At last he came to a part of the road where the wheels sank half-way into 

the mire, and the more the horses pulled, the deeper sank the wheels.  So the 

Waggoner threw down his whip, and knelt down and prayed to Hercules the

Strong.  "O Hercules, help me in this my hour of distress," quoth he.  But 

Hercules appeared to him, and said:

     "Tut, man, don't sprawl there.  Get up and put your shoulder to the wheel."

     The gods help them that help themselves.