Classic Poem

FABLE XX

Restrain your child; you'll soon believe
The text, which says, we sprung from Eve .

As an old Hen led forth her train,
And seem'd to peck to show the grain;
She rak'd the chaff, she scratch'd the ground,
And glean'd the spacious yard around.
A giddy chick, to try her wings,
On the well's narrow margin springs,
And prone she drops. The mother's breast
All day with sorrow was possest.
A Cock she met; her son she knew;
And in her heart affection grew
My son, says she, I grant your years
Have reach'd beyond a mother's cares;
I see you vig'rous, strong and bold,
I hear with joy your triumphs told;
'Tis not from cocks thy fate I dread:
But let thy ever-wary tread
Avoid yon well; that fatal place
Is sure perdition to our race.
Print this my counsel on thy breast;
To the just Gods I leave the rest.
He thank'd her care; yet day by day
His bosom burn'd to disobey,
And ev'ry time the well he saw
Scorn'd in his heart the foolish law;
Near and more near each day he drew,
And long'd to try the dang'rous view.
Why was this idle charge? he crys:
Let courage female fears despise.
Or did she doubt my heart was brave,
And therefore this injunction gave?
Or does her harvest store the place,
A treasure for her younger race?
And would she thus my search prevent?
I stand resolv'd, and dare th' event.
Thus said. He mounts the margin's round,
And prys into the depth profound.
He stretch'd his neck; and from below
With stretching neck advanc'd a foe;
With wrath his ruffled plumes he rears,
The foe with ruffled plumes appears:
Threat answer'd threat, his fury grew,
Headlong to meet the war he flew;
But when the watry death he found,
He thus lamented, as he drown'd.
I ne'er had been in this condition
But for my mother's prohibition.