"
7. The goat remarked her pulse was high,
Her languid head, her heavy eye,--
"My back," says he, "may do you harm;
The sheep's at hand, and wool is warm."
8. 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.
9. 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 passed you by;
How strong are those! how weak am I!
10. "Should I presume to bear you hence,
Those friends of mine may take offense.
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."
11. 'Tis thus in friendships; who depend
On many, rarely find a friend.
[Illustration]
LESSON XXXVI.
_Maxims._--SELECTED.
Never delay until to-morrow what you can do to-day.
Never trouble others for what you can do yourself.
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