Of beans which they had sever'd from the stalk
With hasty tooth by night, they made them greaves.
Their corslets were of platted straw, well lined 155
With spoils of an excoriated cat.
The lamp contributed its central tin,
A shield for each. The glitt'ring needle long
Arm'd ev'ry gripe with a terrific spear,
And auburn shells of nuts their brows inclosed. 160
Thus arm'd the Mice advanced, of whose approach
The Frogs apprized, emerging from the lake,
All throngʻd to council, and consid'ring sat
The sudden tumult and its cause. Then came,
Sceptre in hand, an herald. Son was he 165
Of the renown'd [1]Tyroglyphus, and call'd
[2]Embasichytrus. Charged he came to announce
The horrors of approaching war, and said—
Ye Frogs! the host of Mice send you by me
Menaces and defiance, Arm, they say, 170
For furious fight; for they have seen the Prince
Psycharpax welt'ring on the waves, and drown'd
By King Physignathus. Ye then, the Chiefs
And leaders of the host of Frogs, put on
Your armour, and draw forth your bands to battle! 175
He said, and went. Then were the noble Frogs
Troubled at that bold message, and while all
Murmur'd against Physignathus, the King
Himself arising, thus denied the charge.
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THE FROGS AND MICE.
575
