Which friend loved the most?--come, reader, speak out! The question is hard, and leaves matter for doubt. A true friend is choicest of treasures indeed; In the depths of your heart he will see what you need: He'll spare you the pain to disclose woes yourself, Indifferent to either his trouble or pelf: A dream, when he loves, or a trifle--mere air-- Will strike him with terror, lest danger be there.
A Goat, a Sheep, and a fat Pig were sent To market, to their mutual discontent; Not for the pleasures of the noisy fair, But just to sell--the farmer's only care. Not to see jugglers' tricks drove on the carter, Bent only on his traffic and his barter. Sir Porker screeched, as if he felt the knife, Or heard ten butchers plotting 'gainst his life. It was a noise to deafen any one: His mild companions prayed him to have done. The carter shouts, "Good heavens! why this riot? You'll drive us silly; fool! can't you be quiet? These honest folks should teach you manners, man; So hold your tongue, you coward, if you can. Observe this sheep, he has not said a word, And he is wise." "Now, fool! you talk absurd. If he the dangers knew as well as I, Till he was hoarse and blind he'd bleat and cry. And this my other friend, so calm and still, Would scream his life out, as I, carter, will. They think you're only going, on the morrow, From this his milk, from that his wool to borrow: <i>They</i> may be right or wrong, I do not know; But <i>I</i> am certain of the deadly blow: I'm good but for the spit. Farewell to you, My house, and wife, and children! now, adieu." Sir Porker reasoned with sufficient skill; But all was useless: he was fit to kill. Fear nor complaint could change his destiny: He who looks forward least will wisest be.
In France there's many a man of small degree Fond of asserting his own mightiness: A "nobody" turns "somebody." We see In this the nation's natural flightiness. In Spain men are not vain; their high-flown schools Have made them proud, yet have not made them fools.
A tiny Rat saw a huge Elephant Travelling slowly with his equipage; 'Mongst beasts a sultan, knowing not a want. His suite comprised within a monstrous cage
[Illustration: THE RAT AND THE ELEPHANT.]