Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/72

 THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE.


 * How spent you the summer?'

Quoth she, looking shame

At the borrowing dame.


 * Night and day to each comer

I sang, if you please.'


 * You sang ! I 'm at ease ;

For 't is plain at a glance,

Now, raa'am, you must dance.*

II.

THE RAVEN AND THE FOX.*

Perched on a lofty oak,

5ir Raven held a lunch of cheese ;

Sir Fox, who smelt it in the breeze,

Thus to the holder spoke :


 * Ha! how do you do, Sir Raven?

Well, your coat, sir, is a brave one !

So black and glossy, on my word, sir,

With voice to match, you were a bird, sir,

Well fit to be the Phoenix of these days.*

Sir Raven, overset with praise,

"Hust show how musical his croak.

Pown fell the luncheon from the oak ;

Which snatching up, Sir Fox thus spoke


 * The flatterer, my good sir,

ye liveth on his listener ;