A SHEPHERD, watching his Ass1 feeding in a meadow, was alarmed all

　　of a sudden by the cries of the enemy. He appealed to the Ass to

　　fly with him, lest they should both be captured, but the animal

　　lazily replied, "Why should I, pray? Do you think it likely the

　　conqueror will place on me two sets of panniers?' "No," rejoined

　　the Shepherd. "Then," said the Ass, "as long as I carry the

　　panniers, what matters it to me whom I serve?'

　　In a change of government the poor change nothing

　　beyond the name of their master.