The Squirrel And The Horse
: Literary Fables Of YriarteA Steed,--a noble sorrel,--
Docile to spur and rein,
Before a little Squirrel
Went dashing round a plain.
Watching awhile his motions,
So swift, yet regular,
The Squirrel brisk bespeaks him
As follows: "My dear sir,
No great merit
All this deftness,
Grace and lightness--
Such I've ofte
With equal spirit,
Just such gambols
I can do, and even more.
I am sprightly,
I am active;
Always lightly
Moving round,
From ground to tree,
And tree to ground,
I am never quiet found."
Checking his pace a moment,
The good colt his gallop stayed,
And in grave tone, as follows,
To the Squirrel answer made:
"Comings and goings,
Turns and twists,
Idle freaks,
Heed who lists.
All this no useful purpose speaks.
Not so futile
My endeavor,
In my duty
Faithful ever.
My master to serve,
I strain every nerve
To be always prompt and clever."
* * * * *
On puerile trifles of the day,
Some time and talents throw away;
And thus the Squirrel's part they play.
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