University of Virginia Library



TWO OPINIONS

(Ye first opinion)

A noisy chattering Magpie once
A talking gabbling hairbrained dunce
Came by where a sign-post stood
He nodded his head with a modish air
And said, “good-day” for he wasn't aware
That the sign-post pointing its finger there
Was only a block of wood
Quoth he “An exceedingly sultry day
'Tis more like June than the first of May
The post said never a word
“I've just dropped over from Lincolnshire.
My home is in the Cathedral Spire—
The air is cooler and purer the higher.
You get as you've doubtless heard”
So on he chattered wish never a stop,
And on and on till you'd think he would drop
(The post was as dumb as your hat)
But so as the pie could say his say
He did n't care whether it spoke all day;
For thus he observed as he walked away—
“An intelligent creature that”

(Ye second opinion)

Now once when the sky was pouring rain
The Magpie chanced to come by again
And there stood the post in the wet
“Helloa.” said the Magpie “What you here
Pray tell me I beg is there sheltering near—
A terrible day for this time of the year
'Twould make a Saint Anthony fret”
“I beg your pardon—I did n't quite hear”
(Then louder) “I say is there sheltering near”
But the post was as dumb as Death
“What can't you answer a question pray
You will not—No—Then I'll say good day”
And flirting his tail he walked away
“You'r a fool” (this under his breath)

L' ENVOY

The moral that this story traces
Is—Circumstances alter cases.
Howard Pyle.