Upon a tree there mounted guard A veteran Cock, adroit and cunning; When to the roots a Fox up running, Spoke thus, in tones of kind regard: "Our quarrel, brother, 's at an end; Henceforth I hope to live your friend; For peace now reigns Throughout the animal domains. I bear the news--come down, I pray, And give me the embrace fraternal; And please, my brother, don't delay. So much the tidings do concern all, That I must spread them far to-day. Now you and yours can take your walks Without a fear or thought of hawks. And should you clash with them or others, In us you'll find the best of brothers; For which you may, this joyful night, Your merry bonfires light. But, first, let's seal the bliss With one fraternal kiss." The Cock replied, "Upon my word, A better thing I never heard; And doubly I rejoice To hear it from your voice; There really must be something in it, For yonder come two greyhounds, which I flatter Myself are couriers on this very matter. They come so fast, they'll be here in a minute. I'll down, and all of us will seal the blessing With general kissing and caressing." "Adieu," said Fox; "my errand's pressing; I'll hurry on my way, And we'll rejoice some other day." So off the fellow scampered, quick and light, To gain the fox-holes of a neighbouring height, Less happy in his stratagem than flight. The Cock laugh'd sweetly in his sleeve-- 'Tis doubly sweet deceiver to deceive. The Wolf, the Goat, and the Kid As went a Goat of grass to take her fill, And browse the herbage of a distant hill, She latch'd her door, and bid, With matron care, her Kid; "My daughter, as you live, This portal don't undo To any creature who This watchword does not give: 'Deuce take the Wolf and all his race'!" The Wolf was passing near the place By chance, and heard the words with pleasure, And laid them up as useful treasure; And hardly need we mention, Escaped the Goat's attention. No sooner did he see The matron off, than he, With hypocritic tone and face, Cried out before the place, "Deuce take the Wolf and all his race!" Not doubting thus to gain admission. The Kid, not void of all suspicion, Peer'd through a crack, and cried, "Show me white paw before You ask me to undo the door." The Wolf could not, if he had died, For wolves have no connection With paws of that complexion. So, much surprised, our gourmandiser Retired to fast till he was wiser. _How would the Kid have been undone Had she but trusted to the word The Wolf by chance had overheard! Two sureties better are than one; And cautions worth its cost, Though sometimes seeming lost._ The Fox, the Monkey, and the Animals