KING DRAKE.
Reading edition
"I'm king of the rock," said a silly old drake; "And no one must dare my claim to partake. I shall punish severely whoever comes near Without my permission: let all the world hear!"
But out of the water, on the rock as he stands, Comes up, as if praying, what seemed like two hands. "Ah! here is a subject already for me! Come, my son, and fear nothing, I'll spare you," said he.
But his majesty starts as if from a shock, When he sees a big lobster make a bow on the rock. "That is well," said the king; "but consider, my son, This rock is my throne, and is only for one."
The lobster, however, is slow to obey; He spreads himself out; he will not go away. "Are you deaf?" cries King Drake, "go, pigmy! Get down! How dare you thus brave a drake of renown?"
But the lobster, at this, nips King Drake in the leg. "Oh, loosen your claw! Let go! Oh! I beg." Tighter pinches the claw: "Rebellion! help! hear! King Drake is in trouble: is nobody near?"
In vain are his kicks; his cries are in vain: The lobster clings fast, in spite of the pain; Nor lets go his hold till they get to the bank: Then the king waddles home, giving up throne and rank.
From the German.
