10 THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE. VII.
- THE WALLET.8
From heaven, one day, did Jupiter proclaim,
- Let all that live before my throne appear,
And there, if any one hath aught to blame, In matter, form, or texture of his frame, He may bring forth his grievance without fear. Redress shall instantly be given to each. Come, monkey, now, first let us have your speech. You see these quadrupeds, your brothers : Comparing, then, yourself with others. Are you well satisfied ? ' * And wherefore not ? ' Says Jock. ' Have n't I four trotters with the rest? Is not my visage comely as the best ? But this my brother Bruin is a blot On thy creation fair ; And sooner than be painted I 'd be shot, Were I, great sire, a bear.' The bear approaching, doth he make complaint? Not he ; himself he lauds without restraint. The elephant he needs must criticize : To crop his ears and stretch his tail were wise ; A creature he of huge, misshapen size. The elephant, though famed as beast judicious, While on his own account he had no wishes.
