FABLE XXX. The Horse and Ass:
Or, Many Hands make light Work.
A Carrier, that along the Road did pass,
Drove a light Horse, and an o'er-loaded Ass.
The Ass, with his excessive Burden tir'd,
The Horse's Help to bear a Part desir'd:
But he so long the poor Request deny'd,
That the o'er-burden'd Ass fell down, and dy'd.
The Carrier soon remov'd the weighty Pack,
And laid it on the churlish Horse's Back;
Then flea'd the Ass, whom Death from Pain releas'd,
And, with his Hide, the heavy Load encreas'd.
The Horse, oppress'd, thus to his Master cry'd,
I am deserv'dly punish'd for my Pride:
I, who refus'd to bear a Part before,
Am now condemn'd to carry All, and more.
The MORAL.
‘When many Shoulders do a Load sustain,
‘No one finds just occasion to complain:
‘The Weight to All is light and easie made,
‘But sinks the Wretch on whom 'tis wholly laid.
‘They who, unmov'd, see Fate their Friends oppress,
‘And will not give them Succour in Distress;
‘May, by that Slight, be brought to want Relief,
‘When they are sunk with more oppressive Grief.
