Two mules went travelling on their way,

One with a sack of corn;

The other with gold and bells so gay,

Most gaily tripped along.

Proud of so rich a load,

He kept the bells a ringing—

And was so proud, had he known how

He would have commenced singing.Soon some robbers rude appeared,

Who stopped this mule upon his road,

And very soon they had him cleared

Of all his weight of precious gold.

Falling beneath their blows, "I die,"

The expiring trotter cried,

"Had you been," said the other,

"Low as I, you would not thus have died."

Be moderate when you are high,

Nor glory o'er the passers by.