Along the road an ass and dogOne master following, did jog.Their master slept: meanwhile, the assApplied his nippers to the grass,Much pleased in such a place to stop,Though there no thistle he could crop.He would not be too delicate,Nor spoil a dinner for a plate,Which, but for that, his favourite dish,Were all that any ass […]

A goat, a sheep, and porker fat,All to the market rode together.Their own amusement was not thatWhich caused their journey thither.Their coachman did not mean to “set them down”To see the shows and wonders of the town.The porker cried, in piercing squeals,As if with butchers at his heels.The other beasts, of milder mood,The cause by […]

A country rat, of little brains,Grown weary of inglorious rest,Left home with all its straws and grains,Resolved to know beyond his nest.When peeping through the nearest fence,“How big the world is, how immense!”He cried; “there rise the Alps, and thatIs doubtless famous Ararat.”His mountains were the works of moles,Or dirt thrown up in digging holes!Some […]

A joker at a banker’s table,Most amply spread to satisfyThe height of epicurean wishes,Had nothing near but little fishes.So, taking several of the fry,He whisper’d to them very nigh,And seem’d to listen for reply.The guests much wonder’d what it meant,And stared upon him all intent.The joker, then, with sober face,Politely thus explain’d the case:“A friend […]

“O Jupiter, whose fruitful brain,By odd obstetrics freed from pain,Bore Pallas, erst my mortal foe,Pray listen to my tale of woe.This Progne takes my lawful prey.As through the air she cuts her way,My flies she catches from my door,–Yes, mine–I emphasize the word,–And, but for this accursed bird,My net would hold an ample store:For I […]

Look where we will throughout creation,We look in vain for moderation. The grain, best gift of Ceres fair,Green waving in the genial air,By overgrowth exhausts the soil;By superfluity of leavesDefrauds the treasure of its sheaves,And mocks the busy farmer’s toil.Not less redundant is the tree,So sweet a thing is luxury.The grain within due bounds to […]

A Troutling, some time since,Endeavour’d vainly to convinceA hungry fishermanOf his unfitness for the frying-pan.The fisherman had reason good–The troutling did the best he could–Both argued for their lives.Now, if my present purpose thrives,I’ll prop my former propositionBy building on a small addition.A certain wolf, in point of witThe prudent fisher’s opposite,A dog once finding […]

Two pilgrims on the sand espiedAn oyster thrown up by the tide.In hope, both swallow’d ocean’s fruit;But ere the fact there came dispute.While one stoop’d down to take the prey,The other push’d him quite away.Said he, “‘Twere rather meetTo settle which shall eat.Why, he who first the oyster sawShould be its eater by the law;The […]

A fool, in town, did wisdom cry;The people, eager, flock’d to buy.Each for his money got,Paid promptly on the spot,Besides a box upon the head,Two fathoms’ length of thread.The most were vex’d–but quite in vain,The public only mock’d their pain.The wiser they who nothing said,But pocketed the box and thread.To search the meaning of the […]

A monkey and a leopard wereThe rivals at a country fair.Each advertised his own attractions.Said one, “Good sirs, the highest placeMy merit knows; for, of his grace,The king hath seen me face to face;And, judging by his looks and actions,I gave the best of satisfactions.When I am dead, ’tis plain enough,My skin will make his […]

A young and inexperienced mouseHad faith to try a veteran cat,–Raminagrobis, death to rat,And scourge of vermin through the house,–Appealing to his clemencyWith reasons sound and fair.“Pray let me live; a mouse like meIt were not much to spare.Am I, in such a family,A burden? Would my largest wishOur wealthy host impoverish?A grain of wheat […]

Contemporary with a sparrow tameThere lived a cat; from tenderest age,Of both, the basket and the cageHad household gods the same.The bird’s sharp beak full oft provoked the cat,Who play’d in turn, but with a gentle pat,His wee friend sparing with a merry laugh,Not punishing his faults by half.In short, he scrupled much the harm,Should […]

A pine was by a woodman fell’d,Which ancient, huge, and hollow treeAn owl had for his palace held–A bird the Fates had kept in fee,Interpreter to such as we.Within the caverns of the pine,With other tenants of that mine,Were found full many footless mice,But well provision’d, fat, and nice.The bird had bit off all their […]

The lioness had lost her young;A hunter stole it from the vale;The forests and the mountains rungResponsive to her hideous wail.Nor night, nor charms of sweet repose,Could still the loud lament that roseFrom that grim forest queen.No animal, as you might think,With such a noise could sleep a wink.A bear presumed to intervene.“One word, sweet […]

A fox, though young, by no means raw,Had seen a horse, the first he ever saw:“Ho! neighbour wolf,” said he to one quite green,“A creature in our meadow I have seen,–Sleek, grand! I seem to see him yet,–The finest beast I ever met.”“Is he a stouter one than we?”The wolf demanded, eagerly;“Some picture of him […]

A certain wood-chopper lost or brokeFrom his axe’s eye a bit of oak.The forest must needs be somewhat sparedWhile such a loss was being repair’d.Came the man at last, and humbly pray’dThat the woods would kindly lend to him–A moderate loan–a single limb,Whereof might another helve be made,And his axe should elsewhere drive its trade.O, […]

Clad in a lion’s shaggy hide,An ass spread terror far and wide,And, though himself a coward brute,Put all the world to scampering rout:But, by a piece of evil luck,A portion of an ear outstuck,Which soon reveal’d the errorOf all the panic terror.Old Martin did his office quick.Surprised were all who did not know the trick,To […]

The wise, sometimes, as lobsters do,To gain their ends back foremost go.It is the rower’s art; and thoseCommanders who mislead their foes,Do often seem to aim their sightJust where they don’t intend to smite.My theme, so low, may yet applyTo one whose fame is very high,Who finds it not the hardest matterA hundred-headed league to […]

“Dear wolf,” complain’d a hungry fox,“A lean chick’s meat, or veteran cock’s,Is all I get by toil or trick:Of such a living I am sick.With far less risk, you’ve better cheer;A house you need not venture near,But I must do it, spite of fear.Pray, make me master of your trade.And let me by that means […]

In mansion deck’d with frieze and column,Dwelt dogs and cats in multitudes;Decrees, promulged in manner solemn,Had pacified their ancient feuds.Their lord had so arranged their meals and labours,And threaten’d quarrels with the whip,That, living in sweet cousinship,They edified their wondering neighbours.At last, some dainty plate to lick,Or profitable bone to pick,Bestow’d by some partiality,Broke up […]