560 LESSONS FOR THE LITERATI. 



THE GOAT AND THE HORSE. 



A GOAT, one day, was drinking in 

 The music of a violin, 

 Which, struck by some harmonious bow, 

 Re-echoed from the vale below ; 

 Enchanted to the gentle sound 

 Her feet kept time upon the ground. 

 It chanced a certain horse was near, 

 Whose head, thrown back, and prick'd up ear, 

 Show'd that he likewise listening stood, 

 Absorb'd and thoughtless of his food, 

 Whom, on the music's lengthen'd rest, 

 The goat, advancing, thus address'd : 

 " Hear you the sounds so soft that flow 

 From yonder violin ? then, know, 

 Those strings did once the belly line 

 Of a late dear-lov'd friend of mine. 

 Oh ! may I hope as blest a fate 

 Will at some time myself await ! 

 When my intestines too may please 

 With cadences as sweet as these." 



The nag turn'd round, and thus replied : 

 " I think those strings from your inside 

 You think so highly of, would be 

 Of little value but for me. 

 What but my tail the hairs affords, 

 Which wake the else all-silent chords ? 

 The anguish which I underwent, 

 I think no more of now, content 

 To see how useful they are found 

 In bringing forth so sweet a sound. 

 But you I think you have not said 

 What pleasure you will feel when dead." 



But authors thus,, who vainly strive 

 Applause to gain while yet alive, 

 Trust to posterity for praise, 

 And wear prospectively the bays. 



THE MULE AND THE TRAVELLER. 



FULL to the mouth with hay and corn, 

 A hack-mule left the inn one morn, 

 And ran as if a race to win ; 

 The rider scarce could hold her in, 

 Not doubting he should soon alight 

 Safe at his quarters for the night. 

 Not far, however, had they gone 

 Ere she began to flag" Get on," 

 He said, " you can go if you will ; 

 Tck ! tck ! come up !" the mule stood still. 

 " How now ! come let us try the spur." 

 He did no use she would not stir. 



