A Wild-Boar wallow’d in the flood, And troubled all the stream with mud, Just where a horse to drink repair’d-- He therefore having war declared, Sought man’s alliance for the fight, And bore upon his back the knight; Who being skill’d his darts to throw, Despatched the Wild-Boar at a blow. Then to the steed the victor said, “I’m glad you came to me for aid, For taught how useful you can be, I’ve got at once a spoil and thee.” On which the fields he made him quit, To feel the spur and champ the bit. Then he his sorrow thus express’d: “I needs must have my wrongs redress’d, And making tyrant man the judge, Must all my life become a drudge.” This tale the passionate may warn, To bear with any kind of scorn; And rather all complaint withdraw Than either go to war or law. IV. ESOP AND THE WILL. That one man sometimes is more shrewd Than a stupendous multitude, To after-times I shall rehearse In my concise familiar verse. A certain man on his decease, Left his three girls so much a-piece: The first was beautiful and frail, With eyes still hunting for the male; The second giv’n to spin and card, A country housewife working hard; The third but very ill to pass, A homely slut, that loved her glass. The dying man had left his wife Executrix, and for her life Sole tenant, if she should fulfil These strange provisos of his will: “That she should give th’ estate in fee In equal portions to the three; But in such sort, that this bequest Should not be holden or possess’d; Then soon as they should be bereav’n Of all the substance that was giv’n, They must for their good mother’s ease Make up an hundred sesterces.” This spread through Athens in a trice; The prudent widow takes advice. But not a lawyer could unfold How they should neither have nor hold The very things that they were left. Besides, when once they were bereft, How they from nothing should confer The money that was due to her. When a long time was spent in vain, And no one could the will explain, She left the counsellors unfeed, And thus of her own self decreed: The minstrels, trinkets, plate, and dress, She gave the Lady to possess. Then Mrs. Notable she stocks With all the fields, the kine and flocks: The workmen, farm, with a supply Of all the tools of husbandry. Last, to the Guzzler she consigns The cellar stored with good old wines, A handsome house to see a friend, With pleasant gardens at the end. Thus as she strove th’ affair to close, By giving each the things they chose, And those that knew them every one Highly applauded what was done Esop arose, and thus address’d The crowd that to his presence press’d: “O that the dead could yet perceive! How would the prudent father grieve, That all th’ Athenians had not skill Enough to understand his will!” Then at their joint request he solved That error, which had all involved.