Aesop, in Rhyme Part 16

With legal dignity of face, He heard them both relate the case; "Your claims are good," then gravely said, "And a brave lawsuit would have made Which to prefer I cannot tell, So each of you must take a sh.e.l.l; And, as the oyster is but one, That I myself will swallow down; To stink it otherwise had lain, And all your cash been spent in vain; You're cheaply off; go home content; And faith the fish was excellent."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE SHEPHERD AND HIS DOG.

A dog his master so deceiv'd, He was the best of curs believ'd.

The flock was trusted to his care, Whene'er the shepherd was not there.

And in the house, a favored guest, He always fed upon the best.

The treacherous guard his charge betray'd And on the sheep in secret prey'd.

The master, when the crime was prov'd, With double indignation mov'd, About his neck the halter tied Himself: the dog for mercy cried; "You let the wolf escape," he said, "Who much more slaughter oft has made."

"Wretch!" says the man, "the wolf declares Hostility, and boldly dares; He has no confidence abused: But, coward, thou my trust hast used: Against myself! and on this tree Without delay shalt hanged be."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE JUSTICE.

The law still lends the readiest aid, When well her ministers are paid.

A countryman, by power oppress'd, Seeking to have his wrongs redress'd, Oft to the justice went in vain; Admittance he could ne'er obtain, But still was bid again to come; "Unwell"--"engag'd"--or "not home!"

The wily rustic took a kid One day, and in a basket hid; And when he to the house drew near, Began to pinch him by the ear, So that the porter, from the hall, Might hear the little fatling squall; The man his master's mind who knew, Open'd the door and let him through.

The shepherd, laughing as he pa.s.s'd, Says to his kid, "Thy cries at last An audience for my wrongs obtain; Thy flesh, perhaps, redress will gain."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE c.o.c.k AND THE FOX.

The world applauds the lucky hit, When it beholds the biter bit.

A treach'rous fox invited down A c.o.c.k, who on a tree had flown.

"Do you not know, my friend," says he, "Bird, beast, fish, reptile, man agree, To live henceforth in amity?

Come down and celebrate the day."

"Troth," quoth the c.o.c.k, "you truly say; For hounds I see come o'er the dell, With open mouths, the news to tell."

"Adieu," says Ren. "'Tis best to go; Those dogs the treaty may not know."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE BLIND MAN AND THE LAME.

Who kind a.s.sistance give and take, Life's arduous journey best will make.

Two men, one blind, the other lame, To pa.s.s a ford together came.

The stream was rapid, and the way Obliquely thwart the current lay; To his companion says the blind, "Yon winding road I ne'er shall find."

"Nor my poor limbs," the lame replied, "The current's rapid force abide."

"Come," says the blind, "my loins are strong, I'll bear you on my back along, While you to guide me give the word;"

And thus they safely cross'd the ford.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE MAN AND THE SERPENT.

There's in the world a cursed race, Of nature so perverse and base, If from the gallows you should save, A dangerous enemy you have.

A countryman a serpent found, Stiffen'd with frost upon the ground, And took her home; but when the fire Began new vigor to inspire, Swelling her neck with angry eyes, She fills the cot with hissing cries.

The rustic then his axe did take, "Is this then the return you make?

Is this your grat.i.tude?" he said, And knock'd the reptile on the head.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE TWO STREAMS.

Those who display much dash and din, Have seldom any thing within.

A weary traveller, one day, Cross'd o'er a river in his way; Alarm'd to see the foaming tide Dashing o'er rocks from side to side, Nevertheless, his course to keep, He ventur'd in with trembling step; And found the water neither deep, Nor footing bad; and got well o'er.

When he had travell'd some leagues more, He to another river came, That smoothly flowed, a silent stream: This he thought easily to pa.s.s; But ere he in the middle was, He plunged into a gulf profound, And for his feet no bottom found; But, forced to swim with all his might, Got to the sh.o.r.e in piteous plight.

[Ill.u.s.tration]