But business, still, from life must not be stricken Since men will doubtless sue at law, and sicken, Physicians there must be, and advocates,-- Whereof, thank God, no lack the world awaits, While wealth and honours are the well-known baits. Yet, in the stream of common wants when thrown, What busy mortal but forgets his own? O, you who give the public all your care, Be it as judge, or prince, or minister, Disturb'd by countless accidents most sinister, By adverse gales abased, debased by fair,-- Yourself you never see, nor _see_ you aught. Comes there a moment's rest for serious thought, There comes a flatterer too, and brings it all to nought. This lesson seals our varied page: O, may it teach from age to age! To kings I give it, to the wise propose; Where could my labours better close?[45] [45] This fable was first printed in the "Recueil de vers choisis du P. Bouhours," published in 1693, and afterwards given as the last of La Fontaine's Book XII. * * * * * FINIS. * * * * * INDEX TO THE FABLES. A. Abdera, People of, and Democritus. VIII. 26. Acorn and Pumpkin. IX. 4. Aesop and the Will. II. 20. Adder and Man. X. 2. Adventurers and Talisman. X. 14. Advantage of Knowledge. VIII. 19. Alcimadure and Daphnis. XII. 26. Almoner, Arbiter, and Hermit. XII. 27. Amaranth and Thyrsis. VIII. 13. Animal in the Moon. VII. 18. Animals, Monkey, and Fox. VI. 6. Animals sending Tribute, &c. IV. 12. Animals sick of the Plague. VII. 1. Ant and Dove. II. 12. Ant and Fly. IV. 3. Ant and Grasshopper. I. 1. Ape of Jupiter and Elephant. XII. 21. Ape of Paris. XII. 19. Arbiter, Almoner, and Hermit. XII. 27. Ass and Dog. VIII. 17. Ass and his Masters. VI. 11. Ass and Horse. VI. 16. Ass and Lion, hunting. II. 19. Ass and Little Dog. IV. 5. Ass and Old Man. VI. 8. Ass and Thieves. I. 13. Ass bearing Relics. V. 14. Ass, Dead, and Two Dogs. VIII. 25. Ass in Lion's Skin. V. 21. Ass loaded with Sponges, and the Ass loaded with Salt. II. 10. Ass, Miller, and Son. III. 1. Asses, Two, Lion, and Monkey. XI. 5. Astrologer who fell into a Well. II. 13. Atheist and Oracle. IV. 19. B. Bat, Bush, and Duck. XII. 7. Bat and Two Weasels. II. 5. Bear and Gardener. VIII. 10. Bear and Lioness. X. 13. Bear and Two Companions. V. 20. Bees and Hornets. I. 21. Beetle and Eagle. II. 8. Belly and Members. III. 2. Bird wounded by an Arrow. II. 6. Birds, Little, and Swallow. I. 8. Bitch and her Friend. II. 7. Boreas and Phoebus. VI. 3. Boy and Schoolmaster. I. 19. Bulls, Two, and Frog. II. 4. Burier and his Comrade. X. 5. Bust and Fox. IV. 14. C.