FROGS AND MICE.
51
Their shield—a cresset-boss, while, fierce and far,
Bodkins of brass—huge thunderbolts of war—
Their spear-staffs gleam'd;—on every brow was set
Smooth shell of nut, a steel-proof bassenet.
Thus stood the Mice for battle boune: but when
The Frogs discerned them, from their peopled fen
Outpouring toward a singled spot they ran,
Synod of death—and held their war divan.
While thus debating what the riot meant,
And whence the feud, came up a pursuivant,
Batôn in hand; Pot-pry the envoy's name,
August Cheese-scoopo's son—full fraught he came
With words of death:—
"Your wrath the Mice defy,
Assembled Frogs! their herald, lo! am I.
Then harness ye for fight,—for on the main,
These eyes beheld the noble Crumb-catch slain
By Puff-chops, traitor king:—then forth and fight,
All ye the fiercest of the Frogs in might."
His parle he ended:—at the haughty word
Tingled all ears, and every breast was stirr'd,
Ay—the stout Frogs were stricken: when their king
Uprose and spake, amid their murmuring:
"His death I wrought not, friends, nor, when he sank,
Did I behold him,—from the grassy bank
Springing unseen he met his righteous fate,
—A floating frog he fain must imitate—!
Guiltless albeit, and from the crime most free,
Me—they impeach, and cry revenge on—Me,
Bodkins of brass—huge thunderbolts of war—
Their spear-staffs gleam'd;—on every brow was set
Smooth shell of nut, a steel-proof bassenet.
Thus stood the Mice for battle boune: but when
The Frogs discerned them, from their peopled fen
Outpouring toward a singled spot they ran,
Synod of death—and held their war divan.
While thus debating what the riot meant,
And whence the feud, came up a pursuivant,
Batôn in hand; Pot-pry the envoy's name,
August Cheese-scoopo's son—full fraught he came
With words of death:—
"Your wrath the Mice defy,
Assembled Frogs! their herald, lo! am I.
Then harness ye for fight,—for on the main,
These eyes beheld the noble Crumb-catch slain
By Puff-chops, traitor king:—then forth and fight,
All ye the fiercest of the Frogs in might."
His parle he ended:—at the haughty word
Tingled all ears, and every breast was stirr'd,
Ay—the stout Frogs were stricken: when their king
Uprose and spake, amid their murmuring:
"His death I wrought not, friends, nor, when he sank,
Did I behold him,—from the grassy bank
Springing unseen he met his righteous fate,
—A floating frog he fain must imitate—!
Guiltless albeit, and from the crime most free,
Me—they impeach, and cry revenge on—Me,
