We'll shield thee and thy gander from abuse!"

Long-headed and kind-hearted, in such cases

Their noses were not lopped to spite their faces.

Too wise they were: they had too good a teacher

To make the nose too prominent a feature!

While yet the goose was itching for the nest

They egged her on and Quack! she did the rest.

A goose she would appear to give so much

To those who had—but Life is ever such.

But Jacob's Sons like Isaac, sturdy Oak,