Modern Poets and Poetry of Spain/The Two Rabbits
THE TWO RABBITS.
Some shrubs amidst to shun
The dogs he saw pursue,
I will not call it run,
But say a rabbit flew.
From out his hiding-place
A neighbour came to see,
And said, "Friend, wait a space:
What may the matter be?"
"What should it be?" he cried;
"I breathless came in fear,
Because that I espied
Two scoundrel greyhounds near."
"Yes," said the other, "far
I see them also there;
But those no greyhounds are!"
"What?"—"Setters, I'll declare."
"How, setters do you say?
My grandad just as much!
They are greyhounds, greyhounds, they;
I saw them plainly such."
"They are setters; get along:
What know you of these matters?"–
"They are greyhounds; you are wrong:"–
"I tell you they are setters."
The dogs while they engage
In these contentious habits,
Come up, and vent their rage
On my two thoughtless rabbits.
Who minor points affect,
So much about to quarrel,
And weightier things neglect,
Let them take the moral.