FABLE XXIII. The Horse and Ass:
Or, Pride must have a Fall.
A
Horse, with stately Trappings proud and gay,
Neighing aloud, and scouring o'er the Way,
Was by a burden'd Ass stopt on his Road,
And forc'd to wait on the obstructing Load.
Enrag'd such Dulness shou'd his Speed arrest,
He champt the Bit, and rated thus the Beast:
Sluggard, Make Way, or thy dull Sides shall feel
My sharp Resentment, from my active Heel.
The Ass was frighted so, he durst not Bray,
But, with due Rev'rence, gave his Honour Way:
Who, in his Course, (straining himself too sore)
Soon broke his Wind, and was of Use no more:
No more rich Furniture adorn'd his Back,
Condemn'd to cary an ignoble Pack.
The Ass, arriving at the Carrier's Stage,
Beheld him in this homely Equipage,
And said, Great Sir, What did this Change produce?
Where's your Lac'd Saddle, and Embroider'd Hoose?
Where your Gilt Bosses, and your Studded Reins?
Can you submit to take such slavish Pains?
Can you be with a Pack and Bells content,
An Ass's Load, and a Fool's Ornament?
Think, when this Burden do's your Shoulders gall,
Your lofty Pride deserv'd so great a Fall.
The MORAL.
‘Thus Men of Wealth and Honour, vainly Proud,
‘Look with Contempt on the Inferior Croud;
‘But (rifled of their Titles and their Store)
‘Meet just Disdain from those they Scorn'd before:
‘The Insolence which in their Height they shew,
‘Makes them Despis'd, when Fortune brings them Low.
