Part 43 (1/2)
The Council of Horses
Upon a time, a neighing steed, Who grazed among a numerous breed, With mutiny had fired the train, And spread dissension through the plain.
On matters that concerned the state The Council met in grand debate.
A Colt, whose eyeb.a.l.l.s flamed with ire, Elate with strength and youthful fire, In haste stepped forth before the rest, And thus the listening throng addressed:
”Good G.o.ds! how abject is our race, Condemned to slavery and disgrace!
Shall we our servitude retain Because our sires have borne the chain?
Consider, friends, your strength and might; 'Tis conquest to a.s.sert your right.
How c.u.mb'rous is the gilded coach!
The pride of man is our reproach.
Were we designed for daily toil; To drag the ploughshare through the soil; To sweat in harness through the road; To groan beneath the carrier's load?
How feeble are the two-legged kind!
What force is in our nerves combined!
Shall, then, our n.o.bler jaws submit To foam, and champ the galling bit?
Shall haughty man my back bestride?
Shall the sharp spur provoke my side?
Forbid it, heavens! Reject the rein; Your shame, your infamy, disdain.
Let him the lion first control, And still the tiger's famished growl; Let us, like them, our freedom claim, And make him tremble at our name.”
A general nod approved the cause, And all the circle neighed applause, When, lo! with grave and solemn face, A Steed advanced before the race, With age and long experience wise; Around he cast his thoughtful eyes, And to the murmurs of the train Thus spoke the Nestor of the plain: ”When I had health and strength like you, The toils of servitude I knew; Now grateful man rewards my pains, And gives me all these wide domains.
At will I crop the year's increase; My latter life is rest and peace.
I grant, to man we lend our pains, And aid him to correct the plains; But doth he not divide the care Through all the labours of the year?
How many thousand structures rise To fence us from inclement skies!
For us he bears the sultry day, And stores up all our winter's hay: He sows, he reaps the harvest's gain, We share the toil and share the grain.
Since every creature was decreed To aid each other's mutual need, Appease your discontented mind, And act the part by Heaven a.s.signed.”
The tumult ceased. The colt submitted, And, like his ancestors, was bitted.
JOHN GAY
The Hare and Many Friends
Friends.h.i.+p, like love, is but a name, Unless to one you stint the flame; The child whom many fathers share Hath seldom known a father's care.
'Tis thus in friends.h.i.+ps; who depend On many, rarely find a friend.
A Hare, who in a civil way Complied with everything, like Gay, Was known by all the b.e.s.t.i.a.l train Who haunt the wood or graze the plain; Her care was never to offend, And every creature was her friend.
As forth she went at early dawn, To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn, Behind she hears the hunter's cries, And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies.
She starts, she stops, she pants for breath; She hears the near advance of death; She doubles to mislead the Hound, And measures back her mazy round, Till, fainting in the public way, Half dead with fear she gasping lay.
What transport in her bosom grew When first the Horse appeared in view!
”Let me,” says she, ”your back ascend.
And owe my safety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight; To friends.h.i.+p every burden's light,”
The Horse replied, ”Poor honest Puss, It grieves my heart to see you thus: Be comforted, relief is near, For all your friends are in the rear.”
She next the stately Bull implored; And thus replied the mighty lord: ”Since every beast alive can tell That I sincerely wish you well, I may without offence pretend To take the freedom of a friend.