The Cat and the Two Sparrows

To Monseigneur The Duke De Bourgogne.

Contemporary with a sparrow tame / There lived a cat; from tenderest age, / Of both, the basket and the cage / Had household gods the same. / The bird's sharp beak full oft provoked the cat, / Who play'd in turn, but with a gentle pat, / His wee friend sparing with a merry laugh, / Not punishing his faults by half. / In short, he scrupled much the harm, / Should he with points his ferule arm. / The sparrow, less discreet than he, / With dagger beak made very free. / Sir Cat, a person wise and staid, / Excused the warmth with which he play'd: / For 'tis full half of friendship's art / To take no joke in serious part. / Familiar since they saw the light, / Mere habit kept their friendship good; / Fair play had never turn'd to fight, / Till, of their neighbourhood, / Another sparrow came to greet / Old Ratto grave and saucy Pete. / Between the birds a quarrel rose, / And Ratto took his side. / 'A pretty stranger, with such blows / To beat our friend! ' he cried. / 'A neighbour's sparrow eating ours! / Not so, by all the feline powers. ' / And quick the stranger he devours. / 'Now, truly,' saith Sir Cat, / I know how sparrows taste by that. / Exquisite, tender, delicate! ' / This thought soon seal'd the other's fate. -- / But hence what moral can I bring? / For, lacking that important thing, / A fable lacks its finishing: / I seem to see of one some trace, / But still its shadow mocks my chase. / Yours, prince, it will not thus abuse: / For you such sports, and not my muse. / In wit, she and her sisters eight / Would fail to match you with a mate.[1]