The Fables of Florian (tr. Phelps)/The Peacock, Two Goslings, and the Diver
FABLE XX.
THE PEACOCK, TWO GOSLINGS, AND THE DIVER.
His wondrous plumes the peacock spread,
And was admir'd by other birds;
But two young geese in mud-holes bred,
Quawk'd out their comments in these words:—
"Do see," said one, "that leg of his!
And what an ugly foot that is!"
"And what a voice!" the other cried,
"Enough to make the scritch-owl hide."
So pleas'd were they with their own wit,
They went into a laughing fit.
When of a sudden up there came
A diver from the depths below.
"Messieurs!" said he, "though you may blame
The bird for faults that we all know,
Yet is your voice than his more sweet,
Or have you any better feet,
That you should venture thus to quiz?
And as for plumage, let me say,
You never yet will see the day,
When yours will equal his."