Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/399

 Rh HE Tortoise had the boldness to declare

&ensp;That for a Wager she would race the Hare.

The Hare pronounced it madness. "To restore

Your muddled wits," he said, "you ought to take

Two grains of clarifying Hellebore,

Gossip of mine." "Well, mad or not, I make

The Bet." The Bet was made; terms fixed; the whole

Amount agreed on placed beside the Goal.

The Umpire or the nature of the Stake

I know not: for the Distance—in four bounds

Our Hare had cleared it when, escaped the grip

Of panting Foes, he's given them all the slip

And doubling, set at fault the sorry Hounds.

Therefore to linger he was not afraid.

A moment sleeping, biting now a blade,

Round him a casual glance bestowing

Or listening which way the wind is blowing,

He leaves his Friend against old Time to race—

Who shuffles on at Senatorial pace

And, slowly hurrying, keeps the end in view.

He deigns not yet the Plodder to pursue,

Reflects what little glory is to get

Winning of such a rival such a Bet,

Considers it a point of honour due

Not till the latest moment to engage her.

Meanwhile he feeds, he dreams,