With face demure, sat cunning Tom and Pug.
By Tom were mice and rats but rarely taken,
A duck or chicken better met his wishes;
More than the rats Tom gnawed the cheese and bacon;
'Twas Pug's delight to break the china dishes.
And on the choicest viands oft a guttler,
Still made it seem the footman or the butler.
One winter's day was seen this hopeful pair
Close to the kitchen-fire, as usual, posted.
Amongst the red-hot coals the cook with care
Had plac'd some nice plump chestnuts to be roasted.
From whence in smoke a pungent odour rose,
Whose oily fragrance struck the monkey's nose.
"Tom!" says sly Pug: "pray could not you and I
Share this dessert the cook is pleased to cater?
Had I such claws as your's, I'd quickly try:
Lend me a hand—'twill be a coup-de-maître:"
So said, he seized his colleague's ready paw.
Pulled out the fruit, and crammed it in his jaw.
Now came the shining priestess of the fane.
And off in haste the two marauders scampered.
Tom for his share of the plunder had the pain.
Whilst Pug his palate with the dainties pampered.
Pug had the prize; Tom gained at least the learning,
That Pug loved nuts, and gave his friend the burning.
(La Fontaine, Fables, Vol. IX, No. 16. Anonymous translation.)
