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A Hound who had served his master well for years, and had run

down many a quarry in his time, began to lose his strength and

speed owing to age. One day, when out hunting, his master started

a powerful wild boar and set the Hound at him. The latter seized

the beast by the ear, but his teeth were gone and he could not

retain his hold; so the boar escaped. His master began to scold

him severely, but the Hound interrupted him with these words: "My

will is as strong as ever, master, but my body is old and feeble.

You ought to honour me for what I have been instead of abusing me

for what I am."

THE CLOWN AND THE COUNTRYMAN