Commanding Beasts, once was I King of Men; Where I, transform'd by wicked Arts, became A Lion, such as now you see I am.

Come, let's be merry, and of this no more; Thank Heaven you are a Man, though ne're so poor: I not in Bestial Sovereignty rejoyce, Though all the Forest trembles at my Voyce; My high Condition wretched seems and base, Husk'd in a shaggy Main and hairy Face; I rather would, arm'd with my Lench and Aul, A Cobler be, Inthron'd beneath a Stall, Drive some such subtle Trade to purchase Bread, Than be o're Beasts the Universal Head, Though 'mongst the numerous Animals that be, Next Man, the Lion takes the first Degree.

[illustration] the king and queen stand, crowned, in state. The Chaldean magician aproaches them, book and staff in hand.

An s. 8.

Fetching a Sigh, this said, the King lean'd back, When to his Royal Host Androcleus spake.

Sir, you amaze me; may I be so bold To crave this wondrous Riddle you'll unfold: We have Fictitious Stories not a few, Of Metamorphoses both old and new; But you that really transmuted were, Your Self relating, asks a serious Ear; Therefore the Honor I, and Favor beg, That I may understand this strange Intreague.

Then spake the King, Though much my Bosom yerns, Reminding thus my sorrowful Concerns, So full of Horror, height of Rage and Grief, Such wondrous Passages, past all Belief; Yet may it please you, my deserving Friend, Though each Word pierce my Heart, I condescend.

Sprung from a Dynastie of Kings, I sway'd Once fertile Aegypt, honor'd and obey'd; My Power and Wealth so great, that flying Fame Spread through the many-Peopled World my Name, King Amasis; stupendious Works I did, Built for my Tomb a stately Pyramid, Beyond whose Base, the lofty Spire, no Shade When they are longest, at Sun-setting, made.

A high-born Queen I had, sweet, young, and fair, A fitting Mold to cast a hopeful Heir; But we no Issue had: When from the East Came a Chaldean, Magick Arts profest, Who undertook, applying powerful Charms, My Queen t' impregnate next when in my Arms;

Nay more, he promis'd me, that by his skill, I should march forth, subduing whom I will; Who could shape Serpents out of limber Rods, Could private Men make Princes, Princes Gods; In short time I should for the World set fair, Which great Work must be finish'd by my Heir; He my Nativity had cast, he said, Mars in the Lion, help'd by Magicks aid, Sol, Venus, Mercury, in th' Ascendant join'd, Should carry all before wheree'r design'd.