INTRODUCTION.
FABLE I.
THE ELEPHANT AND OTHER ANIMALS
Long years ago, in far-off land,
When every brute beast had a way,
What he thought and felt, to say
In language all could understand—
The sagacious Elephant observed
Among these creatures many a failing,
And gross abuses, too, prevailing,
Which strenuous reform deserved.
He called them all, from far and near,
His strictures on their ways to hear.
With reverence the most profound
His long proboscis swept the ground;
In careful phrase, well learned by heart,
He then discharged the censor's part—
A thousand silly foibles noted,
A thousand vicious actions quoted;
Envy, working sore vexation,
Ostentatious insolence,
Idleness, procrastination,
The arrogance of ignorance.
His sound and noble counsel stirs
The hearts of many listeners,
Accepting, with due reverence,
The dictates of his generous sense.
The guileless Lamb and thrifty Ant,
The Bee, frugal and provident,
The trusty Setter, and the Dove,
Ever faithful to her love,
The obedient Horse, the Linnet shy,
And the simple Butterfly.
But, of the audience, a part not small
Declared that their offended pride
Such language plain could not abide;
Not they—no, not at all.
The Tiger and rapacious Wolf,
Opening their lank jaws' bloody gulf,
Against the adviser rave;
His vile abuse, among the crowd,
The venomous Serpent hissed aloud;
While, all around, the whispering tone
Of Wasp and Hornet, Fly and Drone,
A murmuring echo gave.
The mischievous Balm-cricket leapt
From the tumultuous throng;
The Locust spread his clanging wing,
His greedy conscience felt the sting;
The wriggling Caterpillar crept
His sneaking way along;
The Weasel arched his spiteful back;
The Fox kept silence shrewd;
The Monkey, sauciest of the pack,
Mocked, with grimaces rude.
The stately Elephant looked down
Upon the vexed turmoil:
"To each and all and yet to none,"—
Spake his calm voice above the broil,—
"These censures I apply;
Let him who winces put them on;
Who not, hear quietly."
Whoever may my fables read,
This truth important let him heed:
That to all nations—not to any one—
And to all times, they speak.
The world has shown alike
The faults at which they strike
In each revolving week.
Then—since the warning finger
Points at no destined head—
Who feels the censure linger
Must sup on his own bread.