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But pray, Madam Sage,

Where are you bound."—"Oh, China!"—"Really!— why?"

"I love the country—as I ought, indeed—

They know my value there;

At home they treat me almost like a weed:

Thank Heaven, the wind is fair—

China's the place where merit makes its way;

I'm going there—good day!"

(Antoine François le Bailly, Fables Nouvelles. Translated by the Rev. Wm. Lucas Collins.)

THE CLOCK AND THE SUN-DIAL

PERT young Clock began to shout

(He was just set up) to the Dial below—

"Well, what's the hour? I can't find out

From you." The Dial said—"I don't know."

"Then what's the use of your Dial-ship, pray.

If you can't tell folks the time of day?"

"I wait," said he, "for the Sun to shine;

Knowledge of time is his, not mine."

"Wait if you will," said the Clock, "but I

Have nothing to do with the Sun;

Just a turn of the hand, come once a week.

Is all the help that I ever seek

To keep me going—so perfectly

My hands in their courses run.

Hark! I'm going to strike—now listen to me—

One—two—three—four! That's just the time."