Part 33 (1/2)

The Lion's Share

The Heifer, the Goat, and their sister the Sheep, Compacted their earnings in common to keep, 'Tis said, in time past, with a Lion, who swayed Full lords.h.i.+p o'er neighbours, of whatever grade.

The Goat, as it happened, a Stag having snared, Sent off to the rest, that the beast might be shared.

All gathered; the Lion first counts on his claws, And says, ”We'll proceed to divide with our paws The stag into pieces, as fix'd by our laws.”

This done, he announces part first as his own; ”'Tis mine,” he says, ”truly, as Lion alone.”

To such a decision there's nought to be said, As he who has made it is doubtless the head.

”Well, also, the second to me should belong; 'Tis mine, be it known, by the right of the strong.

Again, as the bravest, the third must be mine.

To touch but the fourth whoso maketh a sign, I'll choke him to death In the s.p.a.ce of a breath!”

The Shepherd and His Dog

A Shepherd, with a single Dog, Was ask'd the reason why He kept a Dog, whose least supply Amounted to a loaf of bread For every day. The people said He'd better give the animal To guard the village seignior's hall; For him, a Shepherd, it would be A thriftier economy To keep small curs, say two or three, That would not cost him half the food, And yet for watching be as good.

The fools, perhaps, forgot to tell If they would fight the wolf as well.

The silly Shepherd, giving heed, Cast off his Dog of mastiff breed, And took three dogs to watch his cattle, Which ate far less, but fled in battle.

_Not vain our tale, if it convinces Small states that 'tis a wiser thing To trust a single powerful king, Than half a dozen petty princes._

The Old Man and the a.s.s

An Old Man, riding on his a.s.s, Had found a spot of thrifty gra.s.s, And there turn'd loose his weary beast.

Old Grizzle, pleased with such a feast, Flung up his heels, and caper'd round, Then roll'd and rubb'd upon the ground, And frisk'd and browsed and bray'd, And many a clean spot made.

Arm'd men came on them as he fed: ”Let's fly!” in haste the Old Man said.

”And wherefore so?” the a.s.s replied; ”With heavier burdens will they ride?”

”No,” said the man, already started, ”Then,” cried the a.s.s, as he departed.

”I'll stay, and be--no matter whose; Save you yourself, and leave me loose, But let me tell you, ere you go (I speak plain English, as you know), My master is my only foe.”

The Lion Going to War

The Lion had an enterprise in hand; Held a war-council, sent his provost-marshal, And gave the animals a call impartial-- Each, in his way, to serve his high command.

The Elephant should carry on his back The tools of war, the mighty public pack, And fight in elephantine way and form; The Bear should hold himself prepared to storm; The Fox all secret stratagems should fix; The Monkey should amuse the foe by tricks.

”Dismiss,” said one, ”the blockhead a.s.ses, And Hares, too cowardly and fleet.”

”No,” said the King; ”I use all cla.s.ses; Without their aid my force were incomplete.

The a.s.s shall be our trumpeter, to scare Our enemy. And then the nimble Hare Our royal bulletins shall homeward bear.”

_A monarch provident and wise Will hold his subjects all of consequence, And know in each what talent lies.

There's nothing useless to a man of sense._

The a.s.s and the Lap-dog

One's native talent from its course Cannot be turned aside by force; But poorly apes the country clown The polish'd manners of the town.

Their Maker chooses but a few With power of pleasing to imbue; Where wisely leave it we, the ma.s.s, Unlike a certain fabled a.s.s, That thought to gain his master's blessing By jumping on him and caressing.

”What!” said the Donkey in his heart; ”Ought it to be that Puppy's part To lead his useless life In full companions.h.i.+p With master and his wife, While I must bear the whip?

What doth the Cur a kiss to draw Forsooth, he only gives his paw!