Classic and Contemporary Poetry
FABLES: 1ST SER. 46. THE CUR, THE HORSE, & SHEPHERD'S DOG, by JOHN GAY Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: The lad, of all-sufficient merit Last Line: Thou hadst not, like a puppy, dy'd. Subject(s): Wit & Humor | ||||||||
THE lad, of all-sufficient merit, With modesty ne'er damps his spirit, Presuming on his own deserts, On all alike his tongue exerts; His noisy jokes at random throws, And pertly spatters friends and foes; In wit and war the bully race Contribute to their own disgrace: Too late the forward youth shall find That jokes are sometimes paid in kind, Or if they canker in the breast, He makes a foe who makes a jest. A village-cur, of snappish race, The pertest puppy of the place, Imagin'd that his treble throat Was blest with musick's sweetest note; In the mid road he basking lay, The yelping nusance of the way; For not a creature past along But had a sample of his song. Soon as the trotting steed he hears, He starts, he cocks his dapper ears, Away he scowers, assaults his hoof, Now near him snarles, now barks aloof; With shrill impertinence attends, Nor leaves him 'till the village ends. It chanc'd, upon his evil day, A Pad came pacing down the way; The Cur, with never-ceasing tongue, Upon the passing trav'ler sprung, The horse, from scorn provok'd to ire, Flung backward; rolling in the mire, The puppy howl'd, and bleeding lay; The Pad in peace pursu'd his way. A shepherd's Dog, who saw the deed, Detesting the vexatious breed, Bespoke him thus. When coxcombs prate, They kindle wrath, contempt, or hate. Thy teazing tongue had judgment ty'd, Thou hadst not, like a puppy, dy'd. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A BALLAD OF BASEBALL BURDENS by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS BASEBALL?ÇÖS SAD LEXICON by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS BRICKS AND STRAW by FRANKLIN PIERCE ADAMS LORD HEYGATE by HILAIRE BELLOC ON A GREAT ELECTION by HILAIRE BELLOC IMITATION OF THOMSON by ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE IMITATION OF SWIFT by ISAAC HAWKINS BROWNE FABLES: 1ST SER. 5. THE WILD BOAR AND THE RAM by JOHN GAY LESSER EPISTLES: TO A LADY ON HER PASSION FOR OLD CHINA by JOHN GAY |
|