Aesop, in Rhyme: Old Friends in a New Dress

So off they jogg'd, and soon arrived At where the friendly mastiff lived. "Well," said the wolf, "I can't deny You have a better house than I." "Not so," the other then replied, "If you with me will hence abide." "Oh," said the wolf, "how kind you are! But what d'ye call that, hanging there? Is it an iron chain, or what?" "Friend," said the dog, "I quite forgot To mention that; sometimes, you see, They hook that little chain to me; But it is only meant to keep Us dogs from walking in our sleep, And should you wear it, you would find, It's nothing that you need to mind."

"I'll take your word," the wolf replied. "It's truth by me shall ne'er be tried; I'll have my liberty again, And you your collar and your chain."

MORAL.

Our neighbors sometimes seem to be A vast deal better off than we; Yet seldom 'tis they really are, Since they have troubles too to bear, Which, if the truth were really known, Are quite as grievous as our own.

THE HERDSMAN.

A herdsman, who lived at a time and a place Which, should you not know, is but little disgrace, Discover'd one morning, on counting his stock, That a sheep had been stolen that night from the flock.

"Oh, I wish I had caught ye, whoever ye be I'd have soon let you know, I'd have soon let ye see, What he had to expect," said the herdsman, "I trow; But I've thought of a scheme that will trouble you now."

So what did he do, sir, but put up a board, Describing the thief, and proposed a reward Of a lamb, to the man who would give information Concerning the thief, and his true designation.

The project succeeded; for soon there applied A certain near neighbor, with others beside. "But tell me the thief," said the herdsman, "at least;" "Come hither," said they, "and we'll show you the beast!"

"The beast!" said the rustic, who thought he should die on The spot, when he found that the thief was a lion! "Ill luck to my hurry, what now shall I do? I promised a lamb to detect you 'tis true; But now I'd consent all my substance to pay, If I could but with safety get out of your way."

MORAL.

Silly people ask things that would ruin, if sent; They demand them in haste, and at leisure repent.

THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.

Some boys, beside a pond or lake, Were playing once at duck and drake? When, doubtless to their heart's content, Volleys of stones were quickly sent.

But there were some (there will be such) Who did not seem amused so much; These were the frogs, to whom the game, In point of sport was not the same.

For scarce a stone arrived, 'tis said, But gave some frog a broken head; And scores in less than half an hour, Perished beneath the dreadful shower.

At last, said one, "You silly folks, I say, Do fling your stones another way; Though sport to you, to throw them thus, Remember, pray, 'tis death to us!"

MORAL.

From hence this moral may be learn'd: Let play be play to all concern'd.

THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.

A cock there was: a sage was he (If Esop we may trust,) Who wish'd to make a meal, you see, As other sages must.

With this intent, as heretofore, When on the hunt for grain; Our hero scratch'd the litter o'er With all his might and main.

But scarce a minute had he scratch'd, When, to his great surprise, A gem, with golden chain attach'd, He saw with both his eyes.

"Alack!" quoth he, "what have we here? A diamond, I protest! Which lords and ladies buy so dear, And hold in such request.

"But one good barley-corn to me Has more intrinsic worth Than all the pearls now in the sea, Or gold now in the earth."

MORAL.

The moral here, in Esop's mind, Was this, there's not a doubt: Things have most value, which we find We cannot do without.

THE MAN AND THE LION.

A man and a lion once had a dispute, Which was reckon'd the greatest, the man or the brute; The lion discoursed on his side at some length, And greatly enlarged on his courage and strength.

The man, one would think, had enough to reply On his side the question, which none could deny; But like many others who make a pretence, He talk'd perfect nonsense, and thought it good sense.

"So," says he, "don't be prating,--look yonder, I pray, At that sculpture of marble, now what will you say? The lion is vanquished; but as for the man He is striding upon him; deny it who can."

"But pray," said the lion, "who sculptured that stone?" "One of us," said the man, "I must candidly own." "But when we are sculptors," the other replied, "You will then on the man see the lion astride."

MORAL.

The man might have added, if he had been wise, "But a beast cannot sculpture a stone, if he tries." That sufficiently shows where the difference lies.

THE FOX AND THE CRANE.

"I certainly think," said a fox to a crane, "That face, ma'am of yours is remarkably plain; That beak that you wear is so frightful a feature, It makes you appear a most singular creature." The crane, much offended at what she had heard, March'd off at full speed, without saying a word: "Oh dear!" said the fox, "Mrs. Crane, I protest You misunderstand me, 'twas only a jest." "Come, don't be affronted--stay with me and dine; You know very well 'tis this temper of mine To say such odd things to my intimate friends; But you know that poor Reynard no mischief intends." So the crane thought it best not to break with him quite, But to view his remarks in a good-natured light. So she put on as pleasant a face as she could When he ask'd her to dine, and replied that she would. But alas! she perceived that his jokes were not over, When Reynard removed from the victuals its cover 'Twas neither game, butcher's meat, chicken, not fish; But plain gravy-soup, in a broad shallow dish. Now this the fox lapp'd with his tongue very quick, While the crane could scarce dip in the point of her beak; "You make a poor dinner," said he to his guest; "Oh, dear! by no means," said the bird, "I protest." But the crane ask'd the fox on a subsequent day, When nothing, it seems, for their dinner had they But some minced meat served up in a narrow-neck'd jar; Too long, and narrow, for Reynard by far. "You make a poor dinner, I fear," said the bird; "Why, I think," said the fox, "'twould be very absurd To deny what you say, yet I cannot complain, But confess, though a fox, that I'm matched by a crane."

MORAL.

Cunning folks who play tricks which good manners condemn, Often find their own tricks play'd again upon them.

THE TRAVELLER AND THE SATYR.

A luckless wight, in winter slow, Travelling once a forest through Cold and hungry, tired and wet, Began in words like these to fret: "Oh, what a sharp inclement day! And what a dismal, dreary way! No friendly cot, no cheering fields, No food this howling forest yields; I've nought in store or expectation! There's nought before me but starvation."