Said Fox, minus tail in a trap, "My friends! here's a lucky mishap: Give your tails a short lease!" But the foxes weren't geese, And none followed the fashion of trap. ...
Said the Frog, quite puffed up to the eyes, "Was this Bull about me as to size?" "Rather bigger, frog-brother." "Puff, puff," said the other, "A Frog is a Bull if he tries!"
The Geese joined the Cranes in some wheat; All was well, till, disturbed at their treat, Light-winged, the Cranes fled, But the slow Geese, well fed, Couldn't rise, and were caught in retreat. ...
A golden Egg, one every day, That simpleton's Goose used to lay; So he killed the poor thing, Swifter fortune to bring, And dined off his fortune that day.
'Twas a race between Tortoise and Hare, Puss was sure she'd so much time to spare, That she lay down to sleep, And let old Thick-shell creep To the winning post first!--You may stare. ...
Timid Hares, from the trumpeting wind, Fled as swift as the fear in their mind; Till in fright from their fear, From the green sedges near, Leaping Frogs left their terror behind. ...
A Hart by the hunters pursued, Safely hid in a Vine, till he chewed The sweet tender green, And, through shaking leaves seen, He was slain by his ingratitude.
The Hen roosted high on her perch; Hungry Fox down below, on the search, Coaxed her hard to descend She replied, "Most dear friend! I feel more secure on my perch."
A Kid vowed to Jove, so might he Find his herd, & his herd did he see Soon, of lions the prey: Then 'twas--"Get me away, And a goat of the best take for fee."
Overladen the Ass was. The Horse Wouldn't help; but had time for remorse When the Ass lay dead there; For he then had to bear Both the load of the Ass & his corse.
O dear Six-pence, I've got Six-pence, I love Six-pence as I love my life; I'll spend a penny on't, and I'll lend another on't, And I'll carry fourpence home to my wife.
Two Maids killed the Rooster whose warning Awoke them too soon every morning: But small were their gains, For their Mistress took pains To rouse them herself without warning. ...
Though the Lion in love let them draw All his teeth, and pare down every claw, He'd no bride for his pains, For they beat out his brains Ere he set on his maiden a paw. ...
On a Statue--king Lion dethroned, Showing conqueror Man,--Lion frowned. "If a Lion, you know, Had been sculptor, he'd show Lion rampant, and Man on the ground."
A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree, A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree, A little cock-sparrow sat on a high tree, And he chirrupped, he chirrupped so merrily....
Once there lived a little man, Where a little river ran, And he had a little farm and little dairy O! And he had a little plough, And a little dappled cow,...
There was a little woman, as I've heard say, Fol, lol, diddle, diddle dol; She went to market, her eggs for to sell, Fol, lol, diddle, diddle dol. She went to market all on a market day,...
Through the town this good Man & his Son Strove to ride as to please everyone: Self, Son, or both tried, Then the Ass had a ride; While the world, at their efforts, poked fun. ...
In pity he brought the poor Snake To be warmed at his fire. A mistake! For the ungrateful thing Wife & children would sting. I have known some as bad as the Snake.