The Fox And The Goat.

[1]      A fox once journey'd, and for company      A certain bearded, horned goat had he;      Which goat no further than his nose could see.      The fox was deeply versed in trickery.      These travellers did thirst compel      To seek the bottom of a well.      There, having drunk enough for two,      Says fox, 'My friend, what shall we do?      'Tis time that we were thinking      Of something else than drinking.      Raise you your feet upon the wall,      And stick your horns up straight and tall;      Then up your back I'll climb with ease,      And draw you after, if you please.'      'Yes, by my beard,' the other said,      ''Tis just the thing. I like a head      Well stock'd with sense, like thine.      Had it been left to mine,      I do confess,      I never should have thought of this.'      So Renard clamber'd out,      And, leaving there the goat,      Discharged his obligations      By preaching thus on patience: -      'Had Heaven put sense thy head within,      To match the beard upon thy chin,      Thou wouldst have thought a bit,      Before descending such a pit.      I'm out of it; good bye:      With prudent effort try      Yourself to extricate.      For me, affairs of state      Permit me not to wait.'      Whatever way you wend,      Consider well the end.