Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/427

---

---

A stout Sea-Captain once, who knew no fears,
But lacked the prudence that became his years.
Resolved to put to sea:
What though the wind was high, the skies were wild.
Little recked he;
Vain was the Pilot's warning;
Still came the same reply, all danger scorning—
"It will be nothing"—and the Captain smiled.
A Parrot sat on board.
And caught the refrain of the Captain's word;
And all the while the good ship rushed ahead
"It will be nothing," still the Parrot said.
Long time by adverse winds the barque was tossed;
The course was lost;
At last they lay becalmed; short store of bread,
No land in sight, all hearts disquieted.
The Captain spoke no word;
"It will be nothing," still repeats the Bird.
And day by day the measured food ran short.
Till, as a last resort
(The crew were starving and no help was nigh),
Even the sailors' pets.
Macaws and Parroquets,
To still their hunger, all were doomed to die.
Sadly the Parrot sat and drooped his head;
"It will be nothing," feebly still he said.
Meanwhile his cage stood open on the deck—
He might have saved himself if he had tried;