And, as the Clock beat out his chime
The Sun came forth in his brilliancy;
The clouds and shadows dispersed apace,
And the light shone full on the Dial's face,
It marked the time—'twas nearly five;
"My child," said the Dial, "you want repair;
You've always an answer ready to give.
But those who trust you will badly fare;
Take pattern from me, good youth;
When I don't see clear, I say I don't know,
I speak but little—you call me slow—
But what I speak is truth."
(Houdard de La Motte, Fables, Book III, No. 2. Translated by the Rev. Wm. Lucas Collins.)
HONOUR, FIRE AND WATER
ONCE upon a time Honour, Fire and Water set out to travel in company. As it was to be an expedition of pleasure and discovery, they foresaw the possibility of their getting separated on the road, and made arrangement by which, in such case, they might be sure of meeting again. Fire explained, that although in general he was visible enough, yet sometimes he was concealed from view. "But even if you miss my light," he said, "whenever you see smoke you will be sure to find me." Water also instructed his friends as to certain marks by which his whereabout could be readily ascertained—where the herbage was greenest, and the evening mists rose in the air. It remained for Honour to give his companions some clew of the same kind. But he confessed, with a sigh, that the only charge
