The Bear And The Two Companions

: A Hundred Fables Of La Fontaine

Two fellows, needing funds, and bold,

A bearskin to a furrier sold,

Of which the bear was living still,

But which they presently would kill--

At least they said they would,

And vow'd their word was good.

The bargain struck upon the skin,

Two days at most must bring it in.

Forth went the two. More easy found than got,

he bear came growling at them on the trot.

Behold our dealers both confounded,

As if by thunderbolt astounded!

Their bargain vanish'd suddenly in air;

For who could plead his interest with a bear?

One of the friends sprung up a tree;

The other, cold as ice could be,

Fell on his face, feign'd death,

And closely held his breath,--

He having somewhere heard it said

The bear ne'er preys upon the dead.

Sir Bear, sad blockhead, was deceived--

The prostrate man a corpse believed;

But, half suspecting some deceit,

He feels and snuffs from head to feet,

And in the nostrils blows.

The body's surely dead, he thinks.

"I'll leave it," says he, "for it stinks;"

And off into the woods he goes.

The other dealer, from his tree

Descending cautiously, to see

His comrade lying in the dirt,

Consoling, says, "It is a wonder

That, by the monster forced asunder,

We're, after all, more scared than hurt.

But," addeth he, "what of the creature's skin?

He held his muzzle very near;

What did he whisper in your ear?"

"He gave this caution,--'Never dare

Again to sell the skin of bear

Its owner has not ceased to wear.'"