But it never occurr'd to the mind of the bird,
That a fox was to have it for dinner.
"How many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip!"
(Excuse me, I pray, the digression,)
Said a fox to himself, "I can share in the pelf,
If I act with my usual discretion."
So said he, "Is it you? pray, ma'am, how do you do,
I have long wish'd to pay you a visit;
For a twelvemonth has pass'd, since I heard of you last
Which is not very neighborly, is it?