Within a comrade's lap, while on his back
He stretched his paw out for the rest to smack;
Then he must guess who struck; and, in such case,
Guessed wrong of course.
Then they all grinned and screamed till they were hoarse.
Attracted to the sound,
A smart young Leopard sallied from his lair,
And with a gracious air
Bowed most politely round.
All trembled at his presence. "Pray," said he,
"Don't be alarmed; I'm a good-natured beast —
Don't stop for me —
I would not interrupt you in the least:
Nay, I've come here to-day
Quite in a friendly way.
To join your sports myself; so pray go on,
And I'll make one."
"Oh, Monseigneur! Your Highness is too good!
What! join in these rude sports with such as we?"
"Well, 'tis my whim—just now I'm in the mood;
Besides, my Highness takes a philosophic view
As to the rights of animals—don't you?
I go in for equality, you see;
Come—let's begin."
The Apes, delighted, listened fast enough
(As fools will always listen to such stuff)
And with a general grin.
Took it all in.
So the blindfolded Ape held out his paw;
Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/424
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356
MODERN FABLES
