Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/425

 Rh

The Leopard smote—beneath the princely claw

Out sprang the blood. This time there was no doubt;

The poor Ape guessed who struck,

But held his tongue, limped off and cursed his luck.

His comrades feigned a laugh; the prince laughed out.

So, one by one.

The Apes made their excuses and were gone.

But muttered to themselves upon the way:

"Such games with princes are not safe to play:

Under the velvet paw.

Smooth as it looks, there always lurks a claw."

(Florian, Fables, Vol. III, No. 1. Translated by the Rev. Wm. Lucas Collins.)

THE RHINOCEROS AND THE DROMEDARY

STRONG young Rhinoceros said one day to a Dromedary, "Please explain, my dear brother, why it is that fate treats me and my kind so unfairly! That creature called Man, whose strength all lies in his cleverness, seeks your companionship, houses you, cares for you, shares his own bread with you and thinks himself the richer so fast as your number increases. Of course I know that you lend your back to carry his burdens, his wife and children; I admit willingly that you are swift-footed, gentle, steady and indefatigable;—but the Rhinoceros is capable of the same virtues. I even think, if I may speak without offence, that the advantage is all on our side. Our horn and our thick skin would be of good service in battle. Nevertheless, Man hunts us down, despises us and hates us, forces us to flee from him."

"My friend," replied the Dromedary, "do not be envious of our