Old AESOP AT. , GIVING Advice to the Young AESOP'S AT Tunbridge and Bath: OR, SOME FABLES Relating to Government.  
By a Person of what Quality you please.  
LONDON, Printed; and Sold by J. Nutt, near Stationers-Hall. 1698.   

THE PREFACE.  
IT is now the Mode, it seems, for Brutes to turn Politicians; and if we may give Credit to some late Authors, their Houses of Parliament assemble at Tunbridge and Bath. The Lion who by Prescription hath been owned for King, Nemine Contradicente, pleads it as his Privilege to summon them to his Banqueting-house at Whitehall; whence all the Three States may by a short and easy Walk arrive together at Westminster, and there consult for the Common Good. He carries a Bundle of Arrows in his Hand, with this Motto over them, Concordia res parvae crescunt, discordia maxima dilabuntur.  
If there be no Mysteries in Christianity, it seems there are some in Policy; when Jacobites and Commonwealthsmen, who have mutually branded one another with the harshest Names that Malice and Rancour could invent, should now unite in a Design against the present Government, as a Common Centre. If it be so, (which Old AESOP is very unwilling to believe,) he hath given Commission to his Beasts, in the following Fables, to declare the first to be (what they always were) Knaves, and the latter (which he is sure they will be loath to be accounted) Fools If the Reflections seem too Satyrical, they may consider that it comes from Beasts like themselves. And so Aesop bids them Farewell, but to take Care not to divide the Prey till it is caught.  
Whitehall, Septemb. 22. 1698. AESOP.   

The SUMMONS.  

THE Jackall did the King of Brutes inform  
That some designed to mine, and some to storm  
His Royal Fort. At which, with generous Rage  
The Kingly Beast, their Malice to assuage,  
Sends forth his Summons, That they should appear  
At Brutus' Whitehall, from Quarters far and near,  
There to consult; and if they found that any  
Better deserved the Sway among the Many  
Than Leo did, he would the Crown forswear  
And never henceforth any Sceptre bear:  
But at the same time givesed as his Advice,  
‛ It's better to fill Bag one time than thrice,  
‛ Or three times three. It's better under one,  
‛ Than many Masters, to lament and groan.    

Old AESOP AT , GIVING Advice to the Young AESOP'S AT Tunbridge and Bath.  

FAB. I. The Tortoise and Frogs.  

A Heavy Tortose seeing Frogs  
Nimbly leap in Pools and Poggs,  
Blessed their limber Hams, that they  
Can so bravely frisk and play;  
Cursed the hard and heavy Pack  
That Nature laid on his own Back:  
He could neither skip nor dance,  
Nor caper A-la-mode de France.  
But as soons he saw the Stork  
Can the Fregs from Puddle fork,  
And that for all their nimble Heels  
They became a Prey to Eels;  
Then he quickly changed his Note,  
And for's own Coat of Mail gave Vote;  
Thanked his Stars that he was free  
From Storks and suchlike Tyranny,  
By being armed Cap-a-pee.   

MORAL.  
Did we but s●e through  Sway  
How feeble Subjects are a Prey  
To th' Sovereign's arbitrary Will,  
Who can at's Pleasure save and kill;  
Did we but feel th' Effects of's Sword and Flames,  
Saw Virgins ravished, h●ard the Cries of Dames,  
When Soldiers sack their Towns, destroy their Men,  
Cut off their Children, scarc● spare One in Ten;  
Can we but see Rome 's Priests converting France  
With Arguments from Gun, Sword, Spear and Lance,  
And then reflect that this h●d been our Doom,  
Can James the Just have paid his Vows to Rome,  
We would not grumble at the Tax we pay  
To ke●p such Monstrous Tyranny away,  
But should, That William might live ever, pray.    

FAB. II. Of the other Members conspiring against the Belly.  

ONce on a Time the Hands and Feet  
With Back, and Loins, and Bum, did meet  
In a Rebellious Consult, where  
The B—ch as Speaker took the Chair,  
And with an uncouth hollow sound  
The following Treason did propound:  
Brethren, quoth he, you know the Head  
Makes us to toil and sweat for Bread,  
Yet nothing to our Lot doth fall,  
But idle Gut consumes it all.  
My Friends, if you'll be ruled by me,  
We will shake off this Tyranny.  
If Head and Belly will have Meat,  
Let them toil for't with Hands and Feet.  
Agreed, says Back, I vow and swear,  
For them I'll no more Burdens bear.  
Content, says Bum, if't be your Will;  
For I love dearly to sit still.  
Says Feet, I'll no more Errands run.  
The Loins say, Brethren, it is done.  
The Hands vow they would work no more,  
And wish they'd been as wise before.  
The Members thus in Holy League  
Did bless themselves for this Intrigue.  
But suddenly the Hands grew weak,  
The Feet grew numb, the Loins did shake,  
The Back was feeble, the Bum grew poor,  
And Breech the Chairman loud did roar,  
Pray cram the Gut, and we'll rebel no more.   

MORAL.  
It's hoped this will not be forgot  
By those who formed the Tunbridge Plot.  
Old Aesop was a Man of Sense,  
Such Doctrines never did dispense,  
That People should refuse Support,  
And pine themselves to starve the Court.    

FAB III. The Hermit and the Soldier.  

A Pious Hermit seeing a Man of Blood  
Come strutting through his solitary Wood,  
Accosts him thus: Dear Brother, why do you  
In Humane Blood and Gore your Hands imbrue?  
Leave off that Trade, be ' Partner in my Cell,  
Read, pray, and think, and save your Soul from Hell.  
The Soldier looked stern,  
But at last did reply,  
I am willing to learn,  
And G— zds I'll comply.  
We Men of the Sword  
Are not worth a T— d,  
But are basely kept under,  
Nor have Pay nor have Plunder.  
A plague on the Peace  
Which makes our Gain cease:  
And seeing it is so,  
With the Hermit I'll go,  
Till the Drums beat again, and the Trumpets do blow.   

MORAL.  
Just so the Jacks their desperate Cause forsake,  
And to the side o'th' Commonwealth betake;  
Since their own King has played the Fool, and's gone,  
Ours to molest they turn up every Stone.  
The Church, the Church, is ready to take fire,  
Is all their Outcry: Brethren, save the Choir,  
Take care o'th' Steeple, Chancel, Surplice, Crape,  
The Church of England Dove's in danger of a Rape,  
No thanks to them she did from Father Peter's escape:  
Yet when their Prince, and's Priests shall venture over,  
They'll swear she is no  nor Turtle Lover,  
But did to others her fair Breasts discover;  
Then they will be for Commonwealth no more,  
But screw Prerogative high as before,  
Huff like N— S— r, cackle like B— S—wer.    

FAB. iv The Ass in the Lion's Skin.  

A Certain Ass being struck with Shame  
Of's native Slavery, and his Name,  
Made shift to steal a Lion's Skin,  
And boldly stalked about therein;  
Shook off his innate sluggish Pace,  
And did assume an awful Face,  
As if he had been of Lybian Breed,  
And from the Bastinado freed.  
But's cursed Ears, and Cathedral Note,  
To his great Grief, revealed the Plot;  
For when he did attempt to roar,  
He could not do't, but brayed just as before.   

MORAL.  
Thus Nonresistance thinkest no Sin  
To put on a true Patriot's Skin,  
And plead for Liberty and Laws,  
And easy Tax. But mark the Cause:  
He would the Government disable,  
And lose the Ship for want of Cable.  
And by this means it comes to pass,  
We know the old Passive Obedience Ass.    

FAB. V The Wolf and Hedgehog.  

A Greedy Wolf that ravaged Hills and Plains,  
Devoured the Flocks, and beggared all the Swains,  
Triumphed and skipped. But Plenty causing waist,  
At length he knew not where to break his Fast;  
But in his Range meets with a Porcupine,  
A curious Bit to make Lycaon dine:  
His eager Chaps would fain been at the Prey,  
But the armed Hedgehog held him at a Bay.  
Hungry Lycaon seeing this, cries out,  
My little Brother, how comes this about?   

Have you forgot the late-concluded Peace,  
That you do still your Armour w● ear,  
As if there were new Cause of Fear?  
Lay by your Darts, and let War cease.  
You cannot think that I will break the League,  
And Brother-Brutes surprise by false Intrigue.  
Nay, Nay, says Hedgehog, Brother, I don't say  
That you will me or other Brutes betray;  
But ne'ertheless it doth appear,  
While you have Tusks, there's Cause of Fear:  
Let me first draw your Teeth, and Sans Delay  
I'll throw my Quiver and my Darts away.   

MORAL.  
Thus crafty Jacks do plead our Cause,  
Armed Troops in Time of Peace subvert our Laws:  
Lay down your Arms, and then we swear,  
That our brave Prince will soon appear;  
Lafoy Hogue you know is very near.  
But since Van Trump, and bold De Rutter,  
With Ball and Powder made such splutter,  
He's as much 'fraid of Sword and Bomb,  
As was his Grandsire in his Grandame's Womb.  
Disband your Troops therefore, we pray,  
The Nation cannot bear your Pay.  
Then come the Wolves over from Campeigne,  
And carry all the Sheep away;  
Then will our Prince, like Mars, in Warlike Guise,  
Encamp at Hounslow to shoot Butterflies.  
No Man can say that he will break the Law,  
Or us by Standing-Armies over-awe;  
Since it is clear, as e'er was Light of Sun,  
His Army never stood, but always run.  
Let no foul Tongue our Valorous Prince disgrace,  
For he in Person always won the Race:  
The Boyn 's fair Flood, and Sarum 's spacious Plain,  
Will this great Truth for evermore maintain.    

FAB. VI The Fox caught in a Trap.  

Ascertain Fox being caught in Trap,  
Did lose his Tail by the Mishap,  
And cried, Alas!  
For his Disgrace,  
He could not show Face,  
Nor follow the Chase:  
But yet, says he, tho' Reynards do beguile  
The other Brutes by some sly Trick and Wile;  
I do not know that Foxes are exempted  
From being fooled too, if they're fitly tempted.  
Then let me go try,  
And briskly apply  
My Wits, to deceive,  
And make Foxes believe,  
That the Burden of their Tail,  
In Rain, Snow or Hail,  
Is intolerably grievous,  
And in Hunting mischievous.  
●f by this Means I can but prevail,  
To have every Fox cut off his own Tail,  
Then none of 'em at me will mock, scoff or rail.  
Away Reynard goes,  
His design to propose,  
Says Fathers and Mothers,  
Dear Sisters and Brothers,  
Don't flout, jeer and mock,  
At my mangled Dock:  
You know that your Tails,  
But little avails,  
When you leap over Pales,  
To catch Sheep and Fowls;  
Then do not like Owls,  
Thus burden your Back,  
By a thing you might lack.  
How brisk and how fine  
Am I without mine?   

The rest perceiving what his Motive was;  
Told him good Brother this will never pass.  
When we're hunted by Dogs,  
O'er Hills, and through Bogs,  
On our Tails we do piss,  
And their Chaps do not miss.  
And this was the cause made the Proverb preva●●  
He hath got a slap with the Foxes Tail.  
Then cease Brother Fox,  
If we mangle our Docks,  
As you do propose,  
We're exposed to our Foes.   

Moral.  
Thus the cursed Crew who have themselves undone,  
And from their Reason, Sense, and Interest run,  
Would gladly have us caught in that same Trap;  
Ill Men would fain have Brethren in mishap.    


FAB. VII. The Fox preaching to the Sheep.  
ARavening Wolf the Sheep-Cotes did invade,  
And there set up his Butcher's Shambles;  
Where without trouble of Preambles,  
He killed whatever came to hand.  
A sturdy Mastiff by the Farmer laid  
In the same Fold, preserved the Sheep,  
So that in Safety they could sleep,  
And feed with quiet in their Master's Land,  
The Fox who used with Wolf to diet,  
And on the tender Lambs to riot;  
Perceiving this.  
Says Monsieur Wolf, I am not able  
To live at such an ill-spread Table.  
Were it amiss,  
That I should go and tell the Sheep,  
The Mastiff Dog that doth them keep  
Lives on their Blood;  
That he and's Master every Day,  
With joint consent divide the Prey,  
And make the Sheep their Food.  
Wolf answers, Reynard, that is good,  
Go tell the Sheep that they should cease  
To clothe their Master with their Fleece;  
Except he will his Dog remove,  
For such a Guard they do not love  
In time of Peace.   

The Fox gets in amongst the Flock,  
And with sly Oratry thus spoke.  
Good Men of Mutton,  
What do ye with this Mastiff Dog,  
He is a mercenary Rogue  
Not worth a Button?  
For on pretence of keeping guard,  
Your Flesh and Bones are his Reward:  
Get him cashiered.  
The Wolf and I have sworn the Peace,  
And our Hostilities must cease,  
Naughts to be feared  
By him, his Master in disguise  
Means'ore the Flocks to tyrannize  
On my Salvation.  
As I'm a true Son of the Church,  
I would not leave you in the Lurch,  
Of such Damnation.  
The bleating Herd began to grumble,  
For Raynard's Logic, made them stumble,  
And thus they said:  
In Faith the Wolf and Fox we see  
Are Enemies to Tyranny;  
Their council ought to be obeyed.  
Since Ned the Wolf, and Bat the Fox,  
Are our good Friends than what a Pox  
Should we be plagued with Curs.  
We will no more our Fleeces yield,  
Nor have our Lambs tore from the Field,  
Let's to our Zeal add Spurs:  
And for our Spokesman choose a Ram,  
Or sturdy Goat to swear and damn,  
And curse Dissenters.  
Our greatest Dangers from the Whigs,  
And cause they will not pay Tithe Pigs,  
The Wolf and Fox on them shall have Debentures.  
Content says Fox and there's my Hand,  
I'll publish this in Woolfish-land;  
Farewell dear Sheep.  
The Wolf and I will guard your Coats,  
And pull out the Dissenters Throats;  
But unto you our promise keep.  
The Flock by Reynard thus persuaded,  
That Dog and Farmer them invaded,  
Strait left the Fold.  
Did through the Hills and Valleys stray,  
And from their Guard did run away;  
Left him to starve for want of pay:  
But mark the end.  
The Wolf and Fox, having prevailed  
The scattered Flocks strait they assailed,  
And did them all in pieces rend.   

Moral.  
It's hoped the Sheep of North and West,  
Who to the Parliament make haste,  
The Moral will reach;  
Which is no more  
Than the Proverb of Yore,  
Let the Geese look to't when the Fox doth preach.    

FAB. VIII. The Fable of the Sponge.  

A Certain Brewer whose Liquor of Life,  
Did frequently amongst his Servants raise strife,  
Resolved to abridge them, giving each Man his share,  
Enough to suffice but nothing to spare:  
But the Servants resolving they would not be stinted,  
Put their Wits on the Rack, and this Device minted.  
They got Gloves of Sponge which they thrust in the Liquor,  
And squeezing them often spent their Master's Stock quicker:  
Which the Brewer understanding, he seized on the Sponges;  
Made his Servants repay him, and with Actions them swings;  
Till he squeezed back his own, and taught them to be true,  
To leave off their sly Cheats, and be content with their Due.   

Moral.  
Those that misapply the Treasure of the Nation,  
Ought thus to be squeezed till they make reparation:  
We may Tax, and pay on, and the King still be poor,  
If the Hands of his Servants be pitched as before.  
It's the Interest of the Nation, our Senate understands,  
That those who touch Cash should have clean washen hands.    

FAB. XI. The Crumpeter.  

A Trumpeter who by his fatal Sounds,  
Provoked Mankind to mutual Blood and Wounds;  
Being ta'en in Field did for his Life implore:  
I sound the Charge said he, but do no more.  
The Conqueror grew enraged at this Defence;  
Replies, base Villain, I'll dispatch thee hence,  
Down to the Stygian Shades; dost thou not know,  
That he who counsels Murder, gives the blow.   

Moral.  
The Fable hits those who in former Reigns,  
For love of Faction, or for love of Gains,  
Did teach our Monarches a Despotic Sway,  
And damned the People that would not obey:  
These were the Firebrands of the Church and State,  
And did more Mischief than Jack Straw or Kett:  
They caused the War and that brought on the Tax,  
Then let the weight of't fall on their own Backs;  
Why should the People's Blood and Treasure pay  
To rescue that which Priestcraft did betray.  
The Priests advanced the Popeling to the Throne;  
The Priests again did force him to be gone;  
And now the Priests, like Turncoats, as before,  
Choose Jacks for Senate with Canonic Roar:  
And Church's danger slily would infer,  
From our great King who bravely rescued her.    

FAB. X. The Lion and the Ass.  

IT once came to pass,  
That the Lion and Ass,  
Did meet in a great Consultation;  
When the King of the Brutes,  
To the dullest of Mutes,  
Did seriously make Application.  
True Roger, quoth he,  
Do but hearken to me,  
And I swear I will heighten thy Fortune.  
thou'rt now a dull Beast,  
But I'll make thee High Priest,  
And the rest shall no more dare thee sport on.  
Good Sovereign say on,  
Quoth Roger anon,  
For I am quite weary of Slavery:  
I swear by St. Peter  
If you'll give me a Mitre  
I'll serve you, be't Roguery or Knavery.  
I thank you says Lion,  
Thy word I'll rely on;  
The Service that I then command thee,  
Is to teach that I must govern,  
Like an Absolute Sovereign,  
And that those will be damned that withstand me.  
Agreed says the Ass,  
I will bring it to pass,  
And have Passive Obedience in fashion;  
They shall all be called Traitors,  
And Monarchy-haters,  
From the Pulpits, and Desks of the Nation.  
But it happened that the King,  
Harped on another String,  
And invaded the Rights of the Asses.  
Then Roger turned tale,  
'Gainst his Sovereign did rail,  
In his Preachments, his Prayers, and Glasses.   

Moral.  
Thus Tyrant Princes did make use of Priests,  
Their Subjects to transform from Men to Beasts.  
The Time's well known, you need not ask me when,  
But e'er from Beasts they turn to Men again,  
The Priests must be reformed; such Reformation  
Is th' only Remedy can save the Nation.    
FINIS.