Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/19

 PREFACE TO THE PRESENT EDITION. XUl Be only as that water true, And then the whole belongs to you.' That truth itself was worth so much, It cannot be supposed that such A pair of lads were satisfied ; And yet they were before they died. But whether they fished up the gold, I 'm sure I never have been told. Thus much they learned, I take for granted, — And that was what their father wanted. . . . If truth for wealth we sacrifice. We throw away the richer prize. PARTY STRIFE. Among the beasts a feud arose. The lion, as the story goes, Once on a time laid down His sceptre and his crown ; And in his stead the beasts elected. As often as it suited them, A sort of king pro tem.^ — Some animal they much respected. At first they all concurred. The horse, the stag, the unicorn, Were chosen each in turn ; And then the noble bi'"d That looks undazzled at ti>e sun. But party strife began to run Through burrow, den, and herd.