or the Battle of the FROGS and MICE.
19
'Strong Suits of Armor round the Bodies close,
'Which like thick Anvils, blunt the Force of Blows;
'In wheeling Marches turn'd oblique they go;
'With Harpy-claws their Limbs divide below:
'Fell Sheers the Passage to their Mouth command;
'From out the Flesh their Bones by Nature stand;
'Broad spread their Backs, their shining Shoulders rise;
'Unnumber'd Joints distort their lengthen'd Thighs:
'With nervous Cords their Hands are firmly brac'd;
'Their round black Eye-balls in their Bosom plac'd;
'On eight long Feet the wondrous Warriors tread;
'And either End alike supplies a Head.
'To call these Crabs the Wits of Earth agree;
'The Gods have other Names for Things than we.'[1]
'Which like thick Anvils, blunt the Force of Blows;
'In wheeling Marches turn'd oblique they go;
'With Harpy-claws their Limbs divide below:
'Fell Sheers the Passage to their Mouth command;
'From out the Flesh their Bones by Nature stand;
'Broad spread their Backs, their shining Shoulders rise;
'Unnumber'd Joints distort their lengthen'd Thighs:
'With nervous Cords their Hands are firmly brac'd;
'Their round black Eye-balls in their Bosom plac'd;
'On eight long Feet the wondrous Warriors tread;
'And either End alike supplies a Head.
'To call these Crabs the Wits of Earth agree;
'The Gods have other Names for Things than we.'[1]
Now tow'rds the Mice th' approaching Bands advance,
And bend or break th' unprofitable Lance.
Next on their Hands the Monsters seize, nor fail
From the torn Body to divide the Tail.
At length, unequal to sustain the Fight,
They sought for Safety by inglorious Flight.
And bend or break th' unprofitable Lance.
Next on their Hands the Monsters seize, nor fail
From the torn Body to divide the Tail.
At length, unequal to sustain the Fight,
They sought for Safety by inglorious Flight.
- ↑ The Lines mark'd with the Comma's are the late Mr. Arch-deacon Parnell's.
Mean
