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Any trees so tall and green—

Any that in stalk or stem

Would deserve to vie with them?"

But the words had hardly passed.

When an unexpected blast

Rushed and with a mighty blow

Struck the grove and laid it low.

Then, retorting from the bog,

To the Frogling said the Frog:

"Look, my child—a child may gain

Wisdom even from a cane—

Look and learn no more to prize

Objects for their gloss and size.

For each trunk that seemed to thee

Massive as a forest tree

Is as empty, frail and thin

As the vilest weed, within."

(Iriarte, Literary Fables. Translated for Blackwood's Magazine.)

THE OWL

N Owl one morn—but sooth to say,

&ensp;I am not telling it aright;

For Owls are birds that love to stay

Within their secret homes by day,

And only fly by night,—