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Swift, Jonathan, 1667-1745

"The Poems of Jonathan Swift, D.D., Volume 1"


They hear his voice, and frighted fly,
For rage had raised it very high:
Shamed by the wisdom of his notes,
They hide their heads, and hush their throats.

[Footnote 1: Lord Carteret, Lord-lieutenant of Ireland.--_F_.]
[Footnote 2: Ireland.--_F_]
[Footnote 3: A famous modern architect, who built the Parliament-house in
Dublin.--_F_.]
[Footnote 4: Dr. Delany.--_F_.]
[Footnote 5: Dr. T----r.--_F._]
[Footnote 6: Right Hon. Rich. Tighe.--_F._]
[Footnote 7: Dr. Sheridan.--_F._]
[Footnote 8: Dean Swift.--_F._]

ANSWER TO DR. DELANY'S FABLE OF THE PHEASANT AND LARK.
1730

In ancient times, the wise were able
In proper terms to write a fable:
Their tales would always justly suit
The characters of every brute.
The ass was dull, the lion brave,
The stag was swift, the fox a knave;
The daw a thief, the ape a droll,
The hound would scent, the wolf would prowl:
A pigeon would, if shown by AEsop,
Fly from the hawk, or pick his pease up.
Far otherwise a great divine
Has learnt his fables to refine;
He jumbles men and birds together,
As if they all were of a feather:
You see him first the Peacock bring,
Against all rules, to be a king;
That in his tail he wore his eyes,
By which he grew both rich and wise.


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