 | Poems on Several Occasions |  |
166
The MOLE and the WEASEL.
A Fable.
With dirty head above his hole,
To see the world, up starts a Mole,
Wondrous, you'll say, his visual strength,
He saw at least, his nose's length,
And from the vigour of his eyes,
Fancies himself amazing wise.
To see the world, up starts a Mole,
Wondrous, you'll say, his visual strength,
He saw at least, his nose's length,
And from the vigour of his eyes,
Fancies himself amazing wise.
“How bright the day, he cries—the sun
“How glorious in the horizon!
(The day was gloomy by the bye,
The sun cloud-prison'd in the sky)
“What prospects all around me rise!
(Tho' scarce three blades of grass he spies)
“'Tis glaring falshood—envious spight,
“To say, we Moles are dull of sight;
“I'll make the tour, he cries, and then
“Return—and from their dirty den
“Invite my friends, the world to view,
“As other four-legg'd gentry do.”—
“How glorious in the horizon!
(The day was gloomy by the bye,
The sun cloud-prison'd in the sky)
“What prospects all around me rise!
(Tho' scarce three blades of grass he spies)
“'Tis glaring falshood—envious spight,
“To say, we Moles are dull of sight;
“I'll make the tour, he cries, and then
“Return—and from their dirty den
“Invite my friends, the world to view,
“As other four-legg'd gentry do.”—
Thus said, the Blockhead onward crawls,
When loud a friendly Weasel bawls;
“Zounds! are you blind?—Do you not dread
“The Hawk now hov'ring o'er your head?
“This instant burrow—quick as thought—
“Or, by St. Patrick, you'll be caught:”—
Sir Mole, now grown most wond'rous vain,
Answer'd the Weasel with disdain;—
“Good Friend, to your own footsteps look,
“Nor counsel give to wiser folk;
“As Your's, at least, my eyes are keen;—
“Were danger near, 'twere quickly seen:—
“To drop the gentleman I'm loath;
“Pray keep your wind to cool your broath.”
When loud a friendly Weasel bawls;
“Zounds! are you blind?—Do you not dread
“The Hawk now hov'ring o'er your head?
“This instant burrow—quick as thought—
“Or, by St. Patrick, you'll be caught:”—
Sir Mole, now grown most wond'rous vain,
Answer'd the Weasel with disdain;—
167
“Nor counsel give to wiser folk;
“As Your's, at least, my eyes are keen;—
“Were danger near, 'twere quickly seen:—
“To drop the gentleman I'm loath;
“Pray keep your wind to cool your broath.”
More he had said, but further talk
Was ended by the butcher Hawk,
Who, swooping, in his talons bore,
And limb from limb the blockhead tore.
Was ended by the butcher Hawk,
Who, swooping, in his talons bore,
And limb from limb the blockhead tore.
None are more obstinate than those,
Who can't see farther than their nose;
And Moles are of that stupid kind,
They don't perceive that they are blind.
Who can't see farther than their nose;
And Moles are of that stupid kind,
They don't perceive that they are blind.
| Poems on Several Occasions | |