Page:Florian - The Fables, 1888.djvu/52

46 Why man the lord of all our race Always provides for you a place? He gives you shelter, food, and care; And e'en his bread with you will share. By him you are esteem'd so high, He seeks your race to multiply. You have good qualities, 'tis true; Are gentle, sober, never slack; You bear his burdens on your back, His wife and children too: All this I own; But are these merits yours alone? To us then, is there nothing due? In fact, I think, with due respect, We well might man's regards expect As well as you. We furnish him with horn and shield To aid him on the battle-field. Yet he pursues us with his hate; Hunts us with rage insatiate; Despises us, or in his wrath, Impels us to avoid his path."

The dromedary made reply:— "Why envy us our lot, my friend? To serve is nothing; you must try To make man's pleasure your sole end. Be not surpris'd that he should show      Such favor to our progeny: The secret of it, you must know,       Is this:—we've learn'd to bend the knee."