128 JESOPS FABLES. Fab. LII. Of the Forefter, the Skinner, and a Bear. THe Lion flain, the greedy Forefler Soon (trips him of his R obe,and R oyal Fur The Crown and Scepter, old R egalities Of many former Princes, now are his; He takes pofTeffion of the Palace, which Trophies made Proud, and Spoils of Enemies,Rich: Where at an Out-cry pretious things are fold At fmall Rates, deer to Potentates of old. When the fame Man that bought the Lions Skin, Thus to the infulting Victor did begin j Sir, fince the Groves are yours, and you have won Dark Haunts, impenetrable by the Sun, The Lion dead; go, and th' ambitious Bear Deftroy, who now afpires his Matter's Chair. A Heathen King fent to my Shop this Morn, To have a Libyan .B^rx-skin to adorn His fpreading Shoulders with at annual Feafts, When barbarous Cups mud raife his Salvage Guefts. Call forth thy Dogs, and a frefli War begin, Then Gold receive for flaughter'd Bruin's Skin. Then faid the Wood-man; Wilt thou buy ? I'll fell The Devil's Hide, and bring it thee from Hell, For ready Money; come, and give me Coin, And the Bear's Skin, though now he lives,is thine. And thou flialt go along and fee the Sport, And how I'll rowfe him from his fhady Court: I'll make him pay now for my flaughter'd Bees. Here they ftrike hands, and Gold the Earneftis: Then