CHILDREN'S BOOK
COLLECTION
*
LIBRARY OF THE
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
jfgOf'f TMIAL,
So the Court tra.t r/v/jv///v/ X- i-m-li n-it7i<:\:v .v//yc //</
Tin- jiiilfi,- mi,! flu- iiiru ,ift<'ti<l<nit ,
irr,- //// n/fHi-.Hitm/i/i;/ "/> "ti if xhw,
Sh>0,i />,',,! /:'>, t/li- ////////.!-. ,1,-r'ril'liMt.
MSOP IN RHYME,
SOME ORIGINALS.
BY
JEFFERYS TAYLOR,
AUTHOR OF HARRY'S HOLIDAY.
I shall not ask Jean Jacques Rousseaw
If animals converse or no ;
'Tis clear that they were always able
To hold discourse, at least, in fable.
COWPER'S POEMS.
WITH AN ENGRAVING TO EACH FABLE.
THE THIRD EDITION.
LONDON:
PRINTED FOR BALDWIN AND CRAftOCK.
1828.
C. Baldwin, Printer,
New Bridge-Street, London.
CONTENTS.
Page
FABLE I. The Oak and the Reed 1
II. The Fox and the Lion 3
III. The Frogs 4
IV. The Solar Phenomenon 6
V. The Compliant Farmer 8
VI. The Two Vessels 10
VII. The Bear and the Hermit 11
VIII. The Clown praying to Hercules 12
IX. The Lion and the Ass 15
X. The Dog invited to dinner 16
XI. The Eagle and the Crow -. 18
XIL The Mouse and the Weasel t9
XIII, The Grapes are sour 20
XLV. The Ass in the Lion's skin 20
XV. The Man who had travelled , 22
XVI. The Dog and the Wolf. 23
XVII. The Herdsman 25
XVIII. The Chameleon 26
XIX. The Boys and the Frogs 28
XX* The Horse and the Ass 29
XXI. Mercury and the Sculptor 30
XXII. The Bull and the Gnat 32
XXIII. The Cock and the Jewel 3*
XXIV. The Man and the Lion 34
XXV. The Two Frogs , 35
XXVI. The Fox and the Crane 36
XXVII. The Traveller and the Satyr 37
XXVIII. The Travellers and the Purse 4O
XXIX. The Mouth and the Limbs 41
XXX. The Conceited Cur 43
XXXI. The Hare and the Tortoise 44
XXXII. The Honest Woodman , 46
XXXIII. The Crow and the Piicher 49
XXXIV. The Young Mouse 50
FABLE XXXV. The Toad and the Fly 52
XXXVI. The Milkmaid 55
XXXVII. The Lark and her young ones 57
XXXVI II. The Philosopher and the Acorn 60
XXXIX. The Two Cats 61
XL. The Wolf and the Crane 62
XLI. The Fox and the Goat 4
XLII. The Lame Man and the Blind 6.>
XLIII. The Fox and the Hen 66
XLIV. The Tortoise 68
XLV. The Dog of Reflection 69
XLVI. The Travellers and Bear 70
XLVI1. ThsFrogs andtheBull 71
XLVIII. The Council of Mice 72
XL1X. The Wolf and the Lamb... 74
L. The Beasts in Partnership 76
LI. The Lion and the Mouse 78
III. The Jealous Ass 80
LIII. The Town and Country Mice 82
LIV. The Cat and the Fox 84
LV. The Wasp and the Snail 86
LVI. The Fox and the Crow 87
LVII. Dr. Wolf. 89
LVIll. The Council of War 91
ORIGINAL FABLES.
FABI.B I. The Old Woman and the Death- Watch 95
II. The Donkeys' Dialogue 9<>
III. ThePride of the Cobler's Dog 98
IT. Peter the Great 9 ^
V. Edwin, 107
VI. The Ass andthe Fox 109
VII. The Peach and the Potatoe. 110
YIII. The Show of Wild Beasts ln
IX. The Shower of Puddings 116
X The Dog and the Pitcher 117
XI. The Gold Pin and the Nail 12
XII. The Wasps andthe Flies 12a
XIII. ^sop's Trial m
Tlie Oak tlie Reed.
The Fox the Lion .
iff'
.ESOP IN RHYME,
&c. &c.
FABLE I.
THE OAK AND THE REED.
THE wind was high, the thunder loud ;
The lightning flash'd from cloud to cloud ;
When an old oak, whose aged form
Ere now had witness'd many a storm,
Had borne the brunt, and still withstood
The wind, the lightning, and the flood,
Was torn up from his roots at last,
By one tremendous, wintry blast ;
Then headlong to the stream descended ;
His ancient pride and glory ended.
The ample waters soon convey'd
The oak-tree from his well-known shade.
Then unknown, naked hills were seen,
With rude and dreary wilds between,
And by the river's oozy edge
Grew weakly reeds and languid sedge.
" Strange ! " thought the oak, (permit the fable,)
" That plants so slender should be able
B
2
Thus to survive the stormy day,
Which made my stubborn limbs give way."
A reed, just bending with the storm,
Then to the oak inclined its form ;
And thus it whisper'd, ' < Aged friend,
I do not break, because I bend;
I find it best, while troubles last,
To bow beneath them till they're past."
Thus spoke the trembling reed, and ceased ;
For now the windy storm increased ;
Then to the earth it bow'd its head,
Proving the truth of what it said.
Meanwhile the oak, with quicken'd sail,
Was hurried onward by the gale ;
And scarce had time allow'd to say
" You're right," ere he was borne away.
The moral, no doubt, you've already found out,
Since the fable has lent its assistance ;
For in trouble, 'tis clear, they've most reason to fear,
Who make the most stubborn resistance.
FABLE II.
THE FOX AND THE LION.
WHEN the fox and the lion first happen'd to meet,
Poor Reynard fell down at his majesty's feet,
So great was the terror inspired ;
But the next time he met him, not quite so afraid,
When the lion approach'd an obeisance he made,
And after his health he inquired.
But the third time he met him, " Old crony," said he,
" Pray whither so fast ? I must say, to be free,
That you're grown somewhat cool and unkind."
The dignified lion deign'd not a reply j
But taking the fox to a river hard by,
Cool'd him, both in body and mind.
Thought the fox, whilst emerging in woe-begone state,
*' This comes of one's making too free with the great."
FABLE III.
THE FROGS,
SOME frogs within a bog or ditch,
I really cannot tell you which ;
Yet I prefer to say a bog,
For that you know best rhymes to frog :
These frogs, as .ZEsop's muse-doth sing,
Requested they might have a king.
So Jupiter, in merry mood,
Straight threw them down a log of wood :
But who can say how much it splash'd,
Or who was frighten'd, who was mash'd ?
Surprised that such should be the case,
Nor liking much this act of grace,
They kept aloof a day or two,
For fear of what he next might do.
" But see, how still he lies," said they,
" Let's go and hear what he will say."
So they approach'd the royal log,
And there was one courageous frog
Who leap'd upon him, to inquire
What was his majesty's desire ;
But he of course no answer made ;
So they, concluding he was dead,
Petitioned Jupiter again,
Who quickly sent them down a crane.
Tlie Discontented Frog's.
The S olt\Y Phenomenon .
This gracious prince to all the nation
Then issued forth a proclamation;
In which the greatest and the least
Were all invited to a feast ;
And so, on the appointed day,
Legions of frogs stopped up the way.
"Now/* said the king, "upon this log
Is spread our feast ; and any frog
Who to jump on may not be able,
I'll raise him gently to the table."
Enough was said, for every guest
Around the monarch's person prest.
The king then made a gracious bend,
To help his subjects to ascend ;
But so it was, as JEsop wrote,
He let them fall straight down his throat ;
While those below thought all was right,
Although their friends were out of sight ;
Till one, who something wrong suspected,
Leap'd up, and so the fraud detected.
Who can describe his feelings then ?
My tongue cannot, nor can my pen :
Scarce was he up, ere he was down,
And made the whole transaction known.
Enough was said, for every frog,
Ere he had ceased, forsook the bog ;
Croaking and groaning, as they went,
For their old form of government.
6
This fable Phaedrus did relate,
Referring to affairs of state :
But leaving politics alone
Till we're a little older grown,
'Twill be a safer way for us,
To take the author's meaning thus,
That folks well off should be content,
Nor make a change they may repent.
FABLE IV.
THE SOLAR PHENOMENON.
AN astronomer gazing, as oft he had done,
Through a very long telescope aim'd at the sun,
Descried, on a sudden, a spot on his face,
So large as to darken one third of his rays !
" Oh ! Newton, Oh! Halley, were ye but alive,
What name to this monster, I ask, would you give?
Like no other spot on his disc does it seem ;
As maculae, facul<K^ neither of them.
But what do I see? the phenomenon moves,
And there are its legs too, which certainly proves
That it must be an animal: awful indeed !
For its length half a million of miles must exceed:
If so, then the question must needs be decided,
Which has for so long all the learned divided ;
* Maculae and f<Kul<e, are names given by astronomers to the
dark and the bright spots seen occasionally on the sun's disc.
For now tis as plain as the nose on my face,
That the sun is in truth an inhabited place!
Oh, all ye philosophers, moralists, sages,
Who have puzzled your brains on this subject for ages ;
Old Thales, Copernicus, Newton, Descartes,
Draw near, if ye can, and the truth I'll impart/'
He ceased ; but he scarcely an ending had made,
When the shades of those worthies his summons obey'd;
And, in low hollow voice, demanded in haste,
For what reason he'd calTd them, and broken their rest.
" Oh, indeed ! are ye come ? " said our hero, sur-
prised,
" Why I did not suppose, as ye all had demised,
What I said could have reach'd you ; but as it is so,
Forthwith I'll proceed the huge monster to show ;
So saying, to each he the telescope handed,
And quickly of each his opinion demanded.
Said Newton, " Some creature there is I suppose,
But I do not believe 'tis a yard from your nose ! "
" Nor I," said Copernicus, Thales, and all;
" In fact we believe 'tis no wonder at all ! "
" Then pray," said our hero, " explain what you see,
And say what you take this appearance to be."
Said Newton, " Unscrew the last lens from your glass ;"
The astronomer quickly obey'd, and, alas !
8
For his fame and his theory what should he descry,
When he open'd the end of his tube, but a jly !
Examine them well, ere you speak of new wonders :
'Twill save you from many ridiculous blunders.
^
FABLE V.
THE COMPLIANT FARMER.
AN honest farmer and his son
Were driving once an ass to town ;
But, wishing not to tire the brute,-
They would not ride but walk'd on foot.
" Well," said a man, whom soon they met,
" I ne'er beheld such nonsense yet !
Why should ye walk ? why don't ye ride ?
Pray what's a donkey for beside ? "
" Right," said the farmer, <* Son, arise,
And take our worthy friend's advice/'
The duteous son obey'd with haste,
And soon bestrode th 'unwilling beast.
Scarce had he mounted, when, behold,
Two women next began to scold.
Tlie Compliant Farmer.
The two Vessels.
9
" You lazy boy ! " at once they cried,
Why don't you let your father ride ?"
" True," said the father ; " Son, get down :
I'll ride, and you shall walk to town."
The son dismounted honest Ned,
And let his father ride instead.
Once more they sped them on their way,
And met a party. " Come," said they,
" Your legs are longer than your son's ;
Suppose you let him ride for once."
" Good," said the father ; " Son, you see
There's room enough for you and me ;
Get up behind." Once more the son
Bestrode the beast, and journey 'd on.
Again |hey sped ; again they met
A party not contented yet :
Said they, " Have pity on your beast.
And one of you get down at least."
But our good farmer thought at last,
He e'en would profit by the past ;
Nor change again, unless, indeed,
In one opinion all agreed.
B 5
10
Although opinions vary so,
'Tis hard the right from wrong to know,
(And never would the labour cease,
Of studying every man's caprice ;)
Yet same there are in which we see
The wise and good do all agree :
Let their opinions be your own,
And let what they advise be done.
FABLE VI.
THE TWO VESSELS.
I'LL tell you a tale : two vessels set sail,
Without either captain or crew !
Your wonder to settle, they were a brass kettle,
An earthenware porringer too.
t
" O dear ! " said the latter : " Friend, what is the
matter ? "
The kettle demanded, at last.
Said the pitcher, " I think I shall certainly sink,
I am filling with water so fast."
" Oh ! be not afraid, I will lend you my aid ;
Hook on to my spout," said the kettle.
Said the pitcher, " O dear, it is you that I fear,
Since if we come nigh, of the blow / must die ;
For I'm earthen, but you are of metal"
11
As weak folks oft suffer by strong ones, I say
That the weaker had better keep out of their way.
FABLE VII.
THE BEAR AND THE HERMIT.
ONCE a bear had a thorn in his foot (as they term it),
Which it seems was extracted from thence by a hermit :
So the beast felt so grateful, and pleased with the der-
vise,
That he offer'd to enter quite into his service.
So the hermit consented, at length, to the plan.
" Now then," thought the bear, " I must do what I
can
To make myself useful ; and glad I shall be
If a service in turn shall be render'd by me."
Not long after this, as the hermit was sleeping,
And the bear was the watch with great vigilance keep-
ing;
On the nose of the former alighted a fly ;
" O now," thought the bear, " my best skill I must try."
So he lifted his paw, and completed the process,
But crush'd with the fly his poor patron's proboscis !
12
Up started the hermit" Base villain," said he,
" Is this the reward for my goodness to thee ? "
The bear felt confounded, as any one would,
But explain'd the transaction as well as he could.
Said the hermit ( ' Should flies settle on me again,
Be so kind, if you please, as to let them remain.
For I'd rather bavejifty of them on my nose,
Than one of your friendly but terrible blows."
Let us always take heed, when we render a service,
That we serve not our friend as the bear did the der-
vise:
Some ills had much better, we know, be endured,
Than the pain, or the danger, of having them cured.
FABLE VIII.
THE CLOWN PRAYING TO HERCULES.
AN ancient Roman, you must know,
(I think his name was Cicero,)
Wishing to make his garden smarter,
Bespoke some gravel of a carter ;
But that had many miles to come,
To reach his seat at Tusculum ;
p. 22.
The Hermit & liie Bear.
The Clcrvvii praying* to Hercules .
13
And then, beside all this, the way
Was quite knee-deep in miry clay ;
The horse was lame, the cart was cra^y,
And, worse than all, the man was lazy.
If so, you'll say, I am afraid
That Tully's job will be delay'd.
Exactly so ; the cart at length
Was fix'd beyond the horse's strength :
In vain the driver groan'd and grumbled,
Down in the mud all-fours he tumbled,
And there for near an hour he lay ;
Thought he, " to Hercules I'll pray,
And this, I think, will do to say :
" ' O thou, who wrench'd the lion's jaws,
Regardless of his teeth and claws ;
Who drown'd the Hydra (if I'm right),
And Cerberus didst drag to light ;
Who flung the boar, and toss'd the bull
Over thy shoulders, with a pull ;
Captured the oxen ; Geryon slew,
And Diomedes vanquish'd too ;
Who caught the stag that ran so fast,
And shot those birds of prey at last ;
Who conquer'd those great Amazons,
And all the stables cleansed at once
(Two thousand of them) ; and, I'm told,
Procured the apples made of gold.
O Hercules ! so strong thou art,
Sure thou canst move this horse and cart.' "
14
Scarce had he ceased, when rolling thunder
Surprised this man with fear and wonder ;
Then straight before his eyes he sees
No less a form than Hercules,
Who soon began in words like these :
" You impious, idle, lazy fellow !
How long will you lie there and bellow ?
Disturbing my immortal neighbours,
With that long rig-me-roll of labours !
Think you, I'll help you with your load,
While you lie sprawling on the road ?
Apply your shoulders to the wheel,
Nor idly thus before me kneel ;
Then, should the task too mighty prove,
I may assist you with a shove ;
But those who indolent remain
May roar for help, but roar in vain."
This is the moral of the fable,
To help yourself if you are able.
Tlie Conceited Ass.
The Poo; & the Cook.
15
FABLE IX.
THE LION AND THE ASS.
IN the days of old ^Esop, it once came to pass
That a lion saw fit to make friends with an ass ;
" For/' said he, " I well know, by myself, he can bray
In such style as to strike all the beasts with dismay."
" Now you take the rear, I'll proceed to the van,"
Said the lion ; " then make the worst noise that you can;
They'll be seized with a panic, I have not a doubt,
Which will end in their total dispersion and rout."
So the ass bray'd a tune which he thought would suc-
ceed,
When the cattle made off with incredible speed ;
Then the lion fell on them and made them his prey :
" Only think," said the donkey, " how well I can bray."
" Well," said he to the lion, " pray how did it do ? "
" Indeed," said that beast, " Sir, you frightened me too ;
And, had I not known it before, I protest,
I, myself, should have run with all speed, like the rest."
Some folks think their failings for merits will pass,
Though none will think so, I admit, but an ass.
16
FABLE X.
THE DOG INVITED TO DINNER.
A GENTLEMAN (a friend of mine)
Invited sundry folks to dine ;
I cannot tell you who, because
I was not there ; hut some one was,
Who, when return'd, with ready pen
Recorded that which happen'd then.
It seems this circumstance occur'd ;
The dog, the orders overheard,
For game, and fish, and butcher's meat,
And much beside, a royal treat.
So finding mighty preparations,
The dog ask'd one of his relations ;
He thought it was, and so do I,
A lucky opportunity.
This dog arriv'd, was usher'd in,
Where charming things were smelt and seen ;
The meat while raw so tempting look'd,
They wish'd it were not to be cook'd ;
Though then they might have thought it nice,
' But for the pepper and the spice :
Yet as it might be underdone,
And some have pepper, some have none,
17
'Twixt venison, mutton, beef, and veal,
They doubted not to make a meal.
But woe befel the luckless cur ;
Whence some disaster, you'll infer.
The cook, you see, who chanced to find him,
Turn'd round, and softly crept behind him,
Then took a leg in either hand,
All which you clearly understand ;
And bore the inverted, howling beast
Far from the kitchen and the feast ;
Then from the window to the yard
Was thrown the dog, who thought it hard.
'Twas bad enough to break his bones,
By falling headlong on the stones ;
But this, though bad, was not the worst
That yet remains to be rehearsed ;
For all the dogs and cats he knew
Press'd round with friendly " how d'ye do ? '
" Do ! " said our hero, somewhat gruff;
" What do you mean ? I'm well enough."
" We're glad to hear it, sir," said they,
" How did you like your dinner, pray ? "
" Dinner ! " said he, " I only wish
All you could taste that charming dish ;
In truth so much I ate and drank,
I must acknowledge, to be frank,
18
I was so sadly overcome,
I scarce know how I left the room."
Thus disappointment and confusion
Reward an impudent intrusion.
FABLE XI.
THE EAGLE AND THE CROW.
AN eagle descending one day from the skies,
Seized a lamb in his talons, and made him his prize :
Then spreading his pinions abroad to the gale,
Bore his prey through the air with a dignified sail.
" That was very well done," thought a cro - , " I
confess ;
Yet I can perform it still better, I guess : "
So saying, she dropt on the back of a lamb,
But " alas ! " thought the crow, " what a blockhead I
am!"
For her feet were entangled so fast in the fleece,
That she neither could rise nor obtain her release ;
So instead of her taking the lamb, you must know,
The lamb with great ease ran away with. the crow.
The Eagle & the Crow.
The Mouse & the Weasel.
19
When little folks try with the great to compare,
They soon show their neighbours how little they are.
':': FABLE XII.
THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL.
OF a mouse I have read, who so poorly was fed,
That her person quite dwindled aw*ay ;
Until being so thin, through a crack $ie squeezed in
To some corn, where she feasted aH day.
When no more she could eat, she essay'd to retreat,
But how was she shock'd to discern
That her bulk had increas'd, by the means of her feast,
To a size that forbad her return !
So she scrambled about ; but she could not get out ;
Said a weasel, "your hurry I blame;
This advice I would tender : first starve yourself
slender,
And then you may go as you came/'
This mouse, it is frankly confessed, might be needy,
But that's no excuse for her being so greedy :
I A less she had eaten, no doubt, through the crack
Which she enter'd so freely, she might have got back.
20
FABLE XIII.
THE GRAPES ARE SOUR.
A MONKEY some charming ripe grapes once espied,
Which how to obtain, was the query ;
For up to a trellis so high they were tied,
That he jump'd till he made himself weary.
So finding, at last, they were out of his power,
Said he, ' f Let them have them who will :
I see that they're green, and don't doubt that they're
sour,
And fruit that's unripe makes me ill."
Those will ne'er be believed by the world, it is plain.,
Who pretend to despise what they cannot obtain.
FABLE XIV.
THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN.
AN ass who imagined his virtues neglected,
And saw that his talents were little respected ;
Supposing folks judged of his worth by his skin,
Resolved the first good one he saw to creep in.
The Monkey & Grapes .
Tlie Ass in the Lions sldn.
Soon after he found the fine coat of a lion ;
" Oh ! this/' thought the ass, " by all means I will try
on/'
Which at last he contriv'd to throw over his shoulders ;
" Now/' said he, " with what awe shall I strike all
beholders ! "
Then he went to a pond to survey himself in it,
And when he had stay'd to adjust it a minute,
Had had the last look, and felt sure it would do,
To his neighbours he hasted to make his debut.
"Dear! now," said the beast, " how provoking it is,
Not a soul's to be seen such a fine day as this ! "
I wish though it would not hang over one's eyes ;
I must try to procure one that's nearer my size."
Just after he met a stray pig in the road,
So he look'd as terrific and fierce as he could ;
But instead of his showing the smallest dismay,
The pig only grunted, and kept on his way.
He next saw a fox, and, to fright him the more,
He tried, when they met, like a lion to roar :
" Ah ! " said Reynard, " think not for a lion to pass,
While you act like a donkey, and bray like an ass. "
Vulgar people well drest will be sure to be known ;
For the moment they speak, their vulgarity's shown.
22
FABLE XV.
THE MAN WHO HAD TRAVELLED.
A MAN who had travell'd, his story unravell'd,
And strange were the things he related ;
Till his hearers began to discredit the man ;
For they were with his miracles sated.
So he rack'd his invention, to keep their attention,
And at last he declar'd to them all
That he leap'd from the dome of St. Peter's at Rome,
Without being hurt by his fall.
" For," said he, " when at Rhodes, I conformed to
their modes,
And in leaping became so expert,
That now should they toss us clean o'er the Colossus,
I am certain I should not be hurt ! "
This all were agreed, was surprising indeed,
Provided the whole were authentic ;
Then the truth to confirm, he employ'd ev'ry term
In Sheridan, Johnsoti, or Entick.
" But, good sir," said a friend, " all our scruples
must end,
If you would but just leap from that steeple;"
The Man who had Travelled.
The Dog-& tlie Wolf.
But our hero thought fit, at that hint to retreat
From a pack of incredulous people.
When people assert an achievement expert,
And have only assertions to show it ;
There is ground to suspect that they are not correct ;
The best proof of all is to do it.
FABLE XVI.
THE DOG AND THE WOLF.
A WOLF there was whose scanty fare
Had made his person lean and spare :
A dog there was, so amply fed,
His sides were plump and sleek, 'tis said ;
The wolf once met this prosp'rous cur,
And thus began : " Your servant, sir ;
I'm pleased to see you look so well,
Though how it is, I cannot tell ;
I have not broke my fast to-day ;
Nor have I, I'm concerned to say,
One bone in store or expectation,
And that I call a great vexation."
" Indeed it is," the dog replie J ;
<s L know no ill so great beside ;
24
But if you do not like to be
So poorly fed, come live with me."
" Agreed," rejoined the wolf, " I'll go :
But pray what work am I to do ? "
" O, guard the house, and do not fail
To bark at thieves and wag your tail."
So off they jogg'd, and soon arrived
At where the friendly mastiff lived,
Well," said the wolf, " I can't deny
You have a better house than I."
" Not so," the other then replied,
" If you with me will here abide."
" Oh ! " said the wolf, how kind you are !
But what d'ye call that hanging there ?
Is it an iron chain, or what ? "
" Friend," said the dog, " I quite forgot
To mention that : sometimes, you see,
They hook that little chain to me ;
But it is only meant to keep
Us dogs from walking in our sleep,
And should you wear it, you would find,
It's nothing that you need to mind."
" I'll take your word," the wolf replied ;
" Its truth by me shall ne'er be tried ;
I'll have my liberty again,
And you your collar and your chain."
25
Our neighbours sometimes seem to be
A vast deal better off than we ;
Yet seldom 'tis they really are,
Since they have troubles too to bear,
Which, if the truth were really known,
Are quite as grievous as our own.
FABLE XVII.
THE HERDSMAN.
A HERDSMAN, who lived at a time and a place
Which, should you not know, is but little disgrace,
Discover'd one morning, on counting his stock,
That a sheep had been stolen that night from the flock.
" O, I wish I had caught ye, whoever ye be,
I'd have soon let you know, I'd have soon let you see,
What ye had to expect/' said the herdsman, " I trow ;
But I've thought of a scheme that will trouble you now.'
So what did he do, sir, but put up a board,
Describing the theft, and proposed a reward
Of a lamb to the man who would give information
Concerning the thief, and his true designation.
26
The project succeeded ; for soon there applied
A certain near neighbour, with others beside.
" But tell me the thief !" said the herdsman, " at least ; "
" Come hither/' said they, " and we'll show you the
beast."
" The least ! " said the rustic, who thought he should
die on
The spot, when he found that the thief was a lion !
'* 111 luck to my hurry ! what now shall I do ?
I promised a lamb to detect you, 'tis true ;
But now I'd consent all my substance to pay,
If I could but with safety get out of your way."
Silly people ask things that would ruin, if sent ;
They demand them in haste, and at leisure repent.
FABLE XVIII.
THE CHAMELEON.
Two friends, B and A, were disputing, one day,
On a creature they'd both of them seen ;
But who would suppose the debate that arose
Was whether 'twas scarlet or green.
Tlie Herd siu a 11 .
Tlie Cliamelion.
27
Said B, " If your're right, I will own black is white,
Or that two, with two added, make eight ; "
" And^o will I too," replied A, " when you show
That that creature is green, as you state.*'
" Sir, it was, I maintain ; I affirm it again ;
Am I not to believe my own eyes ?"
" It was not," replied A ; " it was scarlet, I say,
Which none but a madman denies."
Then said C, " My good fellow, you'll find it is yellow ;
You surely have never been near it : "
" That cannot be true, for I'm certain 'twas blue,"
Said another who happen'd to hear it.
<l O ! " said D, te it's absurd ! if you'll credit my word,
The creature was brown as a berry : "
" Not brown, sir/' said Jack, " when I saw it, 'twas
black ; "
Their the neighbours began to be merry.
" Come," said E, "hold your tongue, you are all of you
wrong,
Or, at least, you are none of you right : "
Then a box he display'd, where the creature was laid,
When this marvellous lizard was white !
c2
'* Good people," said I, "a chameleon his dye
Can change any colour to suit ;
Now if this had been known, all must candidly own
You would not have commenced the dispute."
This great altercation show'd small information,
As such disputes constantly do ;
For ignorant minds, one most commonly finds,
Are excessively positive too.
FABLE XIX.
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.
SOME boys, beside a pond or lake,
Were playing once at duck and drake ;
When, doubtless to their heart's content,
Volleys of stones were quickly sent.
But there were some (there will be such)
Who did not seem amused so much ;
These were the frogs, to whom the game,
In point of sport, was not the same.
For scarce a stone arrived, ? tis said,
But gave some frog a broken head
Tlte B qvs & the Progs .
The Horse fc tlie As s .
And scores, in less than half an hour,
Perish'd beneath the dreadful shower.
At last, said one, " Young folks, I say,
Do fling your stones another way ;
Though sport to you to throw them thus,
Remember, pray, 'tis death to us ! "
From hence this moral may be learn'd ;-
Let play be play to all concerned.
FABLE XX.
THE HORSE AND THE ASS.
A HORSE and a donkey once met on the road :
" Dear me !" said the former, "you've got a great load ;
I'm really concern'd at your case, from my heart."
"Why then," thought the ass, "don't you carry a
part?"
At last, said the donkey, " Come, neighbour, I say,
Won't you lend me a hand with my burden to-day ?
I'll carry the panniers, if you'll take the sack ;
If you'll stop, I can hitch it just on to your back/'
30
" Not so," said the horse, K for should that come to
pass,
Your owner, I'm certain, would think me an ass ;
And sooner I'd bear any load he could pile,
Than a name so contemptible, vulgar, and vile."
The ass gave a look, but nothing replied ;
For she fell to the earth with her burden, and died ;
So the man coming up when he saw the ass fall,
Made the horse carry donkey, sack, panniers, and all.
We had best with good- will help our neighbours in
trouble,
Nor be forced to comply when the labour is double.
FABLE XXI.
MERCURY AND THE SCULPTOR.
WE'VE often made the beasts and birds
To speak their minds, and utter words :
So sure 'twill make but little odds
To introduce the heathen gods ;
And if the fable's understood,
I think you'll say the moral's good ;
But should you not approve the same,
jEsop, not I must bear the blame.
Mercury^ the Sculptor
The Bull & the Gnat .
31
Mercury, wishing much to know
How he was liked by men below
Disguised himself in shape of man,
As well we know such beings can ;
And to a sculptor's shop descended,
Where statues of the gods were vended :
There Jupiter and Juno stood,
In bronze, in marble, and in wood ;
Mars and Minerva richly drest,
And Mercury amongst the rest.
Then said he to the sculptor, " Sir,
Pray what's the price of Jupiter ? "
The sum was named without delay :
" And what dy'e ask for Juno, pray ? "
" A trifle more," the man replied ;
" She's more esteem'd than most beside : "
" And \\ hat for that upon the shelf ? "
Said Mercury, nodding at himself.
" O ! ** said the man, " his worth is small ;
I never charge for him at all ;
But when the other gods are bought,
I always give him in for nought."
You ask me what I think of you,
You're foolish and conceited too.
No persons thus for praise will seek
But those who are both vain and weak.
32
FABLE XXII.
THE BULL AND THE GNAT.
ON the horn of a bullock alighted a gnat ;
To which it is likely you'll say " What of that ? "
I'll tell you : this insect thought he was so great,
That the beast must be weary with bearing his weight.
" I'm afraid that my pressure disturbs you," said he,
" You must feel much oppressed by a person like me ;
But if for five minutes you'll let me remain,
I'll remove to some tree which my weight can sustain."
*" Sit still and be quiet, I pray," said the beast,
" Your weight does not burden my neck in the least ;
Indeed I knew not of your coming, and so
Shall not miss you whene'er you think proper to -go."
Tis the most insignificant persons, we see,
Who suppose themselves folks of importance to be.
FABLE XXIII.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
A COCK there was : a sage was he
(If JEsop we may trust),
Who wish'd to make a meal, you see>
As other sages must.
Tlie Cock the Jewel.
The Man fc the Lion.
With this intent, as heretofore,
When on the hunt for grain,
Our hero scratch'd the litter o'er
With all his might and main.
But scarce a minute had he scratch'd,
When, to his great surprise,
A gem, with golden chain attach'd,
He saw with both his eyes.
" Alack ! " quoth he, < ' what have we herr ?
A diamond, I protest !
Which lords and ladies buy so dear,
And hold in such request.
" But one good barley-corn to me
Has more intrinsic worth
Than all the pearls now in the sea,
Or gold now in the earth."
The moral here in ^Esop's mind
Was this, there's not a doubt ;
Things have most value which we find
We cannot do without.
c 5
34
FABLE XXIV.
THE MAN AND THE LION r .
A MAN and a lion once had a dispute,
Which was reckoned the greatest, the man or the brute ,
The lion discoursed on his side at some length,
And greatly enlarged on his courage and strength.
The man, one would think, had enough to reply
On his side the question, which none could deny ;
But, like many others who make a pretence,
He talk'd perfect nonsense and thought it was sense.
" So," said he, " don't be prating, look yonder, I
pray,
At that sculpture of marble, now what will you say ? "
The lion is vanquish'd ; but, as for the man,
He is striding upon him ; deny it who can.
" But pray," said the lion, " who sculptured that
stone ? "
" One of us," said the man, " I must cand'dly own ; "
" But when we are sculptors," the other replied
" You will then on the man see the lion astride.
The man might have added, if he had been wise,
" But a beast cannot sculpture a stone if he tries"
That sufficiently shows where the difference lies. I
Tlie Two Frogs.
The Fox & tlie Crane.
FABLE XXV.
THE TWO FROGS.
THE day was hot, the heat was dire,
Enough to make a post perspire ;
The ponds were empty, pumps were dry,
The ducks were thirsty, so was I.
Two frogs resolved (quite right I think)
To take a tour in search of drink ;
And long they sped them on their way,
And many a dangerous leap had they ;
But there appear'd a well at length,
Which both approach'd with failing strength ;
But when they gave an anxious peep^,
Alas ! 'twas twenty fathoms deep !
" Well," said the youngest, " let's descend ; "
" No," said the other, " youthful friend ;
For should the water dry here too,
I ask thee what we then should do ? "
Deep was the well, not quite so deep
Our moral lies, " look ere you leap."
36
FABLE XXVI.
THE FOX AND THE CRANE.
" I CERTAINLY think," said a fox to a crane,
" That face, ma'am, of yours is remarkably plain ;
That beak that you wear is so frightful a feature,
It makes you appear a most singular creature."
The crane, much offended at what she had heard,
March'd off at full speed, without saying a word ;
" Oh dear ! " said the fox, " Mrs. Crane, I protest
You misunderstood me 'twas only in jest.
" Come, don't be affronted stay with me and dine ;
You know very well 'tis this temper of mine
To say such odd things to my intimate friends ;
But you know that poor Reynard no mischief intends."
So the crane thought it best not to break with him quite,
But to view his remarks in a good-natured light.
So she put on as pleasant a face as she could
When he ask'd her to dine, and replied that she would.
But alas ! she perceived that his jokes were not over,
When Reynard removed from the victuals its cover ;
'Twas neither game, butcher's meat, chicken, nor fish ;
But plain gravy soup, in a broad shallow dish.
37
Now this the fox lapp'd with his tongue very quick,
While the crane could scarce dip in the point of her beak ;
" You make a poor dinner/' said, he, to his guest ;
" O dear ! by no means," said the bird, " I protest."
But the crane ask'd the fox on a subsequent day,
When nothing, it seems, for their dinner had they
But some minced meat served up in a narrow-neck'd jar ;
Too long, and too narrow, for Reynard by far.
" You make a poor dinner, I fear," said the bird ;
" Why, I think," said the fox, " 'twould be very absurd
To deny what you say, yet I cannot complain,
But confess, though a fox, that Pm matched by a crane."
Cunning folks who play tricks which good manners
condemn,
Often find their own tricks play'd upon them again.
FABLE XXVII. IT
THE TRAVELLER AND THE SATYR.
A LUCKLESS wight, in winter snow,
Travelling once a forest through,
Cold and hungry, tired and wet,
Began in words like these to fret :
38
" Oh ! what a sharp, inclement day !
And what a dismal, dreary way !
No friendly cot, no cheering fields,
No food this howling forest yields ;
I've nought in store or expectation ;
There's nought before me but starvation.
" Not quite so bad," a voice replied ;
Quickly the traveller turn'd aside,
And saw the satyr of the wood,
Who close beside his dwelling stood.
" Here is my cave hard by," said he,
" Walk in, you're welcome, pray be free."
The traveller did not hesitate,
Hoping for something good to eat,
But followed to his heart's content,
Blowing his fingers as he went.
" Pray," said the Satyr, " may I know
For what you blow your fingers so ? "
"What ! need you," said the man, " bt told ?
To warm my fingers, 'numb'd with cold."
" Indeed ! " was all his host replied,
Intent some pottage to provide,
Which heated well, with spice infused,
Was to his shivering guest produced :
P-37-
The Traveller X- tke Satyr.
The Tr a ve LI e i s X- the Pn T s < >
39
So hot it was, as .ZEsop sung,
It made our traveller scald his tongue ;
And wishing not again to do it,
Our hero could not wait, but blew it.
" What ! " said his host in accent rough,
" Is not your pottage hot enough ? "
" Yes," said the man, " full well I know it,
Tis far too hot, that's why I blow it."
" You artful villain ! do you so ? "
His host replied, with angry brow ;
" My cave shall not a moment hold
A man that blows both hot and cold !
By none but rogues can that be done :
You double-dealing wretch, begone ! "
The traveller scarce deserved such wrath,
For warming fingers cooling broth.
No statutes old or new forbid it,
Although with the same mouth he did it :
Yet this beware of, old and young,
What .ZEsop meant a double tongue ;
Which flatters now with civil clack,
And slanders soon behind one's back.
40
FABLE XXVIII.
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PURSE.
Two friends once were walking in sociable chat,
When a purse one espied on the ground ;
" O see! " said he (" thank my good fortune for that),
What a large sum of money I've found ! "
/
" Nay, do not say /," said his friend, " for you know
'Tis but friendship to share it with me ; "
" I share it with you/' cried the other, " How so ?
He who found it the owner should be."
" Be it so," said his friend, " but what sound do I hear "r
' Stop thief! ' one is calling to you ;
He comes with a constable close in the rear ! "
Said the other, " Oh ! what shall we do ! "
" Nay, do not say we," said his friend, " for you know
You claim'd the sole right to the prize ;
And since all the money was taken by you,
With you the dishonesty lies."
When people are selfish, dishonest, and mean,
Their nature, in dealing, will quickly be seen.
p. 41.
The Mouth & the Limbs.
The Conceited Cur.
41
If the business in question be pleasure or profit,
Then each thinks of course he should have the whole
of it;
But if it should happen 'tis danger or toil,
Then indeed they will vote for dividing the spoil.
FABLE XXIX.
THE MOUTH AND THE LIMBS.
IN days of yore, they say, 'twas then
When all things spoke their mind ;
The arms and legs of certain men
To treason felt inclined.
These arms and legs together met,
As snugly as they could,
With knees and elbows, hands and feet,
In discontented mood.
Said they, " 'Tis neither right nor fair,
Nor is there any need,
To labour with such toil and care,
The greedy mouth to feed."
" This we're resolv'd no more to do,
Though we so long have done it ; "
" Ah ! " said the knees and elbows too,
" And we are bent upon it."
42
11 I," said the tongue, " may surely speak,
Since I his inmate am ;
And for his vices while you seek,
His virtues I'll proclaim.
" You say the mouth embezzles all
The fruit of your exertion ;
But I on this assembly call
To prove the base assertion.
" The food which you with labour gain,
He too with labour chews ;
Nor does he long the food retain,
But gives it for your use.
" But he his office has resign'd
To whom you may prefer ;
He begs you therefore now to find
Some other treasurer."
" Well, be it so," they all replied ;
" His wish shall be obeyM ;
We think the hands may now be tried
As treasurers in his stead."
The hands with joy to this agreed,
And all to th^m was paid ;
But they the treasure kept indeed,
And no disbursements made.
43
Once more the clam'rous members met,
A lean and hungry throng ;
When all allow'd from head to feet,
That what they'd done was wrong.
To take his office once again,
The mouth they all implored ;
Who soon accepted it, and then
Health was again restored.
This tale for state affairs is meant,
Which we need not discuss ;
At present we will be content,
To find a moral thus :
The mouth has claims of large amount
From arms, legs, feet, and hands ;
But let them not, on that account,
Pay more than it demands.
FABLE XXX.
THE CONCEITED CUR.
I HAVE read in a book of a mischievous dog,
Round whose neck there was fasten'd a large wooden log)
44
For reasons I need not declare ;
But, not seeming to know for what purpose 'twas made,
He ran to his friends and acquaintance, and said,
" See, what a smart collar I wear ! "
" We see it distinctly," a mastiff replied ;
" But strongly advise you the honour to hide,
Which is what we should certainly do ;
For instead of exciting the smallest respect,
It strongly implies, when we come to reflect,
That you've had a sound horse-whipping too."
I will not affirm that I ever have known
Any lad not ashamed his f oofs-cap should be shown ;
Yet many there are that with ease could be named,
Who can show their JboFs-tricks without feeling ashamed.
FABLE XXXI.
THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE.
SAID a hare to a tortoise, " Good sir, what a while
You have been only crossing the way ;
Why I really believe that to go half a mile
You must travel two nights and a day."
45
" I am very contented," the creature replied,
" Though I walk but a tortoise's pace j
But if you think proper the point to decide,
We will run half a mile in a race.'*
" Very good/' said the hare ; said the tortoise, " Proceed,
And the fox shall decide who has won."
Then the hare started off with incredible speed ;
But the tortoise walk'd leisurely on.
" Come, tortoise, friend tortoise, walk on," said the hare;
" Well, I shall stay here for my dinner ;
Why, 'twill take you a month at that rate to get there,
Then how can you hope to be winner ? "
But the tortoise could hear not a word that she said,
For he was far distant, behind ;
So the hare felt secure whilst at leisure she fed,
And took a sound nap when she dined.
So at last this slow walkdr came up with the hare,
And there fast asleep he did spy her ;
And he cunningly crept with such caution and care,
That she woke not, although he passed by her.
" Well now," thought the hare when she opened her eyes,
" For the race, -and I soon shall have done it ; "
But who can describe her chagrin and surprise,
When she found that the tortoise had won it !
4(5
Thus plain plodding people, we often shall find,
Will leave hasty confident people behind.
FABLE XXXII.
THE HONEST WOODMAN.
A CERTAIN man excuse, I pray,
Commencing in the dog-trot way ;
For what, I ask, am I to do
When jEsop does not tell me who?
This man, with many a hearty stroke,
Was cutting down an ancient oak ;
When, as he smote, his axe's head
Far from its handle quickly sped,
And, to the woodman's great dismay,
Into the river found its way.
" Now tell us why," the rustic cried,
" Ye could not on the stick abide ?
You surely might have stay'd with me
At least till I had fell'd the tree."
Thus did the man his thoughts express,
And sat him down in great distress ;
But had not long reclined himself,
When there appeared a sprightly elf,
Who ask'd the reason of his grief,
And promised also quick relief.
Tlie Hare tlie Tortoise.
The Honest Woodsman.
47
The man explain'd, the sprite withdrew,
Intent his magic power to shew ;
Forthwith he dived beneath the stream
Full many a fathom, to redeem
This woodman's hatchet ; but behold !
He found one made of solid gold !
" Is this the tool you lost ? " said he ;
" O no, that ne'er belonged to me,"
The man replied : " Then," said the sprite,
" I'll try again to get the right."
Once more he plunged : once more emerged,
And now a silver hatchet urged
On our poor rustic ; but the clown
Too honest was e'en that to own ;
" Well," said the fairy, " I'll persist
Till I procure the one you miss'd."
Again withdrawn, again returned,
The man with joy his axe discern'd.
Said he, " Thou art a friend in need,
This is my very tool indeed ! "
" Pray take it then," the elf replied,
And gave the other two beside ;
But ere the man found what to say,
The friendly sprite had flown away.
Meanwhile the man neglected not
To tell his neighbours what he'd got :
" Well," said a friend, If that be true,
I'll go and try what / can do."
48
Then to the place an axe he took,
And soon he dropt it in the brook ;
Then sat him down to mourn the same,
When, as before, the fairy came ;
Who, finding how the matter stood,
Brought a gold-hatchet from the flood ;
Then ask'd the man if that were his :
" O yes ! " said he, " indeed it is :
That is the very self-same hatchet : "
Then tried with eager haste to snatch it.
But ere the gold was grasp' d by him,
The sprite return'd it to the stream.
(f Oh ! " said the rustic, " woe is me !
I ne'er again that axe shall see ! "
*< Nor yet your own," rejoin'd the elf,
" Unless you make a plunge yourself."
A maxim I shall now rehearse,
Which suits exactly with my verse ;
That honesty is found to be
The best and wisest policy :
Although the crafty man disdains
The honest man as wanting brains.
49
FABLE XXXIII.
THE CROW AND THE PITCHER.
You must know, that a crow
Felt inclin'd, when she'd dined,
For some drink, being thirsty and hot ,
But puddle or pool, her fever to cool.
Within twenty miles there was not
Then said she, " Woe is me !
Surely I must soon die,"
When lo ! she espied, at a distance,
A pitcher or jug, alias pipkin or mug,
Which promised the needed assistance*
'" A propos" said the crow>
" Now I think I shall drink,
And I shall be there in a minute ; "
But alas \ for the bird, still her draught was deferr'd>
For scarcely a cup-full was in it.
" How provoking ! I'm choaking ! "
Said she ; " but let's see !
Sure I've thought of a project to gain it ;
With stones from my bill the deep jug I will fill;
Then the water will rise, till my thirst it supplies/'*
She did so, and so did obtain it.
50
Had this two-legged thing been as stupid as many,
Though dying for drink she would not have got any ;
For the good that in life one most commonly gains,
Arrives not by hick, but by using one's brains.
FABLE XXXIV.
THE YOUNG MOUSE.
IN a crack near a cupboard, with dainties provided,
A certain young mouse with her mother resided ;
So securely they lived on that fortunate spot,
Any mouse in the land might have envied their lot.
But one day this young mouse, who was given to roam,
Having made an excursion some way from her home,
On a sudden return'd, with such joy in her eyes,
That her grey sedate parent express'd some surprise.
" Oh mother!" said she, "the good folks of this
house,
I'm convinced, have not any ill-will to a mouse,
And those tales can't be true which you always are
telling,
For they've been at the pains to construct us a dwelling.
" The floor is of wood, and the walls are of wires,
Exactly the size that one's comfort requires ;
Tlie (/row X- the Pi teller.
The 'You n IL- Mouse.
51
And Pm sure that we there should have nothing to fear,
If ten cats with their kittens at once should appear.
" And then they have made such nice holes in the walb
One could slip in and out with no trouble at all ;
But forcing one through such rough crannies as these.
Always gives one's poor ribs a most terrible squeeze.
" But the best of all is, they've provided us well,
With a large piece of cheese of most exquisite smell ;
'Twas so nice, I had put my head in to go through,
When I thought it my duty to come and fetch you."
" Ah, child ! " said her mother, ( ' believe, I entreat,
Both the cage and the cheese are a horrible cheat :
Do not think all that trouble they took for our good ;
They would catch us, and kill us all there if they could,
As they've caught and kill'd scores ; and I never could
learn,
That a mouse who once enter'd, did ever return ! "
Let the young people mind what the old people say
And when danger is near them keep out of the w^
D 2
52
FABLE XXXV.
THE TOAD AND THE FLY-
WHEN Cadmus liv'd in days of yore,
Three thousand years ago or more :
Retired within a shady grot,
There lived a toad deivr it not,
Who, thoughtful, sleepy, or sedate,
Pass'd years away in lonely state.
At last he slept, as it should seem,
Beside a petrifying stream,
Which ere he woke to find it out,
With stone enclosed him, round about ;
So tightly fitted to hi* shape,
He could not stretch, nor even gape.
O ! had he known, ere his repose,
How many years he had to doze,
No doubt he would have settled all
His wordly matters, great and small ;
Nor left Ms children fighting battles
About his- sundry goods and chattels ;
Who knew not (pardon this digression)
Whether they ought to take possession.
Three thousand years had he to pass r
Imbedded in the solid mass ;
The Toad & the Flv.
The Milkmaid.
53
(I hope this messuage of stone,
Was rent free all this time, I own.)
However, not a year ago,
It seems this block was sawn in two ;
When, to the workmen's great surprise,
The drowsy reptile met their eyes,
Who issued, from his durance freed,
A venerable toad indeed.
Then crowds drew near from far to see
This remnant of antiquity,
Who fully conscious of the fact,
Their utmost homage did exact.
Itjiappen'd then, there came that way
A fly that only lives a day ;
Who thinking it was rather odd,
Such reverence should be paid a toad,
First ask'd the reason of the fuss,
And then address'd the reptile thus :
" And so," said he, " I find its true,
This world's but twice as old as you ;
A poor ephemeron am I,
This day was born, this day must die ;
Yet I maintain, say what you will,
My life has been the longest still."
" What," said the toad, with angry his;
" D'ye mean by such a speech as this ? "
54
" Sir/' said the fly, with ready breath,
" Sleep is another kind of death ;
Your days, though more than I can number,
You've spent in one continued slumber ;
My life, though short it is, I own,
Has never once a slumber known :
I do not reckon in the term
While I remain'd a torpid worm ;
Nor you the time you must have dozed
Ere stone around you could have closed :
Nor when one's half asleep you see,
Which you at present seem to be ;
But when one's broad awake, you know,
And doing what one has to do,
As has this very day been done
By me, a poor ephemeron ;
Which single day, it hence appears,
Exceeds your long three iluousand years"
I'd further add, the sense to fix,
Lie not till nine, but rise at six ;
The longer you can keep awake,
The longer you your life will make.
55
FABLE XXXVI.
THE MILKMAID.
A MILKMAID, who poized a full pail on her head,
Thus mused on her prospects in life, it is said :
" Let's see I should think that this milk will procure
One hundred good eggs, or fourscore, to be sure.
" Well then stop a bit : it must not be forgotten,
Some of these may be broken, and some may be rotten ;
But if twenty for accidents should be detach'd,
It will leave me just sixty sound eggs to be hatch'd.
" Well, sixty sound eggs no ; sound chickens, I mean;
Of these some may die ; we'll suppose seventeen,
Seventeen ! not so many- say ten at the most,
Which will leave fifty chickens to boil or to roast.
" But then there's their barley : how much will they
need?
Why they take but one grain at a time when they feed,
So that's a mere trifle : now then, let us see,
At a fair market price, how much money there'll be ?
" Six shillings a pair five four three-and-six,
To prevent all mistakes, that low price I will fix ;
Now what will that make ? fifty chickens, I said,
Fifty times three-and-sixpence /'// ask brother Ned.
56
" O ! but stop three-and-sixpence a pair I must
sell 'em ;
Well, a pair is a couple now then let us tell 'em ;
A couple in fifty will go (iny poor brain !)
Why just a score times, and five pair will remain*
" Twenty-five pair of fowls now how plaguesome
it is,
That I can't reckon up such money as this !
Well, there's no use in trying : so let's give a guess ;
I will say twenty pounds, and it can't be no less.
" Twenty pounds, I am certain, will buy me a cow,
Thirty geese, and two turkeys eight pigs and a sow ;
Now if these turn out well, at the end of the year,
I shall fill both my pockets with guineas 'tis clear.
" Then i'U bid that old tumble-down hovel good-bye;
My mother she'll scold, and my sisters they'll cry :
But I won't care a crow's egg for all they can say,
I shan't go to stop with such beggars as they ! "
But forgetting her burden, when this she had said,
The maid superciliously toss'd up her head :
When alas ! for her prospects her milk-pail descended !
And so all her schemes for the future were ended.
This moral, I think, may be safely attach'd ;
Reckon not on your chickens before they are hatch'd.
The Lark her Young; Cues.
Ttie .Philosopher Sc tlie Acorn.
57
FABLE XXXVII.
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.
A LARK who had her nest conceaTd,
Says ^Esop, in a barley field ;
Began, as harvest time drew near,
The reaping of the corn to fear :
Afraid they would her nest descry,
Before her tender brood could fly.
She charged them therefore every day,
Before for food she flew away,
To watch the farmer in her stead,
And listen well to all he said.
It chanced one day, she scarce was gone
Ere came the fanner and his son.
The farmer well his field surveyed,
And sundry observations made ;
At last, " 111 tell you what," said he,
" This corn is fit to cut, I see ;
But we our neighbours' help must borrow,
So tell them we begin to-morrow."
Just after this the lark return'd,
When from her brood this news she learn 'd.
" Ah ! dearest mother," then said they,
" Pray let us all be gone to-day."
D 5
58
" My dears," said she, " you need not fret ;
I shall not be uneasy yet ;
For if he waits for neighbours' aid,
The business long will be delay 'd."
At dawn she left her nest once more,
And charged her young ones as before.
At five the farmer came again,
And waited for his friends in vain.
" Well," said the man, " I fancy, son,
These friends we can't depend upon ;
To-morrow early mind you go,
And let our own relations know."
Again the lark approach'd her nest,
When round her all her young one's prest,
And told their mother, word for word,
The fresh intelligence they'd heard.
" Ah ! children, be at ease," said she ;
" We're safe another day, I see ;
For these relations, you will find,
Just like his friends, will stay behind."
At dawn again the lark withdrew,
And did again her charge renew.
Once more the farmer early came,
And found the case was just the same ;
The day advanced, the sun was high ;
But not a single help drew nigh.
Then said the farmer, " Hark-ye, son
I see this job will not be done
While thus we wait for friends and neighbours ;
So you and I'll commence our labours :
To-morrow early we'll begin
Ourselves, and get our harvest in."
" Now," said the lark, when this she'd heard,
tc Our movement must not be deferr'd ;
For if the farmer and his son
Themselves begin, 'twill soon be done."
The morrow proved the lark was right ;
For all was cut and housed by night.
Hence, while we wait for others' aid,
Our business needs must be delay'd ;
Which might be done with half the labour
'T would take to go and call a neighbour.
60
FABLE XXXVIII.
THE PHILOSOPHER AND THE ACORN.
A PHILOSOPHER, proud of his wit and his reason,
Sat him under an oak in a hot summer season.
On the oak grew an acorn or two, it is said :
On the ground grew a pumpkin as big as his head.
Thought the sage, " What's the reason this oak is so
strong
A few acorns to bear that are scarce an inch long ;
While this poor feeble plant has a weight to sustain,
Which had much better hang on the tree, it is plain ? "
But just at the time the philosopher spoke,
An acorn dropt down on his head from the oak ;
Then said he, who just now thought his plan was so
clever,
" I am glad that this was not a pumpkin, however."
The sage would no doubt have look'd grievously dull,
Had a pumpkin descended with force en his skull.
Of his folly then let us in future beware,
And believe that such matters are best as they are :
Leave the manners and customs of oak-trees alone,
Of acorns, and pumpkins and look to our own.
61
FABLE XXXIX.
THE TWO CATS.
Two cats or dogs, just which you please,
Purloin'd a piece of Cheshire cheese ;
But when to part the same they tried,
They did not seem quite satisfied ;
But after some small altercation,
Referr'd the same to arbitration ;
Entrusting to a monkey's paws
The whole disposal of their cause.
.v/uifltfw
" Now then," said he, with learned look,
As in his hands the scales he took ;
" You say these bits should weigh the same ;
But one I see will kick the Beam
Unless I have a bit of t'other :
Dear me ! now this outweighs the other.
What shall I do ? another bite
Yet I must have to get them right.
Hey day ! they are unequal yet !
Well, I'll adjust them : do not fret,"
Said he, and bit another piece,
From the small remnant of their cheese.
" Hold ! " said the cats, " good sir, refrain,
And give us back our cheese again."
" Not so," the learned judge replied;
" Justice is not yet satisfied ;
A case of consequence, like this,
I cannot in such haste dismiss ;
Another piece from this must come
To gain an equilibrium."
Thus he the business did delay,
Till scarce an ounce was left to weigh.
Once more the cats, with hunger prest,
Entreated him to spare the rest.
" Friends," said the ape, " this piece of cheese
Will barely pay the lawyer's fees."
Who straight devoured that morsel too,
Dismiss'd the court, and then withdrew.
From this I hope you'll plainly see,
How much they lose who disagree ;
You'd better take a portion small,
Than go to law and lose it all.
FABLE XL.
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
A WOLF, once forgetting the size of his swallow,
Tried to pass a large marrow-bone through it.
Oh dear!" said the beast, thinking death was to follow,
" How careless and stupid to do it ! "
p. 61.
Tlie Two C at s.
The Wolf & the Crane.
63
His mouth was propp'd open by means of the bone,
And his breathing was greatly impeded ;
But a crane coming up, he contrived to make known
What kind of assistance he needed.
" How d'ye do," said the bird; said the beast,
Very ill,
For a bone has got down the wrong way ;
But if you can extract it by means of your bill,
The service I'll amply repay."
Thought the crane, " I'm no surgeon ; yet all must
agree,
That my beak will make excellent forceps ;
And as for the money, I- do not now see
Why I need refuse taking his worship's."
Said the bird, " It's agreed ; " said his patient,
" Proceed,
And take the bone hence, I beseech ; "
Which, after a while, and with infinite toil,
The crane at last managed to reach.
" Thank my stars ! " said the beast, from his terrors
released,
" Thank you too, sir," said he to the bird :
t( Alas ! " said the crane, " is this all I'm to gain,
1 was waiting the promised reward."
64
Said the wolf, " You forget I've contracted no debt,
Since the service was render d by me ;
Your head I released from the jaws of a beast,
And now you're demanding a fee ! "
Give your help to a wolf, should he beg for your aid,
But you must not expect when you've done to be paid.
FABLE XLI.
THE FOX AND THE GOAT.
A FOX by chance, and not design,
Into a well did tumble ;
So it fell out, that he fell in,
Which made poor Reynard grumble.
A goat that wish'd to quench his thirst ;
Approach'd the well with haste ;
But seeing the fox had got there first,
Ask'd how he liked the taste.
" How ? " said the fox, " these waters are
Delicious, I assure ye ;
So wholesome too, that if you were
Now dying, they would cure ye."
Tlie FOX& tlie Goat.
Tlte Lame Man the Blind.
65
Deceived by this vile fellow's clack
The silly goat descended ;
So Reynard jumping on his back,
Got out, as he intended.
When we take the advice of a rogue, who can tell
But 'twill end like the goat jumping into the well ?
FABLE XLII.
THE LAME MAN AND THE BLIND.
Two persons once met in a dangerous place,
When each to the other thus opened his case :
Said one, " Oh ! good Christian, do pray be so kind
As to lend me your aid, for you see I am blind."
Said the other, " Good Christian ! 'tis well that you
came,
Do help me, I pray, for I'm dreadfully lame ! "
" Alas ! " said the blind, " what is now to be done?
I can run, but can't see: you can see, but can't run."
But at last added ne "'Tell you what, honest friend;
I will borrow your eyes, but my legs I will lend ;"
66
So the cripple consented, and got on his back,
And thus both with safety continued their track.
By this fable you see we've endeavour'd to show,
What a little good-natured contrivance can do.
FABLE XLIII.
THE FOX AND THE HEN.
A HUNGRY fox, in quest of prey,
Into an out-house found his way.
When looking round with skilful search,
He 'spied a hen upon a perch.
Thought Reynard, "What's the reason why
They place her on a roost so high ?
I know not what the use can be,
Unless it's out of spite to me."
As thus he thought, the hen awoke,
When thus to her sly Reynard spoke.
" Dear madam, I'm concern'd to hear,
You've been unwell for half a year ;
p. 66.
Tlie FOZSL& the Hen.
Tlie Tor t oi s e.
67
I could not quell my strong desire
After yoiur welfare to inquire ;
But pray come down and take the air ;
You'll ne'er get well while sitting there ;
Fm sure it will not hurt your cough,
Do give me leave to help you off."
"I thank you, sir," the hen replied,
" I'd rather on my roost abide ;
'Tis true enough I've been unwell,
And am so now, the truth to tell ;
And am so nervous, you must know,
I dare not trust myself below,
And therefore say to those who call,
I see no company at all ;
For from my perch should I descend,
I'm certain in my death 'twould end ;
As then, I know, without presumption,
My cough would end in a consumption"
Thus cunning people often find
Their crafty overtures declined
By prudent people, whom they thought,
For want of wit, would soon be caught.
68
FABLE XLIV.
THE TORTOISE.
ONCE a tortoise complain'd (though 'twas not of
much use),
That he scarce could see over the back of a goose ;
That his legs were so short, and his pace was so slow,
Of the world and its wonders he nothing could know.
So at last he determined to alter his lot,
Or at least for a season to rise from that spot ;
So he mention'd his thoughts to a bird that he knew,
Who agreed to oblige him and give him a view.
t iHTC#sb I bluvfa ifcnaq 7 HI nwiVioT
So this bird, and another, supported a stick,
Which was not very heavy, or clumsy, or thick ;
This the tortoise enclosed in his mouth very tight,
While the birds soon ascended a wonderful height.
But an eagle who chanced the strange creature to
see,
Exclaim'd with amazement, " Pray who can that be?"
" O, the king of the tortoises! do not you know him? "
Said they; "'tis our honour his kingdom to show him."
Said the bird, "Ere I take that as true, I must
pause;"
The tortoise impatient, then open'd his jaws
69
To confirm his new title, when straight he descended !
So his journey, and reign, and existence were ended!
So far had the tortoise to fall, they relate,
That he'd time while descending to muse on his fate,
" Ah .'"thought he, "thus I pay for my foolish ambi-
tion,
Which would not be content with a humble condition j
Yet I might have hung safely, I cannot deny,
Had my mouth not been open'd to utter a lie."
FABLE XLV.
THE DOG OF REFLECTION.
A DOG growing thinner, for want of a dinner,
Once purloin'd him a joint from a tray ;
" How happy I am, with this shoulder of lamb ! "
Thought the cur as he trotted away.
But the way that he took, lay just over a brook,
Which he found it was needful to cross ;
So, without more ado, he plunged in to go through,
Not dreaming of danger or loss.
But what should appear, in this rivulet clear,
As he thought upon coolest reflection,
70
But a cur like himself, who with ill-gotten pelf,
Had run off in that very direction.
Thought the dog, a propos ! but that instant let go
(As he snatch' d at this same water- spaniel)
The piece he possess'd : so with hunger distress'd
He slowly walk'd home to his kennel.
Hence, when we are needy, don't let us be greedy,
(Excuse me this line of digression.)
Lest in snatching at all, like the dog, we let fall
The good that we have in possession.
FABLE XLVI.
THE TRAVELLERS AND BEAR.
Two trav'llers one morning set out from their home,
It might be from Sparta, from Athens, or Rome ;
It matters not which, but agreed, it is said,
Should .danger arise, to lend each other aid.
But scarce was this done, when forth rushing amain,
Sprung a bear from a wood tow'rds these travellers twain ;
Then one of our heroes, with courage immense,
Climb'd into a tree, and there found his defence.
The Dog of Reflection.
The Travellers &Bear.,
71
The other fell flat to the earth with his dread,
When the bear came and smelt him, and thought he
was dead ;
So not liking the carcase away trotted he,
When straight our brave hero descended the tree.
" Then/' said he, " I can't think what the bear could
propose,
When so close to his ear he presented his nose."
" Why this," said the other, " he told me to do,
To beware for the future of cowards like you."
Those people who run from their friends in distress,
Will be left when themselves are in trouble, I guess.
FABLE XLVII.
THE FROGS AND THE BULL.
A BULL once treading near a bog,
Displaced the entrails of a frog,
Who near his foot did trust them ;
In fact, so great was the contusion,
And made of his inwards such confusion,
No art could re-adjust them.
72
It chanced that some who saw his fate,
Did to a friend the deed relate,
With croakings, groans, and hisses ;
" The beast/' said they, " in size excell'd
All other beasts/' their neighbour swell'd.
And ask'd, " As large as this is ! "
" O ! larger far than that," said they,
" Do not attempt it, madam, pray ; "
But still the frog distended,
And said, " I'll burst, but I'll exceed,"
She tried, and burst herself indeed !
And so the matter ended.
Should you with pride innate and swell,
As did the frog : then who can tell !
Your sides may crack as has been shown,
And we with laughing crack our own.
FABLE XLVIII.
THE COUNCIL, OF MICE.
SOME mice who saw fit once a quarter to meet,
To arrange the concerns of their city ;
Thought it needful to choose, as is common with us,
First a chairman and then a committee.
The Frogs & the Bull.
The Council of Mice.
73
When the chairman was seated, the object he stated
For which at that meeting they sat ;
Which was, it should seem, the concerting a scheme
To defeat the designs of the cat.
Dr. Nibble-cheese rose, and said, " I would propose,
To this cat that we fasten a bell :
He who likes what I've said, now will hold up his head ;
He who does not, may hold up his tail."
So out of respect, they their noses erect,
Except one who the order reversed ;
Ayes, all then but one, but yet nought could be done,
Until he had his reasons rehearsed.
" I shall not," said this mouse, f< waste the time of the
house
In long arguments ; since, as I view it,
The scheme would succeed, without doubt, if indeed
We could find any mouse who would do it."
" Hear! hear!" was the cry, and " no bells we will try
Unless you will fasten them on ; "
So quite broken-hearted the members departed,
For the bill was rejected nem. con.
74
Then be not too hasty in giving advice,
Lest your schemes should remind of the council of
mice;
You had better delay your opinion a year.
Than put forth a ridiculous one, it is clear.
FABLE XLIX.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
A WOLF and lamb once chanced to meet
Beside a stream, whose waters sweet
Brought various kinds of beasts together, *
When dry and sultry was the weather ;
Now though the wolf came there to drink,
Of eating he began to think,
As soon as near the lamb he came,
And straight resolved to kill the same;
Yet thought it better to begin
With threat'ning words and angry mien.
' t And so," said he to him below,
" How dare you stir the water so ?
Making the cool refreshing flood
As brown as beer, and thick as mud."
Tlie Wolf the Lamb.
Tlir hoasts ill Fartiiersliip.
75
" Sir," said the lamb, " that cannot be,
The water flows from you to me ;
So, 'tis impossible, I think,
That what I do can spoil your drink."
' ' I say it does, you saucy puss :
How dare you contradict me thus ?
But more than this, you idle clack,
You rail'd at me behind my back
Two years ago, I have been told ; "
" How so ? I'm not a twelvemonth old,"
The lamb replied ; " so I suspect
Your honour is not quite correct."
" If not, your mother it must be,
And that is all the same to me,"
Rejoin'd the wolf who waited not,
But kilTd and ate him on the spot.
Some, like the wolf, adopt the plan
To make a quarrel if they can ;
But none with you can hold dispute
If you're determined to be mute ;
For sure this proverb must be true,
That ev'ry quarrel must have two.
76
FABLE L.
THE BEASTS IN PARTNERSHIP.
THIS Jinn once existed, I'd have you to know,
Messrs. Lion, Wolf, Tiger, Fox, Leopard, and Co. ;
These in business were join'd, and of course 'twas im-
plied,
They their stocks should unite, and the profits di-
vide.
Now the fable relates, it so happen'd one day,
That their efforts combined, made a bullock their prey ;
But agreed that the Lion should make the division,
And patiently waited the monarch's decision.
"*My friends," said the Lion, " Pve parted, you see,
The whole into six, which is right, you'll agree ;
One part I may claim, as my share in the trade;"
" O take it and welcome," they all of them said.
" I claim too the second ; since no one denies
'Twas my courage and conduct that gain'd you the
prize:
And as for the third ; that you know is a fine
To the lord of the manor, and therefore is mine. "
77
"Hey day!" said the fox; "Stop a bit," said the
lion;
" I have not quite done/' said he, fixing his eye on
The other three parts; "you are fully aware,
That, as tribute, one other part comes to my share."
" And, I think, 'twould be prudent, the next to put
by
Somewhere safe in my den for a future supply ;
And the other, you know, will but barely suffice,
To pay those expences which always arise."
" If this be the case," said the fox, " I discern
That the business to us is a losing concern ;
If so, to withdraw, I should think would be best ; "
" O yes ! let us break up the firm," said the rest ;
And so, for you may not have heard of it yet,
It was quickly dissolved, though not in the gazette.
Some folks in their dealings, like him in the fable,
Will take others' shares, if they think they are able ;
But let them not wonder who act in this way,
If they find none will join them in business or play.
78
FABLE LI.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
A LION, with the heat oppressed,
One day composed himself to rest ;
But whilst he dozed, as he intended,
A mouse his royal back ascended ;
Nor thought of harm, as ^Esop tells,
Mistaking him for something else,
And travell'd over him, and round him,
And might have left him as he found him,
Had he not, tremble when you hfear,
Tried to explore the monarch's ear !
Who straightway woke with wrath immense,
And shook his head to cast him thence.
" You rascal, what are you about,"
Said he, when he had turn'd him out.
" I'll teach you soon," the lion said,
" To make a mouse-hole in my head ! '*
So saying, he prepared his foot,
To crush the trembling tiny brute ;
But he (the mouse) with tearful eye,
Implored the lion's clemency,
Who thought it best at last to give
His little pris'ner a reprieve.
The Lion & tlie Moiise.
Tlie .Icalous Ass.
79
'Twas nearly twelve-months after this,
The lion chanced his way to miss ;
When pressing forward, heedless yet,
He got entangled in a net.
With dreadful rage he stampt and tore,
And straight commenced a lordly roar;
When the poor mouse, who heard the noise,
Attended, for she knew his voice.
Then what the lion's utmost strength
Could not effect, she did at length :
With patient labour she applied
Her teeth, the net- work to divide ;
And so at last forth issued he,
A lion, by a mouse set free.
Few are so small, or weak, I guess,
But may assist us in distress ;
Nor shall we ever, if we're wise,
The meanest, or the least, despise.
80
FABLE LII.
THE JEALOUS ASS.
" THERE lived," says friend ^Esop, " some ages ago,
An ass who had feelings acute, you must know ;
This ass to be jealous felt strongly inclined,
And for reasons which follow, felt hurt in his mind."
It seems that his master, as I understand,
Had a favourite dog which he fed from his hand ;
Nay, the dog was permitted to jump on his knee:
An honour that vex'd our poor donkey to see.
" Now," thought he, " what's the reason I cannot
see any,
That I have no favours, while he has so many?
If all this is got hy just wagging his tail,
Why I have got one, which I'll wag without fail."
So the donkey, resolved to try what he could do,
And, determined unusual attentions to shew,
When his master was dining came into the room.
' ' Good sir ! " said his friends, " why your donkey is
" Indeed ! " said their host, great astonishment show-
ing.
When he saw the ass come, while his tail was a-going ;
81
But who can describe his dismay or his fear,
When the donkey rear'd up^ and bray'd loud in his ear .'
" You rascal, get down, John, Edward, or Dick !
Where are you? make haste, and / come here with a
stick."
The man roar'd his guests laugh'd the dog bark'd
the bell rung ;
Coals, poker, and tongs at the donkey were flung,
Till the blows and the kicks, with combined demonstra-
tion,
Convinced him that this was a bad speculation j
So, mortified deeply, his footsteps re-trod he,
Hurt much in his mind, but still more in his body.
So some silly children, as stupid as may be,
Will cry for indulgences fit for a baby.
Had they enter'd the room while the donkey withdrew,
They'd have seen their own folly and punishment too :
Let them think of this fable, and what came to pass :
Nor forget, he who play'd this fine game was an ass.
E 5
82
FABLE LIU.
THE TOWN AND COUNTRY MICE.
A PLAIN, but honest, country mouse,
Residing in a miller's house,
Once, on a time, invited down
An old acquaintance of the town :
And soon he brought his dainties out ;
The best he had, there's not a doubt.
A dish of oat-meal, and grey peas,
With half a candle and some cheese ;
Some beans, and, if I'm not mistaken,
A charming piece of Yorkshire bacon.
And then to show he was expert
In such affairs, a fine dessert
Was next produc'd, all which he press'd
With rustic freedom on his guest.
But he, the city epicure,
This homely fare could not endure ;
Indeed, he scarcely broke his fast
By what he took, but said, at last,
{( Old crony, now, I'll tell you what,
I don't admire this lonely spot ;
This dreadful, dismal, dirty hole,
Seems more adapted for a mole
Than 'tis for you ; O ! could you see
My residence, how charm'd you'd be.
p. St.
The Town & Country Mice.
The Cat & the FOIL.
83
Instead of bringing up your brood
In wind, and wet, and solitude..
Come, bring them all at once to town,
We'll make a courtier of a clown.
I think that, for your children's sake,
'Tis proper my advice to take."
' ' Well," said his host, " I can but try,
And so, poor quiet hole, good bye!"
Then off they jogg'd for many a mile,
Talking of splendid things the while ;
At last, in town they all arriv'd
Found where the city mouse had liv'd
Enter'd at midnight through a crack,
And rested from their tedious track.
" Now," said the city mouse, " I'll show
What kind of fare I've brought you to : "
On which he led the rustic mice
Into a larder, snug and nice,
Where ev'ry thing a mouse could relish
Did ev'ry shelf and nook embellish.
" Now is this not to be preferr'd
To your grey peas ? " " Upon my word
It is," the country mouse replied ;
fl All this must needs the point decide."
84
Scarce had they spoke these words, when, lo !
A tribe of servants hasten'd through,
And also two gigantic cats,
Who spied our country mouse and brats.
Then, by a timely exit, she
Just saved herself and family.
" Oh ! ask me not," said she, in haste,
" Your tempting dainties more to taste ;
I much prefer my homely peas
To splendid dangers such as these."
Then let not those begin to grumble,
Whose lot is safe though poor and humble ;
Nor envy him who better fares,
But for each good has twenty cares.
FABLE LIV.
THE CAT AND THE POX.
A CAT and a fox held a long consultation
Concerning the times, and the state of the nation ;
When the aspect of things led them both to infer
That a grand revolution must shortly occur.
85
Said the fox, " For my country, it is that I fear,
For, as to myself, I can always get clear ;
I have not, at present, much reason to fret,
For I've got a thousand new schemes for them yet."
" Indeed ! " said the cat ; '* as for me, I've but one,
And if that should fail I'm for ever undone,
The only protection remaining for me,
When the enemy comes, I must find in a tree."
" A very poor prospect," said Reynard, " I .trow."
" But see ! " said the cat, " they're approaching us
now ! "
Then each to his mode of escaping betook,
The fox to his schemes, and the cat to an oak,
Who found in the tree she could safely remain ;
While the fox with his thousand manoeuvres was slain.
Hence it needs must appear, that when danger is near,
Cunning folks are not cunning enough ;
And that persons who boast of their cleverness most
Fare the worst when its put to the proof.
86
FABLE LV.
THE WASP AND THE SNAIL.
" You ugly brown creature get out of my way,"
Said a wasp to a snail on a fine summer's day ;
" But how can you move, poor contemptible thing,
With that load, and with neither a leg nor a wing.
" O dear ! if I had such a burden as you,
I cannot imagine what thing I could do:
I think, though, I e'en should go out of my mind,
If I to that clumsy great shell were confined."
But the snail, so resign'd and contented was he,
Still pursued his dull course up the stem of the tree ;
These remarks on his person could give him no pain,
Seeing he of his blandishments never was vain.
Though it took him all day a small distance to climb.
Yet his business was always transacted in time ;
And, as for his shell, it will quickly be seen
How glad of its shelter the wasp would have been.
For the wasp, somewhat vex'd that he could net pre-
vail,
And extort a reply from this peaceable snail,
Resolving to do something now he must heed,
Determined to try how his sting would succeed,
p. 86.
The Wasp the Snail.
The Fox the Crow;
87
But, alas ! for the wasp ! while with petulance fierce
The snail's shell he vainly endeavour'd to pierce,
A slight blow was given, by one so expert,
That the insect was crush'd, while the snail was unhurt.
This moral, I think, may be safely applied,
And perhaps it occurr'd to the wasp 'ere he died ;
Those who proudly insult their poor neighbours will
find
That a punishment follows them closely behind.
FABLE LVI.
THE FOX AND THE CROW.
CROWS feed upon worms : yet an author affirms,
Cheshire cheese they will get if they're able,
" For," said he, " I well know, one unprincipled crow.,
Once purloin'd a large piece from my table."
Then away darted she, to the shade of a tree,
To deposit the booty within her ;
But it never occur'd to the mind of the bird
That a fox was to have it for dinner.
" How many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip ! "
(Excuse me, I pray, the digression.)
88
Said a fox to himself, " I can share in the pelf,
If I act with ray usual discretion."
So said he, " Is't you ? pray, ma'am, how do you do,
I have long wish'd to pay you a visit ;
For a twelvemonth has pass'd since I heard of you last,
Which is not very neighbourly, is it ?
" But, dear madam," said he, " you are dining, I see,
On that subject I'd ask your advice :
Pray, ma'am, now can you tell, where provisions they
sell,
That are not an extravagant price.
" Bread and meat are so dear, and have been for a year,
That poor people can scarcely endure it ;
And then cheese is so high, that such beggars as I,
Till it falls, cannot hope to procure it."
But the ill-behaved bird did not utter a word,
Still intent on retaining her plunder ;
Thought the fox, " it should seem this is not a good
scheme,
What else can I think of, I wonder ? "
So said Reynard, once more, " I ne'er knew it before,
But your feathers are whiter than snow is ! "
But thought he, when he'd said it, *' she'll ne'er give it
credit,
For what bird is so black as a crow is."
89
" But I'm told that your voice is a horrible noise,
Which they say of all sounds is the oddest ;
But then this is absurd, for it never is heard,
Since you are so excessively modest."
" If that's all," thought the crow, " I will soon let you
know,
That all doubt on that score may be ended ; "
Then most laughably piped, this poor silly biped,
When quickly her dinner descended !
If this biped had not been so vain and conceited,
She would not by the fox quite so soon have been
cheated ;
But perhaps the term biped to some may be new :
'Tis a two-legged creature perchance it is you.
FABLE LVIL
A WOLF, grown too old for the chase, it should seem,
To accomplish his ends tried the following scheme.
He gave out that he was an able physician j
Had studied diseases as well as nutrition ;
Could amputate either at shoulder or knee,
And only demanded the limb as his fee ;
90
But that, he remark'd, was but seldom required,
As bleeding would have the effect he desired.
So from five in the morning each day until ten,
Was the time that he fix'd, to be seen at his den.
Then many who thought themselves rather unwell,
Repair'd to the Doctor, their symptoms to tell.
And thus far is certain, that none of them all
Had the smallest return of disorder at all.
Said a fox, " There's one thing that looks odd, to be
sure,
It is Doctor Wolfs practice to kill or to cure ;
But I should be glad to be told, I must own,
Before I apply, which of those he has done."
" Thank you, friend," said a horse, " for your pru-
dent remark,
I'm afraid that till now we have been in the dark ;
But I'll sift his intentions, and if they are ill,
I will give him a tooth of his o?vn for a pill."
So saying, the horse trotted off at full speed,
To request the advice he pretended to need ;
Who had scarcely arrived, when the bones in the place
Soon convinced him the fox had judged right in this case.
So without more ado he went up to the brute,
And just begg'd him to look at a thorn in his foot ;
Then while the wolf look'd at his hoof, you must know,
The horse kick'd all his teeth down his throat at blow.
* Wolf.
The Council of War.
91
And then calling aloud to his friends for assistance.
The poor toothless beast, who could make no resistance,
Was directly despatch'd, without trial or jury,
To the infinite joy of the beasts, I assure ye.
I do not profess to commend the old horse
For the steps that he took in this business, of course ;
Yet this I may say, and be perfectly fair,
From the fate of the wolf, let impostors beware.
FABLE LV1II.
THE COUNCIL OP WAR.
SOME wars are call'd civil, though all are agreed,
That to fight one is very wwcivil indeed j
Nor can it as much better manners be view'd,
To blow out one's brains which is certainly rude ;
But to dwell on that topic is not my design,
Seeing that, I admit, is no business of mine :
'Twill suffice for my purpose, if I should be able
To furnish you thence with an innocent fable.
It was during those wars, whether civil or not,
When neighbours and brothers both quarrell'd and
fought,
92
That a town long besieged by the enemy's forces,
And having no walls, and but slender resources,
At length called a council of war to propose
Certain means of defence from the guns of their foes.
First a mason stood up, and observed, 'twas well
known.
That no substance resisted the bullets like stone ;
But that plan was rejected forthwith, on the ground
That no money or time for it then could be found.
A carpenter next for a few minutes spoke,
And he thought 'twould be best to defend it with oak.
"Not with oak" said a blacksmith, "with iron you
mean,
/ could forge such a bulwark as never was seen ;
Do but give me the order ; I shall not be long ;
I'll away to my anvil, and hammer ding dong."
" Hold your tongue, you're a madman," said one of the
mob;
Said another, " he wants to get hold of a job."
Then a builder was sure lath and plaster would do ;
Said a surgeon, " O ! I'll spread the plaister for you ;
But then as to laths, \ should question their use."
' ' O, sir," said the builder, " you talk like a goose ! "
" Order! order! my friends," said the chairman, " I
pray,
I must beg for the future you'll mind what you say
93
Then a shoe-maker said, though their projects were
many,
That he had got one that was better than any :
" Hang your walls with new boots from the top to the
bottom ;
Not a bullet can pierce them, the wet will not rot 'em; "
This a tanner approv'd, but he added besides,
That he thought 'twould be far better done with whole
hides.
Next there stood up a man who all thought was a
fool:
For he said they had best clothe their buildings with
wool.
" What, with wool ? " said the rest ; " Yes, with wool"
said the man ;
" O dear ! " said they, " what a ridiculous plan ! "
Said the other, " I see that I shall not be heeded,
Yet I know of an instance in which it succeeded."
But at last from an attic o'erlooking the place,
An odd voice was perceived, and soon after a face ;
He's an author, said some, you may know by his looks ;
" Ah ! " said he, " you are right ; make a wall of my
books !"
Then said one of the crowd, who apparently knew them,
<f You cannot do better, for none can get through them ! "
Then the author withdrew from the insults of men,
Meekly shut to his window, and took up his pen.
94
Thus scheme after scheme was propos'd by them all,
For defending their houses, and building a wall ;
And this it appears was at last the end of it,
While each was consulting his personal profit,
And disputing, and proving his neighbours in fault,
The enemy carried the place by assault ;
So that ruin complete, and destruction, befel it,
And not any escaped but the author to tell it.
We may learn, if we please, from a fable like this,
How absurd and contemptible selfishness is ;
For you see 'twas this sordid and selfish committee
Which ruin'd completely themselves and their city.
ORIGINAL FABLES.
FABLE I.
THE OLD WOMAN AND THE DEATH-WATCH.
THERE was an old woman, I cannot tell who ;
But if you're a young one, it could not be you ;
Who sitting quite still, and not speaking a word,
Was greatly disturbed by a ticking she heard.
" Oh ! alack ! a death-watch" said the dame, " I declare,
I wish you'd have done," said she, jogging her chair ;
I had rather hear five hundred pigs in a breath,
Than that frightful ticking, that augurs my death."
Said the insect, " Old Dame, that must be a mistake :
You know not at all why this ticking I make ;
If I choose to keep knocking my head as I do,
I am certain of this, that it's nothing to you."
" But there is a sound which you constantly hear,
That old folks and young have more reason to fear ;
That clock as it ticks, nibbles minutes away,
The stuff life is made of, as I have heard say.
96
" Cunning men, their machines and their engines
among,
Never yet made a mill to grind old people young ;
But there if you look you'll not fail to behold
A mill that for certain grinds young people old ;
And more than all this, that machine, it is said,
Grinds old people older , until they are dead ! "
FABLE II.
THE DONKEYS DIALOGUE.
'TwAs in a shady, cool, retreat,
Two friendly donkeys chanced to meet,
Who, resting from a tedious walk,
Laid down, and soon began to talk.
" Well met," said one, f( good morning, brother !
te Aha ! good morning," said the other ;
" A cloudy day shall we have thunder ?"
" Sir," said his friend, " I should not wonder ;
The cattle seem for shelter going,
The sheep are bleating, cows are lowing,
The frogs are croaking, geese are wheezing,
Pigs ais grunting, cats are sneezing,
And as for me, I'm well aware,
There must be something in the air ;
P-95-
The Old Woman fr the Deathwatch.
The Donkey's Dialogue.
97
For I've got such a cold to-day,
And am so hoarse, I can scarce bray."
<l Well/' said the other, " who'd have thought it ;
Surely this south-west wind has brought it ;
For I've a cold, but I suppose
Mine must have settled in my nose ;
For I've entirely lost my smell,
Although I bray exceeding well."
" Ah ! " said his friend, " beyond dispute,
A donkey's nerves are more acute
Than those of men, who ne'er foresee
A thunder-storm so soon as we ;
And don't you think although we're asses,
Our sense and reason their's surpasses ? "
" Why don't you know," his friend replied,
" Our reason is by them denied ;
When told of brute's sagacity,
They have the strange audacity
To say 'tis instinct, and maintain
We've nothing else to guide our bi^in !
Yet brutes do nothing half so silly
As I've seen done by Master Billy ;
I've known him go and tie the grass,
Across the way where people pass ;
Or push his play-mates in the dirt,
Not caring much if they were hurt.
98
This the sole object of his labours,
To please himself and plague his neighbours.
'Twas not ten days ago I think,
As I was stooping down to drink,
His sense and reason to discover,
He needs must turn the water over ;
Now was this wise or was it not ?
Pray was it reason, sense, or what ?
If it was reason, there's no doubt
'Tis better far to be without ;
And if 'twas instinct, then I say,
We have a better sort than they ;
But I'm convinced these actions shew
That they have neither of the two/'
FABLE III.
THE PRIDE OF THE COBBLER'S DOG-
A DOG of a cobler (forgive me I pray !
Which belonged to a cobler, I rather should say,)
This dog like a great many others beside,
Whose stations are humble, was troubled with pride
Thought he, " I can see no good reason at all,
Why I should turn out to give others the wall ;
The Co bier's l)<>
Peter llie ( i rent.
99
The next time I meet them, whoever they be,
I'll make them remove to give passage to me.'
So saying he trotted full speed up the road,
And soon met a horse and a cart with a load ;
Now it happen'd the way was so narrow just there,
There was room for the cart, but not any to spare.
But the mastiff, so great was the pride of his heart,
Prest onward with haste 'twixt the wall and the cart ;
When alas ! for our hero ! his brains and his neck,
And his ribs and his bowels went quickly to wreck !
This confession was wrung from the dog ere he
died,
Now, indeed, I repent my ridiculous pride/'
FABLE IV.
PETER THE GREAT.
A CERTAIN man, as some do say,
Who liv'd in peace and quiet,
Did line his inside every day
With most nutritious diet.
F2
100
" For sure/' thought he, as skilfully
The mutton he did carve,
" 'Twould be exceeding wrong in me
My body for to starve."
His body, measured round about,
When his great coat was on,
Was four good yards, there's not a doubt ;
His weight was forty stone.
Peter the Great, I do aver,
He was without pretence,
Judging from his diameter,
And his circumference.
No wonder then this Briton bold
To stir him should be loth ;
His arms reluctant he would fold ;
His legs unwilling both.
And yet his loving wife would say,
" Peter, thou art to blame ;
Thou didst not stir out yesterday,
To-day 'tis all the same."
" Ah ! Judith, dear, I doubt," said he,
" My stirring days are past :
For don't ye know, and don't ye see,
My shadow lengthens fast."
101
<f Not so," quoth Judith, " if I'm right,
Thou surely must be wrong ;
Thy shadow seems unto my sight
As broad as it is long."
Thus pleasantly, to make him glad,
She answer'd him alway ;
Till he at last, with sorrow sad,
Unto his wife did say :
*' Judith, I am not well at all,
Within I'm sore distrest ;
I fear I'm ill with what they call
A load upon the chest.
" I know not when I've felt so bad ;
I think, say what you will,
That goose that yesterday I had
Is in my stomach still !
" Haste for the doctor, ere he's out,
For he may be of use :
Tell him my feet have got the gout,
My stomach's got the goose."
The dame approved her husband's thought,
As heretofore she did ;
For long ago she had been taught
To do as she was bid.
102
Said she, " I go ; but it may be,
Some time I shall be gone ;
So 'twill be better first for me
To put the boiler on.
" For if by reason of your pain
To fast be good for you ;
It does not follow hence 'tis plain
That I must famish too."
The dame then sped her on her way,
And jogg'd for many a mile ;
And Peter he at home did stay,
To mind the pot the while.
But in his chair of ample size
While seated, I suppose,
This trusty watch did shut his eyes,
And straight began to doze.
At last the water, heated hot,
Lifted the caul dron's cover ;
And then (as cooks affirm) the pot
Did boil with fury over.
Water and fire with angry strife,
A hissing dire did make ;
Which Peter hearing, dream'd his wife
Was broiling him a steak.
103
But as the hissing still kept on,
He dream'd she'll surely spoil it ;
Then gruffly growl'd, " the meat is done,
How long d'ye mean to broil it ? "
Then in his dream his sleepy poll
With anger great did nod he ;
When lo ! the tumult of his soul
Awoke his peaceful hody.
Then loudly to his wife he calTd,
" Come hither, dame, I pray ! "
But vainly to the dame he bawl'd,
For she was far away.
At last he reached his walking-stick,
To shove the boiling-pot ;
When o'er his legs it tumbled quick !
And water scalding hot !
Up went his feet into the air ;
Down went his body great ;
Crack went the ancient elbow chair !
And eke poor Peter's pate !
No longer now he felt the gout,
But, roaring out amain,
Briskly he turn'd his legs about,
And stood upright again.
104
With scalded feet and broken head,
He danced along the floor ;
He had not done the like 'tis said
For twenty years or more.
Then round the room the woful wight
Did cast a mournful eye ;
Thought he, " I'm in a dismal plight,.
That none can well deny-"
There prostrate lay the broken chair,
The boiler on the ground :
The cat, she thought her fate severe,
To be both scal'd and drown'd*
But now his wife's return from town
Full sore began to dread he ;
Thought he, " she'd surely crack niy crown,
Were it not crack'd already."
But long he waited all forlorn,
With pining discontent ;
And still his wife did not return,
Although the day was spent.
At last the street-door lock within
The key began to rattle ;
Thought Peter, " now will soon begin
A most tremendous battle."
105
Then, with the doctor close behind,
Enter'd the wife of Peter ;
But how was she surprised to find
Her husband came to meet her.
Said she, " how's this, that thou alone
Canst walk along the path ? "
Said he, " I've been, since thou wast gone,
In a hot water bath."
Now Peter he began to quake,
As Judith entered in ;
Who, when she saw the mess, did make
A most surprising din.
" Woman, I've broke my head," said he,
And scalt my legs to boot ;
So sure there is no need for thee
To add affliction to' t."
" But," said the doctor, f< tell me, sir,
How 'tis you walk about ;
Your wife affirm'd you could not stir,
By reason of the gout."
Then Peter he related quite
What we have told before ;
Then did the doctor laugh outright,
With loud and lengthen'd roar.
106
'* But, sir," said he, " now I suppose,
That all this time you've fasted ;
Pray tell me if your stomach's woes
The same till now have lasted."
" Why, sir," said Peter, " I must own
That, since from food I've rested,
The load is from my stomach gone,
And seems to be digested."
" Then," said the doctor, " 1 advise
When plagued with gouty pain ;
Since that's remov'd by exercise,
To scald your legs again.
te And as you'd find your health increased,
Were you but somewhat thinner ;
I charge you twice a week at least
To go without your dinner."
Thus, I, at last, have sung my song,
With no small care and trouble ;
So, as the fable has been long,
The moral shall be double.
And first, when, through excess of food,
You find your stomach ill,
Then abstinence will do more good
Than bolus, draught, or pill.
E ciwi n.
The Ass & tlie Fox.
107
Again, when pain in limbs comes on,
So you can scarce endure it ;
Then jump about 'tis ten to one
But exercise will cure it.
'TwAs through a lone forest, one winterly night,
Young Edwin was urging his steed ;
No hamlet or cottage appear'd to his sight,
Nor a taper afar with its radiance bright,
Nor a star pierced the gloom with its silvery light,
To show him which way to proceed.
" Alas, ! " thought the youth, " is this forest my grave,
How far do these mazes extend ?
Should the bleak, howling tempest continue to rave,
Unless I discover some cottage or cave,
Unable much longer its fury to brave,
My life with this journey must end."
Just then a fierce gust blew the branches aside,
Which reveal'd a glad sight to our youth ;
For a far distant light he that moment espied ;
108
" O ! shine, gentle flame, through these dangers to
guide,
Nor let thy faint beam to my path be denied,
For I need thine assistance in truth."
So, cheer'd by the light, he redoubled his pace,
While the flame glided slowly along ;
But alas ! for young Edwin ! deceived by its rayi,
He follow'd the phantom, till lost in a maze,
And far having wander'd in untrodden ways,
He plung'd deep morasses among.
Then dismounting his steed with despair in his breast,
He resolved not to struggle again ;
When a faint beam of moon-light which beam'd from
the west,
Display 'd to our hero, fatigu'd and distrest,
The path of which he had so long been in quest,
But had sought mid the forest in vain.
But scarce had he ventured three steps on the road,
When his blood was half frozen with fear ;
For before him a tall slender figure there stood,
Which, holding its arms out as wide as it could,
Made young Edwin believe from the form that it
shew'd,
That the ghost of some person was near.
109
Now backward with horror he started and fled,
And wander'd till morning arose ;
Then he found 'twas a hand-post had fill'd him with
dread,
That a rvill-rvith-a-whisp had his footsteps misled,
And that he was like others, of whom it is said,
That they know not their/Hewcfo from their foes.
FABLE VI.
THE ASS AND THE POX.
As an honest old donkey was browsing one day,
On the stalk of a thistle that grew by the way,
A fox, just return'd from a dinner on goose,
Fat, saucy, and full, let his insolence loose.
" So," said he, " sorry beast ! is that all you can find
For jour poor toothless jaws at this season to grind ?
Are all the birch-brooms eaten out of the land ?
Is an old bushel-basket no longer at hand ?
" Yet a thistle, I grant ye, your nature befits,
I dare say you find that it sharpens your wits ;
But stay sharpen your wits? that can never be done,
For all the world knows that a donkey has none."
110
But the ass, quite contented, it seems, with his diet,
Resolved on that head to be perfectly quiet ;
Nor much cared as to brains that he did under-rate him ;
Yet he made this reply, and I give it verbatim.
jnbuns e jaJT
" You suppose Pm a fool, neighbour fox, it is plain ;
Think it still, if you please, that can give me no pain ;
For it seems over you this advantage I have,
While you think I'm a blockhead, I know you're a
knave."
FABLE VII.
THE PEACH AND THE POTATOE.
O ! WHAT will you say to a peach and potatoe,
Discoursing on beauty of person ?
Yet their talk Pm afraid is not worse than some ladies',
Though not quite so soon made a verse on.
Said the peach, "your complexion will not bear in-
spection,
Your aspect is vulgar and homely ;
But my skin is much fairer, my qualities rarer,
My person engaging and comely."
The Peach & the Potatoe.
Tlie Sliow of Wild Beasts .
Ill
Said the root, "they judge rightly, who think me un-
sHghtly,
For I own that I'm not an Adonis ;
Yet it is not my duty to envy a beauty,
Whose heart quite as hard as a stone is."
FABLE VIII.
THE SHOW OP WILD BEASTS.
Two apes exhibited for show,
Some time by Mr. Polito /
Thinking their master did not need 'em,
Determined to obtain their freedom ;
So waiting till the coast was clear,
One day, when nobody was near,
They issued forth, and hand in hand,
Walk'd for an airing down the Strand ;
Nor were they presently espied,
Among so many apes beside ;
But unmolested pass'd along
Amid the numerous monkey throng ;
Both making sundry observations,
On those they thought were their relations.
At last they form'd the bold design
Some human monkeys to confine,
And show them off (so says the fable)
As English apes, if they were able.
And so it seems, by hook or crook,
Six curious animals they took,
And putting instantly to sea,
They soon arrived in Barbary
Among their friends, and let them know
They'd got some foreign beasts to show.
These friends so throng'd the exhibition,
That many could not gain admission.
Our apes with joy the concourse view'd,
And made for all what room they could ;
And then, as is the usual plan,
They took their wands, and thus began.
"Good friends and neighbours all: you see
After long absence here are we :
We have at last our freedom gain'd,
Though fourteen years we've been detain'd,
By apes of an inferior sort
Exhibited, to make them sport ;
Of whom we've now kidnapp'd a few,
To make in turn some sport for you.
" First you behold the English glutton,
He feeds on beef, pork, veal, and mutton ;
But, Oh ! such dinners he devours ;
His mouth holds twice as much as our's ;
113
At once he in his stomach puts
The worth of half a sack of nuts ;
But, what is singular indeed,
He never knows how long to feed ;
But when no longer hungry will,
While food remains, keep eating still :
He'll prove the truth of what I've said,
If you'll but stay, and see him fed.
" Here," said the showman, you behold
An odd young monkey, nine years old ;
At least, as near as I can guess
From size and strength, he can't be less,
Although were you his ways to see,
You'd say he was not turn'd of three ;
I think, his name they told me once,
'Tis, if 1 don't mistake, a dunce.
Now, from this creature it appears
Boys' wits increase not with their years ;
A striking difference, indeed,
'Twixt them and us, but let's proceed.
" The English sloth you there may see ;
As usual, sound asleep is he ;
You'll scarce believe me when I say
He sleeps all night, and half the day !
'Tis ten or twelve before he'll rise,
And hardly then can ope' his eyes ;
114
I fear that now we shall not wake him,
Unless one goes inside to shake him ;
But while asleep you best behold
All that about him can be told.
"This creature here in sickness pines ;
We do not understand his signs,
What 'tis he wants we cannot tell,
We never could when he was well ;
He says he's hungry : but, the fact is,
To say that is his constant practice ;
A form of speech he uses then
Peculiar to the race of men ;
I can't explain it, no, not I,
But think 'tis what they call a lie.
" This is an English ape full grown,
The first for your amusement shown ;
I fear you will not understand me,
When I pronounce his name, a dandy :
Vast numbers of this race of apes
I've seen in town of various shapes ;
Their brains are few, as you may guess,
For, all their thoughts they spend on dress ;
O ! stop, not all, how fast I'm talking ;
For, tired of riding, tired of walking,
And wishing much for something new,
They thought they would combine the two,
115
And tried to speed them on the road,
While they that odd machine bestrode ;
You see this thing we've brought away ;
Come ! show the company, I say.
" This animal, with doubled fist,
Is what they call a pugilist ;
A most uncommon creature, Sirs !
Has changed his generic characters,
A beast Linnaeus never saw ;
No cutting teeth in either jaw,
Though nature gave him some, no doubt ;
But now you see they all are out.
His eyes once grey, as I suppose,
You now perceive are black as sloes ;
His nose, once straight, you see is broken ;
His features cruelty betoken :
He is, I think, to say the least,
A frightful and disgusting beast.
" Thus, neighbours, we have shown you all
The beasts we've taken, great and small ;
Full twenty more were on their way,
Whom we could not compel to stay :
Indeed, we got such blows and kicks,
The wonder is we muster'd six.
They're few indeed, we freely own,
Out of the hundreds we have known ;
But yet enough, we feel persuaded,
To show that men are apes degraded."
116
FABLE IX.
THE SHOWER OF PUDDINGS.
SAID a youth to the clouds, as he turn'd up his eyes,
" How I wish soup and pudding were rain'd from the
skies!
O ! how charming 'twould be ready cook'd if 'twould
fall,
That so one might dine with no trouble at all."
And so it fell out, says the fable, at last
That the sky with some odd looking clouds was o'ermt,.
And the south wind blew up a most savoury smell,
When direct from the heavens the aliments fell !
Now the pea-soup and pudding descended amain,
Till it pour'd from the mountains and deluged the plain ;
The pigs were astonish'd ; yet did not forget,
Like our youth, while they wonder'd, that now they
might eat.
" However, thought he, " I will benefit by it ;
So he took up a piece of plum-pudding to try it ;
But, alas, he could not even swallow a bit,
For he found it was covered with gravel and grit.
/>. lid.
Tlie Shown: of Puddings.
Tlie Dou; & tlie Pi.tr her.
117
Who'd have thought it, when pudding was rain'd from
the skies,
That it yet would be needful some plan to devise,
And some trouble to take to accomplish his wish ;
For now, ere he dined, lie must hold up his dish.
But this dish was not fill'd quite so soon as he thought,
So that both his arms ached ere enough he had caught ;
Bnt something soon happened, more dismal by half,
At which you'll have two much good nature to laugh ;
For a large piece of pudding, of more than a pound,
Knock'd the dish from the hands of our youth to the
ground ;
" Well," said he, " I have play'd long enough at this
game,
Let it rain what it will, it comes all to the same ;
Good things, how abundant soever they be,
One can never obtain without trouble, I see."
FABLE X.
THE DOG AND THE PITCHER.
(A true Story.)
A HUNGRY dog, (as 'tis supposed,)
Whose form was spare and thin,
Perceived a dairy door unclosed,
And straightway enter'd in.
118
Then round-about he turn'd his eyes
On butter, milk, and cheese,
Thought he, " I fear 'twill not be wise
To take too much of these.
" The milk, in pans so broad and wide,
If lapp'd, will clearly show it ;
But this deep pitcher may be tried,
And they can scarcely know it."
With this he thrust his nose within,
And, though the neck was small,
By pushing hard, the prize to win,
He got in ears and all.
" O ! now there's room enough," thought he,
" For here the size is double ;
And here is milk enough, I see,
To pay me for my trouble."
The dog he lapp'd till all was gone,
Then raised his head to go ;
But found the jug hung firmly on,
To his dismay and woe.
Vainly he tugg'd, and backwards ran ;
The pitcher ran as fast ;
When almost choked, the dog began
To be enraged at last.
119
With desperate blows did he assail
Each door-post as he fled ;
He that oft' briskly wagg'd his tail,
Now briskly wagg'd his head.
But soon the dairy-maid drew near,
Who, with loud exclamations,
Laid a good broomstick on, 'tis clear,
To aid his operations.
At last, he broke the bottom out
Of this disastrous jug ;
But still the dog was not without
The remnant of the mug.
With this, the trophy of the day,
In haste forth trotted he ;
And, if 'twas ever knock'd away,
They have not told it me.
So thieves, though cunning they may be,
Oft' find themselves detected
(As was the dog, we plainly see,)
In ways they least expected.
120
FABLE XL
THE GOLD PIN AND THE NAIL.
ONE day as a lady was dressing in haste,
By a jerk of her hand a gold pin was displaced,
Which falling unseen and unheard to the floor,
Quickly enter'd a crevice, to issue no more.
' < Alas ! what a sudden reverse ! " thought the pin,
" But a moment before what request I was in ;
! how many attentions I used to engage,
But unnoticed I here may remain for an age."
" Unnoticed !" said one, who had heard the remark ;
" Why, I've been fix'd here ninety years in the dark,
Unseen and forgotten, and yet, I can say,
That I never once wish'd they would shorten my stay.
" And, pray," said the pin, " who are you by my
side?"
" A tenpenny nail, Sir," the other replied ;
" O, indeed !" said the pin, "well, for persons like you
1 think, such a residence really may do."
" Very true," said the nail, " and I ne'er was am-
bitious
Of spheres more extended, or views more propitious ;
The Gold Pin & the
Tlie Wasps fc the Flies.
m
I'm content this old board still to hold to the rafter,
For ninety years more, and a century after."
" Dear ! what a contemptible taste/' said the pin ;
" Oh ! if in my place for one day you had been,
This deplorable dungeon, I'm certain, would be
As disgusting and horrid to you, as to me.
For while in this dusty old crack you have tarried,
To Paris, and Brighton, and Bath, I've been carried.
There used in assemblies of fashion to mix
With muslins, instead of oak-boards to transfix."
" But, my friend," said the nail, " it appears beyond
doubt
That your owner can manage your presence without ;
But if I should my trust for one moment betray,
Then the board, that she stands on, must quickly give
way,
And if so, I would ask those who foolishly rail,
Which does the most service, the pin or the nail"
FABLE XII.
THE WASPS AND THE FLIES.
A SOUTHERN wall expos'd to view
Fine apricots of golden hue,
Watch'd daily by the owner's care.
And well he knew the number there.
The wall with broken glass he strew'd,
If thieves should come, to let their blood.
But thieves there were, who still would pass,
In spite of spikes and broken glass ;
For wasps and flies, a num'rous throng,
Consumed the produce all day long.
In vain by hand he sought to kill
These thieves, too many for him still ;
Till vex'd and angry at the pelf,
And wishing for the fruit himself,
A plan, at last, he did invent,
For bringing them to punishment.
" I'll give you all your fill," said he :
Then took of half-pint bottles three,
And pour'd in each, with friendly haste,
Some sugar'd beer, to suit their taste.
Scarce were the sweeten'd lures suspended,
Ere swarms of thirsty wasps attended,
And flies arrived from far and near,
To dip each his proboscis here ;
123
At first content, as it should seem,
To sip the juice about the brim,
Till tempted further by the smell,
Deluded hundreds hourly fell.
In vain the flies plied hard their wings :
In vain the angry wasps their stings :
Vainly they row'd the bottle round,
No solid footing could be found ;
The treach'rous phial's slipp'ry side
With unavailing toil they tried,
Till wasps and flies half filled the glass,
And form'd almost a solid mass,
On which some stood, at last, to try
Their legs and wings to rectify.
But, see now, what a difference lies
'Twixt angry wasps and patient flies.
The wasps with many a bold essay,
With fury try to force a way ;
With hasty steps one inch attain,
Then falling back are drench'd again ;
Till faint, exhausted, and distrest,
At last, they perish with the rest.
Meanwhile the flies, tho' quite aware
How great their present dangers are,
Convinced that hurry does belate us,
Stay to adjust their apparatus,
Then try their wings a time or two,
And, if they think that they will do,
02
124
Crawl on a dead wasp's friendly back ;
Consider ere each step they take ;
With prudent care and steady creep,
Gently ascend the dang'rous steep,
Contented slowly to proceed,
And so, at last, get out indeed !
FABLE XIII.
*SOP*S TRIAL.
BUT the beasts and the birds, and the flocks and the
herds,
And the frogs, and the toads, and the mice ;
And the trees, and the fishes, the pots, and the dishes.
Ants, earwigs, snails, spiders, and flies,
These perceiving, at test, what a scandal was cast
Upon them, by what JEsop recited,
All muster'd their strength, and determined, at length,
For a libel to have him indicted.
So the court was conven'd and each witness subpoen'd ;
The judge and the jury attendant ;
And there all alone, mounted up on a stone,
Stood poor jEsop, the hapless defendant.
125
Said the judge, " we'll proceed this production to
read,
That the jury may well understand;
And then leave it to them to acquit or condemn,
As strict justice they think may demand."
So when this he had said, a few pages he read,
Nor had finish'd the volume or near it,
When the plaintiffs and jury all rose in a fury,
And vow'd they'd not tarry to hear it !
But, who can disclose such a scene as arose,
The barking, the groans, and the hisses !
For, said they one and all, both the great and the
small,
" Who 'i to bear such a scandal as this is? "
Said the fox, " Its absurd ! I ne'er spoke such a word ; "
Said the frogs, " We ne'er held such a tenet ; "
Said the ass, " Could I try on the skin of a lion ?
What a fool he must be who could pen k ! "
Said the wolf, " It must follow, with bones in my
swallow,
I ne'er could have made that oration ; "
Said the crane, " Without doubt, if the bone I'd pull'd
out,
You'd have made me a due compensation,"
126
" Indeed," said the bear, ' ' it's too bad, I declare,
To assert that I crush'd his proboscis ;
I have something to do of more consequence too,
Than to brush away flies from their noses ! "
Said the jury, " So clear does the libel appear,
Further evidence cannot be needed ; "
Then the judge turn'd his head towards /Esop, and said,
" Your defence may directly be pleaded."
Then said he, " I assure ye, my lord and the jury,
The whole is a false accusation ;
'Tis a libel on me, which I hope all will see
Who compose this august convocation.
" For know, one and all, both the great and the small,
Of these faults you were never suspected ;
They are not in the least meant to censure the beast,
But the whole at our race is directed.
u Now, if in my book with more care you will look,
You must see what 1 mean, I'm persuaded ;
Seeing all the way through, I have labour'd to show
How far below you w r e're degraded.
" Just hear, I would pray, what those animals say
We call donkeys, I hope no offence ;
When they're talking together concerning the weather,
Of instinct, wit, reason, and sense."
127
Then the fable in question, at jEsop's suggestion,
Was read, (for they could not deny it) ;
When the beasts of all classes, especially asses,
Felt perfectly satisfied by it.
Said the judge, " What you state, I confess, has some
weight, ,
Your defence may, I think, be admitted ; "
Said the jury, " If so, the defendant may go ; "
And old jEsop forthwith was acquitted.
To ourselves, it's confess'd, are these fables address'd ,
'Tis a fact not to meet with denial ;
And that this may be known by all readers, I own,
Is the reason I've publish'd the trial.
THE END.
C. Baldwin. Printer,
New Bridge-street, London.
~
--
'""', Vi^fisfe 14 -
vcfk*-' f f &'"J&:-* ?
o*3k^^^v^
