When first a roving fox observed
The lion saunter past,
He trembled like a thing unnerved,
Swung round, and vanished fast.
When next the King of Beasts went by
The fox would not come near,
But, circling with a wary eye,
No longer shook in fear.
At the third meeting, forth he stalked;
Assumed a jaunty ease,
And with the lion glibly talked
Of moles and men and trees.
Then, trotting off without a glance,
He scorned the lion’s roar.
For those we know too well must go
Less honored than before.
