A legal instrument without a flaw.
The Edict of the King was executed;
From various Species Spokesmen were deputed.
The Foxes all and some
Staying religiously at home
One of their Family explained the reason
Of what might have an air of treason:
"The footprints on the sand, "he said,
"Of those who have their visits paid
Towards the Cave present an obvious track,
But nothing in the shape of coming back:
This certainly seems rather queer
And gives our Race some grounds for fear.
Although the King perhaps would kindly use us,
In this affair he really must excuse us.
The Passport looks all right—but then—
I see in fact
With Certitude exact
How people get within the Den;
But how a single soul gets out again
Is not so plain."
(La Fontaine, Fables, Vol. VI, No. 14. Translated by Paul Hookham.)
THE ANIMALS SICK WITH THE PLAGUE
ONE of those scourges which Heaven's righteous wrath
Invented for the crimes of Earth—
The Plague, if one must call
The visitation by its hideous name—
