“When blamed the Monkey, it was cause Enough for doubting sad; But when I have the hog’s applause, It must be very bad!” * * * * * As treasured gift, let authors raise This moral from my verse: ’Tis bad, when wise ones do not praise; But when fools _do_, ’tis worse. THE ASS AND THE FLUTE. This little fable heard, It good or ill may be; But it has just occurr’d, Thus accidentally. Passing my abode, Some fields adjoining me, A big Ass on his road Came accidentally; And laid upon the spot, A Flute he chanced to see, Some shepherd had forgot, There accidentally. The animal in front, To scan it nigh came he, And snuffing loud as wont, Blew accidentally. The air it chanced around The pipe went passing free, And thus the Flute a sound Gave accidentally. “O! then,” exclaim’d the Ass, “I know to play it fine; And who for bad shall class The music asinine?” * * * * * Without the rules of art, Ev’n asses, we agree, May once succeed in part, Thus accidentally. THE TWO RABBITS. Some shrubs amidst to shun The dogs he saw pursue, I will not call it run, But say a rabbit flew. From out his hiding-place A neighbour came to see, And said, “Friend, wait a space: What may the matter be?” “What should it be?” he cried; “I breathless came in fear, Because that I espied Two scoundrel greyhounds near.” “Yes,” said the other, “far I see them also there; But those no greyhounds are!” “What?”--“Setters, I’ll declare.” “How, setters do you say? My grandad just as much! They are greyhounds, greyhounds, they; I saw them plainly such.” “They are setters; get along: What know you of these matters?”-- “They are greyhounds; you are wrong:”-- “I tell you they are setters.” The dogs while they engage In these contentious habits, Come up, and vent their rage On my two thoughtless rabbits. * * * * * Who minor points affect, So much about to quarrel, And weightier things neglect, Let them take the moral. THE LAMB AND HIS TWO ADVISERS. A farm there was, with a poultry-yard, Where roved an old bantam about; And laid at his ease, a pig was barr’d In a sty close by without. A lamb moreover was raised up there; We know it does so befall: Together in farms these animals fare, And in good company all. “Well, with your leave,” said the pig one day To the lamb, “what a happy life! And healthful too, to be sleeping away, One’s time without cares or strife!