Classic Poem

The animals disputing went en masse ,
And took for judge a venerable ass.
His generous length of ears, and all that grace
Of artless musing flowing o'er his face,
Augured a patient mastery of the case.

The bees came first, charging, with many groans,
A world of theft upon their friends the drones.
The judge groaned louder, asking what they meant
To blame good folks so plainly innocent.
His sentence was, that bees should labour still,
And honest drones be free to eat their fill

The goose came next, requesting that the swan
Might have ejectments served from lake and lawn,
Sweet places, sacred to poetic gods,
And therefore goose's property. Judge nods.

Jay versus Nightingale. Jay represents,
That certain birds have wondrous confidence,
Boasting in song their betters to surpass; —
Appeals with pleasure to my lord the ass.
A sample is required. The bird of night
Begins, and pours forth floods of such delight,
That sense and soul are rapt. The very oaks
Beat time with their old arms and sacred locks.
What signifies? The croak of brother Jay
With justice Jackass bears the palm away.
With like discrimination doves are hailed
The eagle's lords; the crow is peacock-tailed;
And sheep has always over wolf prevailed!

" Nay," cried the fox, seeing one stare and whistle,
" What could you look for from a taste for thistle?"