_An Old Fable with a New Setting._
A little lamb lived by a flowing stream.
A great temptation, when the heat was torrid,
To thirsty souls that water's limpid gleam.
At least so thought a Wolf, of aspect horrid,
Who, having for some time abstained and fasted,
Desired to learn how lamb--and water--tasted.
He felt with pinching want his paunch was pining,
Early he'd lunched, so longed the more for dining.
A Cochin China rooster, lank and thin,
Or something indigestible from Tonquin,
For a big, sharp-set Wolf, are snacks, not meals;
So down the sparkling river Lupus steals,
Quite uninvited, but intent on forage,
Fronting the fleecy flocks with wondrous courage;
For whether in the Southdowns, or Siam,
By the near Medway, or the far Menam,
Your Wolf is most courageous--with your Lamb!
With joy the Lamb he spied, then, growling, said,
"Sirrah! how dare you thus disturb my drink?"
The Lamb, in answer, meekly bowed its head--
"_I_ trouble not the water, Sir, I think,
Particularly as I'm sure you'll see
It flows--observe the drift--from you to me!
You're welcome in the stream to slake your thirst,
But, may I just observe, _I was here first!_"
"Oh! you chop logic!" cried the angry brute.
"I can chop, too:--you've done me other wrong.
Young Mutton, best with _me_ not to dispute!
You've given me already too much tongue.
Are _you_ the home-born boss of all Siam,
Of fleet Mekong, and many-creek'd Menam?"
Mildly young woolly-face replied, "I _am_!"
His optics orientally oblique,
Rolling in manner sheepish, soft, and meek.
"Oh, _are_ you?" snarled the Wolf. "_We_'ll see about it!
'Twixt Western Wolf and Oriental Lamb
Equality is a preposterous flam:
Do you--as Tonquin did--presume to doubt it?
Fraternity? Well, I'm your elder brother;
And Liberty--to you--means nought but bother.
See, silly-face?" "Well, no," the Lamb replied,
"Such reciprocity seems all one side.
Not six o' one and half a dozen o' 'tother!"
"Pooh!" snapped the Wolf. "Logic's clear _terra firma_
Is not for Lambkin, but for Wolf or Lion.
If you such little games with me should try on,
I'd treat you--well, as Bull did little Burmah.
I have imperative claims; I'm going to state 'em
With lupine brevity in an ultimatum.
That--after some two days--must stand as Law;
If after that you give me any jaw,
My little Mutton--well, beware my maw!"