Fortvne and the Boy

The Cock, the Ass & the Lion

The Ass gave a horrible bray,
Cock crowed; Lion scampered away;
Ass judged he was scared
By the bray, and so dared
To pursue; Lion ate him they say.

DON’T TAKE ALL THE CREDIT TO YOURSELF

The Ass and the Lap Dog

“How Master that little Dog pets!”
Thinks the Ass; & with jealousy frets,
So he climbs Master’s knees,
Hoping dog-like to please,
And a drubbing is all that he gets.

ASSES MUST NOT EXPECT TO BE FONDLED

A Boy heedless slept by the well
By Dame Fortune awaked, truth to tell,
Said she, “Hadst been drowned,
’Twould have surely been found
This by Fortune, not Folly befel.”

FORTUNE IS NOT ANSWERABLE FOR OUR WANT OF FORESIGHT

To the Wolf, from whose throat Dr Crane
Drew the bone, his long bill made it plain
He expected his fee:
Snarled Wolf—“Fiddle de dee,
Be thankful your head’s out again.”

SOME CHARACTERS HAVE NO SENSE OF OBLIGATION