Читать книгу Modern Poets and Poetry of Spain - James Kennedy - Страница 15

A Bear, with whom a Piedmontese

A wandering living made,

A dance he had not learn’d with ease,

On his two feet essay’d:

And, as he highly of it thought,

He to the Monkey cried,

“How’s that?” who, being better taught,

“ ’Tis very bad,” replied.

“I do believe,” rejoin’d the Bear,

“You little favour show:

For have I not a graceful air,

And step with ease to go?”

A Hog, that was beside them set,

Cried, “Bravo! good!” said he;

“A better dancer never yet

I saw, and ne’er shall see.”

On this the Bear, as if he turn’d

His thoughts within his mind,

With modest gesture seeming learn’d

A lesson thence to find.

“When blamed the Monkey, it was cause

Enough for doubting sad;

But when I have the hog’s applause,

It must be very bad!”

As treasured gift, let authors raise

This moral from my verse:

’Tis bad, when wise ones do not praise;

But when fools do, ’tis worse.