Aesop, in Rhyme Part 24

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THE CANDLE.

It was in the home of the Olympian G.o.ds, That bees first lodged, 'tis said, On Mount Hymettus; and thitherwards Came zephyrs with light tread.

When from the hives, the honey, Had all been taken out, As there remained naught but wax, Some candles were, for money, Carefully made and sold in packs.

One of these candles on a certain day Seeing that clay by fire was turned to brick, Thought he could harden his body the same; And getting near the fire to try the trick, This new Empedocles to flame condemned Soon found of his philosophy the end.

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THE HOG, THE GOAT, AND THE SHEEP.

A goat, a sheep, and a fat hog, On the same cart were bound for the fair.

They lay as quietly as any log, But were not seeking their amus.e.m.e.nt there.

They were to be sold, so says the story.

The carter, who his business knows, Don't take them into town to see the _shows_.

Dame porker was inclined to squeal, As though the butcher's knife she 'gan to feel.

Her grunts, and squeals, and cries Were loud enough to deafen one, The other animals more wise, And better tempered, with surprise Exclaimed, "have done!"

The carter to the porker turned, "Where have you manners learned, Why stun us all? Do you not see That you're the noisiest of the three?

That sheep says not a word, Nor can the young goat's voice be heard."

"But," said the hog, "they both are fools.

If like me they knew their fate, They'd halloo out at greater rate, The goat will only lose her milk, The sheep his wool, but here, poor me, I'm to be eaten, and know my destiny."

The porker was quite right, But hallooing with all her might, Was all too late, And could not alter her sad fate.

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THE DELICATE HERON.

By the bank of a river, A heron walked out, And in it were sporting, Pike, mackerel and trout.

Now these fish with great ease, Our bird might have caught, But I'll wait till I'm hungry The silly bird thought.

At last came his appet.i.te, "Now I'll eat," the bird cries, And some tench from the bottom, Just then he saw rise.

"But these are not good enough At this time of day,"

And he waited for better Till all swam away.

At eve almost starved When all other means fail, He was right glad to sup On a poor little snail.

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THE BLACKAMOOR AND HER MISTRESS.

A foolish young lady, Took one of her maids, Who chanced to be black As the ace of spades, And said she'd have her washed white, By the other maids; She was put in a tub, And with water and towels Her skin they did rub, Through a long summer day till the night; But the more they did rub her, The blacker she got; And while they did scrub her, She mourned her hard lot.

So the maids threw away All their labor and care, And the mistress gave up Her fine scheme in despair.

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THE BEAR AND THE GARDENER.

A bear and gardener, Who mutually tired Of solitary life, And were inspired, With a warm friends.h.i.+p for each other, Promised to be to one another, Excellent friends, and so they were.

As for the death of the poor man I'll tell you how it happened, If I can.

The bear watching the gardener in his sleep-- Beholding on his head a fly, And thinking it bad company, Took up a stone and dropped it down, Upon the fly 'tis true, But broke the gardener's crown.

MORAL.

To make our fortunes or to mend, A most malignant enemy Is better than a foolish friend.

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THE VULTURES AND THE PIGEONS.

The wing'd inhabitants of air Waged on a time a direful war.

Not those, in budding groves who sing, To usher in the amorous spring; Nor those, with Venus' car who fly Through the light clouds and yielding sky But the rapacious vulture brood, With crooked beak that thirsts for blood, And iron fangs. Their war, 'tis said, For a dog's carrion corse was made.

Shrill shrieks resound from sh.o.r.e to sh.o.r.e; The earth beneath is sanguin'd o'er; Versed in the science to destroy, Address and valor they employ.

'Twould take a hundred tongues to tell, The heroes from the air who fell.

The dovecote race, a gentle nation, Made offers of their mediation.

Prudent amba.s.sadors are sent; The vultures with the terms content, Agree their guarantee to take, And armistice and treaty make.