Upset over the way his friends had abandoned him, dramatist John Gay told a tale in verse about a popular Hare who, exhausted by her desperate flight from the hunt, appealed to each of her friends in turn for help. The first to pass by was the Horse, who said encouragingly that the Hare had plenty of other friends.

A Bull pleaded that he would be no gentleman if he kept his Cow waiting; the Goat said he was too uncomfortable a ride; a frightened sheep grumbled about his heavy fleece; and after a Calf said he was too young to question the unanimous judgment of his elders, the Hare was left to face the hunt alone.

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