THE OWL AND THE NIGHTINGALE.

The moon, full orb'd, with beauteous light,
Sat smiling on the brow of night;

And brightly shone her lovely beams,

On hills, and dales, and rocks, and streams;
When, in a wood, a Nightingale

Began to chant her plaintive tale:

The minstrel thought herself alone,
Till interrupted by a moan.

She ceased her song, and turn'd her eye,
And quickly spied an Owl hard by ;
With angry looks, then, she address'd
This harmless, but unwelcome, guest:
"Intruder! from this wood begone!
That I may pour my notes alone;
Or cease your song at my desire :

Who can such hideous cries admire?
Indeed, your note mine ear annoys
I beg you'll cease that horrid noise.”

The Owl replied: “That I'll not do ;
Sure I may sing as well as you!

Ears may be found, to hear the tales

Of Owls, as well as Nightingales."

THE MONKEY AND THE ASS.

One eve, just as the sun was set,
A labouring Ass a Monkey met,
Who thought it would high rank denote
That he had on a spangled coat.
Sternly he thus address'd the Ass:-
"Is this the way by me you pass?

You should have made your bow, at least,
You stupid and ill-manner'd beast!
Indeed, 'twas but the other day
Yon surly dog, whose name is Tray,
Pass'd by me with the same neglect,
And never show'd the least respect.
Though in a spangled coat array'd,
Homage to me by none is paid:
Surely it puts me in a rage

To see the manners of the age."

The Ass just paused; then answer'd thus:

"My friend, you make a mighty fuss:

Before this hour, I never knew

That honour was a monkey's due.

What obligation am I under
To pay respect to you, I wonder?

Is't 'cause you wear a coat outside
Which covers o'er your natural hide?
Indeed, my friend, you are, I vow,
The last to whom I'd scrape or bow;
For though I'm but a labouring donkey,
That's better than a tawdry monkey."

THE FOX AND THE COW.

A tailless Fox and brindled Cow

Were standing near a barley-mow:

When, lo! a dog pass'd o'er the plain,
Which straightway roused a slanderous strain.
Thus said the Fox:-" "Tis my belief,
Yon sheep-dog is a crafty thief;
But well his plunder he conceals:

No doubt, a lamb he often steals:
He surely lives upon the best:

He looks more fat than all the rest."

"Peace! hold your tongue," replied the Cow;
"I hate such slanderous hints, I vow:
Think what you please, but your belief
Will not confirm the dog a thief.
You'd have him thought a pilfering elf,
Because you are a thief yourself:
You have no proofs you can reveal;
And if that dog a lamb did steal,
There's something in your hole will tell,
That you like thieving just as well.
Well all the neighbours knew, last Lent,
Which way Dame Durdon's turkeys went ;
You can't conceal that, to your cost,
Just at that time your tail you lost."

K

THE VIOLET AND THE TULIP.

A Violet, near a Tulip's side,
Once in a garden bloom'd;
The Tulip, with insulting pride,
A lofty height assumed :

As if to admiration's view

It would its charms display; While, 'neath a shade bedropt with dew, The fragrant Violet lay.

But, lo! at last a ruthless storm
O'er heaven began to lower;
And soon the Tulip's gaudy form
Was crush'd beneath its power.

While to the earth it droop'd its head, With all its charms consumed, Content beneath its peaceful shade,

The humble Violet bloom'd.