ubt, among us rogues you find,
As among dogs, and human kind;
And yet (unknown to me and you)
There may be honest men and true.
Thus slander tries, whate'er it can,
To put us on the foot with man,
Let my own actions recommend;
No prejudice can blind a friend:
_70
You know me free from all disguise;
My honour as my life I prize.'
By talk like this, from all mistrust
The dog was cured, and thought him just.
As on a time the fox held forth
On conscience, honesty, and worth,
Sudden he stopp'd; he cocked his ear;
And dropp'd his brushy tail with fear.
'Bless us! the hunters are abroad--
What's all that clatter on the road?'
_80
'Hold,' says the dog, 'we're safe from harm;
'Twas nothing but a false alarm.
At yonder town, 'tis market day;
Some farmer's wife is on the way;
'Tis so, (I know her pyebald mare)
Dame Dobbins, with her poultry ware.'
Reynard grew huff. Says he, 'This sneer
From you I little thought to hear.
Your meaning in your looks I see;
Pray, what's Dame Dobbins, friend, to me?
_90
Did I e'er make her poultry thinner?
Prove that I owe the Dame a dinner.'
'Friend,' quoth the cur, 'I meant no harm;
Then, why so captious? why so warm?
My words in common acceptation,
Could never give this provocation.
No lamb (for ought I ever knew)
May be more innocent than you.'
At this, galled Reynard winced and swore
Such language ne'er was given before:
_100
'What's lamb to me? the saucy hint--
Show me, base knave, which way you squint,
If t'other night your master lost
Three lambs, am I to pay the cost?
Your vile reflections would imply
That I'm the thief. You dog, you lie.'
'Thou knave, thou fool,' the dog replied,
'The name is just, take either side;
Thy guilt these applications speak;
Sirrah,'tis conscience makes you squeak.'
_110
So saying, on the fox he flies,
The self-convicted felon dies.

* * * * *

FABLE II.

THE VULTURE, THE SPARROW, AND OTHER BIRDS.

TO A FRIEND IN THE COUNTRY.

Ere I begin, I must premise
Our ministers are good and wise;
So, though malicious tongues apply,
Pray what care they, or what care I?
If I am free with courts; be't known,
I ne'er presume to mean our own.
If general morals seem to joke
On ministers, and such like folk,
A captious fool may take offence;
What then? he knows his