Part 35 (1/2)

Two sureties better are than one; And cautions worth its cost, Though sometimes seeming lost._

The Fox, the Monkey, and the Animals

Left kingless by the lion's death, The beasts once met, our story saith, Some fit successor to install.

Forth from a dragon-guarded, moated place, The crown was brought and, taken from its case, And being tried by turns on all, The heads of most were found too small; Some horned were, and some too big; Not one would fit the regal gear.

Forever ripe for such a rig, The Monkey, looking very queer, Approached with antics and grimaces, And, after scores of monkey faces, With what would seem a gracious stoop, Pa.s.s'd through the crown as through a hoop.

The beasts, diverted with the thing, Did homage to him as their king.

The Fox alone the vote regretted, But yet in public never fretted.

When he his compliments had paid To royalty, thus newly made, ”Great sire, I know a place,” said he, ”Where lies conceal'd a treasure, Which, by the right of royalty, Should bide your royal pleasure.”

The King lack'd not an appet.i.te For such financial pelf, And, not to lose his royal right, Ran straight to see it for himself.

It was a trap, and he was caught.

Said Reynard, ”Would you have it thought, You Ape, that you can fill a throne, And guard the rights of all, alone.

Not knowing how to guard your own?”

_The beasts all gathered from the farce, That stuff for kings is very scarce._

The Rat and the Oyster

A country Rat of little brains, Grown weary of inglorious rest, Left home with all its straws and grains, Resolved to know beyond his nest.

When peeping through the nearest fence, ”How big the world is, how immense!”

He cried; ”there rise the Alps, and that Is doubtless famous Ararat.”

His mountains were the works of moles, Or dirt thrown up in digging holes!

Some days of travel brought him where The tide had left the Oysters bare.

Since here our traveller saw the sea, He thought these sh.e.l.ls the s.h.i.+ps must be.

”My father was, in truth,” said he, ”A coward, and an ignoramus; He dared not travel: as for me, I've seen the s.h.i.+ps and ocean famous; Have cross'd the deserts without drinking, And many dangerous streams, unshrinking.”

Among the shut-up sh.e.l.l-fish, one Was gaping widely at the sun; It breathed, and drank the air's perfume, Expanding, like a flower in bloom.

Both white and fat, its meat Appear'd a dainty treat.

Our Rat, when he this sh.e.l.l espied, Thought for his stomach to provide.

”If not mistaken in the matter,”

Said he, ”no meat was ever fatter, Or in its flavour half so fine, As that on which to-day I dine.”

Thus full of hope, the foolish chap Thrust in his head to taste, And felt the pinching of a trap-- The Oyster closed in haste.

_Now those to whom the world is new Are wonder-struck at every view; And the marauder finds his match When he is caught who thinks to catch._

The a.s.s and the Dog

Along the road an a.s.s and Dog One master following, did jog.

Their master slept: meanwhile, the a.s.s Applied his nippers to the gra.s.s, Much pleased in such a place to stop, Though there no thistle he could crop.

He would not be too delicate, Nor spoil a dinner for a plate, Which, but for that, his favourite dish, Were all that any a.s.s could wish.

”My dear companion,” Towser said-- ”'Tis as a starving Dog I ask it-- Pray lower down your loaded basket, And let me get a piece of bread.”

No answer--not a word!--indeed, The truth was, our Arcadian steed Fear'd lest, for every moment's flight, His nimble teeth should lose a bite.

At last, ”I counsel you,” said he, ”to wait Till master is himself awake, Who then, unless I much mistake, Will give his Dog the usual bait.”

Meanwhile, there issued from the wood A creature of the wolfish brood, Himself by famine sorely pinch'd.

At sight of him the Donkey flinch'd, And begg'd the Dog to give him aid.

The Dog budged not, but answer made, ”I counsel thee, my friend, to run, Till master's nap is fairly done; There can, indeed, be no mistake That he will very soon awake; Till then, scud off with all your might; And should he snap you in your flight, This ugly Wolf--why, let him feel The greeting of your well-shod heel.