Fables of La Fontaine — Fables XCIII and XCIV

THE DOCTORS.

One morning Doctor Much-the-Worse went out To see a patient, who was also tended By Doctor Much-the-Better.

"Past a doubt," The former said, "this case is nearly ended.

There's not a chance."

--The latter trusted still In physic's aid: but while the twin concocters Disputed hard on plaister, draught, and pill, The patient died from this attack of doctors.

"Look there," said one, "I told you how 'twould be!"

The other said, "No doubt you're vastly clever;

But if our friend had only followed <i>me</i>, I know he would have been as well as ever."

[Illustration] [Illustration] FABLE XCIV.

THE LABOURING MAN AND HIS CHILDREN.

Work, work, with all your might and main, For labour brings the truest gain.

A wealthy Labourer lay near to death;

And, summoning his children round the bed, He thus addressed them, with his latest breath: "Part not with my estate when I am dead.

My parents left me what I leave to <i>you.

</i> About the place a treasure lies concealed, No matter where,--search every corner through, Nor leave a spot unturned in any field.

Go, seek it from the morning till the night."

Their father dead, the loving sons fulfilled The dying wish, that made their labour light: From end to end the fields were duly tilled.

The harvest was enormous, though they found No golden treasures, howsoever small.

And yet the father's last advice was sound, For Labour <i>is</i> a treasure, after all.

FABLE XCV.