Aesop, in Rhyme Part 20

MORAL.

Youth is sanguine, and hopes for all: Old age is pitiless; so says our moral.

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THE TWO FRIENDS.

Two real friends lived in Monomotapa, All that belonged to one was for the other, And each was unto each a brother.

The people of that country, thus, Make better friends than among us.

One night when fast asleep, They each were sound reposing, The eldest darted from his couch, And stopped the other's dozing.

He runs to see his friend, Awakes the slaves, and in the end, Even his friend is quite alarmed, And goes to seek the other, With sword and purse. "My brother, What can the matter be?

Here I am armed, you see, Ready with sword to fight for you, And here is money ready too, If you have lost in play.

You're even welcome to my handsome slave, With jet black hair, and eyes so grave."

"No!" said the other, "I need naught, But ere I slept to-night, I thought, Being in a trance, that you were sad, And as the thought nigh drove me mad, I hurried to your tent, And found you sleeping quite content."

MORAL.

Which of the two best loved the other?

Here is a thing to ponder on.

A true friend is a precious thing, And all to aid you he will bring, But with excess of love the other In dreams was thinking of his brother.

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THE SICK STAG.

In a land where stags are many, One fell sick, and not any Of all his friends, delayed to come, To offer aid and consolation, In his sorrowful situation.

Said he, "My friends, pray let me die In the right way, nor shed such tears."

Not at all, the consolers, With many a tear, and many a sigh, Had come resolved by him to lie; And when they left they helped themselves Upon his lands, the greedy elves!

And drank from out his brook, And every one of them such suppers took, That when the stag revived, He found his meals reduced; So that while his friends had thrived, He had to fast or die of hunger.

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THE FOREST AND THE WOODMAN.

A woodman had broken or misplaced The wooden handle of his axe, This loss could not be well replaced.

So master woodman humbly prayed From all the trees a single branch, And promised to go elsewhere when he made Again his livelihood, And he would touch nor oak nor pine.

The trees which were all very good Furnished for him new arms, And soon commenced all their alarms, And their regret. The axe was mended.

And his repentance all was ended.

The miserable wretch but used it, E'en as he had before abused it, By felling down the forest trees, Which groaned in spirit, and which died, By arms they had themselves supplied.

MORAL.

This is the way the world goes on, We use our benefits against our benefactors: I am tired of speaking thereupon, Till we obtain our wants, we are good actors.

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THE ELEPHANT AND THE MONKEY OF JUPITER.

Formerly the elephant and the rhinoceros Disputing on the light of empire Resolved to end the combat thus-- By fighting to their heart's desire.

The day was fixed, when it was heard, That the monkey of Sire Jupiter Had been seen in the air, Poised on a cloud like any bird.

The elephant was quite convinced That to arrange the new election, An interest the G.o.d evinced, And felt for him a great affection, He went to see the monkey's highness, Expecting him to speak about the fight, But not a word said monkey.

At this sight, The elephant perceived that he must speak himself, And so began: "Sire Jupiter," said he, "Between rhinoceros and me will see A royal combat of legation; A tournament for all the nation.

I suppose you have already heard This news!" Said monkey, "Not a word."

The elephant ashamed, and quite surprised, Looked on the monkey with astonished eyes.

Said monkey, "In celestial place, A fly or leopard are of equal race."

"Was it not then because of us,"

Said elephant, "that you descended?"

"Nay," said the monkey, quite offended.

"I left the heavens to share a grain of corn Among some ants, nor knew that you were born.

We have the care of mortal things; But all are equals in our eyes, And at your talk I feel surprise."

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THE WOODCUTTER AND DEATH.

A woodman was toiling, all covered with dust, But reach home with his f.a.ggot ere night he must, Panting and weary he walks quite slow, How to get home he does not know.

At last quite exhausted with toil and trouble, With the weight of the burden and his years, bent double.