Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/15

 first of the substituted fables of the sixth edition—The Fly and the Game, given below—may also be viewed as a protest to the same purpose. As a specimen of Mr. Wright's powers at once as an original poet and an original fabulist, we here print (for the first time in England, we believe) the substituted fables of his sixth edition. We may add that they appeared in lieu of the following five fables as given in Mr. Wright's complete edition, and in the present edition: The Bitch and her Friend, The Mountain in Labour, The Young Widow, The Women and the Secret, and The Husband, the Wife, and the Thief. It should also be borne in mind that these original fables were inserted in an edition professedly meant for schools rather than for the general public.

THE FLY AND THE GAME.

of powder-horn and shot

Once filled his bag—as I would not,

Unless the feelings of my breast

By poverty were sorely pressed—

With birds and squirrels for the spits

Of certain gormandizing cits.

With merry heart the fellow went

Direct to Mr. Centpercent,

Who loved, as well was understood,

Whatever game was nice and good.