THE RIVAL MOTHERS.
Reading edition
aid Mistress Bear to Mistress Fox, "Your girl is very small." Quoth Mistress Fox, "It is not so; Your boy is not so tall." "My boy is tall and sturdy too," Cried Mistress Bear with ire; "And he's a handsome little lad, The image of his sire." "His sire! Ha, ha! why, all the world Says, 'Ugly as a bear.'" The very trees with laughter shook, As thus they wrangled there. "Ho, ho! dear ladies, what's the fuss?" Two waggish bears stray'd by. The gentle mothers told their tale, A tear-drop in each eye. "Call here the foxes," and they came. One was an ancient sage. "Now place the young folk back to back, And simply state their age." The dames obey'd, the infants laugh'd; Spoke he, Reynard so wise, "'Tis useless; size and beauty lie In love's fond, partial eyes."