Page:Fables for the Frivolous.djvu/122

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FABLES FOR THE FRIVOLOUS

As thus the peasant slept one day,
The weather being torrid,
A gnat beheld him where he lay
And lit upon his forehead,
  And thence, like all such winged creatures,
  Proceeded over all his features.

The watchful bear, perceiving that
The gnat lit on her master,
Resolved to light upon the gnat
And plunge him in disaster;
  She saw no sense in being lenient
  When stones lay round her, most convenient.

And so a weighty rock she aimed
With much enthusiasm:
"Oh, lor'!" the startled gnat exclaimed,
And promptly had a spasm:
  A natural proceeding this was,
  Considering how close the miss was.

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