lustration: 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 blusterer vainly spends, While
steadiness in quiet gains its ends.

FABLE LXXXIX.

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 bumpkins 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 co