The Crane & Fox - a fable.

In long gone years a fox and crane
Were bound in friendship's golden chain;
Whene'er they met, the fox would bow
And madame Crane would curtsie low:
-My lovely Crane how do you do?
-I'm very well - pray how are you?

Announced the day, if she saw fit
To take a tete-a-tete tit-bit:
The day arriv'd - She preen'd each feather
And summon'd ev'ry grace together;
At breakfast scarce a morsel eat
Intent to riot at the treat.

She came - Wide stood 'th unfolded door
And roses deck'd the sanded floor.
- There hyacinths in festoons hung
- Here lillies their rich fragrance flung.

The table drawn - The damask spread
And soup prepared of bullock's marrow
Pour'd in each plate profuse - But shallow:
The fox began to lap in haste
And made a plentiful repast,
Pressed his fair friend to do the same
And to encourage, lap'd again.

Reynard declared she did him honor
-He certainly would wait upon her.

Her domicile was well prepar'd
No cost or labor had been spared:
- Roses and tulips on the floor
And daffodils the ceiling bore;
Nor was a band of music wanting
For whippoorwills and frogs were chanting.

The sun had set and given way
To sober evening's mantle gray:
The fox arriv'd with stomach keen
- Hoped he saw in health his Queen
And added in his courtliest air
She ne'er before had look'd so fair.

- Now let's fall to sir if you will -
And in she pok'd her slender bill
And gulp'd of viands at her leisure
- To see you eat would give me pleasure
She cried - Eat neighbor eat
I fear you do not like my treat;
It suits my palate to a hair
Pray Chummy eat and do not spare.
- The fox looked on with rueful phys
Feeling in all its force the quiz.

The Crane enjoy'd his discontent
And thus address'd him as he went,
The truest adage ever spoke
Was "He that GIVES must TAKE a joke."