Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/101

BOOK ONE. 31

A COCK scratched up, one day, A pearl of purest ray, Which to a jeweller [sic] he bore. 'I think it fine,' he said; 'But yet a crumb of bread To me were worth a great deal more.' So did a dunce inherit A manuscript of merit, Which to a publisher he bore. 'T is good,' said he, 'I'm told; Yet any coin of gold To me were worth a great deal more.'

'The artist by his work is known.'— A piece of honeycomb, one day, Discovered as a waif and stray, The hornets treated as their own. Their title did the bees dispute, And brought before a wasp the suit. The judge was puzzled to decide, For nothing could be testified,