eyes.

You know, I'm in joke,
When I say that the oak,
Moved a _bough_ to the grunter before she spoke;
But you know, too, in fable,
We feel ourselves able
To make anything speak--tree, flower, or table.

Said the Oak, looking big,
"I think, Mr. Pig,
You might thank me for sending you fruit from my twig;
But, you ill-behaved Hog!
You devour the prog,
And have no better manners, I think, than a dog."

He replied, looking up,
Though not ceasing to sup,
Till the Acorns were eaten--ay, every cup--
"I acknowledge, to you
My thanks would be due,
If from feelings of kindness my supper you threw.

"To-morrow, good dame,
Give my children the same,
And then you, with justice, may gratitude claim."

MORAL.

He merits no praise
To the end of his days,
Who to those who surround him no service conveys.

FABLE XLVII.

THE COUNTRY MOUSE AND THE CITY MOUSE.

An honest, plain, sensible country Mouse is said to have
entertained at his hole one day a fine Mouse of the town. Having
formerly been playfellows together, they were old acquaintances,
which served as an apology for the visit. However, as master of
the house, he thought himself obliged to do the honours of it, in
all respects, and to make as great a stranger of his guest as he
possibly could. In order to this, he set before him a reserve of
delicate grey pease and bacon, a dish of fine oatmeal, some
parings of new cheese, and, to crown all with a dessert, a
remnant of a charming mellow apple.

In good manners, he forebore to eat any of it himself, lest the
stranger should not have enough; but, that he might seem to bear
the other company, sat and nibbled a piece of wheaten straw very
busily. At last, says the spark of the town, "Old croney, give me
leave to be a little free with you. How can you bear to live in
this nasty, dirty, melancholy hole here, with nothing but woods
and meadows, mountains and rivulets about you? Do you not prefer
the busy world to the chirping of birds, and the splendour of a
court to the rude aspect of an uncultivated desert? Come, take my
word for it, you will find it a change for the better. Stand not
considering, but away this moment. Remember, we are not immortal,
and therefore have no time to lose. Make sure of to-day, and
spend