A FINE old cock -- a cock renowned, In brief, for many a mile around His native farm-yard -- came at length With a young cock to pit his strength: A callow chick, who fought so well, Despite the odds, that -- strange to tell -- The elder was compelled to yield, And, fairly vanquished, leave the field And laurel to his youthful foe, Who now set up a lusty crow, As dunghill victors always will, In pride of courage, strength, or skill. All breathless with the battle's heat, The other sought a safe retreat, Where thus he gave reflection tongue: "Well fought -- by Jove! -- for one so young! Give him the proper age and height, He'd make, no doubt, a pretty fight!" No more our philosophic bird With his late foe was seen or heard In close debate, for well he knows That words, at last, may come to blows; And with a chick so fierce and tough, One trial clearly was enough! But soon it chanced occasion lent A turn to give his temper vent; A neighbor truculent and bold Despite his years (for he was old, And long had gloried in the praise Of brave exploits in former days), Our hero forced into a fight, And, rallying with all his might, Soon drove him fairly from the ground! Alone at last, -- he looked around, And seeing that the coast was clear, That none the monologue might hear, Thus to himself expressed his mind: "What unexpected things we find! For such an old historic cock How well he bore the battle shock! How venerable age appears! And so I spared him -- for his years!" MORAL. How shrewdly men contrive to hide, E'en from themselves, their wounded pride! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE LEAK IN THE DIKE; A STORY OF HOLLAND by PHOEBE CARY THE DONKEY by GILBERT KEITH CHESTERTON THE RIGHT MUST WIN by FREDERICK WILLIAM FABER A WORLD WITHOUT WATER by MARY ANN BROWNE SONGS OF THE SEA CHILDREN: 2 by BLISS CARMAN |