C.D. Warner, et al., comp. The Library of the World’s Best Literature.
An Anthology in Thirty Volumes. 1917.
The Hare and Many Friends
By John Gay (1685–1732)
F
Unless to one you stint the flame.
The child whom many fathers share
Hath seldom known a father’s care.
’Tis thus in friendships: who depend
On many, rarely find a friend.
Complied with everything, like Gay,
Was known by all the bestial train
Who haunt the wood or graze the plain.
Her care was, never to offend,
And ev’ry creature was her friend.
To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn,
Behind she hears the hunters’ cries,
And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies.
She starts, she stops, she pants for breath;
She hears the near advance of death;
She doubles to mislead the hound,
And measures back her mazy round;
Till fainting in the public way,
Half dead with fear, she gasping lay.
When first the horse appeared in view!
“Let me,” says she, “your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend.
You know my feet betray my flight;
To friendship every burden’s light.”
It grieves my heart to see thee thus:
Be comforted, relief is near;
For all your friends are in the rear.”
And thus replied the mighty lord:—
“Since every beast alive can tell
That I sincerely wish you well,
I may, without offense, pretend
To take the freedom of a friend.
Love calls me hence; a favorite cow
Expects me near yon barley-mow:
And when a lady’s in the case,
You know all other things give place.
To leave you thus might seem unkind;
But see, the Goat is just behind.”
Her languid head, her heavy eye;
“My back,” says he, “may do you harm:
The Sheep’s at hand, and wool is warm.”
His sides a load of wool sustained:
Said he was slow, confessed his fears;
For hounds eat Sheep, as well as Hares!
To save from death a friend distressed.
“Shall I,” says he, “of tender age,
In this important care engage?
Older and abler passed you by;
How strong are those! how weak am I!
Should I presume to bear you hence,
Those friends of mine may take offense.
Excuse me then. You know my heart:
But dearest friends, alas! must part.
How shall we all lament! Adieu!
For see, the hounds are just in view.”