The Dog and the Ass.

Help one another is, no doubt, A Law we can't live well without: Yet one Day, (and how't came to pass I don't know) 't happen'd that an Ass, Who's otherwise an honest Creature, Of no uncharitable Nature, Did slight it: A large Dog and he Were travelling in Company, Without a thought of Strife or Care, Followed by him whose Goods they were; And coming to some curious Grass, The latter went to sleep; his Ass, Who was a Lover of good Pasture, Made better use on't than his Master, And fell a feeding heartily: But the poor Dog stood starving by, And said, Much good may do thy heart, Dear fellow Traveller; thou art My loving Friend.—But Mr. Gray, My Meat is in your Panier, pray, Stoop down, and let me take out some, I han't eat since we came from home; He gets no Answer, asks again, But No, th' Arcadian Gentleman Thought every Word a mouthful lost, And would say nothing to his cost, So held his Tongue a while; at last He told him, Friend, I am in haste, And, when I stoop my Back, it akes; Have patience till your Master wakes, It won't be long, and then you'll get Your Belly full, if he thinks fit. Just then a Wolf came from the Wood, And they have Appetites as good As any; Grizz'l at a distance Hears him, and asks the Dog's assistance; But he don't budge, and serves him right; Says he, I never us'd to fight Without a cause for fighting's sake; Stay till your Master is awake; Hear what he says, it won't be long; Sir Wolf won't offer any wrong; And if you fear his Teeth or Claws, Knock but his Brains out, break his Jaws, And lay him sprawling on the Ground; You're newly Shod, and Iron bound; And whilst this fine Discourse went on, Poor Grizzle's business was done.

The Moral. None can live happily together, Without assisting one another.