The Eagle, Carrion Crow, and Tortoise


2.06. THE EAGLE, CARRION CROW, AND TORTOISE.
No soul can warrant life or right,
Secure from men of lawless might;
But if a knave’s advice assist,
’Gainst fraud and force what can exist?
An Eagle on a Tortoise fell,
And mounting bore him by the shell:
She with her house her body screens,
Nor can be hurt by any means.
A Carrion Crow came by that way,
“You’ve got,” says she, “a luscious prey;
But soon its weight will make you rue,
Unless I show you what to do.”
The captor promising a share,
She bids her from the upper air
To dash the shell against a rock,
Which would be sever’d by the shock.
The Eagle follows her behest,
Then feasts on turtle with his guest.
Thus she, whom Nature made so strong,
And safe against external wrong,
No match for force, and its allies,
To cruel death a victim dies. [more info]

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