_'Tis far less easy than it seems_ _An entrance to the great to gain._ _The honour oft hath cost extremes_ _Of mortal pain._ _The craft of spies, the tattling art,_ _And looks more gracious than the heart,_ _Are odious there;_ _But still, if one would meet success,_ _Of different parishes the dress_ _He, like the pie, must wear._ [Illustration: THE EAGLE AND THE MAGPIE.] The Lion and the Hunter. A braggart, lover of the chase, Had lost a dog of valued race, And thought him in a lion's maw. He ask'd a shepherd whom he saw, "Pray show me, man, the robber's place, And I'll have justice in the case." "'Tis on this mountain side," The shepherd man replied. "The tribute of a sheep I pay, Each month, and where I please I stray." Out leap'd the lion as he spake, And came that way with agile feet. The braggart, prompt his flight to take, Cried, "Jove, O grant a safe retreat!" _A danger close at hand_ _Of courage is the test._ _It shows us who will stand--_ _Whose legs will run their best._ [Illustration: THE LION AND THE HUNTER.] The Fox, the Monkey, and the Animals Left kingless by the lion's death, The beasts once met, our story saith, Some fit successor to install. Forth from a dragon-guarded, moated place, The crown was brought, and, taken from its case, And being tried by turns on all, The heads of most were found too small; Some horned were, and some too big; Not one would fit the regal gear. For ever ripe for such a rig, The monkey, looking very queer, Approach'd with antics and grimaces, And, after scores of monkey faces, With what would seem a gracious stoop, Pass'd through the crown as through a hoop. The beasts, diverted with the thing, Did homage to him as their king. The fox alone the vote regretted, But yet in public never fretted. When he his compliments had paid To royalty, thus newly made, "Great sire, I know a place," said he, "Where lies conceal'd a treasure, Which, by the right of royalty, Should bide your royal pleasure." The king lack'd not an appetite For such financial pelf, And, not to lose his royal right, Ran straight to see it for himself. It was a trap, and he was caught. Said Renard, "Would you have it thought, You ape, that you can fill a throne, And guard the rights of all, alone, Not knowing how to guard your own?" _The beasts all gather'd from the farce,_ _That stuff for kings is very scarce._ [Illustration: THE FOX, THE MONKEY, AND THE ANIMALS.] The Sun and the Frogs.