t the same time, asked him why he made
those martial preparations of whetting his teeth, since there was
no enemy near, that he could perceive. "That may be, Master
Reynard," says the Boar, "but we should scour up our arms, while
we have leisure, you know; for, in time of danger, we shall have
something else to do."

MORAL.

It is well to have preparations made for all emergencies, that
when we are placed in any difficult position we may be calm and
self-possessed. These preparations are best made in times of
leisure.

FABLE XV.

THE VINE AND THE GOAT.

A GOAT having taken shelter from the heat of the sun under the
broad leaves of a shady-spreading vine, began to crop and eat
them; by this means, the branches being put into a rustling
motion, he drew the eyes of some hunters who were passing that
way, and, seeing the vine stir, thought some wild beast had taken
covert there; they shot their arrows at a venture, and killed the
Goat, who, before he expired, uttered his dying words to this
purpose: "Ah! I suffer justly for my ingratitude, who could not
forbear doing an injury to the vine that had so kindly afforded
me shelter."

MORAL.

Ingratitude is a great crime, and from which we should seek
earnestly to be preserved. He that is capable of injuring his
benefactor, what would he scruple to do towards another?

[Illustration: THE VINE AND THE GOAT.]

FABLE XVI.

THE DISCONTENTED HORSE.

As JUPITER once was receiving petitions
From birds and from beasts of all ranks and conditions;
With an eye full of fire, and mane quite erect,
Which, I'm sorry to say, shewed but little respect,
The Horse went as near as he dared to the throne,
And thus made his donkey-like sentiments known:

"For beauty of symmetry, fleetness, and force,
It is said that all animals yield to the Horse;
While my spirit I feel, and my figure I view
In the brook, I'm inclined to believe it is true;
But still, mighty Jupiter, still, by your aid,
In my form might some further improvements be made.
To run is my duty, and swifter and stronger
I surely should go, were my legs to be longer:
And as man always places a seat on my back,
I should have been made with a saddle or sack;
It had saved _him_ much trouble, on journies departing,
And _I_ had been constantly ready for starting."

Great Jupiter smiled (for he laughed at the brute,
As