The Lion And The Gnat.

The Lion once said to the Gnat: "You brat,

Clear out just as quick as you can, now--s'cat!

If you meddle with me

I will not guarantee

That you won't be slammed perfectly flat--

D'ye see?"

Said the Gnat: "Because you're called King--you thing!--

You fancy that you will make

me

take wing.

Why, an ox weighs much more,

Yet I drive him before

When I get good and ready to sting.

Now, roar!"

Then loudly his trumpet he blew. And--whew!

How fiercely and fast at his foe he flew.

From the tail to the toes

He draws blood as he goes.

Then he starts in to sting and to chew

His nose.

Sir Lion was mad with the pain. In vain

He roared and he foamed and he shook his mane.

All the beasts that were nigh

Fled in fear from his cry.

But the Gnat only stung him again--

In the eye.

He looked and laughed as he saw--Haw, Haw!--

The Lion self-torn by his tooth and claw,

So His Majesty's hide

With his own blood was dyed.

Said the Gnat: "Shall I serve you up raw--

Or fried?"

It's finished. The Lion's loud roar is o'er.

He's bitten and beaten, he's sick and sore.

But a spider's web spread

Trapped the Gnat as he sped

With the news...He will never fight more--

He's dead!