Part 15 (1/2)

Thou victim of my paw, By well-establish'd law, Die as a mousling should, And beg the sisterhood Who ply the thread and shears, To lend thy speech their ears.

Some other like repast My heirs may find, or fast.”

He ceased. The moral's plain.

_Youth always hopes its ends to gain,_ _Believes all spirits like its own:_ _Old age is not to mercy p.r.o.ne._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE OLD CAT AND THE YOUNG MOUSE.]

The Sick Stag

A stag, where stags abounded, Fell sick and was surrounded Forthwith by comrades kind, All pressing to a.s.sist, Or see, their friend, at least, And ease his anxious mind-- An irksome mult.i.tude.

”Ah, sirs!” the sick was fain to cry, ”Pray leave me here to die, As others do, in solitude.

Pray, let your kind attentions cease, Till death my spirit shall release.”

But comforters are not so sent: On duty sad full long intent, When Heaven pleased, they went: But not without a friendly gla.s.s; That is to say, they cropp'd the gra.s.s And leaves which in that quarter grew, From which the sick his pittance drew.

By kindness thus compell'd to fast, He died for want of food at last.

_The men take off no trifling dole_ _Who heal the body, or the soul._ _Alas the times! do what we will,_ _They have their payment, cure or kill._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE SICK STAG.]

The Quarrel of the Dogs and Cats.

In mansion deck'd with frieze and column, Dwelt dogs and cats in mult.i.tudes; Decrees, promulged in manner solemn, Had pacified their ancient feuds.

Their lord had so arranged their meals and labours, And threaten'd quarrels with the whip, That, living in sweet cousins.h.i.+p, They edified their wondering neighbours.

At last, some dainty plate to lick, Or profitable bone to pick, Bestow'd by some partiality, Broke up the smooth equality.

The side neglected were indignant At such a slight malignant.

From words to blows the altercation Soon grew a perfect conflagration.

In hall and kitchen, dog and cat Took sides with zeal for this or that.

New rules upon the cat side falling Produced tremendous caterwauling.

Their advocate, against such rules as these, Advised recurrence to the old decrees.

They search'd in vain, for, hidden in a nook, The thievish mice had eaten up the book.

Another quarrel, in a trice, Made many sufferers with the mice; For many a veteran whisker'd-face, With craft and cunning richly stored, And grudges old against the race, Now watch'd to put them to the sword; Nor mourn'd for this that mansion's lord.

_Look wheresoever we will, we see_ _No creature from opponents free._ _'Tis nature's law for earth and sky;_ _'Twere vain to ask the reason why:_ _G.o.d's works are good,--I cannot doubt it,--_ _And that is all I know about it._

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE QUARREL OF THE DOGS AND CATS.]

The Wolf and the Fox.

”Dear wolf,” complain'd a hungry fox, ”A lean chick's meat, or veteran c.o.c.k's, Is all I get by toil or trick: Of such a living I am sick.

With far less risk, you've better cheer; A house you need not venture near, But I must do it, spite of fear.

Pray, make me master of your trade.

And let me by that means be made The first of all my race that took Fat mutton to his larder's hook: Your kindness shall not be repented.”