Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE MUSICAL ASS, by TOMASO DE YRIARTE


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE MUSICAL ASS, by                    
First Line: The fable which I now present
Last Line: May shine for once, -- by accident.
Alternate Author Name(s): Iriarte, Tomaso De; Iriarte, Tomas De
Subject(s): Asses & Mules; Fables; Nature; Allegories


THE fable which I now present,
Occurred to me by accident:
And whether bad or excellent,
Is merely so by accident.

A stupid ass this morning went
Into a field by accident:
And cropped his food, and was content,
Until he spied by accident
A flute, which some oblivious gent
Had left behind by accident;
When, sniffling it with eager scent,
He breathed on it by accident,
And made the hollow instrument
Emit a sound by accident.
"Hurrah, hurrah!" exclaimed the brute,
"How cleverly I play the flute!"

A fool, in spite of nature's bent,
May shine for once, -- by accident.





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