Part 5

The precious old fool then, each day, set apart Some hours to wander his library round; Till, learning the titles of many by heart, He thought himself grown to a scholar profound.

Truly, what better needs the student,--contented Of books, nothing more than their titles, to know Than to own a collection right skilfully painted, Of genuine volumes presenting the show?

FABLE LXVII.

THE VIPER AND THE LEECH.

"A strangely inconsistent crew!"-- Said the Viper to the simple Leech,-- "Men fly from me and seek for you; Although they get a bite from each."

"All very true,"--the Leech replied,-- "But the two things are different quite. I bite the sick, to give them aid; To kill the sound and well, you bite."

Now, gentle reader, with you take This counsel, as we part: And always due distinction make, If from the lash you smart. Great is the difference between Correction kind and malice keen.

End of Project Gutenberg's Literary Fables of Yriarte, by Tomas de Iriarte