THE MUSICAL ASS.
Reading edition
The fable which I now present Occur to me by accident; And whether bad or excellent, Is merely so by accident. A stupid Ass this morning went Into a field by accident And crop his food and was content, Until he spied by accident A flute, which some oblivious gent Had left behind by accident; When, sniffing it with eager scent, He breathed on it by accident, And made the hollow instrument Emit a sound by accident. “Hurrah, hurrah!” exclaimed the brute, “How cleverly I play the flute!” A fool, in spite of nature’s bent, May shine for once—by accident.
Yriarte (1750-1791). Trans. R. Rockliff.
THE BASHFUL SHEPHERDESS.