ought it out, tearing and worrying one another so long,
that, what with wounds and fatigue, they were so faint and weary,
that they were not able to strike another stroke. Thus, while
they lay upon the ground, panting and lolling out their tongues,
a Fox chanced to pass by that way, who, perceiving how the case
stood, very impudently stepped in between them, seized the booty
which they had all this while been contending for, and carried it
off. The two combatants, who lay and beheld all this, without
having strength to stir and prevent it, were only wise enough to
make this reflection:--"Behold the fruits of our strife and
contention! That villain, the Fox, bears away the prize, and we
ourselves have deprived each other of the power to recover it
from him."

MORAL.

When fools quarrel, knaves get the prize of contention.

FABLE LXX.

THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.

In days of yore, when a young Fox would take more pains to get a
bunch of grapes than a plump, fat goose, an arch young thief cast
his eyes on a fine bunch which hung on the top of a poor man's
vine, and made him lick his lips like a hound at the sight of a
joint of meat. "Oh," said he, "how nice they look! I must have a
taste of them, if I die for it;" and with that, up he jumped with
all his might, but had the ill-luck not to reach the grapes; yet,
as he could not find in his heart to leave them, he tried for
them as long as he was able; so he leaped and jumped, and jumped
and leaped, till at last he was glad to rest. But when he found
all his pains were in vain, "Hang them!" said he, "I am sure they
are not fit to eat, for they are as sour as crabs, and would set
my teeth on edge for a whole week; and so I shall leave them for
the next fool who may chance to come this way."

MORAL.

Some men make light of that which is out of their reach, though
at the same time in their hearts they know not what to do for
want of it.

[Illustration: THE FOX AND THE GRAPES.]

FABLE LXXI.

THE HARE AND MANY FRIENDS.

A HARE, who, in a civil way,
Complied with everything, like Gay,
Was known by all the bestial train,
Who haunt the wood, or graze the plain.

As forth she went, at early dawn,
To taste the dew-besprinkled lawn,
Behind she hears the hunter's cries,
And from the deep-mouthed thunder flies.
She starts, she stops, she pants for breath;
She hears the near approach of death;
She doubles