A MAN and a Satyr once drank together in token of a bond of alliance

being formed between them. One very cold wintry day, as they talked,
the Man put his fingers to his mouth and blew on them. When the Satyr
asked the reason for this, he told him that he did it to warm his hands
because they were so cold. Later on in the day they sat down to eat,
and the food prepared was quite scalding. The Man raised one of the
dishes a little towards his mouth and blew in it. When the Satyr again
inquired the reason, he said that he did it to cool the meat, which was
too hot. “I can no longer consider you as a friend,” said the Satyr, “a
fellow who with the same breath blows hot and cold.”




Jupiter, Neptune, Minerva, and Momus


ACCORDING to an ancient legend, the first man was made by Jupiter, the
first bull by Neptune, and the first house by Minerva. On the
completion of their labours, a dispute arose as to which had made the
most perfect work. They agreed to appoint Momus as judge, and to abide
by his decision. Momus, however, being very envious of the handicraft
of each, found fault with all. He first blamed the work of Neptune
because he had not made the horns of the bull below his eyes, so he
might better see where to strike. He then condemned the work of
Jupiter, because he had not placed the heart of man on the outside,
that everyone might read the thoughts of the evil disposed and take
precautions against the intended mischief. And, lastly, he inveighed
against Minerva because she had not contrived iron wheels in the
foundation of her house, so its inhabitants might more easily remove if
a neighbor proved unpleasant. Jupiter, indignant at such inveterate
faultfinding, drove him from his office of judge, and expelled him from
the mansions of Olympus.