Favourite Fables in Prose and Verse Part 17

FABLE Lx.x.xVI.

THE FOX IN THE WELL.

A FOX, having fallen into a well, made a s.h.i.+ft by sticking his claws into the sides to keep his head above water. Soon after a Wolf came and peeped over the brink, to whom the Fox applied very earnestly for a.s.sistance; entreating that he would help him to a rope, or something of the kind, which might favour his escape.

The Wolf moved with compa.s.sion at his misfortune, could not forbear expressing his concern. "Ah, poor Reynard," says he, "I am sorry for you with all my heart; how could you possibly come into this melancholy condition?"

"Nay, pr'ythee, friend," replied the Fox, "if you wish me well, do not stand pitying me, but lend me some succour as fast as you can; for pity is but cold comfort when one is up to the chin in water, and within a hair's breadth of starving or drowning."

MORAL.

Mere expressions of pity, without a desire or attempt to alleviate suffering, are a mockery. He that would be truly a friend, will be ready to give his a.s.sistance when needed.

FABLE Lx.x.xVII.

THE HORSE AND THE WOLF.

As a Wolf was roaming over a farm, he came to a field of oats, but not being able to eat them, he left them and went his way.

Presently, meeting with a Horse, he bade him come with him into the field, "For," says he, "I have found some capital oats; and I have not tasted one, but have kept them all for you, for the very sound of your teeth is music to my ear." But the Horse replied, "A pretty fellow! if Wolves were able to eat oats, I suspect you would not have preferred your ears to your appet.i.te."

MORAL.

Little thanks are due to him, who only gives away whatever is of no use to himself.

FABLE Lx.x.xVIII.

THE TWO SPRINGS.

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE HORSE AND THE WOLF.]

Two springs, which issued from the same mountain, began their course together: one of them took her way in a silent and gentle stream, while the other rushed along with a sounding and rapid current. "Sister," said the latter, "at the rate you move, you will probably be dried up, before you advance much farther; whereas, for myself, I will venture a wager, that, within two or three hundred furlongs, I shall become navigable; and, after distributing commerce and wealth wherever I flow, I shall majestically proceed to pay my tribute to the ocean. So, farewell, dear sister! and patiently submit to your fate."

Her sister made no reply; but, calmly descending to the meadows below, increased her stream by numberless little rills which she collected in her progress, till, at length, she was enabled to rise into a considerable river; whilst the proud stream, who had the vanity to depend solely upon her own sufficiency, continued a shallow brook; and was glad, at last, to be helped forward, by throwing herself into the arms of her despised sister.

MORAL.

His strength in words the bl.u.s.terer vainly spends, While steadiness in quiet gains its ends.

FABLE Lx.x.xIX.

THE COUNTRYMAN AND THE RAVEN.

A RAVEN, while with glossy breast, Her new laid eggs she fondly pressed, And, on her wicker-work high mounted, Her chickens prematurely counted.

(A fault philosophers might blame, If quite exempted from the same,) Enjoyed at ease the genial day; 'Twas April, as the b.u.mpkins say;-- The legislature called it May; But suddenly, a wind, as high As ever swept a winter's sky, Shook the young leaves about her ears, And filled her with a thousand fears, Lest the rude blast should snap the bough, And spread her golden hopes below.

But just at eve the blowing weather, And all her fears, were hushed together.

"And now," quoth poor unthinking Ralph, "'Tis over, and the brood is safe."

(For Ravens, though as birds of omen, They teach both conjurors and old women; To tell us what is to befall, Can't prophesy themselves at all.) The morning came, when neighbour Hodge, Who long had marked her airy lodge, And destined all the treasure there, A gift to his expecting fair, Climbed, like a squirrel to his dray, And bore the worthless prize away.

MORAL.

Safety consists not in escape From danger of a frightful shape; Fate steals along with silent tread, Found oftenest in what least we dread; Frowns in the storm with angry brow, But in the suns.h.i.+ne strikes the blow.

FABLE XC.

THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.

A FOX, hard pressed by the hounds, was getting over a hedge, but tore his foot upon a Bramble, which grew just in the midst of it, upon which he reproached the Bramble for his inhospitable cruelty in using a stranger, which had fled to him for protection, after such a barbarous manner. "Yes," says the Bramble, "you intended to have made me serve your turn, I know; but take this piece of advice with you for the future: Never lay hold of a Bramble again, as you value your sweet person; for laying hold is a privilege that belongs to us Brambles, and we do not care to let it go out of the family."

MORAL.

Impertinent people, who take liberties with others, are often much surprised if they are retorted on with severity. It is better, then, to keep from undue familiarity with strangers, for we know not of what temper they may be.

FABLE XCI.

HERCULES AND THE CARTER.

As a clownish fellow was driving his cart along a deep miry lane, the wheels stuck so fast in the clay, that the horses could not draw them out. Upon this he fell a-bawling and praying to Hercules to come and help him.

Hercules, looking down from a cloud, bade him not lie there, like an idle rascal, as he was, but get up and whip his horses stoutly, and clap his shoulder to the wheel; adding, that this was the only way for him to obtain his a.s.sistance.