Such awful sentences to hear.
The courtier's at each other gaz'd,
And at such rudeness sat amaz'd;
But prudently remarks forbore.
Because the king was pleas'd to be,
Complacent towards this liberty,
Accustom'd to such things before.
The sermon ended, the king sent
To manifest his great content.
Had the bold preacher to him brought,
And thank'd him for the truths he'd taught.
"What must I give you in reward,"
He ask'd, "for fearless words like these?"
Old Reynard, taken off his guard,
Replied:—"Some turkeys if you please!"
FABLE XVIII.
THE KING OF PERSIA.
Once on a time a Persian king
With all his court was at the chase.
Becoming dry, he found no spring,
Nor any water in the place.
But near at hand a garden lay,
With citrons, grapes and oranges,
Whose juices might his thirst allay.
"But God save me from eating these!"
The king exclaim'd; "for if one fruit
I take from out that garden wall,
These viziers mine would follow suit,
And take fruit, trees, and garden all."
