A Rat, a Gazelle, and a Tortoise and Crow Lived together as friends, in a desolate place; And, as they took care to indulge in no show, Man failed for some time the companions to trace. But, alas! for poor beasts there's no safety from man, Whatever concealment their instincts may plan; To the heart of the desert, the depths of the sea, Or to heaven's own vault, 'tis in vain that they flee. The Gazelle, one sad day, was at innocent play, When a dog--cruel dogs! whom the men treat as brothers, Though beasts, to assist them to capture the others-- Unluckily snuffed at her scent, and, pursuing, Led on his fierce master, to cause her undoing. When dinner came that day, the Rat Said, "What can Miss Gazelle be at? She surely dreads some new attacks, Or else our friendship's bonds relax!" "Ah!" then the Tortoise, sighing, cried, "If Heaven wings would but provide, Such as our Crow has, I would fly, And all around the country spy, To find what accidents withhold Our friend. Her heart's as good as gold." The Crow, without a word, took flight, And soon had poor Gazelle in sight, Tied up with cords against a tree, A hapless piece of misery. At once the Crow, without a pause, Flies back, nor seeks to probe the cause, The whys, the wherefores, or the when Which make Gazelles the prey of men. Nor loses time, for action meant, In a pedantic argument. The Crow's report was duly heard, And then the Crow a vote preferred That two should speed, without delay, To where their friend in bondage lay, But that the Tortoise, lying still, Should serve the counter,--guard the till; For, whilst the Tortoise' step is slow, Gazelles die quickly, as we know. The words were scarcely said, when forth The angry Crow and Rat went north, To where their dark-eyed, dear Gazelle Lay, victim of man's purpose fell. The Tortoise, also, not behind-hand To lend to any one a kind hand, Toiled thither, also, grimly swearing That he his house must still be bearing. Arrived at the place where the Deer was confined, Sir <i>Gnaw-net</i> (the Rat is so properly named) At once set his teeth the hard cordage to grind, And in less than two minutes the friend was reclaimed The hunter coming up just then, Cursed like a thousand sporting men; And Master Rat, with prudence fraught, A cozy hole directly sought, Whilst Crow swam safely up to tree, And dear Gazelle in woods ran free. Just then the hunter, in a state Of hunger most disconsolate, Perceived the Tortoise on his path, And, thereupon, subdued his wrath. "Why should I," said he, "vex myself?