up his business himself, instead of leaving it to others, you may be sure that he means to set to work in earnest."
(Babrius, Fable 88; Thomas James' translation.)
THE LION AND THE EAGLE
AN Eagle stayed his flight, and entreated a Lion to make an alliance with him to their mutual advantage. The Lion replied, "I have no objection, but you must excuse me for requiring you to find surety for your good faith; for how can I trust any one as a friend, who is able to fly away from his bargain whenever he pleases?"
Try before you trust.
(Babrius, Fable 100; Townsend's translation.)
JUPITER AND THE MONKEY
JUPITER issued a proclamation to all the beasts of the forest, and promised a royal reward to the one whose offspring should be deemed the handsomest. The Monkey came with the rest, and presented, with all a mother's tenderness, a flat-nosed, hairless, ill-featured young Monkey as a candidate for the promised reward. A general laugh saluted her on the presentation of her son. She resolutely said, "I know not whether Jupiter will allot the prize to my son; but this I do know, that he is at least in the eyes of me, his mother, the dearest, handsomest, and most beautiful of all."
(Babrius, Fable 56; Townsend's translation.)
