FAVOURITE FABLES. 131

What clemency his temper sways !
How uncorrupt are all his ways!
Beneath his conduct and command
Rapine shall cease to waste the land ;
What blessings must attend the nation
Under this good administration !”’

He said. A Goose, who distant stood,
Harangu’d apart the cackling brood :

‘« Whene’er I hear a knave commend,

He bids me shun his worthy friend.
What praise! what mighty commendation !
But ’twas a Fox who spoke th’ oration.
Foxes this government may prize,
As gentle, plentiful, and wise ;

f they enjoy the sweets, ’tis plain

We Geese must feel a tyrant reign.
What havoc now shall thin our race!
When every petty clerk in place,

To prove his taste, and seem polite,
Will feed on Geese both noon and night.’’

MORAL.

Those flatter the plunderer who share in the spoil.