Page:Modern poets and poetry of Spain.djvu/100

54 And, as he highly of it thought,

He to the Monkey cried,

"How's that?" who, being better taught,

Tis very bad," replied.

"I do believe," rejoin'd the Bear,

"You little favour show:

For have I not a graceful air,

And step with ease to go?"

A Hog, that was beside them set,

Cried, "Bravo! good!" said he;

"A better dancer never yet

I saw, and ne'er shall see."

On this the Bear, as if he turn'd

His thoughts within his mind,

With modest gesture seeming learn'd

A lesson thence to find.

"When blamed the Monkey, it was cause

Enough for doubting sad;

But when I have the hog's applause,

It must be very bad!"

As treasured gift, let authors raise

This moral from my verse:

'Tis bad, when wise ones do not praise;

But when fools do, 'tis worse.