Fable V. the Eagle and Jay

An EAGLE whom we soon might prove Descended from the bird of JOVE, Had we or time, or cause to trace The progress of his royal race; Diminish'd fame, and weaken'd sway, By placing friendship on a JAY; A bird who, like dissembling man, Play'd well the game of—Cat in Pan.

Not one of all the feather'd kind So nicely knew the Monarch's mind; Not one, with such persuasive art, Could learn the fecrets of his heart; Nor gain, with much superior sense And loyalty, such confidence.

This prattling fav'rite often slew In quest of news; which false, or true, He whisper'd to his master's ear, Whose greatest weakness was to hear.

The JAY, to serve each selfish end, Appear'd a very sanguine friend; Would oft lament that subject hearts Were pregnant with destructive arts; That nothing could, but watchful eyes, Prevent deep laid conspiracies; Declar'd he knew that many birds Were noted for disloyal words; Who therefore ought to feel disgrace, In banishment from court and place; Urging his Prince, with rig'rous claws, To put in force Tyrannic laws.

With mischief-working hints like these He rous'd such groundless jealousies, That ev'ry night the Eagle's dreams Were haunted with seditious schemes; His tortur'd fancy often view'd, By diff'rent deaths his life pursued; His sceptre broke, his throne o'erturn'd, His race destroy'd, and palace burn'd; 'Till made by perturbation sour, He felt each pain of thorny pow'r, And bow'd beneath the cumbrous weight, Of friendless, solitary state; With one sole blessing, that the JAY Paid faithful homage to his sway.

His truest friends perceiv'd him shy, Suspicion gloom'd his piercing eye; A speechless, cold, and distant state Made loyalty and love abate; Disorder crept throughout his realm, While he sat trembling at the helm; Yet none presum'd to ask the reason, Lest Freedom might be construed Treason.

At length the Monarch, wearied out, Began to entertain some doubt; Whether his friend might not improve On trifles, thro' excessive love; As apprehension oft has made A giant of an empty shade.

Possess'd of this, incog he flew, And wisely took a gen'ral view; Some plaints he heard, but soon descry'd They sprung from his suspicious pride; And met upon the whole content, Where'er his pleasing course he bent, To find himself, thro' ev'ry wood, On ev'ry plain, and ev'ry flood, Tho' censur'd in his regal part, Still monarch of each subject heart.

At length, as with returning night He homeward wing'd his rapid flight; Skirting along a lonely wood, Near which an ancient castle stood, From its declining moss-clad wall, By trembling age prepar'd to fall, A well known voice assail'd his ear, He curv'd his course, and drawing near, Perceiv'd the JAY, in this address, The deep designing knave confess.

You think me loyal, as I pay My courtly visits ev'ry day; But penetration ne'er will deem Us levee-hunters what we seem; And, on my word, Sir FALCON, know, My friendship is but outward show; Were I the honest truth to own, I wish to see you mount the throne; Our EAGLE'S but a silly fowl, Not two degrees above an Owl, Without the least pretence on earth To royalty, except his birth; Then let us find some specious cause, (Suppose our liberties, and laws) To seize his crown, and in his stead, To place it on your abler head.

I have a tongue both quick and loud, Let me harangue the gaping croud With promises—sure bait for fools— Who serve as politician's tools, I'll bring about a revolution, To mend our shatter'd constitution.

With honest rage the Eagle warm'd, And with death-dealing talons arm'd, Pounc'd unperceiv'd upon the JAY, And snatch'd his Felon-life away,

This sacrifice to justice made, The injur'd EAGLE wisely said; I find at length this prudent truth, That choice of friends to age, or youth, Is, from the cottage to the court, A matter of the last import. From me let future Monarchs learn By their own senses to discern; Nor exercise unsafe command, By KNOWLEDGE gain'd at SECOND HAND.