he saw more of folly than vice in his suit),
And striking the earth with omnipotent force,
A Camel rose up near the terrified Horse:
He trembled--he started--his mane shook with fright,
And he staggered half round, as preparing for flight.

"Behold!" exclaimed Jove, "there an animal stands
With both your improvements at once to your hands:
His legs are much longer; the hump on his back
Well answers the purpose of saddle or sack:
Of your shapes, tell me, which is more finished and trim?
Speak out, silly Horse, would you wish to be him?"

The Horse looked abashed, and had nothing to say
And Jove, with reproaches, thus sent him away:
"Begone, till you gratefully feel and express
Your thanks for the blessings and gifts you possess.
The Camel, though plain, is mild, useful, and good;
You are handsome, but proud, discontented and rude."

FABLE XVII.

THE MOUNTAIN IN LABOUR.

A RUMOUR once prevailed that a neighbouring mountain was in
labour; it was affirmed that she had been heard to utter
prodigious groans; and a general expectation had been raised that
some extraordinary birth was at hand.

Multitudes flocked in much eagerness to be witnesses of the
wonderful event, one expecting her to be delivered of a giant,
another of some enormous monster, and all were in earnest
expectation of something grand and astonishing; when, after
waiting with great impatience a considerable time, behold, out
crept a Mouse.

MORAL.

To raise uncommon expectations renders an ordinary event
ridiculous.

FABLE XVIII.

THE FOX AND THE STORK.

THE FOX, though in general more inclined to roguery than wit, had
once a strong inclination to play the wag with his neighbour the
Stork. He accordingly invited her to dinner in due form. But when
she came to the table, the Stork found it consisted entirely of
different soups, served in broad, shallow dishes, so that she
could only dip the end of her bill in them, but could not
possibly satisfy her hunger. The Fox lapped them up very readily,
and every now and then addressing himself to his guest, desired
to know how she liked her entertainment, hoped that everything
was to her liking, and protested he was very sorry to see her eat
so sparingly.

The Stork, perceiving she was jested with, took no notice, but
pretended to like every dish extremely; and, at parting, pressed
the Fox so earnestly to return