Page:Fables by La Fontaine translated by Elizur Wright.djvu/82

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14 THE FABLES OF LA FONTAINE. The birdlings, tired of hearing, And laughing more than fearing, Set up a greater jargon Than did, before the Trojan slaughter, The Trojans round old Priam's daughter. ^^ And many a bird, in prison grate, Lamented soon a Trojan fate.

'T is thus we heed no instincts but our own, Believe no evil till the evil 's done. IX. THE CITY RAT AND THE COUNTRY RAT » A CITY rat, one night, Did, with a civil stoop, A country rat invite To end a turde soup.

Upon a Turkey carpet They found the table spread, And sure I need not harp it How well the fellows fed.

The entertainment was A truly noble one ; But some unlucky cause Disturbed it when begun.