ONCE two persons uninvitedCame to join my dinner table;For the nonce they lived united,Fox and crane yclept in fable.
Civil greetings pass'd between usThen I pluck'd some pigeons tender For the fox of jackal-genius,Adding grapes in full-grown splendour.
Long-neck'd flasks I put as dishesFor the crane, without delaying, Fill'd with gold and silver fishes,In the limpid water playing.
Had ye witness'd Reynard plantedAt his flat plate, all demurely, Ye with envy must have granted:
"Ne'er was such a gourmand, surely!"
While the bird with circumspectionOn one foot, as usual, cradled, From the flasks his fish-refectionWith his bill and long neck ladled.
One the pigeons praised,--the other,As they went, extoll'd the fishes, Each one scoffing at his brotherFor preferring vulgar dishes.
***
If thou wouldst preserve thy credit,When thou askest folks to guzzle At thy hoard, take care to spread itSuited both for bill and muzzle.
1819.
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