FABLE
[
04
]
IV
.
The
Eagle
,
and
the
Assembly
of
Animals
.
AS
Jupiter's
all-seeing
eye
Survey'd
the
worlds
beneath
the
sky
,
From
this
small
speck
of
earth
were
sent
Murmurs
and
sounds
of
discontent
;
For
ev'ry
thing
alive
complain'd
That
he
the
hardest
life
sustain'd
.
Jove
calls
his
Eagle
.
At
the
word
Before
him
stands
the
royal
bird
.
The
Bird
,
obedient
,
from
heav'n's
height
Downward
directs
his
rapid
flight
;
Then
cited
ev'ry
living
thing
,
To
hear
the
mandates
of
his
king
.
Ungrateful
creatures
,
whence
arise
These
murmurs
which
offend
the
skies
;
Why
this
disorder
?
say
the
cause
:
For
just
are
Jove's
eternal
Laws
.
Let
each
his
discontent
reveal
.
To
yon
sour
dog
I
first
appeal
.
Hard
is
my
lot
,
the
hound
replys
,
On
what
fleet
nerves
the
greyhound
flys
!
While
I
with
weary
step
and
slow
O'er
plains
and
vales
and
mountains
go
;
The
morning
sees
my
chase
begun
,
Nor
ends
it
'till
the
setting
sun
.
When
(
says
the
greyhound
)
I
pursue
,
My
game
is
lost
,
or
caught
in
view
,
Beyond
my
sight
the
prey's
secure
:
The
hound
is
slow
but
always
sure
.
And
,
had
I
his
sagacious
scent
,
Jove
ne'er
had
heard
my
discontent
.
The
lyon
crav'd
the
foxe's
art
;
The
fox
,
the
lyon's
force
and
heart
;
The
cock
implor'd
the
pidgeon's
flight
,
Whose
wings
were
rapid
,
strong
and
light
;
The
pidgeon
strength
of
wing
despis'd
,
And
the
cock's
matchless
valour
priz'd
:
The
fishes
wish'd
to
graze
the
plain
,
The
beasts
to
skim
beneath
the
main
.
Thus
,
envious
of
another's
state
,
Each
blam'd
the
partial
hand
of
Fate
.
The
bird
of
heav'n
then
cry'd
aloud
.
Jove
bids
disperse
the
murm'ring
croud
:
The
God
rejects
your
idle
prayers
.
Would
ye
,
rebellious
mutineers
,
Entirely
change
your
name
and
nature
,
And
be
the
very
envy'd
creature
?
What
,
silent
all
,
and
none
consent
!
Be
happy
then
,
and
learn
content
.
Nor
imitate
the
restless
mind
,
And
proud
ambition
of
mankind
.