once treading near a bog,

     Displaced the entrails of a frog,

     Who near his foot did trust them;

     In fact, so great was the contusion,

     And made of his inwards such confusion,

     No art could re-adjust them.

     It chanced that some who saw his fate,

     Did to a friend the deed relate,

     With croakings, groans, and hisses;

     "The beast," said they, "in size excell'd

     All other beasts," their neighbors swell'd,

     And ask'd, "as large as this is!"

     "Oh, larger far than that," said they,

     "Do not attempt it, madam, pray;"

     But still the frog distended,

     And said, "I'll burst, but I'll exceed,"

     She tried, and burst herself indeed!

     And so the matter ended.

     Should you with pride inflate and swell,

     As did the frog: then who can tell!

 Prev. P 32/168 next