"Indeed!" was all his host replied,
Intent some pottage to provide,
Which heated well, with spice infused,
Was to his shivering guest produced:

So hot it was, as Esop sung,
It made our traveller scald his tongue;
And wishing not again to do it,
Our hero could not wait, but blew it.

"What?" said his host, in accent rough,
"Is not your pottage hot enough?"
"Yes," said the man, "full well I know it,
'Tis far too hot, that's why I blow it."
"You artful villain! do you so?"
His host replied, with angry brow;
"My cave shall not a moment hold
A man that blows both hot and cold!
By none but rogues can that be done,
You double-dealing wretch, begone!"

MORAL.

The traveller scarce deserved such wrath,
For warming fingers--cooling broth.
No statutes old or new forbid it,
Although with the same mouth he did it:
Yet this beware of old and young,
What Esop meant--a _double tongue_;
Which flatters now with civil clack,
And slanders soon behind one's back.

[Illustration]

THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PURSE.

Two friends once were walking in sociable chat,
When a purse one espied on the ground;
"Oh, see!" said he, (thank my fortune for that,)
"What a large sum of money I've found!"

"Nay, do not say _I_" said his friend, "for you know
'Tis but friendship to share it with me;"
"I share it with you," said the other. "How so?
He who _found_ it the owner should be."

"Be it so," said his friend, "but what sound do I hear?
'Stop thief!' one is calling to you;
He comes with a constable close in the rear!"
Said the other, "Oh, what shall we do?"

"Nay, do not say _we_," said his friend, "for you know
You claimed the sole right to the prize!
And since all the _money_ was taken by you,
With you the _dishonesty_ lies."

MORAL.

When people are selfish, dishonest, and mean,
Their nature, in dealing, will quickly be seen.

[Illustration]

THE MOUTH AND THE LIMBS.

In days of yore, they say, 'twas then
When all things spoke their mind;
The arms and legs of certain men,
To treason felt inclined.

These arms and legs together met,
As snugly as they could,
With knees and elbows, hands and feet,
In discontented mood.

Said they, "'Tis neither right nor fair,
Nor is there any need,
To labor with such toil and care,
The greedy mouth to feed."

"This we're resolved no more to do,
Though we so long have done it;"
"Ah!" said the knees and elbows too,
"And we are