Aesop, in Rhyme Part 2

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THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PURSE.

Two friends once were walking in sociable chat, When a purse one espied on the ground; "Oh, see!" said he, (thank my fortune for that,) "What a large sum of money I've found!"

"Nay, do not say _I_" said his friend, "for you know 'Tis but friendship to share it with me;"

"I share it with you," said the other. "How so?

He who _found_ it the owner should be."

"Be it so," said his friend, "but what sound do I hear?

'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 claimed the sole right to the prize!

And since all the _money_ was taken by you, With you the _dishonesty_ lies."

MORAL.

When people are selfish, dishonest, and mean, Their nature, in dealing, will quickly be seen.

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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 labor with such toil and care, The greedy mouth to feed."

"This we're resolved no more to do, Though we so long have done it;"

"Ah!" said the knees and elbows too, "And we are bent upon it."

"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 a.s.sembly call To prove the base a.s.sertion.

"The food which you with labor gain, He too with labor 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 obeyed; We think the hands may now be tried As treasurers in his stead."

The hands with joy to this agreed, And all to them was paid; But they the treasure kept indeed, And no disburs.e.m.e.nts made.

Once more the clam'rous members met, A lean and hungry throng; When all allowed, 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.

MORAL.

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.

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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."

"I am very contented," the creature replied, "Though I walk but a tortoise's pace, 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 secured while at leisure she fed, And took a sound nap when she dined.

So at last this slow walker came up with the hare, And there fast asleep did he spy her; And he cunningly crept with such caution and care, That she woke not, although he pa.s.s'd by her.

"Well now," thought the hare, when she open'd 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!

MORAL.

Thus plain plodding people, we often shall find, Will leave hasty confident people behind.

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THE MILKMAID.