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FLORIAN'S FABLES.
"What! do you think us heroes then?"
"Yes; so believe our best of men."
"And should we, if it were not so,
Be free to go
And wander through the wide domain
Of our own native woods again?"
"Oh yes, my Lord."—"Then let me go;
For you're deceiv'd, as I can show:—
Our race is proud, yet still caressing;
Gentle, though great power possessing;
We never hurt, as you may see,
Nor injure those less strong than we:
Our hearts can love, yet, from lust free,
Observe the laws of chastity;
And ne'er do we our honors earn
By loss of virtue in return.
Since this is so, how can you then,
Think we possess the souls of men?"
