Thou art that dainty mouse among mankind, If hurtful sweets are not by thee declined. THE FOX AND THE GRAPES There hung some bunches of the purple grape On a hillside. A cunning fox, agape For these full clusters, many times essayed To cull their dark bloom, many vain leaps made. They were quite ripe, and for the vintage fit; But when his leaps did not avail a whit, He journeyed on, and thus his grief composed:-- "The bunch was sour, not ripe, as I supposed." THE CARTER AND HERCULES A carter from the village drove his wain: And when it fell into a rugged lane, Inactive stood, nor lent a helping hand; But to that god, whom of the heavenly band He really honored most, Alcides, prayed: "Push at your wheels," the god appearing said, "And goad your team; but when you pray again, Help yourself likewise, or you'll pray in vain." THE YOUNG COCKS Two Tanagraean cocks a fight began; Their spirit is, 'tis said, as that of man: Of these the beaten bird, a mass of blows, For shame into a corner creeping goes; The other to the housetop quickly flew, And there in triumph flapped his wings and crew. But him an eagle lifted from the roof, And bore away. His fellow gained a proof That oft the wages of defeat are best,-- None else remained the hens to interest. WHEREFORE, O man, beware of boastfulness: Should fortune lift thee, others to depress, Many are saved by lack of her caress. THE ARAB AND THE CAMEL An Arab, having heaped his camel's back, Asked if he chose to take the upward track Or downward; and the beast had sense to say "Am I cut off then from the level way?" THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE SWALLOW