FAVOURITE FABLES, St

Where sexes are of different kind;
And oft ’t will ties of friendship bind
Between two males:
These magic signs our hermits, at a glance, see:
Each found he strongly pleased the other’s fancy.

Bruin at compliments was awkward,
But was not long his sentiments in telling—
“Old man, I like you!”’
The man replied, ‘“ Fair sir, you need not walk hard,
In half an hour you'll reach my humble dwelling.
I’ve milk, and various sorts of fruit,
If any should your palate suit,
Take what may strike you ;
On me it will confer the highest pleasure
To spread before you all my garden’s treasure.”’

On jogged the human Hermit with the Bear,
Like smoking Germans, few words interlarding ;
Though little said,
Finding their tempers suited to a hair,
They grew firm friends before they reached the garden.
Each took his task, their moods the same,
One dug, the other hunted game,
And often sped ;