FABLE
[
11
]
XI
.
The
Peacock
,
the
Turkey
,
and
Goose
.
In
beauty
faults
conspicuous
grow
,
The
smallest
speck
is
seen
on
snow
.
As
near
a
barn
,
by
hunger
led
,
A
Peacock
with
the
poultry
fed
;
All
view'd
him
with
an
envious
eye
,
And
mock'd
his
gaudy
pageantry
:
He
,
conscious
of
superior
merit
,
Contemns
their
base
reviling
spirit
,
His
state
and
dignity
assumes
,
And
to
the
sun
displays
his
plumes
,
Which
,
like
the
heav'n's
o'er-arching
skies
,
Are
spangled
with
a
thousand
eyes
;
The
circling
rays
and
varied
light
At
once
confound
their
dazled
sight
,
On
ev'ry
tongue
detraction
burns
,
And
malice
prompts
their
spleen
by
turns
.
Mark
,
with
what
insolence
and
pride
The
creature
takes
his
haughty
stride
,
The
Turkey
crys
.
Can
spleen
contain
?
Sure
never
bird
was
half
so
vain
!
But
were
intrinsic
merit
seen
,
We
turkeys
have
the
whiter
skin
.
From
tongue
to
tongue
they
caught
abuse
;
And
next
was
heard
the
hissing
Goose
.
What
hideous
legs
!
what
filthy
claws
!
I
scorn
to
censure
little
flaws
.
Then
what
a
horrid
squawling
throat
!
Ev'n
owls
are
frighted
at
the
note
.
True
.
Those
are
faults
,
the
Peacock
crys
,
My
scream
,
my
shanks
you
may
despise
:
But
such
blind
critics
rail
in
vain
.
What
,
overlook
my
radiant
train
!
Know
,
did
my
legs
(
your
scorn
and
sport
)
The
turkey
or
the
goose
support
,
And
did
ye
scream
with
harsher
sound
,
Those
faults
in
you
had
ne'er
been
found
;
To
all
apparent
beautys
blind
,
Each
blemish
strikes
an
envious
mind
.
Thus
in
Assemblys
have
I
seen
A
nymph
of
brightest
charms
and
mien
Wake
envy
in
each
ugly
face
;
And
buzzing
scandal
fills
the
place
.