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Read Ebook: Sonen af söder och nord. Förra delen Romantisk skildring från revolutionen i Paris 1848 by Blanche August
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Ebook has 69 lines and 2455 words, and 2 pages
AESOP,
IN RHYME;
OR,
OLD FRIENDS IN A NEW DRESS.
BY MARMADUKE PARK.
PHILADELPHIA: C. G. HENDERSON, & CO., N. W. CORNER ARCH AND FIFTH STREETS. 1852.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1852,
BY C. G. HENDERSON & CO.,
in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
THE DOG AND THE WOLF.
A wolf there was, whose scanty fare Had made his person lean and spare; A dog there was, so amply fed, His sides were plump and sleek; 'tis said The wolf once met this prosp'rous cur, And thus began: "Your servant, sir; I'm pleased to see you look so well, Though how it is I cannot tell; I have not broke my fast to-day; Nor have I, I'm concern'd to say, One bone in store or expectation, And that I call a great vexation."
"Indeed it is," the dog replied: "I know no ill so great beside; But if you do not like to be So poorly fed, come live with me." "Agreed," rejoined the wolf, "I'll go: But pray, what work am I to do?" "Oh, guard the house, and do not fail To bark at thieves, and wag your tail."
"I'll take your word," the wolf replied. "It's truth by me shall ne'er be tried; I'll have my liberty again, And you your collar and your chain."
MORAL.
THE HERDSMAN.
A herdsman, who lived at a time and a place Which, should you not know, is but little disgrace, Discover'd one morning, on counting his stock, That a sheep had been stolen that night from the flock.
So what did he do, sir, but put up a board, Describing the thief, and proposed a reward Of a lamb, to the man who would give information Concerning the thief, and his true designation.
The project succeeded; for soon there applied A certain near neighbor, with others beside. "But tell me the thief," said the herdsman, "at least;" "Come hither," said they, "and we'll show you the beast!"
MORAL.
Silly people ask things that would ruin, if sent; They demand them in haste, and at leisure repent.
THE BOYS AND THE FROGS.
But there were some Who did not seem amused so much; These were the frogs, to whom the game, In point of sport was not the same.
For scarce a stone arrived, 'tis said, But gave some frog a broken head; And scores in less than half an hour, Perished beneath the dreadful shower.
MORAL.
THE COCK AND THE JEWEL.
A cock there was: a sage was he Who wish'd to make a meal, you see, As other sages must.
With this intent, as heretofore, When on the hunt for grain; Our hero scratch'd the litter o'er With all his might and main.
But scarce a minute had he scratch'd, When, to his great surprise, A gem, with golden chain attach'd, He saw with both his eyes.
"Alack!" quoth he, "what have we here? A diamond, I protest! Which lords and ladies buy so dear, And hold in such request.
"But one good barley-corn to me Has more intrinsic worth Than all the pearls now in the sea, Or gold now in the earth."
MORAL.
THE MAN AND THE LION.
A man and a lion once had a dispute, Which was reckon'd the greatest, the man or the brute; The lion discoursed on his side at some length, And greatly enlarged on his courage and strength.
"So," says he, "don't be prating,--look yonder, I pray, At that sculpture of marble, now what will you say? The lion is vanquished; but as for the man He is striding upon him; deny it who can."
MORAL.
THE FOX AND THE CRANE.
"I certainly think," said a fox to a crane, "That face, ma'am of yours is remarkably plain; That beak that you wear is so frightful a feature, It makes you appear a most singular creature." The crane, much offended at what she had heard, March'd off at full speed, without saying a word: "Oh dear!" said the fox, "Mrs. Crane, I protest You misunderstand me, 'twas only a jest." "Come, don't be affronted--stay with me and dine; You know very well 'tis this temper of mine To say such odd things to my intimate friends; But you know that poor Reynard no mischief intends." So the crane thought it best not to break with him quite, But to view his remarks in a good-natured light. So she put on as pleasant a face as she could When he ask'd her to dine, and replied that she would. But alas! she perceived that his jokes were not over, When Reynard removed from the victuals its cover 'Twas neither game, butcher's meat, chicken, not fish; But plain gravy-soup, in a broad shallow dish. Now this the fox lapp'd with his tongue very quick, While the crane could scarce dip in the point of her beak; "You make a poor dinner," said he to his guest; "Oh, dear! by no means," said the bird, "I protest." But the crane ask'd the fox on a subsequent day, When nothing, it seems, for their dinner had they But some minced meat served up in a narrow-neck'd jar; Too long, and narrow, for Reynard by far. "You make a poor dinner, I fear," said the bird; "Why, I think," said the fox, "'twould be very absurd To deny what you say, yet I cannot complain, But confess, though a fox, that I'm matched by a crane."
MORAL.
Cunning folks who play tricks which good manners condemn, Often find their own tricks play'd again upon them.
THE TRAVELLER AND THE SATYR.
A luckless wight, in winter slow, Travelling once a forest through Cold and hungry, tired and wet, Began in words like these to fret: "Oh, what a sharp inclement day! And what a dismal, dreary way! No friendly cot, no cheering fields, No food this howling forest yields; I've nought in store or expectation! There's nought before me but starvation."
"Not quite so bad," a voice replied; Quickly the traveller turned aside, And saw the satyr of the wood, Who close beside his dwelling stood. "Here is my cave hard by," said he, "Walk in, you're welcome, pray be free."
The traveller did not hesitate, Hoping for something good to eat, But follow'd to his heart's content, Blowing his finger as he went.
"Pray," said the satyr, "may I know For what you blow your fingers so?"
"Indeed!" was all his host replied, Intent some pottage to provide, Which heated well, with spice infused, Was to his shivering guest produced:
So hot it was, as Esop sung, It made our traveller scald his tongue; And wishing not again to do it, Our hero could not wait, but blew it.
MORAL.
THE TRAVELLERS AND THE PURSE.
Two friends once were walking in sociable chat, When a purse one espied on the ground; "Oh, see!" said he, "What a large sum of money I've found!"
"Be it so," said his friend, "but what sound do I hear? 'Stop thief!' one is calling to you; He comes with a constable close in the rear!" Said the other, "Oh, what shall we do?"
MORAL.
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