Edward Young, 1681–1755
ON THE BRONZE IMAGE OF A FROG.
FROM THE GREEK OF PLATO.
A traveler, when nearly exhausted by thirst, being guided by the croaking of a frog to a spring of water, afterward vowed to the Nymphs a bronze image of the little creature.
The servant of the Nymphs, the singer dank,
Pleased with clear fountains—the shower-loving frog,
Imaged in brass—hath a wayfaring man
Placed here, a votive gift—because it served
To quench the fever of the traveler’s thirst.
For the amphibious creature’s well-timed song,