That they and their tails should part!

Plain was the gain as plain could be,

But his words did not avail;

For they all replied, “We perceive your case;

You do not speak for the good of the race,

But only to cover your own disgrace,

Because you have lost your tail!”

Then another fox, of a liberal mind,

With a tail of splendid size,

Became convinced that the tailless state