Aesop, in Rhyme Part 11

THE STAG AND THE FOUNTAIN.

That good from bad men rarely know, This apologue may serve to show:

A stag upon a fountain's side, Beheld his branching horns with pride; While of his spindle-shanks asham'd, Their disproportioned form he blam'd.

Sudden he hears the hunter's cries, And to the forest nimbly flies.

The woods receive their well-known guest.

His tangled horns, his feet arrest; The hounds approach, and seize their prey; Who, dying, thus was heard to say: "Wretch that I am! too late I learn, How little we the truth discern!

What would have saved me, I despis'd, And what has been my ruin, priz'd!"

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THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE SOW.

Her nest on high an eagle made Lower a cat her kittens laid; And at the bottom of the tree A sow dispos'd her progeny.

Vile puss to gain her wicked ends, Much love for both of them pretends.

First to the eagle's aerie mounts, And thus to her false alarms recounts: "Madam, in truth our dangerous state, 'Tis with reluctance I relate; But things are really gone so far, Conceal them I no longer dare.

Night after night the treacherous sow Our tree has undermined below; Ere long it cannot choose but fall, And then she hopes to eat us all."

Successful when she saw her lies, Down to the bristly sow she hies; "My worthy neighbor!" crying out, "I pray you, mind what you're about, For to a certainty I know, The eagle waits but till you go, (The thing with great concern I say,) To make your little ones her prey."

Suspicious dread when thus inspir'd, Puss to her hole all day retir'd; Stealing at night on silent paw, To stuff her own and kittens' maw.

To stir nor sow nor eagle dare.

What more? fell hunger ends their care; And long the mischief-making beast With her base brood on carrion feast.

Learn hence, ye simples, ere too late, What ills the double-tongued create.

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THE EAGLE, THE RAVEN AND THE TORTOISE.

Who in their foe united find Force, art, and a remorseless mind, Whate'er their strength and prowess be, To perish stand in jeopardy.

An eagle once a tortoise held, Safe in his h.o.r.n.y house concealed, Which he in vain essayed to break With all the fury of his beak.

As with his prey he wing'd the air, A wily raven ventur'd near: "Your prize is excellent," says she, "And if you'll give a share to me, I know, for all his iron hide, How we the dainty may divide."

The bargain made, "On yonder wall, Down," says the raven, "let him fall."

He listen'd to the h.o.a.ry sinner; And they on turtle made their dinner.

Thus fraud and force their purpose gain, And nature fortifies in vain.

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THE FLY AND THE HORSE.

A fly upon a coach-box seated, With arrogance the horses rated.

"Advance!" cries out the paltry thing, "Unless you mean to feel my sting."

"Not thee we heed," a horse replied, "But him whose skilful hand can guide The rein and whip. We better know Than thee when we should stop or go."

Thus men without or sense or weight, Think themselves born to rule the state.

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ESOP AT PLAY.

When an Athenian Esop saw, Playing with school-boys once at taw, The man with laughter shook his sides; Esop the laughter thus derides: "Of this slack bow before you laid, The meaning, sprightly sir," he said, "Explain!" (A crowd had gather'd round.) Surpris'd, the man no answer found: He puzzled long, but all his wit Could on no explanation hit.

The laugh on Esop's side; says he, "Why you this bow unbended see, It is because it needs must break, If always bent; so we must take Due relaxation, that the mind Its vigor may when wanted find."

He who in harmless sport employs A vacant hour, is not unwise.

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THE OLD PILOT AND THE SAILORS.

To one complaining of his fate, Esop this fable did relate.

A ship by raging tempests toss'd, The seamen, giving all for lost, 'Twas who should weep and pray the most.

Grown calm at once the sky and sea, They shout in joyful extacy.

The pilot, from experience wise, The giddy crew did thus advise: "Nor much rejoice, nor over grieve, But decently what comes receive; Since good and ill succeed so near, Meet ill with hope and good with fear."

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THE CRAB AND HER DAUGHTER.