FAVOURITE FABLES, 123

(For Ravens, though as birds of omen,
They teach both conjurors and old women;
To tell us what is to befall,

Can’t prophesy themselves at all.)

The morning came, when neighbour Hodge,
Who long had marked her airy lodge,

And destined all the treasure there,

A gift to his expecting fair,

Climbed, like a squirrel to his dray,

And bore the worthless prize away.

MORAL.

Safety consists not in escape

From danger of a frightful shape;
Fate steals along with silent tread,
Found oftenest in what least we dread ;
Frowns in the storm with angry brow,
But in the sunshine strikes the blow.

—_o———-.

FABLE XCI.

THE FOX AND THE BRAMBLE.

A Fox, hard pressed by the hounds, was getting over a
hedge, but tore his foot upon a Bramble, which grew just in