Crows feed upon worms: yet an author affirms
Cheshire cheese they will get if they're able;
"For," said he, "I well know, one unprincipled crow
Once purloined a large piece from my table."
Then away darted she, to the shade of a tree,
To deposit the booty within her;
But it never occurr'd to the mind of the bird,
That a _fox_ was to have it for dinner.
"How many a slip, 'twixt the cup and the lip!"
(Excuse me, I pray, the digression,)
Said a fox to himself, "I can share in the pelf,
If I act with my usual discretion."
So said he, "Is it you? pray, ma'am, how do you do,
I have long wish'd to pay you a visit;
For a twelvemonth has pass'd, since I heard of you last
Which is not very neighborly, is it?
"But, dear madam," said he, "you are dining, I see;
On that subject I'd ask your advice;
Pray, ma'am, now can you tell, where provisions they sell,
That are not an extravagant price?
"Bread and meat are so dear, and have been for a year,
That poor people can scarcely endure it,
And then _cheese is so high_, that such beggars as I,
_Till it falls_, cannot hope to procure it."
But the ill-behaved bird did not utter a word,
Still intent on retaining her plunder;
Thought the fox, "It should seem, this is not a good scheme,
What else can I think of, I wonder?"
So said Reynard once more, "I ne'er knew it before,
But your feathers are whiter than snow is!"
But thought he, when he'd said it, "she'll ne'er give it credit,
For what bird is so black as a crow is."
"But I'm told that your voice is a horrible noise,
Which they say of all sounds is the oddest;
But then this is absurd, for it never is heard,
Since you are so excessively modest."
If _that's_ all thought the crow, "I will soon let you know
That all doubt on that score may be ended;"
Then most laughingly piped, the poor silly biped,
When quickly her dinner descended!