The Dog, The Treasure, and the Vulture

1.27. THE DOG, THE TREASURE, AND THE VULTURE. This Fable may be applied to the avaricious, and to those, who, born to a humble lot, affect to be called rich.
Grubbing up human bones, a Dog met with a Treasure; and, because he had offended the Gods the Manes, a desire for riches was inspired in him, that so he might pay the penalty due to the holy character of the place. Accordingly, while he was watching over the gold, forgetful of food, he was starved to death; on which a Vulture, standing over him, is reported to have said: “O Dog, you justly meet your death, who, begotten at a crossroad, and bred up on a dunghill, have suddenly coveted regal wealth.” [more info]

The Dog, Treasure, and Vulture

1.26. THE DOG, TREASURE, AND VULTURE.
A Dog, while scratching up the ground,
’Mongst human bones a treasure found;
But as his sacrilege was great,
To covet riches was his fate,
And punishment of his offence;
He therefore never stirr’d from thence,
But both in hunger and the cold,
With anxious care he watch’d the gold,
Till wholly negligent of food,
A ling’ring death at length ensued.
Upon his corse a Vulture stood,
And thus descanted:— “It is good,
O Dog, that there thou liest bereaved
Who in the highway wast conceived,
And on a scurvy dunghill bred,
Hadst royal riches in thy head.” [more info]