Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/116

 74 began to dance also; but he made himself so utterly absurd, that all the Beasts in indignation set upon him with clubs and drove him out of the ring.

It is foolish vanity to try to ape our betters.

(Fable 365 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)

THE HORSE AND THE GROOM

GROOM used to spend whole days in curry-combing and rubbing down his Horse, but at the same time stole his oats, and sold them for his own profit. "Alas!" said the Horse, "if you really wish me to be in good condition, you should groom me less, and feed me more."

Honesty is the best policy.

(Fable 176 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)

THE FAWN AND HIS MOTHER

YOUNG Fawn once said to his mother, "You are larger than a dog, and swifter, and more used to running, and you have, too, your horns as a defence. Why then, Mother! are you always in such terrible fright of the hounds?" She smiled and said: "I know full well, my son, that all you say is true. I have the advantages you mention, but yet when I hear only the bark of a single dog I feel ready to faint, and fly away as fast as I can."

No arguments will give courage to a coward.

(Fable 303 Halm; Thomas James' translation.)