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Anne Kingsmill Finch - The Lyon And The Gnat
Work rating: Low

To the still Covert of a Wood 
    About the prime of Day, 
A Lyon, satiated with Food, 
With stately Pace, and sullen Mood, 
    Now took his lazy way. 

To Rest he there himself compos`d, 
    And in his Mind revolv`d, 
How Great a Person it enclos`d, 
How free from Danger he repos`d, 
    Though now in Ease dissolv`d! 

Who Guard, nor Centinel did need, 
    Despising as a Jest 
All whom the Forest else did feed, 
As Creatures of an abject Breed, 
    Who durst not him molest. 

But in the Air a Sound he heard, 
    That gave him some dislike; 
At which he shook his grisly Beard, 
Enough to make the Woods affeard, 
    And stretch`d his Paw to strike. 

When on his lifted Nose there fell 
    A Creature, slight of Wing, 
Who neither fear`d his Grin, nor Yell, 
Nor Strength, that in his Jaws did dwell, 
    But gores him with her Sting. 

Transported with th` Affront and Pain, 
    He terribly exclaims, 
Protesting, if it comes again, 
Its guilty Blood the Grass shall stain. 
    And to surprize it aims. 

The scoffing Gnat now laugh`d aloud, 
    And bids him upwards view 
The Jupiter within the Cloud, 
That humbl`d him, who was so proud, 
    And this sharp Thunder threw. 

That Taunt no Lyon`s Heart cou`d bear; 
    And now much more he raves, 
Whilst this new Perseus in the Air 
Do`s War and Strife again declare, 
    And all his Terrour braves. 

Upon his haughty Neck she rides, 
    Then on his lashing Tail; 
(Which need not now provoke his Sides) 
Where she her slender Weapon guides, 
    And makes all Patience fail. 

A Truce at length he must propose, 
    The Terms to be her Own; 
Who likewise Rest and Quiet chose, 
Contented now her Life to close, 
    When she`d such Triumph known. 

You mighty Men, who meaner ones despise, 
Learn from this Fable to become more Wise; 
You see the Lyon may be vext with Flies
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