Æsop in Rhyme

Thanksvery much to Noel Badrian!!

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Basquetteur

Herewith the fable corresponding to the cover FABLE LVI. THE FOX AND THE CROW CROWS feed upon worms: yet an author affirms, Cheshire cheese they will get if they're able, "For," said he, "I well know, one unprincipled crow, Once purloin'd a large piece from my table." Then away darted she, to the shade of a tree, To deposit the booty within her; But it never occur'd to the mind of the bird That a fox was to have it for dinner. "How many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip!" (Excuse me, I pray, the digression.) Said a fox to himself, "I can share in the pelf, If I act with my usual discretion." So said he, "Is't you? pray, ma'am, how do you do, I have long wish'd to pay you a visit; For a twelvemonth has pass'd since I heard of you last, Which is not very neighbourly, is it? "But, dear madam," said he, "you are dining, I see, On that subject I'd ask your advice: Pray, ma'am, now can you tell, where provisions they sell, That are not an extravagant price. "Bread and meat are so dear, and have been for a year, That poor people can scarcely endure it; And then cheese is so high, that such beggars as I, Till it falls, cannot hope to procure it." But the ill-behaved bird did not utter a word, Still intent on retaining her plunder; Thought the fox,"it should seem this is not a good scheme, What else can I think of, I wonder?" So said Reynard, once more, "I ne'er knew it before, But your feathers are whiter than snow is!" But thought he, when he'd said it, "she'll ne'er give it credit, For what bird is so black as a crow is." "But I'm told that your voice is a horrible noise, Which they say of all sounds is the oddest; But then this is absurd, for it never is heard, Since you are so excessively modest." "If that's all," thought the crow, "I will soon let you know, That all doubt on that score may be ended;" Then most laughably piped, this poor silly biped, When quickly her dinner descended! ---------------- If this biped had not been so vain and conceited, She would not by the fox quite so soon have been cheated; But perhaps the term biped to some may be new: 'Tis a two-legged creature -- perchance it is you.