A wolf, once forgetting the size of his swallow,
Tried to pass a large marrow-bone through it.
"Oh dear," said the beast, thinking death was to follow,
"How careless and stupid to do it!"
His mouth was propp'd open by means of the bone,
And his breathing was greatly impeded,
But a crane coming up, he contrived to make known
What kind of assistance he needed.
"How d'ye do?" said the bird; said the beast, "Very ill,
For a bone has gone down the wrong way;
But if you can extract it by means of your bill,
The service I'll amply repay."
Thought the crane, "I'm no surgeon: yet all must agree,
That my bill will make excellent _forceps_;
And as for the money, I do not now see
Why I need refuse taking his worship's."
Said the bird, "It's agreed;" said his patient, "Proceed,
And take the bone hence, I beseech;"
Which, after awhile, and with infinite toil,
The crane at last managed to reach.
"Thank my stars!" said the beast, from his terrors released,
"Thank you _too_, sir," said he to the bird;
"Alas!" said the crane, "is this all I'm to gain,
I was waiting the promised reward."
Said the wolf, "You forget, I've contracted no debt,
Since the service was _rendered by me_;
Your head I releas'd from the jaws of a beast,
And now you're demanding a fee!"