The Poetry Corner

The Fox And Crane.

By Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Once two persons uninvited Came to join my dinner table; For the nonce they lived united, Fox and crane yclept in fable. Civil greetings pass'd between us Then I pluck'd some pigeons tender For the fox of jackal-genius, Adding grapes in full-grown splendour. Long-neck'd flasks I put as dishes For the crane, without delaying, Fill'd with gold and silver fishes, In the limpid water playing. Had ye witness'd Reynard planted At his flat plate, all demurely, Ye with envy must have granted: "Ne'er was such a gourmand, surely!" While the bird with circumspection On one foot, as usual, cradled, From the flasks his fish-refection With his bill and long neck ladled. One the pigeons praised, the other, As they went, extoll'd the fishes, Each one scoffing at his brother For preferring vulgar dishes. *** If thou wouldst preserve thy credit, When thou askest folks to guzzle At thy hoard, take care to spread it Suited both for bill and muzzle.