8 THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE. Come, then, with me, and share On equal terms our princely fare.' ' But what with you Has one to do ? ' Inquires the wolf. ' Light work indeed/ Replies the dog ; ' you only need To bark a little now and then, To chase off duns and beggar men, To fawn on friends that come or go forth, Your master please, and so forth ; For which you have to eat All sorts of well-cooked meat, — Cold pullets, pigeons, savoury messes, — Besides unnumbered fond caresses.^ The wolf, by force of appetite, Accepts the terms outright. Tears glistening in his eyes. But faring on, he spies A galled spot on the mastiff's neck.
- What *s that ? * he cries. * Oh, nothing but a speck.'
'A speck?' ^Ay, ay; 'tis not enough to pain me ; Perhaps the collar's mark by which they chain me.' ' Chain ! chain you ! What ! run you not, then, Just where you please, and when?'
- Not always, sir ; but what of that ? '
' Enough, for me, to spoil your fat !
