This beast will grace my supper-shelf." And thus the hapless Tortoise soon Had been condemned to knife and spoon, Had not the Crow the dear Gazelle Taught how to act the lame man well. The timid deer, with halting feet, Went forth, the hunter's eyes to meet. The man threw off, without delay, All that his eager steps might stay-- The Tortoise, with some other things. Of course the Rat undid the strings That held the bag where Tortoise lay, And all four friends got safe away! 'Tis Pilpay that has told this tale; And if upon the god of song I chose to call, I might prolong This quadrupedal history, And write another Odyssey. And if, to please you, I should take This work upon me, I should make The Rat the hero; yet, 'tis true That each had work, and did it, too. The Tortoise, though with mansion weighted, The case in point so clearly stated, That Master Crow at once took wing, To spy the land, and message bring; Whilst dear Gazelle, with female cunning, Before the hunter lamely running, Gave to Sir Gnaw-cord time to bite The strings which held the Tortoise tight. So each one, in his several way, Fought a good fight, and won the day. On whom shall we the prize bestow? On the good heart, as you'll allow. What will not friendship dare for those On whom its gentle tendrils close? That other feeling, love, is not, Compared with friendship, worth a jot; Although, to tell the truth, its pains Distract my heart, and fill my strains. It is Love's gentle sister you Protect, and I'll adore her, too; And, blending Friendship with your name, Throughout the world her joys proclaim. [Illustration: THE ENGLISH FOX.] FABLE CCXXXI. THE ENGLISH FOX. TO MADAME HARVEY.