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POOR HUMAN NATURE.
I saw a meagre, melancholy cow, Blessed with a starveling calf that sucked in vain; Eftsoon he died. I asked the mother how—? Quoth she, “Of every four there dieth twain!” Poor bovine nature! I saw a sickly horse of shambling gait, Ugly and wicked, weak in leg and back, Useless in all ways, in a wretched state. “We’re all poor creatures!” said the sorry hack. Poor equine nature! I saw a slow cat crawling on the ground, Weak, clumsy, inefficient, full of fears, The mice escaping from her aimless bound. Moaned she, “This truly is a vale of tears!” Poor feline nature! Then did I glory in my noble race, Healthful and beautiful, alert and strong, Rejoicing that we held a higher place And need not add to theirs our mournful song,— Poor human nature!
Previous: THE PIG AND THE PEARL.