Injustice, and false people's wilful crimes, Serve others as excuses, oftentimes, For fresh injustice. Nature's law's planned so; If you wish to be spared, then give no blow. A Countryman, with glittering looking-glass, Was catching birds. The brilliant phantom lured A Lark; when, suddenly, it came to pass A Sparrow Hawk, of its sweet prey assured, Dropped from the cloud, and struck swift to the ground The gentlest bird that sings; though near the tomb, She had escaped the trap; yet now she found Beneath that cruel beak at last her doom. Whilst stripping her, eager and all intent, The Hawk itself beneath the net was caught. "Fowler," he cried, "no harm I ever meant: I never did thee ill, nor ever sought To do." The man replied, "This helpless thing Had done no more to thee;--no murmuring!" FABLE CXXI. THE HORSE AND THE ASS. In this world every one must help his brother. If your poor neighbour dies, his weary load On you, perhaps, may fall, and on no other. An Ass and Horse were travelling on the road: The last had but the harness on his back. The first, borne down unto the very ground, Besought the Horse to help him, or, alack! He'd never reach the town. In duty bound, Apologies he made for this request: "To you," he said, "the load will be mere sport." The Horse refused, and snorted at the jest. Just as he sneered, the Donkey died. In short, He soon perceived he had not acted right, And had his friend ill treated; for that night They made him drag the cart through thick and thin, And in the cart his injured comrade's skin. FABLE CXXII. THE CHARLATAN. Of Charlatans the world has never lack: This science of professors has no want. Only the other day one made his vaunt He could cheat Acheron; in white and black Another boasted o'er the town that, lo! He was another Cicero.