LII.

THE LION AND THE FOUR BULLS.

Four Bulls, which had entered into a very strict friendship, kept
always near one another, and fed together. The Lion often saw
them, and as often wished to make one of them his prey; but
though he could easily have subdued any of them singly, yet he
was afraid to attack the whole when together, knowing they would
have been too hard for him; and, therefore, contented himself for
the present with keeping at a distance. At last, perceiving no
attempt was to be made upon them as long as their combination
lasted, he took occasion, by whispers and hints, to foment
jealousies and raise divisions among them.

This stratagem succeeded so well, that the Bulls grew cold and
reserved towards one another, which soon after ripened into a
downright hatred and aversion, and, at last, ended in a total
separation. The Lion had now obtained his ends; and, as
impossible as it was for him to hurt them while they were united,
he found no difficulty, now they were parted, to seize and devour
every Bull of them, one after another.

MORAL.

Union is strength. Jealousy and envy, especially when fomented by
whisperers, will destroy gradually the ties that make us safe
against enemies.

FABLE LIII.

THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.

The Leopard one day took it into his head to value himself upon
the great variety and beauty of his spots; and, truly, he saw no
reason why even the lion should take place of him, since he could
not show so beautiful a skin. As for the rest of the wild beasts
of the forests, he treated them all, without distinction, in the
most haughty and disdainful manner. But the Fox, being among
them, went up to him with a great deal of spirit and resolution,
and told him that he was mistaken in the value he was pleased to
set upon himself, since people of judgment were not used to form
their opinion of merit from an outside appearance, but by
considering the good qualities and endowments with which the mind
was stored within.

MORAL.

Haughty beauty is an ungraceful thing. True beauty is always
found in a setting of modesty, and then only appears the bright
jewel that it is.

[Illustration: THE LEOPARD AND THE FOX.]

FABLE LIV.

THE WARRIOR WOLF.

A YOUNG Wolf said aloud
To the listening crowd,
"I may well of my father's great courage be proud;
Wherever he came,
Flock, shepherd, or dame,
All trembled and fl