Part 41 (2/2)

”Oh! sirs, ye merit mighty praise!

Yon m.u.f.f may do for wintry days, A corner is your lot in spring; While you, Fan, are a useless thing When cold succeeds to heat; for neither Can change yourself to suit the weather Learn, if you're able to possess, Like me a double usefulness, From winter's rain I help to shun And guard in summer from the sun.”

The Duck and the Serpent

A self-conceited Duck, one day, Was waddling from her pond away: ”What other race can boast,” she cried, ”The many gifts to ours allied?

Earth--water--air--are all for us.

When I am tired of walking thus, I fly, if so I take the whim, Or if it pleases me I swim.”

A cunning Serpent overheard The boasting of the clumsy bird, And, with contempt and scorn inflamed, Came hissing up, and thus exclaimed: ”It strikes me, ma'am, there's small occasion For your just uttered proclamation; These gifts of yours s.h.i.+ne rather dim, Since neither like the trout you swim, Nor like the deer, step swift and light, Nor match the eagle in your flight.”

They err who think that merit clings To knowledge slight of many things; He who his fellows would excel, Whate'er he does should do it well.

The Tea and the Sage

The Tea from China on her way, Met in some sea, or gulf, or bay-- (Would to her log I might refer!) The Sage, who thus accosted her: ”Sister--ahoy! ho--whither bound?”

”I leave,” she said, ”my native ground For Europe's markets, where, I'm told, They purchase me by weight of gold.”

”And I,” the Sage replied, ”am seeking The route to Canton or to Peking; Your Chinese use me largely in Their cookery and medicine; They know my virtues, nor deny The praise I ask, however high, While Europe scorns me, just indeed, As if I was the vilest weed.

Go; and good luck t'ye; know full well That you are sure enough to sell, For nations all, (fools that they are!) Value whatever comes from afar, And give their money nothing loth, For anything of foreign growth.”

The Swan and the Linnet

Piqued at the Linnet's song one day, The Swan exclaimed: ”Leave off! I say-- Be still, you little noisy thing!

What!--dare _you_ challenge me to sing, When there's no voice, however fine, Can match the melody of mine?”

(The Linnet warbled on)--”D'ye hear?

This impudence may cost you dear; I could with one harmonious note Forever stop your squeaking throat, And, if I do not choose to try, Respect my magnanimity.”

”I wish,” at length the Linnet said, ”I wish, to heaven, the proof were made; You cannot imagine how I long To hear that rich and flowing song Which though so sweet, by fame averred, I know not who has ever heard.”

The Swan essayed to sing, but--whew!

She screeched and squalled a note or two, Until the Linnet, it appears, Took to her wings to save her ears.

'Tis strange when some of learned fame _Will_ prove their t.i.tle to the name, How often ill-placed praise they mar, And show how ignorant they are.

The Flint and the Steel

The Flint, with language harsh and high, Accused the Steel of cruelty In striking her with all his might, Whene'er he wanted fire and light.

The Steel the imputation spurned, And with such warmth the contest burned That both, at last, agreed to slip Their contract of companions.h.i.+p.

”Good-by then, madame,” said the one; ”And since my company you shun, And to continue with me, doubt, We'll see what use you are without.”

”About as much as you will be, Good sir,” she answered, ”without me.”

FABLES OF GAY, COWPER, AND OTHERS

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