Page:Poems, Household Edition, Emerson, 1904.djvu/111

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
FABLE
75

The shortness of our days,
And promise, on thy Founder's truth,
Long morrow to this mortal youth.

FABLE

The mountain and the squirrel
Had a quarrel,
And the former called the latter 'Little Prig;
Bun replied,
'You are doubtless very big;
But all sorts of things and weather
Must be taken in together,
To make up a year
And a sphere.
And I think it no disgrace
To occupy my place.
If I 'm not so large as you,
You are not so small as I,
And not half so spry.
I 'll not deny you make
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back,
Neither can you crack a nut.'