lot. It is easy enough to serve Man, the hard task is to please him. You wonder why he prefers us to you; but here is the secret of this preference: we Dromedaries have learned to bend the knee."
(Florian, Fables, Vol. III, No. 4.)
HIS jewelled tail a Peacock was displaying;
Admiring Birds their compliments were paying
While from the neighbouring mere
Two Geese turned up their noses with a sneer:
They noted only his defects. Said one,
"What hideous feet! What legs to stand upon!"
"And then his voice!"
Remarked the other. "Of the two, for choice,
I think the Screech-Owl has the best of it!"
And each laughed loudly at the other's wit.
Up jumped a Diver: "Gentlemen," said he,
"You have discerning eyes:
Full three miles off that Bird's defects you see;
But let me tell you this:—
You have a voice and legs far worse than his,
Without his brilliant dyes."
(Florian, Fables, Vol. III, No. 16.)
"IT will be nothing"—so the thoughtless cry.
What time the storm hangs threatening in the sky;
