An Old Hound, who had excelled in his time, and given his Master great
satisfaction in many a chace, at last, through age, became feeble and
unserviceable. However, being in the field one day, when the Stag was
almost run down, he happened to be the first that came in with him,
and seized him by the haunch; but his decayed and broken teeth not
being able to keep their hold, the Deer escaped; upon which, his Master
fell into a great passion, and began to whip him severely. The honest
old creature is said to have barked out this apology: Ah! do not thus
strike your poor old servant: it is not my heart and inclination, but
my strength and speed, that fail me. If what I now am displease you,
pray do not forget what I have been!