86 , THE YOUTH’S CABINET.

   

The men of Tentyra were able before
To conquer each monster that came to their shore;
But now they, with horror, were fain to confess
That the crocodile. gave, them. no, little distress.

So. in great conatemation,
A grand, consultation,
Was ealld to, convene, of the head: ofthe nation.

It met; but alas such tho. terror. and fright,
They fail’d to distinguish the wrong from the right ;
When, just at this crisis, an Ichneumon small
Stept forth on the platform, in front of them all,
With, modesty winning,
To give his opinion ,
Of measures and means to secure the dominion.

“Grave sirs,” said he, bowing, “I see your distress,
And your griefs are, I fear me, past present redress;
Yet still, if to listen should be your good pleasure.
I think I can help you, at least, in a measure:

For ’tis my impression,

A little discretion
Than valor itself is a far greater blessing.

No doubt, ’tis a noble and great undertaking,
Great war on a mighty great foe to be making
But still, I assure you, ’tis better by far
Not to let this great foe become mighty for war.
While the crocodile lies
In an egg of small size,
To crush him at once you should never despise.

You see me before you, a poor, feeble creature :
Yet I cope with this monster—for such is my nature,
And while you have met here in grand consultation,
This one crocodile to expel from the nation,

I thought it a treat

For breakfast to eat.
A dozen or more, which I happen’d to meet.”

And now that my fable is pretty near ended,
I think there should be a brief moral appended :
Beware how you let evil habits grow up.
While feeble and young, you to crush them may hope ;
, But let them remain
Till strength they attain,

You may find your best efforts to conquer them vain,
Easton, Pa.