The Fox and the Stork. We should always reflect, before we rally another, whether we can bear to have the jest retorted. The Daw with borrowed Feathers. To aim at figure by the means either of borrowed wit, or borrowed money, generally fubjects us at last to tenfold ridicule. The Wolf and the Lamb. They who do not feel the fentiments of humanity will feldom liften to the pleas of reafon. The Mountain in Labour. To raife uncommon expectations, renders an ordinary event ridiculous. The Boys and the Frogs. 'Tis unjust and cruel to raise ourselves mirth at the expence of another's peace and happinejs. FABLE XII. The Lark and her Young ones. We should rely principally upon our own diligence, in matters that concern ourselves alone. We often make a falfe eftimate in preferring our or namental talents to our useful ones. FABLE XIV. The Swallow and other Birds. Some will listen to no conviction but what they derive from fatal experience. The Afs and the Lap-dog. The attempt to recommend ourselves by a behaviour foreign to our character, is vain and ridiculous. FABLE XVI. The Lion and the Mouse. We may all need the affiftance of our inferiors; and Should by no means confider the meanest among them as wholly incapable of returning an obligation. FABLE XVII. The Wolf and the Crane. 'Tis the utmost extent of fome men's gratitude, barely to refrain from oppreffing and injuring their benefactors. The Countryman and the Snake. To confer either power upon the mischievous, or favours on the undeferving, is a mifapplication of our benevolence. The Dog and the Shadow. An over-greedy difpofition often fubjects us to lose what we already poffefs. Gentle means, on many occafions, are more effectual than violent ones. FABLE XX'. The Wolf and the Maftiff. A mere competence with liberty, is preferable to ferui- FABLE XXII. Fortune and the School-boy. We are always ready to cenfure fortune for the ill The filly ambition to vie with our fuperiors, in re- FABLE XXIV. The Lion and other Beafts hunting. An affociation with too powerful allies is always im- The independence acquired by industry is preferable to The Bear and the two Friends. FABLE XXVII. The Bull and the Gnat. The leaft confiderable of all mankind are seldom defti- FABLE XXVIII. The Wafps and the Bees. 'Tis a folly to arrogate works to ourselves of which we are by no means capable. The Old Man and Death. Men under calamity may feem to wish for Death, but they feldom bid him welcome when he ftares them in the face.. FABLE XXX. The Court and the Country Moufe. Poverty with peace is preferable to the greatest afflu ence amidst anxiety. The Fox and the Goat. When we are going to encounter difficulties, we should depend more upon our own ftrength than the affiftance of our neighbours. The Farmer, the Cranes, and the Stork. They who keep bad company must often expect to fuffer for the mifbehaviour of their companions. FABLE XXXIII. The Oak and the Willow. The courage of meeting death in an honourable caufe, is more commendable than any address or artifice we can make use of to evade it. The Boy and the Filberts. The furest way to gain our ends is to moderate our defires. The Satyr and the Traveller. We fhould immediately decline all commerce with a FABLE XXXVI. The Horfe and the Stag. Let revenge be ever fo fweet, 'tis too dear a purchast Little minds are fo much elevated by any advantage, The Mifer and his Treafure. 'Tis the enjoyment of what we poffefs that alone gives Whatever fancy may determine, the standing value of FABLE XLI. The Mimick and the Countryman. There is no error too extravagant for prepossession and |