The Ass and the Dog

   Along the road an Ass¹ and Dog

  One master following, did jog.

  Their master slept: meanwhile, the Ass

  Applied² his nippers to the grass,

  Much pleased in such a place to stop,

  Though there no thistle he could crop.

  He would not be too delicate,

  Nor spoil a dinner for a plate,

  Which, but for that, his favourite dish,

  Were all that any Ass could wish.

    "My dear companion," Towser said—

  "'Tis as a starving Dog I ask it—

  Pray lower down your loaded basket,

    And let me get a piece of bread."

  No answer—not a word!—indeed,

  The truth was, our Arcadian steed

  Fear'd lest, for every moment's flight,

  His nimble teeth should lose a bite.

  At last, "I counsel you," said he, "to wait

    Till master is himself awake,

    Who then, unless I much mistake,

  Will give his Dog the usual bait."

  Meanwhile, there issued from the wood

  A creature of the wolfish brood,

  Himself by famine sorely pinch'd.

  At sight of him the Donkey flinch'd,

  And begg'd the Dog to give him aid.

  The Dog budged³ not, but answer made,

  "I counsel thee, my friend, to run,

  Till master's nap is fairly done;

  There can, indeed, be no mistake

  That he will very soon awake;

  Till then, scud⁴ off with all your might;

  And should he snap you in your flight,

  This ugly Wolf—why, let him feel

  The greeting of your well-shod heel.

  I do not doubt, at all, but that

  Will be enough to lay him flat."

    But ere he ceased it was too late;

    The Ass had met his cruel fate.

 

1 ass   

n.驴；傻瓜，蠢笨的人

参考例句：

• He is not an ass as they make him.他不象大家猜想的那样笨。
• An ass endures his burden but not more than his burden.驴能负重但不能超过它能力所负担的。

2 applied   

adj.应用的；v.应用，适用

参考例句：

• She plans to take a course in applied linguistics.她打算学习应用语言学课程。
• This cream is best applied to the face at night.这种乳霜最好晚上擦脸用。

3 budged   

v.（使）稍微移动( budge的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）改变主意，（使）让步

参考例句：

• Old Bosc had never budged an inch--he was totally indifferent. 老包斯克一直连动也没有动，他全然无所谓。 来自辞典例句
• Nobody budged you an inch. 别人一丁点儿都算计不了你。 来自辞典例句

4 scud   

n.疾行；v.疾行

参考例句：

• The helpers came in a scud.救援者飞奔而来。
• Rabbits scud across the turf.兔子飞快地穿过草地。