aloud, so that the shrillness of his voice echoed through the
wood and invited a Fox to the place, who was prowling in that
neighbourhood in quest of his prey. But Reynard, finding the Cock
was inaccessible by reason of the height of his situation, had
recourse to stratagem in order to decoy him down. So, approaching
the tree, "Cousin," says he, "I am heartily glad to see you; but
at the same time I cannot forbear expressing my uneasiness at the
inconvenience of the place, which will not let me pay my respects
to you in a handsomer manner; though I suppose you will come down
presently, and thus the difficulty will be easily removed."
"Indeed, cousin," says the Cock, "to tell you the truth, I do not
think it safe to venture upon the ground; for though I am
convinced how much you are my friend, yet I may have the
misfortune to fall into the clutches of some other beasts, and
what will become of me then?" "Oh, dear!" says Reynard, "is it
possible that you can be so ignorant, as not to know of the
peace which has been lately proclaimed between all kinds of birds
and beasts; and that we are for the future to forbear hostilities
on all sides, and to live in the utmost love and harmony, and
this, under the penalty of suffering the severest punishment that
can be inflicted?" All this while the Cock seemed to give little
attention to what was said, but stretched out his neck, as if he
saw something at a distance.
"Cousin," says the Fox, "what is it that you look at so
earnestly?" "Why," says the Cock, "I think I see a pack of hounds
yonder, a little way off." "Oh, then," says the Fox, "your humble
servant, I must begone." "Nay, pray cousin, do not go," says the
Cock, "I am just coming down; surely you are not afraid of Dogs
in these peaceable times?" "No, no," says he, "but ten to one
whether they have heard of the proclamation yet."
MORAL.
When rogues are met in their own strain, they are generally
worsted. It is interesting to see the snares of the wicked
defeated by the discreet management of the innocent. "Answer a
fool according to his folly," is an old maxim.
FABLE LXXIII.
THE LION AND THE MOUSE.
A LION, faint with heat and weary with hunting, was lying down to
take his repose under the spreading boughs of a thick shady oak.
It happened that while he slept, a company of scrambling mice ran
over his back, and waked him; upon which, starting up, he clapped
his paw upon one of them, and was just going to put it to death,
when the little supplicant implored his mercy in a very moving
manner, begging him not to stain his noble character with the
blood of so despicable and small a beast.
The Lion, considering the matter, thought proper to do as he was
desired, and immediately released his little trembling prisoner.
Not long after, while traversing the forest in pursuit of his
prey, he chanced to run into the toils of the hunters, from
whence, not being able to disengage himself, he set up a most
hideous and loud roar.
The Mouse, hearing a voice, and knowing it to be the Lion's,
immediately repaired to the place, and bid him fear nothing, for
that he was his friend. Then straight he fell to work, and
with his sharp little teeth gnawing asunder the knots and
fastenings of the toils, set the royal brute at liberty.
[Illustration: THE LION AND THE MOUSE.]
MORAL.
There is none so little, but that even the greatest may at some
time or other stand in need of his assistance.
FABLE LXXIV.
THE TRUMPETER TAKEN PRISONER.
A TRUMPETER, being taken prisoner in a battle, begged hard for
quarter, declaring his innocence, and protesting that he neither
had nor could kill any man, bearing no arms but only a trumpet,
which he was obliged to sound at the word of command. "For that
reason," replied his enemies, "we are determined not to spare
you; for though you yourself never fight, yet with that wicked
instrument of yours, you blow up animosity between other people,
and so become the occasion of much bloodshed."
MORAL.
The hand may rest quiet by the side, and yet the tongue be the
means of doing more injury than a thousand hands.
FABLE LXXV.
THE MOUSE AND THE ELEPHANT.
A PERT young Mouse, but just arrived
From Athens, where some time he'd lived;
And daily to the portico,
To pick up learning, used to go;
Vain of the wisdom he had stored,
And of the books he had devoured;
Puffed up with pride and self-conceit,
And proud to show his little wit,
Thus to an Elephant, one day,
He took it in his head to say:--
"Nay, not so pompous in your gait,
Because Dame Nature made you great;
I tell you, sir, your mighty size
Is of no value in my eyes;--
Your magnitude, I have a notion,
Is quite unfit for locomotion;
When journeying far, you often prove
How sluggishly your feet can move.
Now, look at me: I'm made to fly;
Behold, with what rapidity
I skip about from place to place,
And still unwearied with the race;
But you--how lazily you creep,
And stop to breathe at every step!
Whenever I your bulk survey,
I pity--" What he meant to say,
Or with what kind of peroration
He'd have concluded his oration,
I cannot tell; for, all at once,
There pounced upon the learned dunce
An ambushed Cat; who, very soon,
Experimentally made known,
That between Mice and Elephants
There is a mighty difference.
MORAL.
When fools pretend to wit and sense,
And wish to shine at your expense,
Defy them to the proof, and you
Will make them their own folly show.
FABLE LXXVI.
THE HUSBANDMAN AND HIS SONS.
A CERTAIN Husbandman, lying at the point of death, and being
desirous his sons should pursue that innocent, entertaining
course of agriculture in which he himself had been engaged all
his life, made use of this expedient to induce them to it. He
called them to his bed-side and spoke to this effect: "All the
patrimony I have to bequeath you, Sons, is my farm and my
vineyard, of which I make you joint heirs. But I charge you not
to let it go out of your own occupation; for if I have any
treasure besides, it lies buried somewhere in the ground, within
a foot of the surface."
This made the Sons conclude that he talked of money which he had hid
there; so, after their father's death, with unwearied diligence and
application, they carefully dug up every inch, both of the farm and
vineyard; from which it came to pass that, though they missed the
treasure which they expected, the ground, by being so well stirred
and loosened, produced so plentiful a crop of all that was sowed in
it as proved a real, and no inconsiderable treasure.
MORAL.
Labour and industry, well applied, seldom fail of finding a rich
treasure. And if these do not give us exactly the wealth we are
looking for, they will certainly give us health and cheerfulness,
with a tranquil mind, and, without these, all the gold of Peru
would lie in our coffers useless.
FABLE LXXVII.
THE BALD KNIGHT.
A CERTAIN Knight growing old, his hair fell off, and he became
bald; to hide which imperfection he wore a periwig. But as he was
riding out with some others a-hunting, a sudden gust of wind blew
off the periwig, and exposed his bald pate.
The company could not forbear laughing at the accident; and he
himself laughed as loud as anybody, saying, "How was it to be
expected that I should keep strange hair on my head, when my own
would not stay there."
MORAL.
If, by any word or action, we happen to raise the laughter of
those about us, we cannot stifle it better than, by a brisk
presence of mind, to join in the mirth of the company, and, if
possible, anticipate the jests they are ready to make on us.
FABLE LXXVIII.
THE DOG IN THE MANGER.
A DOG was lying upon a manger full of hay. An Ox, being hungry,
came near, and wanted to eat of the hay; but the envious,
ill-natured cur, getting up and snarling at him, would not suffer
him to touch it. Upon which the Ox, in the bitterness of his
heart, said, "What a selfish wretch thou art, for thou canst
neither eat hay thyself, nor suffer others to do so."
MORAL.
Selfishness is a most contemptible thing; but that degree of it
which withholds from others what we can make no possible use of
ourselves, is hateful in the extreme.
FABLE LXXIX.
THE OLD MAN AND DEATH.
[Illustration: THE DOG IN THE MANGER.]
A POOR, feeble old Man, who had crawled out into a neighbouring
wood to gather a few sticks, had made up his bundle, and,
laying it over his shoulders, was trudging homeward with it; but
what with age, and the length of the way, and the weight of his
burden, he grew so faint and weak that he sunk under it, and, as
he sat on the ground, called upon Death to come and ease him of
his troubles. Death no sooner heard him than he came and demanded
of him what he wanted. The poor old creature, who little thought
Death had been so near, and frightened almost out of his senses
with his terrible aspect, answered him, trembling, That, having
by chance let his bundle of sticks fall, and being too infirm to
get it up himself, he had made bold to call upon him to help him;
that, indeed, this was all he wanted at present, and that he
hoped his worship was not offended with him for the liberty he
had taken in so doing.
MORAL.
Men lightly speak of Death when they think he is far away; but
let him appear near, and the very sense of his approach almost
drives the life away. Men then resume the burden of cares which
they had thrown down as insupportable, being content to bear the
ills they have than fly to others that they know not of.
FABLE LXXX.
THE OLD HEN AND YOUNG COCK.
As an old Hen led forth her train,
And seemed to peck, to show the grain;
She raked the chaff, she scratched the ground,
And gleaned the spacious yard around.
A giddy chick, to try her wings,
On the well's narrow margin springs,
And prone she drops. The mother's breast
All day with sorrow was possessed.
A Cock she met--her son, she knew;
And in her heart affection grew.
"My son," says she, "I grant, your years
Have reached beyond a mother's cares;
I see you vigorous, strong, and bold;
I hear, with joy, your triumphs told.
'Tis not from Cocks thy fate I dread;
But let thy ever-wary tread
Avoid yon well; that fatal place
Is sure perdition to our race.
Print this, my counsel, on thy breast;
To the just gods I leave the rest."
He thanked her care; yet, day by day,
His bosom burned to disobey;
And every time the well he saw,
Scorned, in his heart, the foolish law;
Near and more near each day he drew,
And longed to try the dangerous view.
"Why was this idle charge?" he cries;
"Let courage female fears despise!
Or did she doubt my heart was brave,
And, therefore, this injunction gave?
Or does her harvest store the place,
A treasure for her younger race?
And would she thus my search prevent?--
I stand resolved, and dare th' event."
Thus said, he mounts the margin's round,
And pries into the depth profound.
He stretched his neck; and, from below,
With stretching neck advanced a foe:
With wrath his ruffled plumes he tears;
The foe with ruffled plumes appears:
Threat answered threat, his fury grew;
Headlong to meet the war he flew;
But when the watery death he found,
He thus lamented as he drowned:
"I ne'er had been in this condition,
Had I obeyed the prohibition."
MORAL.
Obey your parents, or 'twill be your fate,
To feel repentance when it comes too late.
FABLE LXXXI.
MERCURY AND THE WOODMAN.
A MAN was felling a tree on the bank of a river, and by chance
let his hatchet slip out of his hand, which dropped into the
water, and immediately sunk to the bottom. Being, therefore, in
great distress from the loss of his tool, he sat down and
bemoaned himself most lamentably.
Upon this, Mercury appeared to him, and being informed of the
cause of his complaint, dived to the bottom of the river, and,
coming up again, showed the man a golden hatchet, demanding if
that were his. He denied that it was; upon which Mercury dived a
second time, and brought up a silver one. The Man refused it,
alleging likewise that this was not his. He dived a third time,
and fetched up the individual hatchet the man had lost; upon
sight of which the poor fellow was overjoyed, and took it with
all humility and thankfulness. Mercury was so pleased with the
fellow's honesty, that he gave him the other two into the
bargain, as a reward for his just dealing.
The man then went to his companions, and, giving them an account
of what had happened, one of them went presently to the river
side, and let his hatchet fall designedly into the stream. Then,
sitting down upon the bank, he fell a-weeping and lamenting, as
if he had been really and sorely afflicted. Mercury appeared as
before, and, diving, brought him up a golden hatchet, asking if
that was the one he had lost. Transported at the precious metal,
he answered "Yes," and went to snatch it greedily. But the god,
detesting his abominable impudence, not only refused to give him
that, but would not so much as let him have his own hatchet
again.
MORAL.
Honesty is the best policy; it has made many a man's fortune,
being blessed by God, and highly valued by man.
FABLE LXXXII.
THE WOLF AND THE KID.
The GOAT, going abroad to feed, shut up her young kid at home,
charging him to bolt the door fast, and open it to nobody, till
she herself should return. The Wolf, who lay lurking just by,
heard this charge given, and soon after came and knocked at the
door, counterfeiting the voice of the Goat, and desiring to be
admitted. The Kid, looking out of the window and discovering the
cheat, bid him go about his business; for however he might
imitate a Goat's voice, yet he appeared too much like a Wolf to
be trusted.
MORAL.
We cannot use too much caution in avoiding those things which
those who have more experience than we have warned us against.
FABLE LXXXIII.
THE OLD MAN AND HIS SONS.
[Illustration: THE WOLF AND THE GOAT.]
An Old Man had many Sons, who were often falling out with one
another. When the father had exerted his authority, and used
other means in order to reconcile them, and all to no purpose, he
at last had recourse to this expedient: he ordered his Sons to be
called before him, and a short bundle of sticks to be brought;
and then commanded them, one by one, to try if, with all their
might and strength, they could any of them break it. They all
tried, but to no purpose; for the sticks being closely and
compactly bound up together, it was impossible for the force of
man to do it.
After this the father ordered the bundle to be untied, and gave a
single stick to each of his Sons, at the same time bidding him
try to break it, which, when each did, with all imaginable ease,
the father addressed himself to them to this effect: "O, my sons,
behold the power of unity! for if you, in like manner, would but
keep yourselves strictly joined in the bonds of friendship, it
would not be in the power of any mortal to hurt you; but when
once the ties of brotherly affection are dissolved, how soon do
you fall to pieces, and become liable to be violated by every
injurious hand that assaults you."
MORAL.
Union is strength. Love is a powerful bond, which, when
cherished, will make those who are bound together by it
irresistible.
FABLE LXXXIV.
THE BROOK AND THE FOUNTAIN.
A FOUNTAIN varied gambols played,
Close by an humble Brook;
While gently murmuring through the glade,
Its peaceful course it took.
Perhaps it gave one envious gaze
Upon the Fountain's height,
While glittering in the morning rays
Pre-eminently bright.
In all the colours of the sky,
Alternately it shone:
The Brook observed it with a sigh,
But quietly rolled on.
The owner of the Fountain died;
Neglect soon brought decay;
The bursting pipes were ill-supplied;
The Fountain ceased to play.
But still the Brook its peaceful course
Continued to pursue;
Her ample, inexhausted source,
From Nature's fount she drew.
"Now," said the Brook, "I bless my fate,
My showy rival gone;
Contented in its native state
My little stream rolls on.
And all the world has cause, indeed,
To own, with grateful heart,
How much great Nature's works excel
The feeble works of art."
MORAL.
Humble usefulness is preferable to idle splendour.
FABLE LXXXV.
THE MICE IN COUNCIL.
The Mice called a general council, and, having met, after the
doors were locked, entered into a free consultation about ways
and means how to render their fortunes and estates more secure
from the danger of the Cat. Many things were offered, and much
was debated, "pro and con," upon the matter. At last, a young
Mouse, in a fine, florid speech, concluded with an expedient, and
that the only one, which was to put them for the future entirely
out of the power of the enemy; and this was that the Cat should
wear a bell about her neck, which, upon the least motion, would
give the alarm, and be a signal for them to retire into their
holes. This speech was received with great applause, and it was
even proposed by some that the Mouse who made it should have the
thanks of the assembly; upon which an old, grave Mouse, who had
sat silent all the while, stood up, and, in another speech, owned
that the contrivance was admirable, and the author of it, without
doubt, an ingenious Mouse, but, he said, he thought it would not
be so proper to vote him thanks till he should farther inform
them how this bell was to be fastened about the Cat's neck, and
what Mouse would undertake to do it.
MORAL.
Many things appear excellent in theory which are impossible in
practice. It often requires a great deal of courage to carry out
projects which a fine, florid speech may persuade the hearers are
most plausible.
FABLE LXXXVI.
THE FOX IN THE WELL.
A FOX, having fallen into a well, made a shift by sticking his
claws into the sides to keep his head above water. Soon after a
Wolf came and peeped over the brink, to whom the Fox applied very
earnestly for assistance; entreating that he would help him to a
rope, or something of the kind, which might favour his escape.
The Wolf moved with compassion at his misfortune, could not
forbear expressing his concern. "Ah, poor Reynard," says he, "I
am sorry for you with all my heart; how could you possibly come
into this melancholy condition?"
"Nay, pr'ythee, friend," replied the Fox, "if you wish me well,
do not stand pitying me, but lend me some succour as fast as you
can; for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in
water, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning."
MORAL.
Mere expressions of pity, without a desire or attempt to
alleviate suffering, are a mockery. He that would be truly a
friend, will be ready to give his assistance when needed.
FABLE LXXXVII.
THE HORSE AND THE WOLF.
As a Wolf was roaming over a farm, he came to a field of oats,
but not being able to eat them, he left them and went his way.
Presently, meeting with a Horse, he bade him come with him into
the field, "For," says he, "I have found some capital oats; and I
have not tasted one, but have kept them all for you, for the very
sound of your teeth is music to my ear." But the Horse replied,
"A pretty fellow! if Wolves were able to eat oats, I suspect you
would not have preferred your ears to your appetite."
MORAL.
Little thanks are due to him, who only gives away whatever is of
no use to himself.
FABLE LXXXVIII.
THE TWO SPRINGS.
[Illustration: THE HORSE AND THE WOLF.]
Two springs, which issued from the same mountain, began their
course together: one of them took her way in a silent and
gentle stream, while the other rushed along with a sounding and
rapid current. "Sister," said the latter, "at the rate you move,
you will probably be dried up, before you advance much farther;
whereas, for myself, I will venture a wager, that, within two or
three hundred furlongs, I shall become navigable; and, after
distributing commerce and wealth wherever I flow, I shall
majestically proceed to pay my tribute to the ocean. So,
farewell, dear sister! and patiently submit to your fate."
Her sister made no reply; but, calmly descending to the meadows
below, increased her stream by numberless little rills which she
collected in her progress, till, at length, she was enabled to
rise into a considerable river; whilst the proud stream, who had
the vanity to depend solely upon her own sufficiency, continued a
shallow brook; and was glad, at last, to be helped forward, by
throwing herself into the arms of her despised sister.
MORAL.
His strength in words the blusterer vainly spends, While
steadiness in quiet gains its ends.
FABLE LXXXIX.
THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE RAVEN.
A RAVEN, while with glossy breast,
Her new laid eggs she fondly pressed,
And, on her wicker-work high mounted,
Her chickens prematurely counted.
(A fault philosophers might blame,
If quite exempted from the same,)
Enjoyed at ease the genial day;
'Twas April, as the bumpkins say;--
The legislature called it May;
But suddenly, a wind, as high
As ever swept a winter's sky,
Shook the young leaves about her ears,
And filled her with a thousand fears,
Lest the rude blast should snap the bough,
And spread her golden hopes below.
But just at eve the blowing weather,
And all her fears, were hushed together.
"And now," quoth poor unthinking Ralph,
"'Tis over, and the brood is safe."
(For Ravens, though as birds of omen,
They teach both conjurors and old women;
To tell us what is to befall,
Can't prophesy themselves at all.)
The morning came, when neighbour Hodge,
Who long had marked her airy lodge,
And destined all the treasure there,
A gift to his expecting fair,
Climbed, like a squirrel to his dray,
And bore the worthless prize away.
MORAL.
Safety consists not in escape
From danger of a frightful shape;
Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread;
Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes the blow.
FABLE XC.
THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.
A FOX, hard pressed by the hounds, was getting over a hedge, but
tore his foot upon a Bramble, which grew just in the midst of it,
upon which he reproached the Bramble for his inhospitable cruelty in
using a stranger, which had fled to him for protection, after such a
barbarous manner. "Yes," says the Bramble, "you intended to have
made me serve your turn, I know; but take this piece of advice with
you for the future: Never lay hold of a Bramble again, as you value
your sweet person; for laying hold is a privilege that belongs to us
Brambles, and we do not care to let it go out of the family."
MORAL.
Impertinent people, who take liberties with others, are often
much surprised if they are retorted on with severity. It is
better, then, to keep from undue familiarity with strangers, for
we know not of what temper they may be.
FABLE XCI.
HERCULES AND THE CARTER.
As a clownish fellow was driving his cart along a deep miry lane,
the wheels stuck so fast in the clay, that the horses could not
draw them out. Upon this he fell a-bawling and praying to
Hercules to come and help him.
Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bade him not lie there,
like an idle rascal, as he was, but get up and whip his horses
stoutly, and clap his shoulder to the wheel; adding, that this
was the only way for him to obtain his assistance.
MORAL.
The man who asks Heaven for gifts, and neglects the gifts Heaven
has given, must expect silence until he shows that he is in
earnest by putting his shoulder to the wheel.
FABLE XCII.
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.
On the margin of a large lake, which was inhabited by a great
number of Frogs, a company of Boys happened to be at play. Their
diversion was duck and drake, and whole volleys of stones were
thrown into the water, to the great annoyance and danger of the
poor terrified Frogs. At length, one of the most hardy, lifting
up his head above the surface of the lake;--"Ah! dear children!"
said he, "why will ye learn so soon to be cruel? Consider, I
beseech you, that though this may be sport to _you_, it is death
to _us_."
MORAL.
A noble mind disdains to gain
Its pleasure from another's pain.
FABLE XCIII.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
A BRISK young Cock, in company with two or three pullets, raking
upon a dunghill for something to entertain them with, happened to
scratch up a jewel, which sparkled with an exceeding bright
lustre; but, not knowing what to do with it, endeavoured to cover
his ignorance under a look of contempt. So, shrugging up his
wings, shaking his head, and putting on a grimace, he expressed
himself to this purpose: "Indeed, you are a very fine thing, but
I know not what business you have here. I make no scruple of
declaring that my taste lies quite another way, and I had rather
have one grain of dear delicious barley than all the jewels under
the sun."
MORAL.
We should not despise as worthless what does not come within the
limit of our understanding. Some lose what is truly valuable for
want of knowledge, and prefer what is comparatively worthless.
[Illustration: THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.]
FABLE XCIV.
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.