Fable I. The Judicious Lion

A Lion on the carcass stood

Of a young heifer in the wood;

A robber that was passing there,

Came up, and ask’d him for a share.

“A share,” says he, “you should receive,

But that you seldom ask our leave

For things so handily removed.”

At which the ruffian was reproved.

It happen’d that the selfsame day

A modest pilgrim came that way,

And when he saw the Lion, fled:

Says he, “There is no cause of dread,

In gentle tone—take you the chine,

Which to your merit I assign.”—

Then having parted what he slew,

To favour his approach withdrew.

A great example, worthy praise,

But not much copied now-a-days!

For churls have coffers that o’erflow,

And sheepish worth is poor and low.

Riley