Page:Australian and Other Poems.djvu/97

And bowed with all a courtier's grace,
When he and fox stood face to face.
The table spread, they lost no time
To sit them down, and 'gin to dine.
The cover off, two plates came forth,
Filled up with richest steaming broth.
Stork made a dive, but lo! his beak
Upon the delf resounded creak;
For well you know from shallow cup
A crane or stork can never sup.
Fox in his sleeve at this faux pas
Did laugh right hearty—stretched his paw,
And helped his friend to some more food.
Until his dish had near o'erflowed.
"Your appetite, sir, is it keen?"
The rogue inquired, with cunning grin.
"Very, indeed, sir," biped replied
(With hunger, faith, he could have cried).
Again he tried to have a taste—
Again he only made a waste.
He tried his bill in every way,
But no receipt his pains would pay;