But when he came within his reach,

The Lion seiz'd him by the breech;
The Poney kick'd, and bit, and fought,
And curs'd, and damn'd him all to nought;
But all in vain, the weaker beast
Expires indignant with the rest;

But after this for many a day,
The Lion catch'd no other prey :

He soon grew hungry, fierce, and sour,
Jackal was scolded every hour,

And would himself have shared the fate,
Of all that were devour'd of late,
But such a scabby nasty beast,
No Lion's stomach could digest.
At length a well-fed Fox* came by,
And caught the Lion's sharpest eye
(They formerly had known each other;
The Fox had lov'd the Lion's brother,
But never lik'd the Lion much,

And always kept without his touch.)

* Right Honourable Henry Fox, first Lord Holland.

'Twas chance that led the Fox that way, He ne'er design'd to call or stay;

When thus began the royal beast:

"Whither so fast? I thought, at least, "You might have stay'd, before you go, "To see if I'm alive or no.

"I am alive, indeed, that's all;

"But soon, I fear, you'll see me fall. "How am I bound to curse my fate, "Alas, I'm in a wretched state!

My Brother,* your old friend, is dead, "And here I'm stretch'd upon my bed,

* Henry Pelham being of a Whig family, closely attached himself to the partizans of the Brunswick line; after the resignation of Walpole, he became the head of the Treasury; he displayed in his respective offices great method and application to business. In his first efforts in Parliament he was confused and inelegant, but he improved by practice, and became an able debater, and spoke with candour and openness, which made him well heard and generally believed; he managed the finance with great care and probity; he gained great popularity and credit by reducing the interest of the National Debt; he had a sound judgment and an accommodating temper.-Ob, 1754.

Mourning his loss with tears and groans, "All bosoms feel that hear my moans;

"And yet, you know, as well as me,
"We Brothers never could agree;
"You know we quarrell'd every day,

"Our lives were one continued fray;
"His changeful conduct still perplex'd me,
"And his neglect of business vex'd me.
"Then his extravagance was worse,

"And daily drain'd my well-sav'd purse; "How often did my courage save him— "He had no friends, but those I gave him;

And tho' I shed these tears about him, "I shall be greater still without him; "Especially if you, my friend,

"To take his place will condescend; "Your pow'r and credit shall be more "Than e'er my Brother's was before.

Upon my word you may rely,

"A Lion's heart detests a lie;

"Give me your hand, then, for good luck,

"And let the bargain here be struck.”

Softly," quoth Reynard, "if you please, "I'll not be dup'd with words like these; "I spy the snare, I see the danger "To others, Sir; go seek a stranger. "Your Brother's loss I feel, and mourn,

"With tears, o'er his untimely urn;
"He was my friend, experience-try'd,
"The forest on his word rely'd;

"And all the beasts express their moan,
"That you are left, and he is gone.
"I have with pains for many a-year,
Study'd your character with care :
"I know, and I will freely speak it,
"You make no promise, but to break it.
"Can pawn your honour to deceive,
"Are perjur'd to make fools believe;

"Can lie with such an easy grace,

"That few can see it in

your face;

"Faithful to nought, but your own ends,

"The bitterest enemy to your friends;

"But to your fixt undaunted foe,

"Obsequious, base, complying, low.

"Cunning supplies thy want of parts, "Treason and lies are all thy arts.

"But see, for I am on my guard,

"What scenes of blood are in your yard; "What sculls and bones fill half the place: "Besides, the footsteps that I trace "Are all directed towards your den, "I don't see one come back again; "And tho' I hear you spare some few, "To hunt about for prey for you,

"Yet, Sir, your service has undone 'em,

"All honest beasts, with caution, shun 'em :

"Whoe'er has once been in your cave,

"Went in a fool, came out a knave.

"For me whom no ambitious view "Shall tempt to join in league with you; "To whom all hopes of pow'r or gain, "Thrown out by you, are thrown in vain; "Your Rose with thorns is quite choak'd up, "There's poison in your proffer'd cup.

"In every friendship knit with you,

“There's scandal, and there's danger too