Page:Australian and Other Poems.djvu/94



that hunger's pinch long knew, Upon a neighbouring dunghill flew, To seek wherewith his gnawings might Be for the present set aright. He scratched until his claws grew sore, Nor even then his toil forbore, Without one particle of seed Upturning, to relieve his need. Till, having lost his patience quite, He was about to change his site, When something beautiful to view Came forth—it was a gay bijou— A diamond from Peru's mines. That had been prized in other times. The hungry cock a moment stayed To view the glittering prize, then said— "This to a Jew or gaudy fair Had been a treasure sans compare;