Fable: Of the Wolf and the Fox

A Fox in a deep Well, one Night
Spy'd the full Moon, the goodly Sight
Whey-colour'd, large and round, did appear,
A swinging Cheese, which made him caper;
He had a longing wild Distemper,
Frequent to persons of his Temper.
By th' learn'd in medicinal Lore call'd Canine
Appetite, by the Mob call'd Famine.
The two large Buckets which were there,
Like Pollux and like Castor were.
How so pray? For 'tis devilish odd,
To liken a Bucket to a God;
When one came up from towards the Center,
That in our upper world strait went there.
These drew by turns the liquid Element;
Into one got Renard, and towards Hell he went,
To taste of Tantalus his Feast:
Which finely Bob'd its gaing Gu.
Arriv'd he soon was undeceiv'd,
But frighted terribly and griev'd.
Bilk'd of the bait he thought was his'n,
And for his life he fear'd in prison.
Since Renard Fate in Dungeon cast,
She sentence on him seem'd t' have past.
He had no way to be repreiv'd,
Unless by a like Sot reliev'd,
Who hoping on his Cheese to feed,
Might in his place and pain succeed.
Two days and nights h' had been in Dungeon,
Water his Breakfast, Dinner, Nuncheon.
Now in this space old Time did knaw
From Renard's Cheese with Iron Jaw,
A pritty handsome lusty Sliver.
When Sharper Isgrim does arrive there,
Who makes a shift with his small Sense,
To live at Country Squires expence.
Now him as soon as Renard spies,
What, Bully Isgrim there he cryes!
In faith, dear Rogue, I'm glad to see thee:
How hast thou far'd this long time, prethee?
Poorly? but set thy heart at rest,
To night, thou e'en shalt be my Guest.
Dost see this Cheese, which I've been munching,
Of which I've gobbled down this Lunching.
Odd! 'tis a rare one, a neat Jade,
Who ever was the Dairy-maid.
I have on purpose set thee a Tub,
In which thou mayst come down and Sup;
Here's special Food and special Bub.
And thus for want of Sense, was Bully
Isgrim harangu'd to Renard's Cully.
Down he goes swinging in the Bucket,
Which hoisting Renard's, up does pluck it.
He towards the top with merry lee,
Mounting Sung, Hey Boys up goe we.