While a Dog chased a Hare he sometimes nipped and sometimes fawned over the Hare. The Hare did not know what to think about the Dog’s bid for friendship.
No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him.
Townsend version
A hound having started a Hare on the hillside pursued her for some distance, at one time biting her with his teeth as if he would take her life, and at another fawning upon her, as if in play with another dog. The Hare said to him, “I wish you would act sincerely by me, and show yourself in your true colors. If you are a friend, why do you bite me so hard? If an enemy, why do you fawn on me?’
Moral
No one can be a friend if you know not whether to trust or distrust him.
JBR Collection
A Dog once gave a long chase to a Hare. The Dog having not long since made a good meal, was not at all hungry, and in consequence in no hurry to put an end to the sport. He would at times, as they ran, snap at the Hare, and at others lick him with his tongue. “Pray,” cried the persecuted and bewildered Hare,” are you a friend or an enemy? If a friend, why do you bite me so? and if an enemy, why caress me?”
Lepus et Canis
Canis, leporem insequens, prehenderat eumque interdum mordebat, interdum fluentem ex vulnere lambebat sanguinem. Lepus ergo, credens canem malle osculari se, conversus ad illum, “Aut me amice,” inquit, “complectere, aut hostiliter morsu neca.”
Perry #136