> THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE. IV. THE TWO MULES. Two mules were bearing on their backs, One, oats ; the other, silver of the tax.^ The latter, glorying in his load, Marched proudly forward on the road. And from the jingle of his bell, 'T was plain he liked his burden well. But in a wild-wood glen A band of robber men Rushed forth upon the twain. Well with the silver pleased, They by the bridle seized The treasure-mule so vain. Poor mule ! in struggling to repel His ruthless foes, he fell, Stabbed through ; and with a bitter sighing He cried, ' Is this the lot they promised me^ My humble friend from danger free, While, weltering in my gore, I 'm dying ! *
- My friend,' his fellow-mule replied,
- It k not well to have one's work too higK
If thou hadst been a miller's drudge, as I, Thou woulds' nov thu5, have <lle^ *
