nsists 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 sunshine 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 assistance.

MORAL.

The man who asks Heaven for gifts, and neglects the gifts Heaven
has given, must expect silence until he shows that he is in
earnest by putting his shoulder to the wheel.

FABLE XCII.

THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.

On the margin of a large lake, which was inhabited by a great
number of Frogs, a company of Boys happened to be at play. Their
diversion was duck and drake, and whole volleys of stones were
thrown into the water, to the great annoyance and danger of the
poor terrified Frogs. At length, one of the most hardy, lifting
up his head above the surface of the lake;--"Ah! dear children!"
said he, "why will ye learn so soon to be cruel? Consider, I
beseech you, that though this may be sport to _you_, it is death
to _us_."

MORAL.

A noble mind disdains to gain
Its pleasure from anot