Page:An argosy of fables.djvu/458

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He might attack ad libitum.
⁠"Ha!" said the young one, "where's this vine—
Let's see this fruit you think so fine."
"Come then, my child, your fortune's great, you
Can't conceive what feasts await you!"
He said, and gliding through the air
They reached a vine, and halted there.
⁠Soon as the grapes the youngster spied,
"Is this the fruit you praise?" he cried:
"Why, an old bird, Sir, as you are.
Should judge, I think, more wisely far
Than to admire, or hold as good.
Such half-grown, small, and worthless food.
Come, see a fruit which I possess
In yonder garden; you'll confess.
When you behold it, that it is
Bigger and better far than this."
"I'll go," he said; "but ere I see
This fruit of yours, whate'er it be,
I'm sure it is not worth a stone.
Or grape-skin from my vines alone."
⁠They reached the spot the Thrushlet named,
And he triumphantly exclaimed—
"Show me the fruit to equal mine!
A size so great—a shape so fine;
What luxury, however rare,—
Can e'en your grapes with this compare?"
The old bird stared, as well he might,
For lo! a pumpkin met his sight!