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THE LAW-SUIT BETWEEN TWO FOXES.
71

"Nay, nay, not so," the master said,
"The law is clear upon that head;
For should the case against you go,
Then you should pay the debt you owe.
And if you win, why, then indeed
You must pay up, as you agreed."

Here rested counsel its defense.
The leopard sat in mute suspense;
And by the workings of his face
He seem'd confounded with the case.
But finally he silence broke,
And thus his sentence briefly spoke:—
"In this sharp case the court must rule
The master no more keeps his school;
And to the pupil—this award,—
From future practice he's debar'd."