A timorous Old Man was feeding an Ass in a meadow. Frightened by a sudden alarm of the enemy, he tried to persuade the Ass to fly, lest they should be taken prisoners. But he leisurely replied: “Pray, do you suppose that the conqueror will place double panniers upon me?” The Old Man said, “No.” “Then what matters it to me, so long as I have to carry my panniers, whom I serve?” FABLE XVI. THE STAG, THE SHEEP, AND THE WOLF. When a rogue offers his name as surety in a doubtful case, he has no design to act straight-forwardly, but is looking to mischief. A Stag asked a Sheep for a measure[17] of wheat, a Wolf being his surety. The other, however, suspecting fraud, {replied}: “The Wolf has always been in the habit of plundering and absconding; you, of rushing out of sight with rapid flight: where am I to look for you both when the day comes?”[18] [Footnote I.17: _For a measure_)--Ver. 3. Properly “modius;” the principal dry measure of the Romans. It was equal to one-third of the amphora, and therefore to nearly two gallons English.] [Footnote I.18: _Day comes_)--Ver. 6. “Quum dies adveniat,” a law term, signifying “when the day of payment comes.”] FABLE XVII. THE SHEEP, THE DOG, AND THE WOLF. Liars generally[19] pay the penalty of their guilt. A Dog, who was a false accuser, having demanded of a Sheep a loaf of bread, which he affirmed he had entrusted to her charge; a Wolf, summoned as a witness, affirmed that not only one was owing but ten. Condemned on false testimony, the Sheep had to pay what she did not owe. A few days after, the Sheep saw the Wolf lying in a pit. “This,” said she, “is the reward of villany, sent by the Gods.” [Footnote I.19: _Liars generally_)--Ver. 1. It is supposed by some that this Fable is levelled against the informers who infested Rome in the days of Tiberius.] FABLE XVIII. THE WOMAN IN LABOUR. No one returns with good will to the place which has done him a mischief. Her months completed,[20] a Woman in labour lay upon the ground, uttering woful moans. Her Husband entreated her to lay her body on the bed, where she might with more ease deposit her ripe burden. “I feel far from confident,” said she, “that my pains can end in the place where they originated.” [Footnote I.20: _Her months completed_)--Ver. 2. Plutarch relates this, not as a Fable, but as a true narrative.] FABLE XIX. THE BITCH AND HER WHELPS. The fair words of a wicked man are fraught with treachery, and the subjoined lines warn us to shun them.