A sword to dangle by his side,
And shew at once his rank and pride.
The wily cutler, who well knew
'Twas meant alone to strike the view,
And that if fine the hilt were made.
The peer would little heed the blade,
Begged a few days in toil to spend,
And he would home the weapon send.—
Meanwhile he searched his kitchen round.
And soon a spit neglected found.
That straight he polished, filed, and gilt.
And on it placed a splendid hilt.
And this, well-sheathed, he sent my lord.
And swore that, on a trader's word.
In all Toledo's city he
A finer sword would never see!
So well he spoke, that in a trice
The silly peer paid down the price.
Which rendered one as vile a cheat.
As was the other's folly great.
'Tis thus translators, servile wits,
Turn spits to swords, and swords to spits.
(Iriarte, Literary Fables. Translated by John Balfour.)
A GOOSE, with other poultry fed.
Inhabiting a farm-yard shed;
So vile a bird was never seen.
Her nest was litter'd and unclean:
