FABLES. 



543 



THE HORSE AND THE OVER-LOADED 



ASS. 



A clownish stupid Fellow, in travelling to mar- 

 ket with his goods, loaded his Horse very lightly, 

 and put a heavy burden upon his Ass, and was 

 trudging along the road with them on foot. They 

 had not travelled half-way to their journey's end, 

 when the Ass felt greatly overpowered with the 

 weight he carried, and begged the Horse would be 

 so good as to assist him by taking a part of it upon 

 his back, and lighten the grievous burden, assuring 

 him that through weakness he was quite exhausted, 

 and was ready to faint. No ! said the Horse, keep 

 your burden to yourself, it does not concern me. 

 Upon hearing this cruel reply, the poor Ass drop- 

 ped down, and soon expired. The Master then 

 ungirded the pack-saddle, and awkwardly tried 

 several ways to relieve his Ass, but all to no pur- 

 pose; it was too late. When he perceived how 

 matters stood, he took the whole burden and laid 



