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[Illustration: THE FROG AND THE OX.]
FAVOURITE FABLES,
In Prose and Verse.
WITH TWENTY-FOUR ILLUSTRATIONS
FROM DRAWINGS
BY HARRISON WEIR.
[Illustration: JUSTICE.]
LONDON:
GRIFFITH AND FARRAN,
(SUCCESSORS TO NEWBERY AND HARRIS),
CORNER OF ST. PAUL'S CHURCHYARD.
MDCCCLXX.
* * * * *
CONTENTS.
FABLE
I. THE FOX AND THE GOAT
II. THE FROG AND THE OX
III. THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE
IV. THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS
V. THE DOVE AND THE ANT
VI. THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL
VII. THE BUTTERFLY AND THE SNAIL
VIII. THE WOLF AND THE CRANE
IX. THE FROG AND THE RAT
X. THE FIGHTING COCK AND EAGLE
XI. THE DIAMOND AND THE LOADSTONE
XII. THE BEAR AND THE BEES
XIII. THE FROGS DESIRING A KING
XIV. THE FOX AND THE BOAR
XV. THE VINE AND THE GOAT
XVI. THE DISCONTENTED HORSE
XVII. THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR
XVIII. THE FOX AND THE STORK
XIX. THE HORSE AND THE STAG
XX. THE LION WOUNDED
XXI. THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN
XXII. JUPITER AND THE FARMER
XXIII. THE VAIN JACKDAW
XXIV. THE VIPER AND THE FILE
XXV. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
XXVI. THE OLD BULLFINCH AND YOUNG BIRDS
XXVII. THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL
XXVIII. THE OLD HOUND
XXIX. THE CHARGER AND THE ASS
XXX. THE COLT AND THE FARMER
XXXI. THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES
XXXII. THE FOX AND THE CROW
XXXIII. THE PEACOCK'S COMPLAINT
XXXIV. THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL
XXXV. THE WIND AND THE SUN
XXXVI. THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR
XXXVII. THE DOG AND THE SHADOW
XXXVIII. THE HERMIT AND THE BEAR
XXXIX. THE SHEPHERD'S BOY AND THE WOLF
XL. THE FAWN AND HER MOTHER
XLI. THE TORTOISE AND THE EAGLE
XLII. THE BROTHER AND SISTER
XLIII. THE SHEPHERD'S DOG AND WOLF
XLIV. THE COVETOUS MAN
XLV. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
XLVI. THE HOG AND THE ACORNS
XLVII. THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE
XLVIII. THE CAT AND THE MICE
XLIX. THE KID AND THE WOLF
L. THE COUNCIL OF HORSES
LI. THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG
LII. THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS
LIII. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX
LIV. THE WARRIOR WOLF
LV. THE BELLY AND THE MEMBERS
LVI. THE CUR, THE HORSE, AND THE SHEPHERD'S DOG
LVII. THE JACKDAW AND THE EAGLE
LVIII. THE ASS AND THE LION HUNTING
LIX. THE WOLF IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING
LX. THE TWO BEES
LXI. THE TURKEY AND THE ANT
LXII. THE DOG AND THE WOLF
LXIII. THE SATYR AND THE TRAVELLER
LXIV. THE BARLEY-MOW AND THE DUNGHILL
LXV. THE SHEEP-BITER AND SHEPHERD
LXVI. THE STAG AT THE POOL
LXVII. THE OLD SWALLOWS AND THE YOUNG BIRDS
LXVIII. THE WAGGONER AND THE BUTTERFLY
LXIX. THE LION, THE BEAR AND THE FOX
LXX. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
LXXI. THE HARE AND MANY FRIENDS
LXXII. THE COCK AND THE FOX
LXXIII. THE LION AND THE MOUSE
LXXIV. THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER
LXXV. THE MOUSE AND THE ELEPHANT
LXXVI. THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS
LXXVII. THE BALD KNIGHT
LXXVIII. THE DOG IN THE MANGER
LXXIX. THE OLD MAN AND DEATH
LXXX. THE OLD HEN AND YOUNG COCK
LXXXI. MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN
LXXXII. THE WOLF AND THE KID
LXXXIII. THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS
LXXXIV. THE BROOK AND THE FOUNTAIN
LXXXV. THE MICE IN COUNCIL
LXXXVI. THE FOX IN THE WELL
LXXXVII. THE HORSE AND THE WOLF
LXXXVIII. THE TWO SPRINGS
LXXXIX. THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE RAVEN
XC. THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE
XCI. HERCULES AND THE CARTER
XCII. THE BOYS AND THE FROGS
XCIII. THE COCK AND THE JEWEL
XCIV. THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM
XCV. THE FOX AND THE SICK LION
XCVI. THE LION, THE FOX, AND THE GEESE
XCVII. THE ONE-EYED DOE
XCVIII. THE FOX, THE RAVEN, AND THE DOVE
XCIX. THE TWO POTS
C. THE TWO FROGS
CI. THE FOX AND THE MASK
CII. THE CAT, THE COCK, AND THE YOUNG MOUSE
CIII. THE MICE AND THE TRAP
CIV. THE CHAMELEON
CV. THE WOLF, THE FOX, AND THE ASS
CVI. THE BOY AND THE BUTTERFLY
CVII. THE CROW AND THE PITCHER
* * * * *
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
1. THE FROG AND THE OX (_Frontispiece_)
2. THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL
3. THE FIGHTING COCK AND EAGLE
4. THE VINE AND THE GOAT
5. THE LION WOUNDED
6. THE WOLF AND THE LAMB
7. THE CHARGER AND THE ASS
8. THE FOX AND THE CROW
9. THE DOG AND THE SHADOW
10. THE FAWN AND HER MOTHER
11. THE HARE AND THE TORTOISE
12. THE KID AND THE WOLF
13. THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX
14. THE JACKDAW AND THE EAGLE
15. THE DOG AND THE WOLF
16. THE STAG AT THE POOL
17. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES
18. THE LION AND THE MOUSE
19. THE DOG IN THE MANGER
20. THE WOLF AND THE GOAT
21. THE HORSE AND THE WOLF
22. THE COCK AND THE JEWEL
23. THE ONE-EYED DOE
24. THE FOX AND THE MASK
* * * * *
FAVOURITE FABLES.
FABLE I.
THE FOX AND THE GOAT.
[Illustration]
In the extreme end of a village a Fox one day went to have a peep
at a hen-roost. He had the bad luck to fall into a well, where he
swam first to this side, and then to that side, but could not get
out with all his pains. At last, as chance would have it, a poor
Goat came to the same place to seek for some drink. "So ho!
friend Fox," said he, "you quaff it off there at a great rate: I
hope by this time you have quenched your thirst." "Thirst!" said
the sly rogue; "what I have found here to drink is so clear, and
so sweet, that I cannot take my fill of it; do, pray, come down,
my dear, and have a taste of it." With that, in plumped the Goat
as he bade him; but as soon as he was down, the Fox jumped on his
horns, and leaped out of the well in a trice; and as he went off,
"Good bye, my wise friend," said he; "if you had as much brains
as you have beard, I should have been in the well still, and you
might have stood on the brink of it to laugh at me, as I now do
at you."
MORAL.
A rogue will give up the best friend he has to get out of a
scrape; so that we ought to know what a man is, that we may judge
how far we may trust to what he says.
FABLE II.
THE FROG AND THE OX.
An old Frog, being wonderfully struck with the size and majesty
of an Ox that was grazing in the marshes, was seized with the
desire to expand herself to the same portly magnitude. After
puffing and swelling for some time, "What think you," said she,
to her young ones, "will this do?" "Far from it," said they.
"Will this?" "By no means." "But this surely will?" "Nothing
like it," they replied. After many fruitless and ridiculous
efforts to the same purpose, the foolish Frog burst her skin, and
miserably expired upon the spot.
MORAL.
To attempt what is out of our power, and to rival those greater
than ourselves, is sure to expose us to contempt and ruin.
FABLE III.
THE MAN AND HIS GOOSE.
A CERTAIN Man had a Goose, which laid him a golden egg every day.
But, not contented with this, which rather increased than abated
his avarice, he was resolved to kill the Goose, and cut up her
belly, so that he might come to the inexhaustible treasure which
he fancied she had within her, without being obliged to wait for
the slow production of a single egg daily. He did so, and, to his
great sorrow and disappointment, found nothing within.
MORAL.
The man that hastes to become rich often finds that he has only
brought on ruin.
FABLE IV.
THE LION AND OTHER BEASTS.
The Bull, and several other beasts, were ambitious of the honour
of hunting with the Lion. His savage Majesty graciously
condescended to their desire; and it was agreed that they should
have an equal share in whatever might be taken. They scour the
forest, are unanimous in the pursuit, and, after a long chase,
pull down a noble stag. It was divided with great dexterity by
the Bull into four equal parts; but just as he was going to
secure his share--"Hold!" says the Lion, "let no one presume to
help himself till he hath heard our just and reasonable claims. I
seize upon the first quarter by virtue of my prerogative; the
second I claim as due to my superior conduct and courage; I
cannot forego the third, on account of the necessities of my den;
and if anyone is inclined to dispute my right to the fourth, let
him speak." Awed by the majesty of his frown, and the terror of
his paws, they silently withdrew, resolving never to hunt again
but with their equals.
MORAL.
Be certain that those who have great power are honest before you
place yourselves in their hands, or you will be deprived of your
just rights.
FABLE V.
THE DOVE AND THE ANT.
The Ant, compelled by thirst, went to drink in a clear, purling
rivulet; but the current, with its circling eddy, snatched her
away, and carried her down the stream. A Dove, pitying her
distressed condition, cropped a branch from a neighbouring tree
and let it fall into the water, by means of which the Ant saved
herself and got ashore. Not long after, a Fowler, having a design
against the Dove, planted his nets in due order, without the
bird's observing what he was about; which the Ant perceiving,
just as he was going to put his design into execution, she bit
his heel, and made him give so sudden a start, that the Dove took
the alarm, and flew away.
MORAL.
Kindness to others seldom fails of its reward; and none is so
weak that he may not be able in some fashion to repay it. Let us
show kindness without looking for a return, but a blessing will
surely follow.
FABLE VI.
THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.
A FOX being caught in a steel trap by his tail, was glad to compound
for his escape with the loss of it; but on coming abroad into the
world, began to be so sensible of the disgrace such a defect would
bring upon him, that he almost wished he had died rather than left
it behind him. However, to make the best of a bad matter, he formed
a project in his head to call an assembly of the rest of the Foxes,
and propose it for their imitation as a fashion which would be very
agreeable and becoming. He did so, and made a long harangue upon the
unprofitableness of tails in general, and endeavoured chiefly to
show the awkwardness and inconvenience of a Fox's tail in
particular; adding that it would be both more graceful and more
expeditious to be altogether without them, and that, for his part,
what he had only imagined and conjectured before, he now found by
experience; for that he never enjoyed himself so well, nor found
himself so easy as he had done since he cut off his tail. He said no
more, but looked about with a brisk air to see what proselytes he
had gained; when a sly old Fox in the company, who understood trap,
answered him, with a leer, "I believe you may have found a
conveniency in parting with your tail; and when we are in the same
circumstances, perhaps we may do so too."
[Illustration: THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.]
MORAL.
It is common for men to wish others reduced to their own level,
and we ought to guard against such advice as may proceed from
this principle.
FABLE VII.
THE BUTTERFLY AND THE SNAIL.
As in the sunshine of the morn,
A Butterfly, but newly born,
Sat proudly perking on a rose,
With pert conceit his bosom glows;
His wings, all glorious to behold,
Bedropt with azure, jet and gold,
Wide he displays; the spangled dew
Reflects his eyes, and various hue.
His now forgotten friend, a Snail,
Beneath his house, with slimy trail,
Crawls o'er the grass; whom, when he spies,
In wrath he to the gardener cries:
"What means yon peasant's daily toil,
From choaking weeds to rid the soil?
Why wake you to the morning's care?
Why with new arts correct the year?
Why glows the peach with crimson hue?
And why the plum's inviting blue?
Were they to feast his taste designed,
That vermin, of voracious kind?
Crush, then, the slow, the pilf'ring race;
So purge thy garden from disgrace."
"What arrogance!" the Snail replied;
"How insolent is upstart pride!
Hadst thou not thus, with insult vain,
Provoked my patience to complain,
I had concealed thy meaner birth,
Nor traced thee to the scum of earth:
For, scarce nine suns have wak'd the hours,
To swell the fruit, and paint the flowers,
Since I thy humbler life surveyed,
In base, in sordid guise arrayed;
A hideous insect, vile, unclean,
You dragg'd a slow and noisome train;
And from your spider-bowels drew
Foul film, and spun the dirty clue.
I own my humble life, good friend;
Snail was I born, and Snail shall end.
And what's a Butterfly? At best,
He's but a Caterpillar, dress'd;
And all thy race (a numerous seed)
Shall prove of Caterpillar breed."
MORAL.
All upstarts, insolent in place,
Remind us of their vulgar race.
FABLE VIII.
THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.
A WOLF, after too greedily devouring his prey, happened to have a
bone stick in his throat, which gave him so much pain that he
went howling up and down, and importuning every creature he met
to lend him a kind hand in order to his relief; nay, he even
promised a reward to anyone who should undertake the operation
with success. At last the Crane, tempted with the lucre of the
reward, and having first made the Wolf confirm his promise with
an oath, undertook the business, and ventured his long neck into
the rapacious felon's throat.
In short, he plucked out the bone, and expected the promised
gratuity; when the Wolf, turning his eyes disdainfully towards
him, said, "I did not think you had been so unreasonable! Have I
not suffered you safely to draw your neck out of my jaws? And
have you the conscience to demand a further reward?"
MORAL.
When we do good to bad men, we must not expect good from them.
FABLE IX.
THE FROG AND THE RAT.
Once on a time, a foolish Frog,
Vain, proud, and stupid as a log,
Tired with the marsh, her native home,
Imprudently abroad would roam,
And fix her habitation where
She'd breathe at least a purer air.
She was resolved to change, that's poz;
Could she be worse than where she was?
Away the silly creature leaps.
A Rat, who saw her lab'ring steps,
Cried out, "Where in this hurry, pray?
You certainly will go astray!"
"Ne'er fear; I quit that filthy bog,
Where I so long have croaked incog:
People of talents, sure, should thrive,
And not be buried thus alive.
But, pray (for I'm extremely dry),
Know you of any water nigh?"
"None," said the Rat, "you'll reach to-day,
As you so slowly make your way.
Believe a friend, and take my word,
This jaunt of yours is quite absurd.
Go to your froggery again;
In your own element remain."
No: on the journey she was bent,
Her thirst increasing as she went;
For want of drink she scarce can hop,
And yet despairing of a drop:
Too late she moans her folly past;
She faints, she sinks, she breathes her last.
MORAL.
Vulgar minds will pay full dear,
When once they move beyond their sphere.
FABLE X.
THE FIGHTING COCK AND EAGLE.
Two Cocks were fighting for the sovereignty of the dunghill, and
one of them having got the better of the other, he that was
vanquished crept into a hole, and hid himself for some time; but
the victor flew up to an eminent place, clapt his wings, and
crowed out victory. An Eagle, who was watching for his prey near
the place, saw him, and, making a swoop, trussed him up in his
talons, and carried him off. The Cock that had been beaten,
perceiving this, soon quitted his hole, and, shaking off all
remembrance of his late disgrace, gallanted the hens with all the
intrepidity imaginable.
MORAL.
Before honour is humility. We must not be too much elevated by
prosperity lest we meet a grievous fall.
[Illustration: THE FIGHTING COCK AND EAGLE.]
FABLE XI.
THE DIAMOND AND THE LOADSTONE.
A DIAMOND, of great beauty and lustre, observing, not only many
other gems of a lower class ranged together with himself in the
same cabinet, but a Loadstone likewise placed not far from him,
began to question the latter how he came there, and what
pretensions he had to be ranked among the precious stones; he,
who appeared to be no better than a mere flint, a sorry, coarse,
rusty-looking pebble, without any the least shining quality to
advance him to such an honour; and concluded with desiring him to
keep his distance, and pay a proper respect to his superiors.
"I find," said the Loadstone, "you judge by external appearances,
and condemn without due examination; but I will not act so
ungenerously by you. I am willing to allow you your due praise:
you are a pretty bauble; I am mightily delighted to see you
glitter and sparkle; I look upon you with pleasure and surprise;
but I must be convinced you are of some sort of use before I
acknowledge that you have any real merit, or treat you with that
respect which you seem to demand. With regard to myself, I
confess my deficiency in outward beauty; but I may venture to
say, that I make amends by my intrinsic qualities. The great
improvement of navigation is entirely owing to me. By me the
distant parts of the world have been made known and are
accessible to each other; the remotest nations are connected
together, and all, as it were, united into one common society; by
a mutual intercourse they relieve one another's wants, and all
enjoy the several blessings peculiar to each. The world is
indebted to me for its wealth, its splendour, and its power; and
the arts and sciences are, in a great measure, obliged to me for
their improvements, and their continual increase. All these
blessings I am the origin of; for by my aid it is that man is
enable to construct that valuable instrument, the Mariner's
Compass."
MORAL.
Let dazzling stones in splendour glare;
Utility's the gem for wear.
FABLE XII.
THE BEAR AND THE BEES.
A BEAR happened to be stung by a Bee; and the pain was so acute,
that in the madness of revenge he ran into the garden, and
overturned the hive. This outrage provoked their anger to such a
degree that it brought the fury of the whole swarm upon him. They
attacked him with such violence that his life was in danger, and
it was with the utmost difficulty that he made his escape,
wounded from head to tail. In this desperate condition, lamenting
his misfortunes, and licking his sores, he could not forbear
reflecting how much more advisable it had been to have patiently
borne one injury, than by an unprofitable resentment to have
provoked a thousand.
MORAL.
It is more prudent to acquiesce under an injury from a single
person, then by an act of vengeance to bring upon us the
resentment of a whole community.
FABLE XIII.
THE FROGS DESIRING A KING.
The Frogs, living an easy, free life everywhere among the lakes
and ponds, assembled together one day, in a very tumultuous
manner, and petitioned Jupiter to let them have a king, who might
inspect their morals, and make them live a little honester.
Jupiter, being at that time in pretty good humour, was pleased to
laugh heartily at their ridiculous request, and, throwing a
little log down into the pool, cried, "There is a king for you!"
The sudden splash which this made by its fall into the water, at
first terrified them so exceedingly that they were afraid to come
near it. But, in a little time, seeing it lie still without
moving, they ventured, by degrees, to approach it; and at last,
finding there was no danger, they leaped upon it, and, in short,
treated it as familiarly as they pleased. But, not contented with
so insipid a king as this was, they sent their deputies to
petition again for another sort of one; for this they neither did
nor could like. Upon that he sent them a Stork, who, without any
ceremony, fell devouring and eating them up, one after another,
as fast as he could. Then they applied themselves privately to
Mercury, and got him to speak to Jupiter in their behalf, that he
would be so good as to bless them again with another king, or
restore them to their former state. "No," says he; "since it was
their own choice, let the obstinate wretches suffer the
punishment due to their folly."
MORAL.
This fable teaches that it is better to be content with our
present condition, however bad we may think it, than, by
ambitious change, to risk making it worse.
FABLE XIV.
THE FOX AND THE BOAR.
THE BOAR stood whetting his tusks against an old tree. The Fox,
who happened to come by at the same time, asked him why he made
those martial preparations of whetting his teeth, since there was
no enemy near, that he could perceive. "That may be, Master
Reynard," says the Boar, "but we should scour up our arms, while
we have leisure, you know; for, in time of danger, we shall have
something else to do."
MORAL.
It is well to have preparations made for all emergencies, that
when we are placed in any difficult position we may be calm and
self-possessed. These preparations are best made in times of
leisure.
FABLE XV.
THE VINE AND THE GOAT.
A GOAT having taken shelter from the heat of the sun under the
broad leaves of a shady-spreading vine, began to crop and eat
them; by this means, the branches being put into a rustling
motion, he drew the eyes of some hunters who were passing that
way, and, seeing the vine stir, thought some wild beast had taken
covert there; they shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the
Goat, who, before he expired, uttered his dying words to this
purpose: "Ah! I suffer justly for my ingratitude, who could not
forbear doing an injury to the vine that had so kindly afforded
me shelter."
MORAL.
Ingratitude is a great crime, and from which we should seek
earnestly to be preserved. He that is capable of injuring his
benefactor, what would he scruple to do towards another?
[Illustration: THE VINE AND THE GOAT.]
FABLE XVI.
THE DISCONTENTED HORSE.
As JUPITER once was receiving petitions
From birds and from beasts of all ranks and conditions;
With an eye full of fire, and mane quite erect,
Which, I'm sorry to say, shewed but little respect,
The Horse went as near as he dared to the throne,
And thus made his donkey-like sentiments known:
"For beauty of symmetry, fleetness, and force,
It is said that all animals yield to the Horse;
While my spirit I feel, and my figure I view
In the brook, I'm inclined to believe it is true;
But still, mighty Jupiter, still, by your aid,
In my form might some further improvements be made.
To run is my duty, and swifter and stronger
I surely should go, were my legs to be longer:
And as man always places a seat on my back,
I should have been made with a saddle or sack;
It had saved _him_ much trouble, on journies departing,
And _I_ had been constantly ready for starting."
Great Jupiter smiled (for he laughed at the brute,
As he saw more of folly than vice in his suit),
And striking the earth with omnipotent force,
A Camel rose up near the terrified Horse:
He trembled--he started--his mane shook with fright,
And he staggered half round, as preparing for flight.
"Behold!" exclaimed Jove, "there an animal stands
With both your improvements at once to your hands:
His legs are much longer; the hump on his back
Well answers the purpose of saddle or sack:
Of your shapes, tell me, which is more finished and trim?
Speak out, silly Horse, would you wish to be him?"
The Horse looked abashed, and had nothing to say
And Jove, with reproaches, thus sent him away:
"Begone, till you gratefully feel and express
Your thanks for the blessings and gifts you possess.
The Camel, though plain, is mild, useful, and good;
You are handsome, but proud, discontented and rude."
FABLE XVII.
THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR.
A RUMOUR once prevailed that a neighbouring mountain was in
labour; it was affirmed that she had been heard to utter
prodigious groans; and a general expectation had been raised that
some extraordinary birth was at hand.
Multitudes flocked in much eagerness to be witnesses of the
wonderful event, one expecting her to be delivered of a giant,
another of some enormous monster, and all were in earnest
expectation of something grand and astonishing; when, after
waiting with great impatience a considerable time, behold, out
crept a Mouse.
MORAL.
To raise uncommon expectations renders an ordinary event
ridiculous.
FABLE XVIII.
THE FOX AND THE STORK.
THE FOX, though in general more inclined to roguery than wit, had
once a strong inclination to play the wag with his neighbour the
Stork. He accordingly invited her to dinner in due form. But when
she came to the table, the Stork found it consisted entirely of
different soups, served in broad, shallow dishes, so that she
could only dip the end of her bill in them, but could not
possibly satisfy her hunger. The Fox lapped them up very readily,
and every now and then addressing himself to his guest, desired
to know how she liked her entertainment, hoped that everything
was to her liking, and protested he was very sorry to see her eat
so sparingly.
The Stork, perceiving she was jested with, took no notice, but
pretended to like every dish extremely; and, at parting, pressed
the Fox so earnestly to return her visit that he could not, in
civility, refuse.
The day arrived, and he repaired to his appointment. But, to his
great dismay, he found the dinner was composed of minced meat,
served up in long, narrow-necked bottles; so that he was only
tantalized with the sight of what it was impossible for him to
taste. The Stork thrust in her long bill, and helped herself very
plentifully; then, turning to Reynard, who was eagerly licking
the outside of a jar where some sauce had been spilled, "I am
very glad," said she, smiling, "that you appear to have so good
an appetite. I hope you will make as hearty a dinner at my table
as I did the other day at yours." The Fox hung down his head, and
looked very much displeased. "Nay, nay!" said the Stork; "don't
pretend to be out of humour about the matter; they that cannot
take a jest should never make one."
FABLE XIX.
THE HORSE AND THE STAG.
The Stag, with his sharp horns, got the better of the Horse, and
drove him clear out of the pasture where they used to feed
together. So the latter craved the assistance of man, and, in
order to receive the benefit of it, suffered him to put a bridle
into his mouth, and a saddle upon his back. By this means he
entirely defeated his enemy, but was mightily disappointed when,
upon returning thanks, and desiring to be dismissed, he received
this answer: "No; I never knew before how useful a drudge you
were; now I have found out what you are good for, you may depend
upon it, I will keep you to it."
MORAL.
Help yourself, if you can do so; but at any rate, before you seek
the assistance of a powerful man, be sure that the help he gives
you will be disinterested, or you may find that in helping you he
may put you under obligations fatal to liberty.
FABLE XX.
THE LION WOUNDED.
A MAN, who was very skilful with his bow, went up into the forest to
hunt. At his approach, there was a great consternation and rout
among the wild beasts, the Lion alone showing any determination to
fight. "Stop," said the Archer to him, "and await my messenger, who
has somewhat to say to you." With that, he sent an arrow after the
Lion, and wounded him in the side. The Lion, smarting with anguish,
fled into the depths of the forest; but a Fox, seeing him run, bade
him take courage, and face his enemy. "No," said the Lion, "you will
not persuade me to that; for if the messenger he sends is so sharp,
what must be the power of him who sends it?"
MORAL.
It is better to yield to a superior force than foolishly brave
its power.
[Illustration: THE LION WOUNDED.]
FABLE XXI.
THE ASS IN THE LION'S SKIN.
An Ass, finding a Lion's skin, disguised himself with it, and
ranged about the forest, putting all the beasts that saw him into
bodily fear. After he had diverted himself thus for some time, he
met a Fox, and, being desirous to frighten him too, as well as
the rest, he leapt at him with some fierceness, and endeavoured
to imitate the roaring of the Lion.
"Your humble servant," says the Fox, "if you had held your
tongue, I might have taken you for a Lion, as others did; but now
you bray I know who you are."
MORAL.
A silent man may pass for a wise man, but when we hear him speak
we are able to form an estimate of his value.
FABLE XXII.
JUPITER AND THE FARMER.
'Tis said, that Jove had once a farm to let,
And sent down Mercury, his common crier,
To make the most that he could get;
Or sell it to the highest buyer.
To view the premises the people flocked:
And, as 'tis usual in such case,
Began to run them down apace;
The soil was poor, the farm ill stocked:
In short, a barren, miserable place,
Scarce worth th' expense to draw a lease.
One bolder, tho' not wiser than the rest,
Offered to pay in so much rent,
Provided he had Jove's consent
To guide the weather just as he thought best;
Or wet, or dry; or cold, or hot;
Whate'er he asked should be his lot;
To all which Jove gave a consenting nod.
The seasons now obsequious stand,
Quick to obey their lord's command,
And now the Farmer undertakes the god;
Now calls for sunshine, now for rains,
Dispels the clouds, the wind restrains;
But still confined within his farm alone,
He makes a climate all his own;
For when he sheds, or when he pours,
Refreshing dews, or soaking showers,
His neighbours never share a drop;
So much the better for their crop;
Each glebe a plenteous harvest yields;
Whilst our director spoils his fields.
Next year, he tries a different way;
New moulds the seasons, and directs again;
But all in vain:
His neighbour's grounds still thrive while his decay.
What does he do in this sad plight?
For once he acted right:
He to the god his fate bemoaned,
Asked pardon, and his folly owned.
Jove, like a tender master, fond to save,
His weakness pityed, and his fault forgave.
MORAL.
He, who presumes the ways of heaven to scan,
Is not a wise, nor yet a happy man:
In this firm truth securely we may rest,--
Whatever Providence ordains is best;
Had man the power, he'd work his own undoing;
To grant his will would be to cause his ruin.
FABLE XXIII.
THE VAIN JACKDAW.
A CERTAIN Jackdaw was so proud and ambitious that, not contented
to live within his own sphere, he picked up the feathers which
fell from the Peacocks, stuck them among his own, and very
confidently introduced himself into an assembly of those
beautiful birds. They soon found him out, stripped him of his
borrowed plumes, and falling upon him with their sharp bills,
punished him as his presumption deserved.
Upon this, full of grief and affliction, he returned to his old
companions, and would have flocked with them again; but they,
knowing his late life and conversation, industriously avoided
him, and refused to admit him into their company; and one of
them, at the same time, gave him this serious reproof: "If,
friend, you could have been contented with your station, and had
not disdained the rank in which nature had placed you, you had
not been used so scurvily by those amongst whom you introduced
yourself, nor suffered the notorious slight which we now think
ourselves obliged to put upon you."
MORAL.
Great evils arise from vanity; for when we try to place ourselves
in a position for which we are not fit, we are liable to be
laughed at, and, when we would return to our former state, we
find we have lost the esteem of our former friends.
FABLE XXIV.
THE VIPER AND THE FILE.
A VIPER, crawling into a smith's shop to seek for something to
eat, cast her eyes upon a File, and darting upon it in a moment,
"Now I have you," said she, "and so you may help yourself how you
can; but you may take my word for it that I shall make a fine
meal of you before I think of parting with you." "Silly wretch!"
said the File, as gruff as could be, "you had much better be
quiet, and let me alone; for, if you gnaw for ever, you will get
nothing but your trouble for your pains. Make a meal of me,
indeed! why, I myself can bite the hardest iron in the shop; and
if you go on with your foolish nibbling I shall tear all the
teeth out of your spiteful head before you know where you are."
MORAL.
Take care that you never strive with those who are too strong for
you, nor do spiteful things, lest you suffer for it.
FABLE XXV.
THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.
One hot, sultry day, a Wolf and a Lamb happened to come just at
the same time to quench their thirst in the stream of a clear,
silver brook, that ran tumbling down the side of a rocky
mountain. The Wolf stood upon the higher ground, and the Lamb at
some distance from him down the current. However, the Wolf,
having a mind to pick a quarrel with him, asked him what he meant
by disturbing the water, and making it so muddy that he could not
drink, and at the same time demanded satisfaction. The Lamb,
frightened at this threatening charge, told him, in a tone as
mild as possible, that, with humble submission, he could not
conceive how that could be, since the water which he drank ran
down from the Wolf to him, and therefore it could not be
disturbed so far up the stream. "Be that as it will," replies the
Wolf, "you are a rascal; and I have been told that you treated me
with ill-language behind my back about half a year ago." "Upon my
word," says the Lamb, "the time you mention was before I was
born." The Wolf finding it to no purpose to argue any longer
against truth, fell into a great passion, snarling and foaming at
the mouth, as if he had been mad; and, drawing nearer to the
Lamb, "Sirrah," said he, "if it was not you, it was your father,
and that's all one." So he seized the poor innocent, helpless
thing, tore it to pieces, and made a meal of it.
[Illustration: THE WOLF AND THE LAMB.]
MORAL.
Bad men, who wish to quarrel, will always find a pretence; if
they can find no true grounds, they will resort to those which
are false.
FABLE XXVI.
THE OLD BULLFINCH AND YOUNG BIRDS.
It chanced, that, on a winter's day,
But warm and bright, and calm as May,
The birds, conceiving a design
To forestall sweet St. Valentine,
In many an orchard, copse, and grove,
Assembled on affairs of love;
And with much twitter and much chatter,
Began to agitate the matter.
At length, a Bullfinch, who could boast
More years and wisdom than the most,
Entreated, opening wide his beak,
A moment's liberty to speak;
And, silence publicly enjoined,
Delivered briefly thus his mind:
"My friends, be cautious how ye treat
The subject upon which we meet;
I fear we shall have winter yet."
A Finch, whose tongue knew no control,
With golden wing, and satin poll,
A last year's bird, who ne'er had tried
What marriage means, thus pert replied:
"Methinks, the gentleman," quoth she,
"Opposite, in the apple-tree,
By his good will, would keep us single,
'Till yonder heaven and earth shall mingle;
Or (which is likelier to befall)
'Till death exterminate us all.
I marry without more ado;
My dear Dick Redcap, what say you?"
Dick heard; and tweedling, ogling, bridling,
Turning short round, strutting, and sidling,
Attested glad his approbation
Of an immediate conjugation.
Their sentiments so well express'd,
Influenced mightily the rest;
All pair'd, and each pair built a nest.
But though the birds were thus in haste,
The leaves came on not quite so fast;
And destiny, that sometimes bears
An aspect stern on man's affairs,
Not altogether smil'd on theirs.
The wind, that late breath'd gently forth,
Now shifted east, and east by north;
Bare trees and shrubs but ill, you know,
Could shelter them from rain or snow;
Stepping into their nests, they paddled,
Themselves were chill'd, their eggs were addled;
Soon every father bird, and mother,
Grew quarrelsome, and peck'd each other;
Parted without the least regret,
Except that they had ever met;
And learn'd in future to be wiser
Than to neglect a good adviser.
MORAL.
Young folks, who think themselves so wise,
That old folks' counsel they despise,
Will find, when they too late repent,
Their folly prove their punishment.
FABLE XXVII.
THE MOUSE AND THE WEASEL.
A LITTLE starveling rogue of a Mouse had, with much pushing
application, made his way through a small hole in a corn-basket,
where he stuffed and crammed so plentifully, that, when he would
have retired the way he came, he found himself too plump, with
all his endeavours, to accomplish it. A Weasel, who stood at some
distance, and had been diverting himself with beholding the vain
efforts of the little fat thing, called to him, and said,
"Harkee, honest friend; if you have a mind to make your escape,
there is but one way for it: contrive to grow as poor and lean as
you were when you entered, and then, perhaps, you may get off."
MORAL.
If evil habits have got a man into difficulties, there is no
surer way to extricate himself than, by God's help, to cast those
habits off.
FABLE XXVIII.
THE OLD HOUND.
An old Hound, who had been an excellent good one in his time, and
given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at
last, by the effect of years, 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 one of his haunches; but his decayed and broken
teeth not being able to keep their hold, the deer escaped and
threw him quite out. Upon which his master, being in a great
passion, and going to strike him, the honest old creature is said
to have barked out this apology. "Ah! do not 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 displeases you, pray don't
forget what I have been."
MORAL.
Past services should never be forgotten.
FABLE XXIX.
THE CHARGER AND THE ASS
The Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and champing his
foaming bridle, came thundering along the way, and made the
mountains echo with his loud, shrill neighing. He had not gone
far before he overtook an Ass, who was labouring under a heavy
burthen, and moving slowly on in the same track with himself.
Immediately he called out to him, in a haughty, imperious tone,
and threatened to trample him in the dirt, if he did not make way
for him. The poor, patient Ass, not daring to dispute the matter,
quietly got out of his way as fast as he could, and let him go
by. Not long after this, the same Horse, in an engagement with
the enemy, happened to be shot in the eye, which made him unfit
for show or any military business; so he was stript of his fine
ornaments, and sold to a carrier. The Ass, meeting him in this
forlorn condition, thought that now it was his time to speak; and
so, says he, "Heyday, friend, is it you? Well, I always believed
that pride of yours would one day have a fall."
MORAL.
Pride and haughtiness are foreign to really great men. Those who
show it, when in their high estate, if the wheel of fortune
should change, instead of friendship or pity, will meet with
nothing but contempt.
[Illustration: THE CHARGER AND THE ASS.]
FABLE XXX.
THE COLT AND THE FARMER.
A COLT, for blood and mettled speed,
The choicest of the running breed,
Of youthful strength and beauty vain,
Refused subjection to the rein.
In vain the groom's officious skill
Opposed his pride, and checked his will;
In vain the master's forming care
Restrained with threats, or soothed with prayer:
Of freedom proud, and scorning man,
Wild o'er the spacious plain he ran.
Where'er luxuriant Nature spread
Her flowery carpet o'er the mead,
Or bubbling stream's soft gliding pass
To cool and freshen up the grass,
Disdaining bounds, he cropped the blade,
And wantoned in the spoil he made.
In plenty thus the summer passed;
Revolving winter came at last:
The trees no more a shelter yield;
The verdure withers from the field:
Perpetual snows invest the ground;
In icy chains the streams are bound:
Cold, nipping winds, and rattling hail,
His lank, unsheltered sides assail.
As round he cast his rueful eyes,
He saw the thatched-roof cottage rise:
The prospect touched his heart with cheer,
And promised kind deliverance near.
A stable, erst his scorn and hate,
Was now become his wished retreat;
His passion cool, his pride forgot,
A Farmer's welcome yard he sought.
The master saw his woful plight,
His limbs, that tottered with his weight,
And, friendly, to the stable led,
And saw him littered, dressed, and fed.
In slothful ease all night he lay;
The servants rose at break of day;
The market calls. Along the road
His back must bear the pond'rous load;
In vain he struggles or complains,
Incessant blows reward his pains.
To-morrow varies but his toil:
Chained to the plough, he breaks the soil;
While scanty meals at night repay
The painful labours of the day.
Subdued by toil, with anguish rent,
His self-upbraidings found a vent.
"Wretch that I am!" he sighing said,
"By arrogance and folly led;
Had but my restive youth been brought
To learn the lesson nature taught,
Then had I, like my sires of yore,
The prize from every courser bore.
Now, lasting servitude's my lot,
My birth contemned, my speed forgot;
Doomed am I, for my pride, to bear
A living death from year to year."
MORAL.
He who disdains control, will only gain
A youth of pleasure for an age of pain.
FABLE XXXI.
THE LARK AND HER YOUNG ONES.
A LARK, who had young ones in a field of corn almost ripe, was
under some fear lest the reapers should come to reap it before
her young brood was fledged and able to remove from that place.
She, therefore, upon flying abroad to look for food, left this
charge with them--to take notice what they heard talked of in her
absence, and tell her of it when she came back again.
When she was gone, they heard the owner of the corn call to his
son: "Well," says he, "I think this corn is ripe enough. I would
have you go early to-morrow, and desire our friends and
neighbours to come and help us to reap it." When the old Lark
came home, the young ones fell a quivering and chirping round
her, and told her what had happened, begging her to remove them
as fast as she could. The mother bid them be easy: "For," said
she, "if the owner depends on his friends and neighbours, I am
pretty sure the corn will not be reaped to-morrow."
Next day, she went out again, leaving the same orders as before.
The owner came, and staid, expecting his friends; but the sun
grew hot, and nothing was done, for not a soul came to help them.
Then says he to his son, "I perceive these friends of ours are
not to be depended upon; so you must go to your uncles and
cousins, and tell them I desire they would be here betimes
to-morrow morning, to help us to reap." Well, this the young
ones, in a great fright, reported also to their mother. "If that
be all," says she, "do not be frightened, dear children; for
kindred and relations are not so very forward to serve one
another; but take particular notice what you hear said next time,
and be sure you let me know it."
She went abroad next day, as usual; and the owner, finding his
relations as slack as the rest of his neighbours, said to his
son, "Harkee, George; get a couple of good sickles ready against
to-morrow morning, and we will even reap the corn ourselves."
When the young ones told their mother this, "Then," said she, "we
must be gone indeed; for, when a man undertakes to do his
business himself, it is not so likely he will be disappointed."
So she removed her young ones at once, and the corn was reaped
next day by the good man and his son.
MORAL.
Never depend on the assistance of others. No business is so sure
to be done as that which a man sets about doing himself.
FABLE XXXII.
THE FOX AND THE CROW.
A CROW, having taken a piece of cheese out of a cottage window,
flew up with it into a high tree in order to eat it; which the
Fox observing, came and sat underneath, and began to compliment
the Crow upon the subject of her beauty. "I protest," says he, "I
never observed it before, but your feathers are of a more
delicate white than any that ever I saw in my life! Ah! what a
fine shape and graceful turn of body is there! And I make no
question but you have a tolerable voice. If it is but as fine as
your complexion, I do not know a bird that can pretend to stand
in competition with you." The Crow foolishly believed all that
the Fox said was true; but, thinking the Fox a little dubious as
to her vocal powers, and having a mind to set him right in that
matter, opened her mouth, and, in the same instant, let the
cheese drop out of her mouth. This being what the Fox wanted, he
caught it up in a moment, and trotted away, laughing to himself
at the easy credulity of the Crow.
MORAL.
When anyone is flattered as possessing qualities he ought to feel
conscious he does not possess, let him beware lest the flatterers
wish either to deprive him of some solid good, or to make him
appear ridiculous in the eyes of others.
[Illustration: THE FOX AND THE CROW]
FABLE XXXIII.
THE PEACOCK'S COMPLAINT.
The Peacock presented a memorial to Juno, importing how hardly he
thought he was used, in not having so good a voice as the
Nightingale; how that bird was agreeable to every ear that heard
it, while he was laughed at for his ugly, screaming noise, if he
did but open his mouth.
The goddess, concerned at the uneasiness of her favourite bird,
answered him very kindly to this purpose:--"If the Nightingale is
blest with a fine voice, you have the advantage in point of
beauty and size." "Ah!" says he, "but what avails my silent,
unmeaning beauty, when I am so far excelled in voice?"
The goddess dismissed him, bidding him consider that the
properties of every creature were appointed by the decree of
Fate; to him beauty, to the Eagle strength, to the Nightingale a
voice of melody, to the Parrot the faculty of speech, and to the
Dove innocence; that each of these was contented with his own
peculiar quality; and, unless he wished to be miserable, he must
also learn to be equally satisfied.
MORAL.
The man who to his lot's resigned
True happiness is sure to find;
While envy ne'er can mend the ill,
But makes us feel it keener still.
FABLE XXXIV.
THE STAG IN THE OX-STALL.
A STAG, roused from his thick covert in the midst of the forest, and
driven hard by the hounds, made towards a farm-house, and, seeing
the door of an ox-stall open, entered therein, and hid himself under
a heap of straw. One of the oxen, turning his head about, asked him
what he meant by venturing himself in such a place, where he was
sure to meet his doom. "Ah!" said the Stag, "if you will but be so
good as to favour me with your concealment, I hope I shall do well
enough; I intend to make off again the first opportunity."
Well, he stayed there till towards night; in came the ox-man with
a bundle of fodder, and never saw him. In short, all the servants
of the farm came and went, and not one of them suspected anything
of the matter. Nay, the bailiff himself came, according to form,
and looked in, but walked away, no wiser than the rest. Upon this
the Stag, ready to jump out of his skin for joy, began to return
thanks to the good-natured Oxen, protesting that they were the
most obliging people he had ever met with in his life.
After he had done his compliments, one of them answered him,
gravely, "Indeed, we desire nothing more than to have it in our
power to contribute to your escape, but there is a certain person
you little think of who has a hundred eyes; if he should happen
to come, I would not give this straw for your life."
In the meanwhile, home comes the master himself from a
neighbour's, where he had been invited to dinner; and, because he
had observed the cattle not look well of late, he went up to the
rack, and asked why they did not give them more fodder; then,
casting his eyes downward, "Heydey!" says he, "why so sparing of
your litter? pray scatter a little more here. And these
cobwebs--But I have spoken so often that, unless I do it
myself--" Thus, as he went on, prying into everything, he chanced
to look where the Stag's horns lay sticking out of the straw;
upon which he raised a hue and cry, called his people about him,
killed the Stag, and made a prize of him.
MORAL.
For a work to be done thoroughly, it ought to be done by oneself;
the eye of a master is keener than that of a servant.
FABLE XXXV.
THE WIND AND THE SUN.
A DISPUTE once arose betwixt the North Wind and the Sun about the
superiority of their power; and they agreed to try their strength
upon a traveller, which should be able to get off his cloak
first.
The North Wind began, and blew a very cold blast, accompanied
with a sharp, driving shower. But this, and whatever else he
could do, instead of making the man quit his cloak, obliged him
to gird it about his body as close as possible.
Next came the Sun, who, breaking out from the thick, watery
cloud, drove away the cold vapours from the sky, and darted his
warm, sultry beams upon the head of the poor weather-beaten
traveller. The man, growing faint with the heat, and unable to
endure it any longer, first throws off his heavy cloak, and then
flies for protection to the shade of a neighbouring grove.
MORAL.
Soft and gentle means will often accomplish what force and fury
can never effect.
FABLE XXXVI.
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR.