Above, the mighty branches spread From out the parent stem; And lo! I saw a Mannikin High perched on one of them. His face was pale, his cheeks were white; He sate in utter woe; It seemed he durst not venture down, For fear of those below. But anon he shook the branches, And down the acorns fell, And then the beasts rushed forward, Each with a horrid yell. Right sharp and savage was the grunt, Though plentiful the food: So sate the lonely Mannikin Within the lonely wood. III. But as I tarried, wondering much To see the little man, A gleam of light came o'er his face; It seemed some cunning plan Rose up within him, for he grinned And nodded to himself, Then grinned again and chuckled, Like a sly and naughty elf. And then I marked him, stealthily From out his belt withdraw A weapon in the morning light, That glittered like a saw; And straight astride a heavy branch Right nimbly clambered he, And sawed away most busily, Between him and the tree! IV. Then longer from accosting him I could not well forbear-- "What, ho, thou foolish Mannikin! What art thou doing there? A little deeper, and 'tis plain The branch must downward go, And down with it the carpenter Unto the beasts below!" Then answered back the Mannikin-- "Aha! I'm light and strong: You'll see me scramble higher up, And higher yet ere long. But first this branch I sever, just To please the hungry swine; And then I'll lop another off-- For that's a scheme of mine!" V. "Forbear, thou naughty Mannikin!" 'Twas thus again I spoke-- "Who was't gave thee the liberty To lop that stately oak? In strength and glory it hath stood A thousand years and more, Still spreading forth its mighty arms, As proudly as of yore. What tree hath ever matched it yet For majesty of form? Or yielded such a sure defence From heat, or rain, or storm? Though tempests often round it swept, It still hath bravely stood, Nor ever stooped its shapely crest-- That monarch of the wood! VI. "And _thou_, an ape-like atomy, Perched up within the tree! Shall its fair limbs be lopped away By such a dwarf as thee?" Yet chattered still the Mannikin-- "Down, down, the branch must go! The pigs demand the sacrifice-- They're watching me below. See--see! they're grunting upwards! ah, They bare their tusks at me! For rather than offend my swine I would uproot the tree. Hush--hush, my darlings! Hush, my dears! Here's plenty food for you-- A moment's patience, and 'tis done; The branch is nearly through!" VII.