Aesop, in Rhyme Part 15

"I listen to a cause," he said; "As soon as I unclose my eyes.

First industry excites to rise."

"Up, up," she says, "to meet the sun, Your task of yesterday's undone!"

"Lie still," cries sloth, "it is not warm, An hour's more sleep can do no harm; You will have time your work to do, And leisure for amus.e.m.e.nt too."

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THE SHEPHERD TURNED MERCHANT.

Fair weather sailors, keep at home, For be a.s.sur'd the storm will come.

A shepherd of an inland breed Brought to the coast his flocks to feed; The beauty of a summer sea, A merchant tempted him to be.

He sold his sheep, and with the sale Purchas'd of dates an ample bale.

He sail'd; a furious tempest rose; Into the sea his dates he throws; And swimming from the bark to land, Arrives half dead upon the strand.

To one, soon afterwards who stood Pleas'd with the calmness of the flood, "Aye, aye," the simple shepherd said "With dates again it would be fed."

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THE SPENDTHRIFT AND THE SWALLOW.

A fool who all had thrown away, When wandering pennyless one day, Perceived a swallow. "Ho," says he, "Summer is come at last I see!"

And to a Jew his mantle sold.

Next day it was severely cold: Starv'd as he walk'd, the bird he found Frozen to death upon the ground.

"Ah! what a fool was I," he cried, "When on one swallow I relied!"

Those who too readily believe, For their credulity may grieve.

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THE EAGLE AND THE CROW.

The wise well know their force to weigh, Nor what they cannot do, essay.

A carrion crow an eagle saw Seize on a lamb with beak and claw.

Conceiving he could better do, He pounces on a well fed ewe; But he and not the sheep was caught; For when to fly with it he sought, His feet entangled in the wool, The shepherd seiz'd the helpless fool.

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THE WOLF AND THE SHEPHERD'S BOY.

In wantonness a shepherd's boy Alarm'd the neighbor's with his cry; "The wolf! the wolf!" And when they came, Of their lost labor made his game.

At last the wolf when there indeed, His real cries they did not heed; He and his flock a prey were made, And for his lies he dearly paid.

Those who are known to have deceiv'd, When they speak truth, are not believ'd.

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THE FOX WITHOUT A TAIL.

Fas.h.i.+ons and modes we often see, Made to conceal deformity: Those to whom nature has been kind, Should leave such fopperies behind.

A fox who in a trap was taken, Resign'd his brush to save his bacon.

Ashamed that all the world should know His cunning had been cheated so, To an a.s.sembly of the nation He made the following oration: "I oft have thought the tails we wear A troublesome appendage are; Where's their utility, I pray?

They serve but to obstruct our way.

Nor ornamental do I find, To drag this ponderous length behind.

For my part, without more debate, I move our tails we amputate."

"Please, sir, to show yourself behind,"

(Says one to smoke the jest inclin'd, And who discovered what it was) "We there perhaps shall see the cause, Ere we your prudent counsel take, Why you this curious motion make?"

His bare posteriors when they found, Loud laughter shook the benches round; Nor could the fox without a tail To introduce the mode prevail.

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THE MEN AND THE OYSTER.

Any part.i.tion better make, Than _all_ the hungry law should take.

By the sea side two travellers found A fine large oyster on the ground; His claim each obstinately lays: "I saw it first," one eager says; "I pick'd it up," the other cries; "Mine"--"Mine is certainly the prize."

They talk'd as usual, loud and long; And more they reason'd, more were wrong; Till they a neighboring lawyer see Pa.s.sing, and mutually agree To take him for their referee.