A Peasant, like a Roman Emperor bearing His sceptre on his shoulder, proudly Drove his two steeds with long cars, swearing At one of them, full often and full loudly. The first, with sponges laden, fast and fleet Moved well its feet: The second (it was hardly its own fault) Bore bags of salt. O'er mountain, dale, and weary road. The weary pilgrims bore their load, Till to a ford they came one day; They halted there With wondering air; The driver knowing very well the way, Leaped on the Ass the sponges' load that bore, And drove the other beast before. That Ass in great dismay Fell headlong in a hole; Then plashed and scrambled till he felt The lessening salt begin to melt; His shoulders soon had liberty, And from their heavy load were free. His comrade takes example from his brother, As sheep will follow one another; Up to his neck the creature plunges Himself, his rider, and the sponges; All three drank deep, the man and Ass Tipple together many a glass. The load seemed turned to lead; The Ass, now all but dead, Quite failed to gain the bank: his breath Was gone: the driver clung like death Till some one came, no matter who, and aid. Enough, if I have shown by what I've said, That all can't act alike, you know; And this is what I wished to show. FABLE XXIX. THE LION AND THE RAT. It's well to please all people when you can; There's none so small but one his aid may need. Here are two fables, if you give good heed, Will prove the truth to any honest man. A Rat, in quite a foolish way, Crept from his hole between a Lion's paws; The king of animals showed on that day His royalty, and never snapped his jaws. The kindness was not unrepaid; Yet, who'd have thought a Lion would need aid [Illustration: THE LION AND THE RAT.] From a poor Rat? Soon after that The Lion in the forest brake, In their strong toils the hunters take; In vain his roars, his frenzy, and his rage. But Mr. Rat runs up; a mesh or two Nibbles, and lets the Lion through Patience and length of time may sever, What strength and empty wrath could never. FABLE XXX. THE DOVE AND THE ANT.