Read "The Ass and his Master" by Tomás de Iriarte online for free on Textopian. Full text with search, annotations, highlights, and AI-powered reading aids.
"On good and bad an equal value sets / The stupid mob. From me the worst it gets, / And never fails to praise," With vile pretence, / The scurrilous author thus his trash excused.
A poet shrewd, hearing the lame defence, / Indignant, thus exposed the argument abused.
A Donkey's master said unto his beast, / While doling out to him his lock of straw, / "Here, take it -- since such diet suits your taste, / And much good may it do your vulgar maw!"
Often the slighting speech the man repeated.
The Ass -- his quiet mood by insult heated -- / Replies: "Just what you choose to give, I take, / Master unjust! but not because I choose it.
Think you I nothing like but straw? Then make / The experiment. Bring corn, and see if I refuse it."
Ye caterers for the public, hence take heed / How your defaults by false excuse you cover!
Fed upon straw -- straw it may eat, indeed: / Try it with generous fare -- 't will scorn the other.