FAVOURITE FABLES, 19

FABLE XVI,

THE DISCONTENTED HORSE.

As JUPITER once was receiving petitions

From birds and from beasts of all ranks and conditions ;
With an eye full of fire, and mane quite erect,

Which, I’m sorry to say, shewed but little respect,

The Horse went as near as he dared to the throne,

And thus made his donkey-like sentiments known:

‘“‘For beauty of symmetry, fleetness, and force,
It is said that all animals yield to the Horse;
While my spirit I feel, and my figure I view
In the brook, I’m inclined to believe it is true;
But still, mighty Jupiter, still, by your aid,
In my form might some further improvements be made.
To run is my duty, and swifter and stronger
I surely should go, were my legs to be longer:
And as man always places a seat on my back,
I should have been made with a saddle or sack;
It had saved Aim much trouble, on journies departing,
And J had been constantly ready for starting.”