A Lion on the carcass stood Of a young heifer in the wood; A robber that was passing there, Came up, and ask’d him for a share. “A share,” says he, “you should receive, But that you seldom ask our leave For things so handily removed.” At which the ruffian was reproved. It happen’d that the selfsame day A modest pilgrim came that way, And when he saw the Lion, fled: Says he, “There is no cause of dread, In gentle tone--take you the chine, Which to your merit I assign.”-- Then having parted what he slew, To favour his approach withdrew. A great example, worthy praise, But not much copied now-a-days! For churls have coffers that o’erflow, And sheepish worth is poor and low. II. THE BALD-PATE DUPE. Fondling or fondled--any how-- (Examples of all times allow) That men by women must be fleeced. A dame, whose years were well increased, But skill’d t’ affect a youthful mien, Was a staid husband’s empress queen; Who yet sequester’d half his heart For a young damsel, brisk and smart. They, while each wanted to attach Themselves to him, and seem his match, Began to tamper with his hair. He, pleased with their officious care, Was on a sudden made a coot; For the young strumpet, branch and root, Stripp’d of the hoary hairs his crown, E’en as th’ old cat grubb’d up the brown. III. THE MAN AND THE DOG. Torn by a Cur, a man was led To throw the snappish thief some bread Dipt in the blood, which, he was told, Had been a remedy of old. Then Esop thus:-- “Forbear to show A pack of dogs the thing you do, Lest they should soon devour us quite, When thus rewarded as they bite.” One wicked miscreant’s success Makes many more the trade profess. IV. THE EAGLE, THE CAT, AND THE SOW.