Aesop, in Rhyme Part 21

He puts down his f.a.ggot, and thinks of his pains, What is his work, and what are his gains, How since he came into this weary world, By the wheels of blind fortune around he's been twirled.

Was he not poor, a wood cutter, at best, Oft without bread, always without rest.

He thinks of his wife, his children, his taxes, At last quite warm with the subject he waxes.

He calls on death; who comes without delay, The woodman, in terror, knows not what to say.

Death asks what to do the man wishes he should.

"Oh, help me," he said, "with this f.a.ggot of wood.

My poor bones ache, and my limbs they crack.

So help me to put it upon my back."

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE RAT AND THE OYSTER.

A rat who lived in the field, A rat of little wit, Once grew tired of his father's house, And quietly left it.

He left the field, the grain and wheat, Set out to travel, left his hole, And just as soon as he was out, "How large and s.p.a.cious on the whole Is this great country spread about.

Here are the Apeninnes, and there Caucasus."

The smallest mole hill is a mountain.

At the end of some days our traveller arrives At a certain canton where every oyster thrives, And our famed traveller turned very pale, Thinking he saw great vessels setting sail "Mercy," said he, "My father was a dunce, He did not dare to travel even once, While I have seen already, The maritime empire, And travelled to my heart's desire."

From a certain learn'd man, The rat had heard of such things, And thinks he has seen all he can.

Among the many oysters closed, There was one open, which reposed, Mouth gaping, in the sun, The learned, travelled man, The rat, approached, thinking to make An excellent repast, and began to take A bite at the fine oyster, plump and fat, Whereupon closing on our rat, The oyster caught him tight And held him with all its might.

MORAL.

This fable goes to show, That those mistake, Who think that all they know: When knowing nothing of the world, Their giddy brain is quickly whirled.

And hence this moral let us make, That he is caught, who thinks to take.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE PHYSICIANS.

Dr. So-much-the-worse went out to see A patient sick as one could be.

His brother So-much-the-better, Having received an urgent letter, Came also the sick man to visit.

So-much-the-worse declared he'd die, So-much-the-better asked him why.

And while their plans they thus discourse, The sick man died, _so much the worse_!

So-much-the-better now declared, That if the sick man had not despaired, He would have lived. So-much-the-worse Said, "I was right, agree with me, Our patient's dead, as you can see."

MORAL.

There's wisdom in the saying, by my troth, Too many cooks will spoil the broth.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOR.

A mountain thought to be in labor, Made such a horrid noise, That round it each stranger came and neighbor, Thinking the end of all this noise would be A city, quite as large as three.

Having drawn all the province round, The mountain from a little mound, Let out a mouse.

MORAL.

When I think upon this fable, Of which the narration is false, And the sense true; It puts me much in mind Of authors not a few, Who boast that they are able To write on any subject as they please, And after all--do nothing.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE CAT METAMORPHOSED INTO A WOMAN.

A man was pa.s.sionately fond of his cat, He thought she was pretty, and sleek, and all that; And she purred in the softest tone, He wished to make her his own.

This man by prayers, by tears, By sorcery and charms, Changed p.u.s.s.y to a woman fair, And took her in his arms.

But in the wainscot soon a rat Made itself manifest, And very soon the p.u.s.s.y cat, Could still no longer rest.

Her foolish husband who believed That nothing had of cat remained, And as his wife had her received-- Was, now, I warrant, somewhat pained.

Next time the vermin came, p.u.s.s.y was surer of her game-- For having changed her face, The mice not frightened, Did not change their pace-- And the astonished spouse Was very glad-- To change her back-- And was no more cat-mad.

MORAL.

What in the bone is born, Will in the flesh remain, Both night and morn, And ne'er come out again.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

THE FROG AND THE RAT.

He who another thinks to injure, May in the end destroy himself.