The Old Man and the Ass
An Old Man, riding on his Ass,
Had found a spot of thrifty grass,
And there turn’d loose his weary beast.
Old Grizzle, pleased with such a feast,
Flung up his heels, and caper’d round,
Then roll’d and rubb’d upon the ground,
And frisk’d and browsed and bray’d,
And many a clean spot made.
Arm’d men came on them as he fed:
“Let’s fly!” in haste the Old Man said.
“And wherefore so?” the Ass replied;
“With heavier burdens will they ride?”
“No,” said the man, already started,
“Then,” cried the Ass, as he departed.
“I’ll stay, and be—no matter whose;
Save you yourself, and leave me loose,
But let me tell you, ere you go
(I speak plain English, as you know),
My master is my only foe.”