what was proper for him to ask, as what was in the powers of his prince
to grant; and so demanded his princely daughter, the young lioness, in
marriage. The Lion consented; but, when he would have given the royal
virgin into his possession, she, like a giddy thing as she was, not
minding how she walked, by chance set her paw upon her spouse, who was
coming to meet her, and crushed him to pieces.

Beware of unequal matches. Alliances prompted by ambition often prove
fatal.




The Ass and the Charger.


[Illustration]

An Ass congratulated a Horse on being so ungrudgingly and carefully
provided for, while he himself had scarcely enough to eat, nor even that
without hard work. But when war broke out, the heavy armed soldier
mounted the Horse, and rushed into the very midst of the enemy, and the
Horse, being wounded, fell dead on the battle-field. Then the Ass,
seeing all these things, changed his mind, and commiserated the Horse,
saying: "How much more fortunate am I than a charger. I can remain at
home in safety while he is exposed to all the perils of war."

Be not hasty to envy the condition of others.