to fall on with greedy appetites. But some of them took
particular notice that there was but one way into the room, and,
by consequence, but one way to get out of it; so that, if that
door, by misfortune or art, should chance to be shut, they would
all be inevitably taken: they could not, therefore, find in their
hearts to venture in; but said, that they had rather content
themselves with homely fare, in safety, than, for the sake of a
dainty bit, to run the danger of being taken, and lost for ever.

The other Mice, who were looked upon to be great epicures,
declared that they saw no danger; and, therefore, ran into the
room, and fell to eating the bacon with great delight: but they
soon heard the door fall down, and saw that they were all taken.
Then the fear of approaching death so seized them, that they
found no relish in their exquisite food; and immediately came the
Cook who had set the Trap, and killed them: but the others, who
had contented themselves with their usual food, fled into their
holes, and, by that means, preserved their lives.

FABLE CIV.

THE CHAMELEON.

Oft has it been my lot to mark
A proud, conceited, talking spark,
With eyes that hardly served at most
To guard their master 'gainst a post;
Yet round the world the blade has been,
To see whatever could be seen.
Returning from his finish'd tour,
Grown ten times perter than before,
Whatever word you chance to drop,
The travelled fool your mouth will stop;
"Sir, if my judgment you'll allow,--
I've seen,--and, sure, I ought to know;"--
So begs you'd pay a due submission,
And acquiesce in his decision.

Two travellers, of such a cast,
As o'er Arabia's wilds they pass'd,
And on their way, in friendly chat,
Now talked of this, and then of that;
Discoursed awhile, 'mongst other matter,
Of the Chameleon's form and nature.
"A stranger animal," cries one,
"Sure never lived beneath the sun:
A lizard's body, lean and long,
A fish's head, a serpent's tongue.
In truth, with triple jaw disjoin'd;
And what a length of tail behind!
How slow its pace! and then its hue!
Who ever saw so fine a blue?"

"Hold there!" the other quick replies,
"'Tis green:--I saw it with these eyes,
As late with open mouth it lay,
And warm'd it in the sunny ray:
Stretch'd at its ease the beast I view'd,
And saw it eat the