The Cocks

A Cock, that was well known
As a champion brave and stout,
And a Chicken but half grown
Squabbled something about,--
But what, to me's unknown,--
And, after furious din,
At last got up a very pretty battle;
In which the chick such fight did show,
And the old one around so sharply rattle,
That, with a loud, exultant crow,
He claimed the honors of the field to win.
Then the seraglio's vanquished lord,--
His rival out of hearing of his tongue,--
Said, "Ah! in time he'll make a pretty bird,
But, now, poor fellow, he is very young."

No more he dared himself to match
With the young hero; but again
With an old Cock he had a scratch,--
Of many fights, a veteran,--
Who hardly left him plume or crest.
Whereon he muttered to the rest,
"The fine old fellow!--surely it would be
Unfair to thrash so old a chap as he."

* * * * *

Let him that will in strife engage
On any question literary,
Pay less attention to the age
Than talents of his adversary.