COMIC PIECES. 24.5 



THE WALLET.* 



From the French of La Fontaine. 



Jove once assembling all his creatures, 



Proclaim'd, whoe'er disliked his lot, 

 As far as outward form and features, 



Might have them mended on the spot. 



Among the rest he saw the Ape 



Thought HIM fit subject for beginning: 



But Jacko faultless found his shape, 

 And saw the graces in his grinning. 



Said Jack, " You might have pitch' d a worse on } 

 Sire, in the crowd that here's attending ! 



There's brother Bruin's half-licked person 

 May need, I think, some little mending." 



The Bear not wishing to complain, 



Said, " That pert jackanapes must doat, 



How many beasts desire in rain 

 The comforts of this shaggy coat. 



" Yon Elephant, our height o'ertopping, 

 In clumsy bulk, perhaps I'm stronger 



But sure his EARS require some cropping 

 Should not his TAIL be somewhat longer?" 



The Elephant these changes scouted, 



The same vain notions e'en prevail 

 In his wise head; he rather doubted 



If not too large, was FAT DAME WHALE. 



Contented was my lady Whale, 



While Mistress Ant believed Miss Mite 



Was made on much too small a scale, 

 She thought her own dimensions right. 



* In this piece there is but little change of tone required. Liveliness 

 of manner, distinctness of utterance, a strict attention to the emphasis, 

 and a suspension of the voice before the supposed speech of the ani- 

 mals, claim the chief attention of the speaker. 



