She was a lady with pins in her hair
On a funny old Japanese fan.
He was a proud bit of Chinese ware
In the shape of a Mandarin man.
She sighed, when she saw him appear on the shelf,
For she thought of her shabby old frock.
She said "Oh! I know he will scorn an old fan,
As he comes of a very proud stock."
The Mandarin sneered as he took a front place,
But his pride had a fall when he found,
That the fan was dispatched to a very grand show,
For her beauty and age were renowned!
So we'll leave him alone on his shelf while he thinks,
With a large diminution of pride,
"It is not the feathers that make the fine bird,
But the worth of the bird that's inside!"
Horatia Browne.
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