THE MOCKING-BIRD AND THE DONKEY(From the Spanish of the Mexican poet José Rosas.)BY WILLIAM CULLEN BRYANT
A mock-bird in a villageHad somehow gained the skillTo imitate the voicesOf animals at will.
And singing in his prison,Once, at the close of day,He gave, with great precision,The donkey's heavy bray.
Well pleased, the mock-bird's masterSent to the neighbors 'round,And bade them come togetherTo hear that curious sound.
They came, and all were talkingIn praise of what they heard,And one delighted ladyWould fain have bought the bird.
A donkey listened sadly,And said: "Confess I mustThat these are shallow people,And terribly unjust.
"I'm bigger than the mock-bird,And better bray than he,Yet not a soul has utteredA word in praise of me."