Aesop, in Rhyme Part 4

THE WOLF AND THE CRANE.

A wolf, once forgetting the size of his swallow, Tried to pa.s.s a large marrow-bone through it.

"Oh dear," said the beast, thinking death was to follow, "How careless and stupid to do it!"

His mouth was propp'd open by means of the bone, And his breathing was greatly impeded, But a crane coming up, he contrived to make known What kind of a.s.sistance he needed.

"How d'ye do?" said the bird; said the beast, "Very ill, For a bone has gone down the wrong way; But if you can extract it by means of your bill, The service I'll amply repay."

Thought the crane, "I'm no surgeon: yet all must agree, That my bill will make excellent _forceps_; And as for the money, I do not now see Why I need refuse taking his wors.h.i.+p's."

Said the bird, "It's agreed;" said his patient, "Proceed, And take the bone hence, I beseech;"

Which, after awhile, and with infinite toil, The crane at last managed to reach.

"Thank my stars!" said the beast, from his terrors released, "Thank you _too_, sir," said he to the bird; "Alas!" said the crane, "is this all I'm to gain, I was waiting the promised reward."

Said the wolf, "You forget, I've contracted no debt, Since the service was _rendered by me_; Your head I releas'd from the jaws of a beast, And now you're demanding a fee!"

MORAL.

Give your help to a wolf, should he beg for your aid, But you must not expect when you've done to be paid.

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THE DOG AND THE SHADOW.

A dog growing thinner, for want of a dinner, Once purloined him a joint from a tray, "How happy I am, with this shoulder of lamb,"

Thought the cur as he trotted away.

But the way that he took, lay just over a brook, Which he found it was needful to cross; So without more ado, he plunged in to go through, Not dreaming of danger or loss.

But what should appear, in this rivulet clear, As he thought upon coolest reflection, But a cur like himself, who with ill-gotten pelf, Had run off in that very direction.

Thought the dog, _a propos_! but that instant let go (As he s.n.a.t.c.hed at this same water-spaniel) The piece he possess'd:--so with hunger distress'd He slowly walk'd home to his kennel.

MORAL.

Hence, when we are needy, don't let us be greedy, (Excuse me this line of digression,) Lest in s.n.a.t.c.hing at all, like the dog, we let fall The good that we have in possession.

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THE TRAVELLERS AND THE BEAR.

Two trav'llers one morning set out from their home, It might be from Sparta, from Athens, or Rome; It matters not which, but agreed, it is said, Should danger arise, to lend each other aid.

But scarce was this done, when forth rus.h.i.+ng amain, Sprung a bear from a wood tow'rds these travellers twain; Then one of our heroes, with courage immense, Climb'd into a tree, and there found his defence.

The other fell flat to the earth with dread, When the bear came and smelt him, and thought he was dead; So not liking the carcase, away trotted he, When straight our brave hero descended the tree.

Then, said he, "I can't think what the bear could propose, When so close to your ear, he presented his nose."

"Why this," said the other, "he told me to do, To beware for the future of cowards like you."

MORAL.

Those people who run from their friends in distress, Will be left when _themselves_ are in trouble, I guess.

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THE FROGS AND THE BULL.

A Bull once treading near a bog, Displaced the entrails of a frog, Who near his foot did trust them; In fact, so great was the contusion, And made of his inwards such confusion, No art could re-adjust them.

It chanced that some who saw his fate, Did to a friend the deed relate, With croakings, groans, and hisses; "The beast," said they, "in size excell'd All other beasts," their neighbors swell'd, And ask'd, "as large as this is!"

"Oh, larger far than that," said they, "Do not attempt it, madam, pray;"

But still the frog distended, And said, "I'll burst, but I'll exceed,"

She tried, and burst herself indeed!

And so the matter ended.

MORAL.

Should you with pride inflate and swell, As did the frog: then who can tell!

Your sides may crack, as has been shown, And we with laughing crack our own.

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