Fable XXVI. the Lion, Bear and Ape

It happen'd, as in human kind, A LION, to his errors blind, (No more than battle to the strong, Does wisdom to the great belong) Admir'd an APE, a flatt'ring sprite, Who prais'd his actions, wrong or right; Who when it thunder'd, kindly swore, 'Twas nothing to his Monarch's roar; When lightning flash'd along the sky, 'Twas nothing to his piercing eye; And vow'd that his majestic face, Put human nature to disgrace; For which the sycophant, in short, Was Laureat made, and went to Court; While haughty distance curb'd a BEAR, Who lov'd his PRINCE with honest care; Because the undissembling creature, As rough in temper, as in feature, By loyalty, and prudence taught, Still plainly utter'd what he thought; Some wholesome truths would oft advance, Ne'er found in GALLIC complaisance, And often, like a Patriot, would Remind his King of PUBLIC GOOD.

Attended by this contrast pair, The Lion went to take the air; When, as along a wood they stray'd, Sir APE fresh protestations made; Declar'd his head, his heart, and all, Were ready at the Monarch's call; Come Danger from each point, he cries, That the winds blow, thro' wintry skies; Let Fate, with all its terrors crown'd, Spread all her strongest toils around; Fearless 'twould be my greatest pride, To shed my blood in crimson tide; And bravely fall, no more to rise, Before my Royal Master's eyes. But wherefore this, since conquests tell, How much he is invincible? The whisking of whose dreadful tail, Can stoutest hearts with fear assail; Whose mortal fangs and tusks defy All nature turn'd his enemy; Let ev'ry beast, then, chorus join, To hail a MONARCH so divine.

The BEAR heard all, yet nothing said, But jog'd along, and shook his head.

At length appear'd, from neighb'ring plain, Of hunters a terrific train! The startled beasts, who saw too late, The near approach of frowning fate, No time had left to shape their course, Before assail'd with hostile force.

At the first glimpse our valiant APE Up a huge tree made swift escape; And left, as his securest way, His Prince, he thought an easy prey.

Cowards, themselves, who cannot fly, Will rather fight, than tamely die; No wonder then heroic hearts, In such a case, should play their parts.

BRUIN, with fatal grasp, display'd Much merit in the fighting trade; Press'd out by force th' unwilling breath, Embracing many foes to death.

Impregnable the LION stood, Till cover'd with his hunters' blood; Who hopeless, on th' approach of night, Gave up a long and doubtful fight; Taught by the royal beast to yield, And leave him master of the field.

Soon as the APE beheld from high, A vanquish'd, harmless enemy, He reach'd the ground with nimble pace, Ten thousand bows, and fawning face; Gave LEO joy of warlike fame, Of safety, and a deathless name; Then wanting words to suit his praise, Concluded with three loud huzzas.

Lip-love could now deceive no more; His monarch with tremendous roar, Full in the BEAR'S delighted view, The sycophantic coward slew; Then cried, Henceforth no fawning slave, No fair-fac'd, flatt'ring, heartless knave, Shall ever royal favour share— Henceforth 'tis thine,—my trusty BEAR.

The prince, or subject who depends On flatt'ring, or professing friends, When Danger with tempestuous gales, In most tremendous form assails, Will find the sun-shine minions fly The clouds of dark adversity.