jESOPS FABLES. Fab. LV. Of an Egyptian King and his Apes. REalms,marrd and water'd with the fertile Nile A King did rule,who lov'd nor care nor toyl, Nor with devafting War his neighbours land to fpoyl. Nor he in Oftentation Riches fpent Vexing poor Israelites, Proud Pyramids to build, Whole pointed Spires ftill wound the Firmament, Darkning our Weftern Nights, When they our riling Moon and Stars unguild. Nor took he pleafure to Hunt Salvage Beafts, But Entertainment lov'd and Princely Feafts, Pleas'd with his own, or to here others witty Jefts, When, at full Boards a jolly Peer did ftart This Queftion, Whether Apes might learn the Art Of Dancing, and be taught to ad a human part ? The Novel Fancy much the King did pleafe ; When thus he faid, my Lord, This Projed I'll advance; Since here are none, we'll lend beyond the Seas, To Realms far off well ftor'd With Mafters, that mall teach them how to dance. Both Greece and Rome the Art ai'Ocaftry Al waies efteem'd, where dancing-Mafters be Whofe feet Hiftorians are, and tell a Hiftory. w Mars in a Net this in a figure fhapes; That, mviitidProferpiue jthefe^theleveral Rapes Of all their wanton Godsend luftful J-ove's 135 4) That the antients dane'd not to es only, but to Songs, reprefen- with the figures and motion* of r body thefubjeaof the Ballad, ears from this place of Htmtr, re in King Alcimus Court they e the Story of Mars 2R&VenHs n in Adultery by Vilexn. ayt *<u>ix#|i 'Pnifntn( tail ifr Our Dances bid prepare, that he may His friends at home how much we all excel. Let one (Iraight for Dimodocus repair, And bring his Harp, of'vhich pray hava a care. This faid, thence for the Lyre his Herald goes, Nine Mailers of the Revels then a. rofe Who drove the people back,and more room made. The Harp brought in Demodocns not Maid Maid But we p But to the midft: prime Youth And plac'd'in figures, round about him V/jfis 'much their motions did ad- Whilft he fung fweetly to his charming Lyre The fcapes of Mm and Venns.. how hefped When firft fhe brought him to her Husbands bed, How their (loin fports the Sun to him declar'd ; And how the news the jealous chafing heard ; Who at his Forge ftraiE nvil'd out a Chain Whofe Links not Force, nor Cunning could conftrain. Then raging to his Chamber wcnt.and fpread The artificial Gin about his Bed.C^.