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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE CROW AND THE FOX, by JEAN DE LA FONTAINE Poem Explanation Poet's Biography
First Line: A crow sat perched upon an oak
Last Line: Swore, but too late, he shouldn't catch him twice.
Subject(s): Fables; Foxes; Allegories
First Line: A crow sat perched upon an oak
Last Line: Swore, but too late, he shouldn't catch him twice.
Subject(s): Fables; Foxes; Allegories
A Crow sat perched upon an oak,
And in his beak he held a cheese.
A Fox snuffed up the savory breeze,
And thus in honeyed accent spoke:
"O Prince of Crows, such grace of mien
Has never in these parts been seen.
If but your song be half as good,
You are the Phoenix of the wood!"
The Crow, beside himself with pleasure,
And eager to display his voice,
Opened his beak, and dropped his treasure.
The Fox was on it in a trice.
"Learn, sir," said he, "that flatterers live
On those who swallow what they say.
A cheese is not too much to give
For such a piece of sound advice."
The Crow, ashamed to have been such easy prey
Swore, but too late, he shouldn't catch him twice.
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