The Poet and the Horses

A POET could not well combine
Reason with rhyme, to end his line;
Biting his lip, with angry frown,
He sullenly his pen cast down,
Crying--"The work I will resign,
"And may the Furies take the Nine!"
        Thus, here dropping all preamble,
On his Horse prepar'd to ramble.
Briskly o'er the wild heath pacing,
Health and Pleasure's footsteps tracing,
He freely breath'd the vital air,
Feeling releas'd from pining care.

Passing the forest, he survey'd
Many a pleasing opening glade:--
"I'll not," said he, "resume my pen,
"But oft pass here to view this glen:
"On none will I depend, not I;
"Nor to please any one will try."
        His Horse stopp'd short; the whip apply'd,
Affected not his stubborn side.
        The Poet said--"You ne'er before
"Refus'd me twenty miles, or more;
"This lazy fit I disapprove,
"And quickly will the cause remove."
Then on his neck he gave a stroke,
Which prov'd it was not done in joke.
        The Horse reply'd--"The lesson's new,
"I got it, Sir, just now from you,
"Who mean to lead a life of ease,
"Which I will follow, if I please;
"Th' example your's and what pretence
"Is there for you to take offence?"

        A Miller's Horse, with many a sack
Heap'd high and heavy on his back,
Listened as he pass'd along,
And cry'd--"Ye surely both are wrong;
"But if the man will idle be,
"Why let him starve, 'tis nought to thee:
"We mostly are caress'd and fed,
"Often are by our master led;
"You, friend, should make a wiser choice,
"And not at idleness rejoice;
"Employ your time, that it may tend
"To real comfort in the end,
"Which idleness can never do;
"The man's bad plan is nought to you.
"Begging or thieving,--each a trade,
"Only the very worst that's made,--
"Danger and trouble both attend:
"Timely consider then, good friend,
"In poverty, in fear, and strife,
"Your labour is to save your life:

"My track is mark'd, be your's the same,
"Let's try to trace it void of blame."
        As he mov'd slowly from the spot,
The Poet's Horse began to trot,
And passing by him in a trice,
Said--"Friend, I follow your advice."

MORAL.

Examples being good and bad,
Great attention should be had;
And motives also, true and strong,
Ere we exchange, and it be wrong.

Original fables by a Lady

Printed by W. Calvert, Shire Lane, Lincoln's Inn, for B. Crosby and Co. London, 1810

To your Royal Highness the following Fables are dedicated, with a wish that in an interval of leisure some transient amusement may be obtained.