The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe Household Edition : with illustrations |
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THE ELEPHANT'S SERMON.
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 | The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe |  |
THE ELEPHANT'S SERMON.
YRIARTE.
Of this and the following Fables credited to Yriarte, it is proper to say that they are taken from French versions of the works of the great Spanish Fabulist, and therefore make no pretension of fidelity—whether of matter or manner—to the original text. I take occasion of this note to add, concerning other pieces in this volume, that, though derived directly from the Greek, Roman, German, and French originals, they are, for the most part,—as the scholarly reader will observe,—not so much translations as paraphrases, wherein I have endeavored to preserve the spirit of the author, while consulting the exigencies of an English poem in respect of rhyme and rhythm and general manner of treatment.
Of this and the following Fables credited to Yriarte, it is proper to say that they are taken from French versions of the works of the great Spanish Fabulist, and therefore make no pretension of fidelity—whether of matter or manner—to the original text. I take occasion of this note to add, concerning other pieces in this volume, that, though derived directly from the Greek, Roman, German, and French originals, they are, for the most part,—as the scholarly reader will observe,—not so much translations as paraphrases, wherein I have endeavored to preserve the spirit of the author, while consulting the exigencies of an English poem in respect of rhyme and rhythm and general manner of treatment.
In olden times, when—it is said—
The humblest of the brute creation
(Though not in school or college bred)
Possessed the art of conversation;
The humblest of the brute creation
(Though not in school or college bred)
Possessed the art of conversation;
The Elephant, as chief High-Priest,
Of brutes the proper censor morum,
Assembled every bird and beast,
And plainly laid their faults before 'em.
Of brutes the proper censor morum,
Assembled every bird and beast,
And plainly laid their faults before 'em.
Some were of vanity accused
(Though none by name the priest addresses),
And some their talents had abused
By indolence or wild excesses;
(Though none by name the priest addresses),
And some their talents had abused
By indolence or wild excesses;
And some were charged with envious minds,
And some with foolish ostentation;
And not a few the censor finds
Convict of wanton depredation.
And some with foolish ostentation;
And not a few the censor finds
Convict of wanton depredation.
And some, the Elephant declares,
Are basely cruel and malicious;
Some fail to mind their own affairs;
And most, in some respect, are vicious.
Are basely cruel and malicious;
Some fail to mind their own affairs;
And most, in some respect, are vicious.
The faithful Hound, the trusty Horse,
The constant Dove, the modest Linnet,
The Sermon hear without remorse;
Nay, find a deal of pleasure in it!
The constant Dove, the modest Linnet,
The Sermon hear without remorse;
Nay, find a deal of pleasure in it!
In brief, the best of all the crowd
Are charmed to hear the wise prelection;
The others frown, or rave aloud,
Or hang their heads in deep dejection.
Are charmed to hear the wise prelection;
The others frown, or rave aloud,
Or hang their heads in deep dejection.
The Wolf and Tiger howl in wrath,
To hear the parson's faithful chiding;
The Serpent hisses in his path;
The Worm goes wriggling to his hiding.
To hear the parson's faithful chiding;
The Serpent hisses in his path;
The Worm goes wriggling to his hiding.
The Wasp and Hornet buzz their spite;
The Monkey mocks with hideous grinning;
The Fox goes sneaking out of sight,
To wait another chance for sinning.
The Monkey mocks with hideous grinning;
The Fox goes sneaking out of sight,
To wait another chance for sinning.
“Ah, well!” the Elephant exclaims,
“Though ill enough ye seem to bear it,—
(Remember, I have called no names;)
Whom the cap fits, may take and wear it!”
“Though ill enough ye seem to bear it,—
(Remember, I have called no names;)
Whom the cap fits, may take and wear it!”
| The poetical works of John Godfrey Saxe | |