Two formal owls together sat,
  Conferring thus in solemn chat: 
  ’How is the modern taste decayed! 
  Where’s the respect to wisdom paid? 
  Our worth the Grecian sages knew;
  They gave our sires the honour due;
  They weighed the dignity of fowls,
  And pried into the depth of owls. 
  Athens, the seat of learned fame,
  With general voice revered our name;
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  On merit, title was conferred,
  And all adored the Athenian bird.’ 
    ‘Brother, you reason well,’ replies
  The solemn mate, with half-shut eyes;
  ’Right.  Athens was the seat of learning,
  And truly wisdom is discerning. 
  Besides, on Pallas’ helm we sit,
  The type and ornament of wit: 
  But now, alas! we’re quite neglected,
  And a pert sparrow’s more respected.’
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     A sparrow, who was lodged beside,
  O’erhears them soothe each other’s pride,
  And thus he nimbly vents his heat: 
     ’Who meets a fool must find conceit. 
  I grant, you were at Athens graced,
  And on Minerva’s helm were placed;
  But every bird that wings the sky,
  Except an owl, can tell you why. 
  From hence they taught their schools to know
  How false we judge by outward show;
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  That we should never looks esteem,
  Since fools as wise as you might seem. 
  Would ye contempt and scorn avoid,
  Let your vain-glory be destroyed: 
  Humble your arrogance of thought,
  Pursue the ways by Nature taught;
  So shall you find delicious fare,
  And grateful farmers praise your care: 
  So shall sleek mice your chase reward,
  And no keen cat find more regard.’
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* * * * *

FABLE XXXIII.

THE COURTIER AND PROTEUS.

  Whene’er a courtier’s out of place
  The country shelters his disgrace;
     Where, doomed to exercise and health,
  His house and gardens own his wealth,
  He builds new schemes in hopes to gain
  The plunder of another reign;
  Like Philip’s son, would fain be doing,
  And sighs for other realms to ruin. 
     As one of these (without his wand)
  Pensive, along the winding strand
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  Employed the solitary hour,
  In projects to regain his power;
  The waves in spreading circles ran,
  Proteus arose, and thus began: 
     ’Came you from Court?  For in your mien
  A self-important air is seen. 
     He frankly owned his friends had tricked him
  And how he fell his party’s victim. 
     ‘Know,’ says the god, ’by matchless skill
  I change to every shape at will;
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  But yet I’m told, at Court you see
  Those who presume to rival me.’ 
     Thus said.  A snake with hideous trail,
  Proteus extends his scaly mail. 
     ‘Know,’ says the man, ’though proud in place,
  All courtiers are of reptile race.