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The Horse And The Ass.

Topics: classic

[1]      In such a world, all men, of every grade,      Should each the other kindly aid;      For, if beneath misfortune's goad      A neighbour falls, on you will fall his load.      There jogg'd in company an ass and horse;      Nought but his harness did the last endorse;      The other bore a load that crush'd him down,      And begg'd the horse a little help to give,      Or otherwise he could not reach the town.      'This prayer,' said he, 'is civil, I believe;      One half this burden you would scarcely feel.'      The horse refused, flung up a scornful heel,      And saw his comrade die beneath the weight: -      And saw his wrong too late;      For on his own proud back      They put the ass's pack,      And over that, beside,      They put the ass's hide.

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