cre of the
reward, and having first made the Wolf confirm his promise with
an oath, undertook the business, and ventured his long neck into
the rapacious felon's throat.

In short, he plucked out the bone, and expected the promised
gratuity; when the Wolf, turning his eyes disdainfully towards
him, said, "I did not think you had been so unreasonable! Have I
not suffered you safely to draw your neck out of my jaws? And
have you the conscience to demand a further reward?"

MORAL.

When we do good to bad men, we must not expect good from them.

FABLE IX.

THE FROG AND THE RAT.

Once on a time, a foolish Frog,
Vain, proud, and stupid as a log,
Tired with the marsh, her native home,
Imprudently abroad would roam,
And fix her habitation where
She'd breathe at least a purer air.
She was resolved to change, that's poz;
Could she be worse than where she was?

Away the silly creature leaps.
A Rat, who saw her lab'ring steps,
Cried out, "Where in this hurry, pray?
You certainly will go astray!"

"Ne'er fear; I quit that filthy bog,
Where I so long have croaked incog:
People of talents, sure, should thrive,
And not be buried thus alive.
But, pray (for I'm extremely dry),
Know you of any water nigh?"

"None," said the Rat, "you'll reach to-day,
As you so slowly make your way.
Believe a friend, and take my word,
This jaunt of yours is quite absurd.
Go to your froggery again;
In your own element remain."
No: on the journey she was bent,
Her thirst increasing as she went;
For want of drink she scarce can hop,
And yet despairing of a drop:
Too late she moans her folly past;
She faints, she sinks, she breathes her last.

MORAL.

Vulgar minds will pay full dear,
When once they move beyond their sphere.

FABLE X.

THE FIGHTING COCK AND EAGLE.

Two Cocks were fighting for the sovereignty of the dunghill, and
one of them having got the better of the other, he that was
vanquished crept into a hole, and hid himself for some time; but
the victor flew up to an eminent place, clapt his wings, and
crowed out victory. An Eagle, who was watching for his prey near
the place, saw him, and, making a swoop, trussed him up in his
talons, and carried him off. The Cock that had been beaten,
perceiving this, soon quitted his hole, and, shaking off all
remembrance of his lat