A dingy donkey, formal and unchanged, Browsed in the lane and o'er the common ranged, Proud of his ancient asinine possessions, Free from the panniers of the grave professions, He lived at ease; and chancing once to find A lion's skin, the fancy took his mind To personate the monarch of the wood; And for a time the stratagem held good. He moved with so majestical a pace That bears and wolves and all the savage race Gazed in admiring awe, ranging aloof Not over-anxious for a clearer proof — Longer he might have triumph'd — but alas! In an unguarded hour it came to pass He bray'd aloud; and show'd himself an ass! The moral of this tale I could not guess Till Mr Landor sent his works to press. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CLASS SONG (WHICH WILL BE SUNG ON THE 22ND OF FEBRUARY) by GEORGE SANTAYANA LE MEDECIN MALGRE LUI by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS THE STATUE AND THE BUST by ROBERT BROWNING AT APRIL by ANGELINA WELD GRIMKE AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 5. THE INQUIRY by THOMAS HARDY |