The Cock and the Fox (French Folk Tale)

Upon a tree there mounted guard

A veteran cock, adroit and cunning;

When to the roots a fox up running,

Spoke thus, in tones of kind regard::

“Our quarrel, brother, “s at an end;

Henceforth I hope to live your friend;

For peace now reigns

Throughout the animal domains.

I bear the news:–come down, I pray,

And give me the embrace fraternal;

And please, my brother, don”t delay.

So much the tidings do concern all,

That I must spread them far to-day.

Now you and yours can take your walks

Without a fear or thought of hawks.

And should you clash with them or others,

In us you”ll find the best of brothers;:

For which you may, this joyful night,

Your merry bonfires light.

But, first, let”s seal the bliss

With one fraternal kiss.”

“Good friend,” the cock replied, “upon my word,

A better thing I never heard;

And doubly I rejoice

To hear it from your voice;

And, really there must be something in it,

For yonder come two greyhounds, which I flatter

Myself are couriers on this very matter.

They come so fast, they”ll be here in a minute.

I'll down, and all of us will seal the blessing

With general kissing and caressing.”

“Adieu,” said fox; “my errand”s pressing;

I'll hurry on my way,

And we”ll rejoice some other day.”

So off the fellow scamper”d, quick and light,

To gain the fox-holes of a neighbouring height,

Less happy in his stratagem than flight.

The cock laugh”d sweetly in his sleeve;:

“Tis doubly sweet deceiver to deceive.