University of Virginia Library

Fab. III. Of the Horse and the Ass.

A Horse and Ass were journeying on their way;
The Horse was only harness'd, light, and gay;
The Ass was heavy loaden, and lagg'd behind,
And thus, at length, bespake his Friend.
Companion, take some pity on my State;
And ease me but of half my Weight.
Half will to you no burden be,
And yet a mighty help to me.

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The Horse laugh'd loud, and shook his Head,
And wantonly curvetting said;
Seignior, we Horses never chuse
The Burdens that we can refuse;
And should such Jest upon me pass,
Methinks I should be but an Ass.
The Ass quite spent, and vext to be deny'd,
Sunk down beneath his Weight, and dy'd.
The Master coming up, took off the Sack,
And threw it on the Horse's Back:
And having flaid his Ass, he threw
The filthy Hide upon him too.
At which the Horse, thus sadly humbled, cry'd;
(Letting some Tears for Grief and Anger fall)
Whether 'twere Cruelty, or Pride,
That I so fair Request deny'd,
I'm justly serv'd, and made to carry all.