The Raven and The Fox

Perch'd on a lofty oak,  

Sir Raven held a lunch of cheese; 

 Sir Fox, who smelt it in the breeze,

    Thus to the holder spoke:--

  'Ha! how do you do, Sir Raven?  

Well, your coat, sir, is a brave one! 

 So black and glossy, on my word,

sir,  With voice to match, you were a bird, sir,

Well fit to be the Phoenix of these days.'

   Sir Raven, overset with praise, 

 Must show how musical his croak.

  Down fell the luncheon from the oak; 

 Which snatching up, Sir Fox thus spoke:--    

'The flatterer, my good sir,   

 Aye liveth on his listener;  

  Which lesson, if you please,   

 Is doubtless worth the cheese.'

  A bit too late, Sir Raven swore

 The rogue never  cheat him more.[2] Both Aesop and Phaedrus have a version of this fable