Part 40 (1/2)

A Fowler's mirror served to snare The little tenants of the air.

A Lark there saw her pretty face, And was approaching to the place.

A Hawk, that sailed on high, Like vapour in the sky, Came down, as still as infant's breath, On her who sang so near her death.

She thus escaped the Fowler's steel, The Hawk's malignant claws to feel.

While in his cruel way, The pirate plucked his prey, Upon himself the net was sprung.

”O Fowler,” prayed he in the hawkish tongue, ”Release me in thy clemency!

I never did a wrong to thee.”

The man replied, ”'Tis true; And did the Lark to you?”

Phoebus and Boreas

Old Boreas and the Sun, one day, Espied a traveller on his way, Whose dress did happily provide Against whatever might betide.

The time was autumn, when, indeed, All prudent travellers take heed.

The rains that then the suns.h.i.+ne dash, And Iris with her splendid sash, Warn one who does not like to soak To wear abroad a good thick coat.

Our man was therefore well bedight With double mantle, strong and tight.

”This fellow,” said the Wind, ”has meant To guard from every ill event; But little does he wot that I Can blow him such a blast That, not a b.u.t.ton fast, His cloak shall cleave the sky.

Come, here's a pleasant game. Sir Sun!

Wilt play?” Said Phoebus, ”Done!

We'll bet between us here Which first will take the gear From off this cavalier.

Begin, and shut away The brightness of my ray.”

”Enough.” Our blower, on the bet, Swelled out his pursy form With all the stuff for storm-- The thunder, hail, and drenching wet, And all the fury he could muster; Then, with a very demon's bl.u.s.ter, He whistled, whirled, and splashed, And down the torrents dashed, Full many a roof uptearing He never did before, Full many a vessel bearing To wreck upon the sh.o.r.e-- And all to doff a single cloak.

But vain the furious stroke; The traveller was stout, And kept the tempest out, Defied the hurricane, Defied the pelting rain; And as the fiercer roared the blast, His cloak the tighter held he fast.

The Sun broke out, to win the bet; He caused the clouds to disappear, Refreshed and warmed the cavalier, And through his mantle made him sweat, Till off it came, of course, In less than half an hour; And yet the Sun saved half his power-- So much does mildness more than force.

The Stag and the Vine

A Stag, by favour of a Vine, Which grew where suns most genial s.h.i.+ne, And formed a thick and matted bower Which might have turned a summer shower, Was saved by ruinous a.s.sault.

The hunters thought their dogs at fault, And called them off. In danger now no more The Stag, a thankless wretch and vile, Began to browse his benefactress o'er.

The hunters listening the while, The rustling heard, came back, With all their yelping pack, And seized him in that very place.

”This is,” said he, ”but justice, in my case.

Let every black ingrate Henceforward profit by my fate.”

The dogs fell to--'twere wasting breath To pray those hunters at the death.

They left, and we will not revile 'em, A warning for profaners of asylum.

The Peac.o.c.k Complaining to Juno

The Peac.o.c.k to the Queen of heaven Complained in some such words: ”Great G.o.ddess, you have given To me, the laughing stock of birds, A voice which fills, by taste quite just, All nature with disgust; Whereas that little paltry thing, The nightingale, pours from her throat So sweet and ravis.h.i.+ng a note; She bears alone the honours of the spring.”

In anger Juno heard, And cried, ”Shame on you, jealous bird!

Grudge you the nightingale her voice, Who in the rainbow neck rejoice, Than costliest silks more richly tinted, In charms of grace and form unstinted-- Who strut in kingly pride, Your glorious tail spread wide With brilliants which in sheen do Outs.h.i.+ne the jeweller's bow window?

Is there a bird beneath the blue That has more charms than you?