and need a helping hand. To what extent then canst thou share my
labour? Tell me at once.' Said he, `I have on leisure today to
share thy troubles. I too have fallen among cares and perils,
and am myself in tribulation. Howbeit, I will go a little way
with thee, even if I shall fail to be of service to thee. Then
will I turn quickly homeward, and busy myself with mine own
anxieties.' So the man returned from him too empty-handed and
baulked at every turn; and he cried misery on himself for his
vain hope in those ungrateful friends, and the unavailing
hardships that he had endured through love of them. At the last
he went away to the third friend, whom he had never courted, nor
invited to share his happiness. With countenance ashamed and
downcast, he said unto him, `I can scarce open my lips to speak
with thee, knowing full well that I have never done thee service,
or shown thee any kindness that thou mightest now remember. But
seeing that a heavy misfortune hath overtaken me, and that I have
found nowhere among my friends any hope of deliverance, I address
myself to thee, praying thee, if it lie in thy power, to afford
me some little aid. Bear no grudge for my past unkindness, and
refuse me not.' The other with a smiling and gracious
countenance answered, `Assuredly I own thee my very true friend.
I have not forgotten those slight services of thine: and I will
repay them to-day with interest. Fear not therefore, neither be
afraid. I will go before thee and entreat the king for thee, and
will by no means deliver thee into the hands of thine enemies.
Wherefore be of good courage, dear friend, and fret not thyself.'
Then, pricked at heart, the other said with tears, `Wo is me!
Which shall I first lament, or which first deplore? Condemn my
vain preference for my forgetful, thankless and false friends, or
blame the mad ingratitude that I have shown to thee, the sincere