[ Fable XVI.]
THE GNAT AND THE BULL.
A Gnat having challenged a Bull to a trial of strength, all the People came to see the combat. Then said the Gnat: “’Tis enough that you have come to meet me in combat; for though little in my own idea, I am great in your judgment,” and so saying, he took himself off on light wing through the air, and duped the multitude, and eluded the threats of the Bull. Now if the Bull had kept in mind his strength of neck, and had contemned an ignoble foe, the vapouring of the trifler would have been all in vain.
He loses character who puts himself on a level with the undeserving.
[ Fable XVII.]
THE HORSE AND THE ASS.
A Steed, swelling with pride beneath his trappings, met an Ass, and because the latter, wearied with his load, made room very slowly: “Hardly,” said the Horse, “can I restrain myself from kicking you severely.” The Ass held his peace, only appealing with his groans to the Gods. The Horse in a short space of time, broken-winded with running, is sent to the farm. There the Ass espying him laden with dung, thus jeered him: “Where are your former trappings, vain boaster, who have now fallen into the misery which you treated with such contempt?”
Let not the fortunate man, unmindful of the uncertainty of fortune, despise the lowly one, seeing that he knows not what he may come to himself.
[ Fable XVIII.]
THE BIRDS, THE BEASTS, AND THE BAT.
The Birds were at war with the Beasts, and the conquerors were defeated in their turn; but the Bat, fearing the doubtful issue of the strife, always betook himself to those whom he saw victorious. When they had returned to their former state of peace, the fraud was apparent to both sides; convicted therefore of a crime so disgraceful, and flying from the light, he thenceforth hid himself in deep darkness, always flying alone by night.
Whoever offers himself for sale to both sides, will live a life of disgrace, hateful to them both.