I.5

    through a river, was carrying a piece of meat, he saw his own shadow in the watery mirror; and, thinking that it was another booty carried by another

     dog

    , attempted to snatch it away; but his greediness

     was

    disappointed, he both dropped the food which he was holding in his mouth, and was after all unable to reach that at which he grasped.

    An alliance with the powerful is never to be relied upon: the present Fable testifies the truth of my maxim.

    A Cow, a She-Goat, and a Sheep

     I.6

    patient under injuries, were partners in the forests with a Lion. When they had captured a Stag of vast bulk, thus spoke the Lion, after it had been divided into shares: “Because my name is Lion, I take the first; the second you will yield to me because I am courageous; then, because I am the strongest,

     I.7

    the third will

    fall to my lot; if anyone touches the fourth, woe betide him.”

    Thus did unscrupulousness seize upon the whole prey for itself.

    Æsop, on seeing the pompous wedding of a thief, who was his neighbour, immediately began to relate the following story:

    Once on a time, when the Sun was thinking of taking a wife,

     I.8

    the Frogs sent forth their clamour to the stars. Disturbed by their croakings, Jupiter asked the cause of their complaints. Then

     said

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