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Two travellers of such a cast,

As o'er Arabia's wilds they passed,

And on their way, in friendly chat,

Now talked of this, and then of that;

Discoursed awhile, 'mongst other matter.

Of the chameleon's form and nature.

"A stranger animal," cries one,

"Sure never lived beneath the sun:

A lizard's body lean and long,

A fish's head, a serpent's tongue,

Its foot with triple claw disjoined;

And what a length of tail behind!

How slow its pace! And then its hue,—

Who ever saw so fine a blue?"

"Hold there," the other quick replies,

" 'Tis green, I saw it with these eyes,

As late with open mouth it lay,

And warmed it in the sunny ray;

Stretched at its ease the beast I viewed,

And saw it eat the air for food."

"I've seen it, sir, as well as you,

And must again affirm it blue;

At leisure I the beast surveyed

Extended in the cooling shade."

" 'Tis green, 'tis green, sir, I assure ye."

"Green!" cries the other in a fury;

"Why, sir, d'ye think I've lost my eyes?"

"'Twere no great loss," the friend replies;

"For if they always serve you thus,