The Rope-Dancer
Great, you've picked a new story. Here are some details about this tale:
Author / Collector:
Book:
Publisher:
Year:
Country:
Subject:
License:
Editor's Notes:
Tomas de Iriarte
Literary Fables of Yriarte
Ticknor And Fields, London
1855
Spain
The Rope-Dancer: skill, balance, public applause, risk, performance, fashion, spectatorship, talent, instability, showmanship
Public Domain (copyright expired)
n/a
The Rope-Dancer
As an unpractised urchin lessons took
In dancing, of a veteran of the ring,
On slack or tight rope,--it is all one thing,--
The youngster said,--"Good master, prithee, look;
How this great staff bothers and wearies me,
Which you call balance-pole or counterpoise!
In rope-dancing, what use one can devise
For such a clumsy load, I cannot see.
Why should you wish my motions so to fetter?
I lack not strength, nor yet activity.
For instance, now--this step and posture--see
If I, without the pole, can't do it better.
Look, master, there's not one whit of trouble in it."
As he says this, he throws the pole away--
"What's coming now? What are you doing, pray?"
He's flat upon his back in half a minute!
"At your best friend you grumble--silly wretch,"--
The master said,--"and if you choose to scout
The aid of art and method,--you'll find out
This is not the last tumble you will catch."
Folktales, Fairytales, myths, legends, stories, fantasy