FABLES FROM THE SPANISH

OF

CARLOS YRIARTE*

"As the impressions made upon a new vessel are not easily to be effaced, so here
youth are taught prudence through the allurement of fable."

*Translated by Richard Andrew

FABLES FROM THE SPANISH

The Bee and the Cuckoo

    A   Cuckoo, near    a   hive,   one day,

    Was chaunting   in  his usual   way,

    When    to  the door    the Queen-bee   ran,

    And,    humming angrily,    began:



    "Do cease   that    tuneless    song    I   hear—

    How can we  work    while   thou    art near?

    There   is  no  other   bird,   I   vow,

    Half    so  fantastical as  thou,

    Since   all that    ugly    voice   can do,

    Is  to  sing    on—'Cuckoo! cuckoo'!"



    "If my  monotony    of  song

    Displeases  you,    shall   I   be  wrong,"