The Men and the Oyster
Any partition better make,
Than all the hungry law should take.
By the sea side two travellers found
A fine large oyster on the ground;
His claim each obstinately lays:
“I saw it first,” one eager says;
“I pick’d it up,” the other cries;
“Mine”—“Mine is certainly the prize.”
They talk’d as usual, loud and long;
And more they reason’d, more were wrong;
Till they a neighboring lawyer see
Passing, and mutually agree
To take him for their referee.
With legal dignity of face,
He heard them both relate the case;
“Your claims are good,” then gravely said,
“And a brave lawsuit would have made
Which to prefer I cannot tell,
So each of you must take a shell;
And, as the oyster is but one,
That I myself will swallow down;
To stink it otherwise had lain,
And all your cash been spent in vain;
You’re cheaply off; go home content;
And faith the fish was excellent.”