Page:The fables of Aesop, as first printed by William Caxton in 1484, with those of Avian, Alfonso and Poggio. Vol 1.djvu/18

 "For we are neither bond nor free,

For we have neither slaves nor kings.

But near to Nature's heart are we,

And conscious of her secret things.

"Content are we to fall asleep.

And well content to wake no more,

We do not laugh, we do not weep.

Nor look behind us and before;

"But were there cause for moan or mirth,

'Tis we, not you, should sigh or scorn.

Oh, latest children of the Earth

Most childish children Earth has borne."

They spoke, but that misshapen Slave

Told never of the thing he heard.

And unto men their portraits gave,

In likenesses of beast and bird! A. L.