130 FAVOURITE FABLES.

FABLE XCVE

THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE.

A Lion, tired with state affairs,
Quite sick of pomp, and worn with cares,
Resolved (remote from noise and strife)
In peace to pass his latter life.

It was proclaimed: the day was set :
Behold the general council met:
The Fox was viceroy named. The crowd
To the new regent humbly bowed !
Wolves, bears, and mighty tigers bend,
And strive who most shall condescend.
The crowd admire his wit, his sense:
Each word hath weight and consequence.
The flatterer all his art displays ;
He who hath power, is sure of praise.
A Fox stepped forth before the rest,
And thus the servile throng addressed :—

‘¢ How vast his talents, born to rule,
And train’d in virtue’s honest school!