| Once on a time, a foolish Frog, Vain, proud, and stupid as a log, Tired with the marsh, her native home, Imprudently abroad would roam, And fix her habitation where She'd breathe at least a purer air. She was resolved to change, that's poz; Could she be worse than where she was? |
| Away the silly creature leaps. A Rat, who saw her lab'ring steps, Cried out, "Where in this hurry, pray? You certainly will go astray!" |
| "Ne'er fear; I quit that filthy bog, Where I so long have croaked incog: People of talents, sure, should thrive, And not be buried thus alive. But, pray (for I'm extremely dry), Know you of any water nigh?" |
| "None," said the Rat, "you'll reach to-day, As you so slowly make your way. Believe a friend, and take my word, This jaunt of yours is quite absurd. Go to your froggery again; In your own element remain." No: on the journey she was bent, Her thirst increasing as she went; For want of drink she scarce can hop, And yet despairing of a drop: Too late she moans her folly past; She faints, she sinks, she breathes her last. |
MORAL.
