Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse | Page 5

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