And, to the murmurs of the train,
Thus spoke the Nestor of the plain:--

"When I had health and strength, like you,
The toils of servitude I knew.
Now, grateful man rewards my pains,
And gives me all these wide domains.
At will I crop the year's increase;
My latter life is rest and peace.
I grant, to man we lend our pains,
And aid him to correct the plains.
But doth not he divide the care,
Through all the labours of the year?
How many thousand structures rise,
To fence us from inclement skies!
For us he bears the sultry day,
And stores up all our winter's hay.
He sows, he reaps the harvest gain;
We share the toil, and share the grain."

The tumult ceased. The Colt submitted;
And, like his ancestors, was bitted.

MORAL.

Since every creature is decreed
To aid each other's mutual need;
Submit with a contented mind
To act the part by heaven assigned.

FABLE LI.

THE ASS AND THE LITTLE DOG.

The Ass, observing how great a favourite a little Dog was with
his master, how much caressed, and fondled, and fed with good
bits at every meal, and for no other reason, as he could
perceive, but skipping and frisking about, wagging his tail, and
leaping up in his master's lap, was resolved to imitate the same,
and see whether such behaviour would not procure him the same
favours. Accordingly, the master was no sooner come home from
walking about his fields and gardens, and was seated in his easy
chair, than the Ass, who observed him, came gamboling and braying
towards him, in a very awkward manner. The master could not help
laughing aloud at the odd sight. But the jest soon became
earnest, when he felt the rough salute of the fore-feet, as the
Ass, raising himself upon his hinder legs, pawed against his
breast with a most loving air, and would fain have jumped into
his lap. The good man, terrified at this outrageous conduct, and
unable to endure the weight of so heavy a beast, cried out; upon
which one of his servants, running in with a good stick, and
laying heartily upon the bones of the poor Ass, soon convinced
him that everyone who desires it is not qualified to be a
favourite.

MORAL.

All men have not the same gifts of pleasing. It will be well,
therefore, to keep in our own place; and, in that condition of
life, to do our duty. By which we shall be most likely to give
satisfaction.

FABLE