Wealth by the brave is justly scorn’d, Since men are from the truth suborn’d, And a full chest perverts their ways From giving or deserving praise. When Hercules, for matchless worth, Was taken up to heav’n from earth, As in their turns to all the crowd Of gratulating gods he bow’d, When Plutus, Fortune’s son, he spies, He from his face averts his eyes. Jove ask’d the cause of this disgust: “I hate him, as he is unjust, To wicked men the most inclined, And grand corrupter of mankind.” XII. THE HE-GOATS AND SHE-GOATS. When the She-Goats from Jove obtain’d A beard, th’ indignant Males complain’d, That females by this near approach Would on their gravity encroach. “Suffer, my sapient friends,” says he, “Their eminence in this degree, And bear their beard’s most graceful length, As they can never have your strength.” Warn’d by this little tale, agree With men in gen’ral form’d like thee, While you by virtue still exceed, And in the spirit take the lead. XIII. THE PILOT AND SAILORS. On hearing a poor man lament His worldly thoughts in discontent, Esop this tale began to write, For consolation and delight. The ship by furious tempests toss’d, The Mariners gave all for lost; But midst their tears and dread, the scene Is changed at once, and all serene. The wind is fair, the vessel speeds, The Sailors’ boist’rous joy exceeds: The Pilot then, by peril wise, Was prompted to philosophise. “’Tis right to put a due restraint On joy, and to retard complaint, Because alternate hope and fright Make up our lives of black and white.” XIV. THE MAN AND THE ADDER. He, that malicious men relieves, His folly in a season grieves. A Man, against himself humane, Took up an Adder, that had lain And stiffen’d in the frosty air, And in his bosom placed with care, Where she with speed recov’ring breath, Her benefactor stung to death. Another Adder near the place, On asking why she was so base, Was told, “’Tis others to dissuade From giving wickedness their aid.” XV. THE FOX AND THE DRAGON.