erhaps, you may get off."

MORAL.

If evil habits have got a man into difficulties, there is no
surer way to extricate himself than, by God's help, to cast those
habits off.

FABLE XXVIII.

THE OLD HOUND.

An old Hound, who had been an excellent good one in his time, and
given his master great sport and satisfaction in many a chase, at
last, by the effect of years, became feeble and unserviceable.

However, being in the field one day when the Stag was almost run
down, he happened to be the first that came in with him, and
seized him by one of his haunches; but his decayed and broken
teeth not being able to keep their hold, the deer escaped and
threw him quite out. Upon which his master, being in a great
passion, and going to strike him, the honest old creature is said
to have barked out this apology. "Ah! do not strike your poor old
servant; it is not my heart and inclination, but my strength and
speed that fail me. If what I now am displeases you, pray don't
forget what I have been."

MORAL.

Past services should never be forgotten.

FABLE XXIX.

THE CHARGER AND THE ASS

The Horse, adorned with his great war-saddle, and champing his
foaming bridle, came thundering along the way, and made the
mountains echo with his loud, shrill neighing. He had not gone
far before he overtook an Ass, who was labouring under a heavy
burthen, and moving slowly on in the same track with himself.
Immediately he called out to him, in a haughty, imperious tone,
and threatened to trample him in the dirt, if he did not make way
for him. The poor, patient Ass, not daring to dispute the matter,
quietly got out of his way as fast as he could, and let him go
by. Not long after this, the same Horse, in an engagement with
the enemy, happened to be shot in the eye, which made him unfit
for show or any military business; so he was stript of his fine
ornaments, and sold to a carrier. The Ass, meeting him in this
forlorn condition, thought that now it was his time to speak; and
so, says he, "Heyday, friend, is it you? Well, I always believed
that pride of yours would one day have a fall."

MORAL.

Pride and haughtiness are foreign to really great men. Those who
show it, when in their high estate, if the wheel of fortune
should change, instead of friendship or pity, will meet with
nothing but contempt.

[Illustration: THE CHARGER AND THE ASS.]

FABLE XXX.

THE COLT AND THE FARMER.

A COLT, for b