The Cock And The Fox.

[1]      Upon a tree there mounted guard      A veteran cock, adroit and cunning;      When to the roots a fox up running,      Spoke thus, in tones of kind regard: -      'Our quarrel, brother, 's at an end;      Henceforth I hope to live your friend;      For peace now reigns      Throughout the animal domains.      I bear the news: - come down, I pray,      And give me the embrace fraternal;      And please, my brother, don't delay.      So much the tidings do concern all,      That I must spread them far to-day.      Now you and yours can take your walks      Without a fear or thought of hawks.      And should you clash with them or others,      In us you'll find the best of brothers; -      For which you may, this joyful night,      Your merry bonfires light.      But, first, let's seal the bliss      With one fraternal kiss.'      'Good friend,' the cock replied, 'upon my word,      A better thing I never heard;      And doubly I rejoice      To hear it from your voice;      And, really there must be something in it,      For yonder come two greyhounds, which I flatter      Myself are couriers on this very matter.      They come so fast, they'll be here in a minute.      I'll down, and all of us will seal the blessing      With general kissing and caressing.'      'Adieu,' said fox; 'my errand's pressing;      I'll hurry on my way,      And we'll rejoice some other day.'      So off the fellow scamper'd, quick and light,      To gain the fox-holes of a neighbouring height,      Less happy in his stratagem than flight.      The cock laugh'd sweetly in his sleeve; -      'Tis doubly sweet deceiver to deceive.