Said a hare to a tortoise, "Good sir, what a while
You have been only crossing the way;
Why I really believe that to go half a mile,
You must travel two nights and a day."
"I am very contented," the creature replied,
"Though I walk but a tortoise's pace,
But if you think proper the point to decide,
We will run half a mile in a race."
"Very good," said the hare; said the tortoise, "Proceed,
And the fox shall decide who has won,"
Then the hare started off with incredible speed;
But the tortoise walk'd leisurely on.
"Come tortoise, friend tortoise, walk on," said the hare,
"Well, I shall stay here for my dinner;
Why, 'twill take you a month, at that rate, to get there,
Then how can you hope to be winner?"
But the tortoise could hear not a word that she said
For he was far distant behind;
So the hare felt secured while at leisure she fed,
And took a sound nap when she dined.
So at last this slow walker came up with the hare,
And there fast asleep did he spy her;
And he cunningly crept with such caution and care,
That she woke not, although he pass'd by her.
"Well now," thought the hare, when she open'd her eyes,
"For the race,--and I soon shall have done it;"
But who can describe her chagrin and surprise,
When she found that the _tortoise_ had won it!