48
THE FROG-AND-MOUSE-FIGHT.
Into the Lake: when Nibble-Biscuit saw
Him fall half dead, He rush'd on Him again
Eager to slay: but Weedy, when He saw
Him fall half dead, pass'd through the foremost Rank,
And darted his sharp Rush; which could not pierce
The Shield through, but his Spear-Point was repell'd.
Him fall half dead, He rush'd on Him again
Eager to slay: but Weedy, when He saw
Him fall half dead, pass'd through the foremost Rank,
And darted his sharp Rush; which could not pierce
The Shield through, but his Spear-Point was repell'd.
There was among the Mice a stripling Boy,
Above the rest tall, fighting close, the Son
Of blameless Snare-Loaf; He resembled Mars
Himself, bold Scrap-Catch: singly He excell'd
In Battle all the Mice: He stood alone,
Aloof from others, by the Lake, elate
Threat'ning to end the Race of warlike Frogs:
And He had done it, for his Might was great,
Had not the Sire of Gods and Men look'd sharp.
But Jove took Pity on the ruin'd Frogs;
And, moving slow his Head, pronounc'd this Speech.
Above the rest tall, fighting close, the Son
Of blameless Snare-Loaf; He resembled Mars
Himself, bold Scrap-Catch: singly He excell'd
In Battle all the Mice: He stood alone,
Aloof from others, by the Lake, elate
Threat'ning to end the Race of warlike Frogs:
And He had done it, for his Might was great,
Had not the Sire of Gods and Men look'd sharp.
But Jove took Pity on the ruin'd Frogs;
And, moving slow his Head, pronounc'd this Speech.
"Good Gods! important Deeds my Eyes behold;
"Scrap-Catch no little has astonish'd Me,
"Scrap-Catch no little has astonish'd Me,
