A POMPOUS old Turkey, conceited and vain, As deeming himself of a lordlier breed Than the wandering birds of the forest and plain, Once challenged a Crow to a trial of speed. If you e'er saw a Crow as he sailed through the sky, And noticed how lightly and swiftly he went, Compared with a Turkey attempting to fly, Of this notable match you will guess the event. "I say!" screamed the Gobbler, as falling behind He saw his antagonist certain to win, "Look here! did it ever occur to your mind You're as black as the deuce and as ugly as sin? "Moreover," he cries, "I have frequently heard You're the odious tool of the treacherous Fates; A wicked, uncanny, Plutonian bird; A monster of evil whom every one hates! "Away with yourself! it is loathsome to see A fowl who on carrion feeds with delight; From birds who are decent no wonder you flee; The faster, the better! -- quick! out of my sight!" The match being over, the winner replied: "You spoke of my color, -- that isn't the thing: The question, I think, which we met to decide Was which of the two is the fleeter of wing." MORAL. Some critics, aware they are likely to fail In argument, follow a similar plan; The works of the author 't were vain to assail, And so they endeavor to injure the man! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE NIGHTINGALE by PAUL VERLAINE COMPLAINT by WILLIAM CARLOS WILLIAMS AURENG-ZEBE, OR THE GREAT MOGUL: PROLOGUE by JOHN DRYDEN DRINKING SONG, FR. THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL by RICHARD BRINSLEY SHERIDAN |