"Let me," says she, "your back ascend,
And owe my safety to a friend;
You know my feet betray my flight;
To friendship, ev'ry burthen's light."
The Horse replied,—"Poor, honest Puss!
It grieves my heart to see thee thus:
Be comforted,—relief is near;
For all our friends are in the rear."
She next the stately Bull implored,
And thus replied the mighty lord:—
"Since every beast alive can tell,
That I sincerely wish you well,
I may, without offence, pretend
To take the freedom of a friend.
Love calls me hence; a favourite cow
Expects me near yon barley-mow;
And when a lady's in the case,
You know, all other things give place.
To leave you thus may seem unkind;
But see,—the Goat is just behind."
The Goat remarked her pulse was high;
Her languid head, her heavy eye;
"My back," says she, "may do you harm;
The Sheep's at hand, and wool is warm."
The Sheep was feeble, and complained,
His sides a load of wool sustained;
Said he was slow; confessed his fears;
For Hounds eat Sheep as well as Hares.
She now the trotting Calf addressed,
To save from death a friend distressed.
"Shall I," says he, "of tender age,
In this important care engage?
Older and abler pass you by;
How strong are those! how weak am I!
Should I presume to bear you hence,
Those friends of mine may take offence.
Excuse me, then,—you know my heart;
But dearest friends, alas! must part.
How shall we all lament!—Adieu!
For see, the Hounds are just in view."
MORAL.
Friendships are single: who depend
On many rarely find a friend.