BOOK ONE. 29
Its fragrant smell, were powerful to excite, Had there been need, his foxish appetite. But now the dame, to torture him, Such wit was in her. Served up her dinner In vases made so tall and slim, They let their owner's beak pass in and out, But not, by any means, the fox's snout! All arts without avail, With drooping head and tail, As ought a fox a fowl had cheated. The hungry guest at last retreated.
Ye knaves, for you is this recital. You'll often meet Dame Stork's requital.
XIX.
THE BOY AND THE SCHOOLMASTER.26
Wise counsel is not always wise, As this my tale exemplifies. A boy, that frolicked on the banks of Seine, Fell in, and would have found a watery grave, Had not that hand that planteth ne'er in vain A willow planted there, his life to save. While hanging by its branches as he might, A certain sage preceptor came in sight;
