Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/170

With none but males of martial air,
The lady was in love
With him of shaggy hair.
Her sire, much wanting cover
To send away the lover.
Thus spoke: 'My daughter, sir,
Is delicate. I fear to her
Your fond caressings
Will prove rough blessings.
To banish all alarm
About such sort of harm,
Permit us to remove the cause,
By filing off your teeth and claws.
In such a case, your royal kiss
Will be to her a safer bliss,
And to yourself a sweeter;
Since she will more respond
To those endearments fond
With which you greet her.'
The lion gave consent at once,
By love so great a dunce!
Without a tooth or claw now view him,—
A fort with cannon spiked.
The dogs, let loose upon him. slew him,
All biting safely where they liked.

O tyrant Love! when held by you,
We may to prudence bid adieu.