Had woke, and sharply shut his treacherous trap. This all arose from fatal ignorance: The fable's useful to the folks of France,-- Nor France alone: it shows with what surprise The simplest object strikes a booby's eyes. And notice, oftentimes, for want of wit, The fool, who thinks he's biting, is first bit. FABLE CLIV. THE TWO FRIENDS. Two steadfast Friends lived once in Monomtàpa; They loved as if really they'd had the same pàpa: What one earned the other earned. Ah! for that land; It's worth ten such countries as ours, understand. One night, when a deep sleep had fallen on all, And the sun had gone off in the dark, beyond call, One of these worthy men, woke by a nightmare, Ran to his friend, in a shiver, and quite bare. The other at once takes his purse and his sword, Accosts his companion, and says, "'Pon my word You seldom are up when all other men snore; You make better use of the night than to pore Over books; but come, tell me, you're ruined at play, Or you have quarrelled with some one; now, speak out, I say. Here's my sword and my purse; or, if eager to rest On a fond wife's compassionate, fondling breast, Take this slave: she is fair." "No, no," said the other, "'Twas neither of these things that startled me, brother. Thanks, thanks for your zeal; 'twas a dream that I had: I saw you appear to me, looking so sad; I feared you were ill, and ran to you to see: 'Twas that dream, so detestable, brought me to thee." Which friend loved the most?--come, reader, speak out! The question is hard, and leaves matter for doubt. A true friend is choicest of treasures indeed; In the depths of your heart he will see what you need: He'll spare you the pain to disclose woes yourself, Indifferent to either his trouble or pelf: A dream, when he loves, or a trifle--mere air-- Will strike him with terror, lest danger be there. FABLE CLV. THE PIG, THE GOAT, AND THE SHEEP.