The crane at last managed to reach.

     "Thank my stars!" said the beast, from his terrors released,

     "Thank you

      too

     , sir," said he to the bird;

     "Alas!" said the crane, "is this all I'm to gain,

     I was waiting the promised reward."

     Said the wolf, "You forget, I've contracted no debt,

     Since the service was

      rendered by me

     ;

     Your head I releas'd from the jaws of a beast,

     And now you're demanding a fee!"

     Give your help to a wolf, should he beg for your aid,

     But you must not expect when you've done to be paid.

      A dog

     growing thinner, for want of a dinner,

     Once purloined him a joint from a tray,

     "How happy I am, with this shoulder of lamb,"

     Thought the cur as he trotted away.

 Prev. P 29/168 next