Aesop, in Rhyme Part 14

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THE SICK MAN AND THE PHYSICIAN.

Woe to the land where those who guide, To please the people's foolish pride, Persuade them there is nought to dread, When ruin threatens o'er their head.

A patient, ask'd to tell his pains, Of thirst and s.h.i.+vering cold complains.

"'Tis very good," the doctor said; "He has but to remain in bed, And take the med'cines I shall send, The thing will soon be at an end."

When next the question was repeated, The man complain'd he much was heated; "This," cried the leech, "is better still!"

And thus to each increasing ill, "That it was going well," he cried, Till the poor martyr sunk and died.

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THE FARMER AND HIS SONS.

Work, work, my boys, with hand and mind!

Your labors you will fruitful find.

A husbandman, about to die, Call'd on his children to come nigh: "I leave," he says, "a small estate, But wherewithal to make it great: For know, a treasure it contains, If you to search will take the pains."

He died. The sons dug all the ground, And there no hidden treasure found; But so productive was the soil, The crop by far o'erpaid the toil.

Says one, when they the corn had sold, "This treasure 'twas our sire foretold!"

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THE SWALLOW AND THE BIRDS.

Those who of guides stand most in need, Are least inclin'd advice to heed.

A travell'd swallow, learn'd and wise, To all his feather'd neighbors cries: "See you yon laborers there below; What is it, think ye, that they sow?

'Tis hemp, my friends; of which are made The nets that for us all are laid; The moment yonder men are gone, Then pick the seeds up one by one."

The gay inhabitants of air For his precaution little care.

The seedling sprung; again the swallow Urges his good advice to follow; Again his counsel they deride.

The plants full grown, and cut, and dried, Beaten and spun, the nets were made, And the unwary birds betray'd, Regretting, in their hapless fate, Their incredulity too late.

Learn hence the danger to foresee, Nor wait for their maturity.

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THE BOASTING TRAVELLER.

A fellow who abroad had been, Told marvels he had done and seen: "When resident at Rhodes," he said, "A leap of twenty yards he made Over a barrier ten feet high; A dozen witnesses were by."

"Come on," says one, at the same table, "Yon ditch and fence to o'erleap you're able.

They're not, by much, so high or wide; Here let the experiment be tried.

Suppose yourself at Rhodes, and we Your faithful witnesses will be."

The man replied, "that he to-day Was not quite well," and stole away.

Who boast of what they cannot do Both knavery and folly show.

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THE OLD WOMAN AND HER MAIDS.

Better known evils to endure, Than seek by wrong a doubtful cure.

A thrifty dame her maids awoke At the first crowing of the c.o.c.k.

They of such early rising tir'd, To kill the harmless c.o.c.k conspir'd.

The dame, to hear him crow in wait, Next morning lay in bed till eight.

But when she knew the trick they had play'd, She caused a larum to be made, And rung it daily in their ears Two hours before the dawn appears.

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INDUSTRY AND SLOTH.

Insidious sloth her object gains, If but a hearing she obtains.

A youth ask'd why so long in bed?