And grew distraught with fears
Lest some might construe into horns that feature.
He sought the Grasshopper, his country neighbour:
"Adieu," said he, "my friend.
I'm off at once: I feel that in the end,
Under some false impeachment I shall labour:
My Ears will count as horns, you may depend.
Nay, even if I displayed 'em
Short as an Ostrich, 'twould be all the same;
Horns is their name!"
"Horns!" quoth his friend,—"they're Ears, as Heaven made 'em;
D'ye take me for a fool?"
"Horns they will be for all that," said the Hare,
"Plain as a Unicorn's by this new rule;
Protest nor prayer,
If I'm clapt up in jail, will serve me there."
(La Fontaine, Fables, Vol. V, No. 4. Translated by the Rev. Wm. Lucas Collins.)
A PERT young Mouse to whom the world was new
Had once a near escape, if all be true.
He told his mother, as I need tell you:
"I crossed the mountains that beyond us rise,
And, journeying onwards, bore me
As one who had a great career before me,
When lo! two creatures met my wondering eyes—
The one of gracious mien, benign and mild;
