The Snake has two parts, it is said, Hostile to man--his tail and head; And both, as all of us must know, Are well known to the Fates below. Once on a time a feud arose For the precedence--almost blows. "I always walked before the Tail," So said the Head, without avail. The Tail replied, "I travel o'er Furlongs and leagues--ay, score on score-- Just as I please. Then, is it right I should be always in this plight? Jove! I am sister, and not slave: Equality is all I crave. Both of the selfsame blood, I claim Our treatment, then, should be the same. As well as her I poison bear, Powerful and prompt, for men to fear. And this is all I wish to ask; Command it--'tis a simple task: Let me but in my turn go first; For her 'twill be no whit the worst. I sure can guide, as well as she; No subject for complaint shall be." Heaven was cruel in consenting: Such favours lead but to repenting. Jove should be deaf to such wild prayers: He was not then; so first she fares; She, who in brightest day saw not, No more than shut up in a pot, Struck against rocks, and many a tree-- 'Gainst passers-by, continually; Until she led them both, you see, Straight into Styx. Unhappy all Those wretched states who, like her, fall. FABLE CXLV. THE DOG WHICH CARRIED ROUND HIS NECK HIS MASTER'S DINNER. Few eyes are against beauty proof; Few hands from gold can keep aloof; Few people guard a treasure well, Or of strict faithfulness can tell. A certain Dog, true, brave, and stout, Carried his master's dinner out. This self-denial pressed him hard, When he had dainty food to guard: Yet long he kept it safe and sound. Well, we are tempted oft, 'tis found, By good things near us! Strange, we learn From dogs, and yet we hopeless turn From men when temperance is in view! One day this Dog, so staunch and true, A mastiff met, who wished to seize The dinner. Not so, if you please. The Dog put down the food, to fight A mighty combat. Left and right Came other dogs,--mere thieves and foes, Who cared not for the hardest blows. Our Dog, who dreaded every stranger, And saw the food was much in danger, Wanted his share. "Come, gentlemen, This rabbit does for me; now, then, You take the rest!" so he leaped on it, And then the others fell upon it. He snapped the best, and then they flew And shared the plunder,--the whole crew. So, sometimes, when they yield a town, And soldiers burghers trample down, Sheriffs and provosts are the worst To rob and pillage, being first: [Illustration: THE DOG AND HIS MASTER'S DINNER.]