Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse | Page 6

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