THE OX AND THE ASS. An Ox and near an Ass one day Nor sense nor manners heeding: "Here tame like thee I would not stay; No labour would I do; I'd fight and far away I'd stray, The Ox replied, "That's well confess'd THE FLOWER AND THE WILLOW. A lovely flower, of rainbow hue, While passion shook its blushing head, "Beauties like mine would surely grace "To hide such charms is 'gainst all rule; To plant so fair a flower as me The goddess, from her fragrant bower, And, straightway, she its wishes granted; 'Twas to another spot transplanted. Beneath the sun's resplendent ray, The willow, that had been its aid, "Frail murmurer! well may'st thou lament The fatal fruits of discontent; For since my shelter was despised, "Why did thy pride create a care That all who pass'd might deem thee fair? "To Flora's tribes, I hope thy fall The faded flower made no reply, THE HARE AND THE HOUND. A country-man, one day, with care, * But Puss escaped the snare thus laid, When, lo! a Hare pass'd by, and view'd And if you will, my word I'll stake Ne'er more a Hare to kill or take." The Hare replied: "That's flattering stuff! You have already kill'd enough; Methinks, although you promise fair, I am more safe while you are there. 'Tis wrong to stray from caution's bounds: And hard to trust to hungry Hounds." Set. THE SNOW-DROP AND THE IVY. Fast fell the rain, the winds did roar; An Ivy, through the winter green, " 'Tis great presumption this, I vow, That thus thou seem'st to dare the blast, "Take my advice, lie by awhile, Till Sol resumes his vernal smile; "Let not the storms display their power On such a weak, unshelter'd flower." |