her's pain.
FABLE XCIII.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
A BRISK young Cock, in company with two or three pullets, raking
upon a dunghill for something to entertain them with, happened to
scratch up a jewel, which sparkled with an exceeding bright
lustre; but, not knowing what to do with it, endeavoured to cover
his ignorance under a look of contempt. So, shrugging up his
wings, shaking his head, and putting on a grimace, he expressed
himself to this purpose: "Indeed, you are a very fine thing, but
I know not what business you have here. I make no scruple of
declaring that my taste lies quite another way, and I had rather
have one grain of dear delicious barley than all the jewels under
the sun."
MORAL.
We should not despise as worthless what does not come within the
limit of our understanding. Some lose what is truly valuable for
want of knowledge, and prefer what is comparatively worthless.
[Illustration: THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.]
FABLE XCIV.
THE NIGHTINGALE AND THE GLOW-WORM.
A NIGHTINGALE, that, all day long,
Had cheered the village with his song,
Nor yet at eve his note suspended,
Nor yet when eventide was ended,
Began to feel, as well he might,
The keen demands of appetite;
When, looking eagerly around,
He spied, far off, upon the ground,
A something shining in the dark,
And knew the Glow-worm by his spark;
So, stooping down from hawthorn top,
He thought to put him in his crop.
The Worm, aware of his intent,
Harangued him thus, right eloquent:--
"Did you admire my lamp," quoth he,
"As much as I your minstrelsy,
You would abhor to do me wrong,
As much as I to spoil your song;
For 'twas the self-same power divine
Taught you to sing and me to shine;
That you with music, I with light,
Might beautify and cheer the night."
The songster heard his short oration,
And, warbling out his approbation,
Released him, as my story tells,
And found a supper somewhere else.
MORAL.
From this short fable, youth may learn
Their real interest to discern,
That brother should not strive with brother,
And worry and oppress each other;
But, joined in unity and peace,
Their mutual happiness increase:
Pleased when each others' faults they hide,
And in their virtues feel a pride.
FABLE XCV.
THE FOX AND THE SICK LION.
It was reported that the
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