FAVOURITE FABLES. 97

FABLE LXXI.
THE HARE AND MANY FRIENDS.

A Hargz, who, in a civil way,

Complied with everything, like Gay,
Was known by all the bestial train,
Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain.

As forth she went, at early dawn,
To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn,
Behind she hears the hunter’s cries,
And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies.
She starts, she stops, she pants for breath ;
She hears the near approach of death; ©
She doubles, to mislead the hound,
And measures back her mazy round;
Till, fainting in the public way,
Half dead with fear, she gasping lay :—
What transport in her bosom grew,
When first the Horse appeared in view!

“Let me,”’ says she, “ your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend;
H