Would draw Jove's eagle from his throne;
Yes, Venus' turtle-doves, I ween,
And the vain peacock e'en,
Would come, I swear.
Soon as that tone had reached them through the air.
E'en from a forest dark had she
Enticed a bear, unlicked, ill-bred,
And, by her wiles alluring, led
To join the gentle company,
Until as tame as they was he:
(Up to a certain point, be it understood!)
How fair, and ah! how good
She seemed to be! I would have drained my blood
To water e'en her flow'rets sweet.
"Thou sayest: I! Who? How? And where?"—
Well, to be plain, good sirs—I am the bear;
In a net apron, caught, alas!
Chained by a silk thread at her feet.
But how this wonder came to pass
I'll tell some day if ye are curious;
Just now, my temper's much too furious.
Ah, when I'm in the corner placed,
And hear afar the creatures snapping,
And see the flipping and the flapping,
I turn around With growling sound.
And backward run a step in haste.
And look around
With growling sound.
Then run again a step in haste.
And to my former post go round.
But suddenly my anger grows,
