Baseness proves, and naught avails;
See the hedgehog, who a pris’ner
In his bristly castle quails:
Naught he deems himself in safety,
Though his quills erect he rears;
Still to peace and joy a stranger,
E’en the slightest noise he fears.
“Not so acts the little sparrow,
Far more delicate and weak;
Though not cased in mail, in ev’ry