The Wolf The Goat And The Kid

: A Hundred Fables Of La Fontaine

As went a goat of grass to take her fill,

And browse the herbage of a distant hill,

She latch'd her door, and bid,

With matron care, her kid;

"My daughter, as you live,

This portal don't undo

To any creature who

This watchword does not give:

'Deuce take the wolf and all his race!'"

The wolf was passing near he place

By chance, and heard the words with pleasure,

And laid them up as useful treasure;

And hardly need we mention,

Escaped the goat's attention.

No sooner did he see

The matron off, than he,

With hypocritic tone and face,

Cried out before the place,

"Deuce take the wolf and all his race!"

Not doubting thus to gain admission.

The kid, not void of all suspicion,

Peer'd through a crack, and cried,

"Show me white paw before

You ask me to undo the door."

The wolf could not, if he had died,

For wolves have no connection

With pains of that complexion.

So, much surprised, our gourmandiser

Retired to fast till he was wiser.



_How would the kid have been undone_

_Had she but trusted to the word?_

_The wolf by chance had overheard!_

_Two sureties better are than one;_

_And caution's worth its cost,_

_Though sometimes seeming lost._