The reasoning of the strongest has such weight, None can gainsay it, or dare prate, No more than one would question Fate. A Lamb her thirst was very calmly slaking, At the pure current of a woodland rill; A grisly Wolf, by hunger urged, came making A tour in search of living things to kill. "How dare you spoil my drink?" he fiercely cried; There was grim fury in his very tone; "I'll teach you to let beasts like me alone. "Let not your Majesty feel wrath," replied The Lamb, "nor be unjust to me, from passion; I cannot, Sire, disturb in any fashion The stream which now your Royal Highness faces, I'm lower down by at least twenty paces." "You spoil it!" roared the Wolf; "and more, I know, You slandered me but half a year ago." "How could I do so, when I scarce was born?" The Lamb replied; "I was a suckling then." "Then 'twas your brother held me up to scorn." "I have no brother." "Well, 'tis all the same; At least 'twas some poor fool that bears your name. You and your dogs, both great and small, Your sheep and shepherds, one and all, Slander me, if men say but true, And I'll revenge myself on you." Thus saying, he bore off the Lamb Deep in the wood, far from its dam. And there, not waiting judge nor jury, Fell to, and ate him in his fury. FABLE XIII. THE ROBBERS AND THE ASS. Two Thieves were fighting for a prize, A Donkey newly stolen; sell or not to sell-- That was the question--bloody fists, black eyes: While they fought gallantly and well, A third thief happening to pass, Rode gaily off upon the ass. The ass is some poor province it may be; The thieves, that gracious potentate, or this, Austria, Turkey, or say Hungary; Instead of two, I vow I've set down three (The world has almost had enough of this), And often neither will the province win: For third thief stepping in, 'Mid their debate and noisy fray, With the disputed donkey rides away. [Illustration: THE ROBBERS AND THE ASS.] FABLE XIV. DEATH AND THE WOODCUTTER.