The Quarrel Of The Dogs And Cats, And That Of The Cats And Mice Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis
Rhyme Scheme: ABABCCDEFEGHGIJKJKKL LKMMEENNOOPPQQRRKKRR KKKSKSS EERRTTKUUKVUUV| Enthroned by an eternal law | A |
| Hath Discord reign'd throughout the universe | B |
| In proof I might from this our planet draw | A |
| A thousand instances diverse | B |
| Within the circle of our view | C |
| This queen hath subjects not a few | C |
| Beginning with the elements | D |
| It is astonishing to see | E |
| How they have stood to all intents | F |
| As wrestlers from eternity | E |
| Besides these four great potentates | G |
| Old stubborn earth fire flood and air | H |
| How many other smaller states | G |
| Are waging everlasting war | I |
| In mansion deck'd with frieze and column | J |
| Dwelt dogs and cats in multitudes | K |
| Decrees promulged in manner solemn | J |
| Had pacified their ancient feuds | K |
| Their lord had so arranged their meals and labours | K |
| And threaten'd quarrels with the whip | L |
| That living in sweet cousinship | L |
| They edified their wondering neighbours | K |
| At last some dainty plate to lick | M |
| Or profitable bone to pick | M |
| Bestow'd by some partiality | E |
| Broke up the smooth equality | E |
| The side neglected were indignant | N |
| At such a slight malignant | N |
| Some writers make the whole dispute begin | O |
| With favours to a bitch while lying in | O |
| Whate'er the cause the altercation | P |
| Soon grew a perfect conflagration | P |
| In hall and kitchen dog and cat | Q |
| Took sides with zeal for this or that | Q |
| New rules upon the cat side falling | R |
| Produced tremendous caterwauling | R |
| Their advocate against such rules as these | K |
| Advised recurrence to the old decrees | K |
| They search'd in vain for hidden in a nook | R |
| The thievish mice had eaten up the book | R |
| Another quarrel in a trice | K |
| Made many sufferers with the mice | K |
| For many a veteran whisker'd face | K |
| With craft and cunning richly stored | S |
| And grudges old against the race | K |
| Now watch'd to put them to the sword | S |
| Nor mourn'd for this that mansion's lord | S |
| - | |
| Resuming our discourse we see | E |
| No creature from opponents free | E |
| 'Tis nature's law for earth and sky | R |
| 'Twere vain to ask the reason why | R |
| God's works are good I cannot doubt it | T |
| And that is all I know about it | T |
| I know however that the cause | K |
| Which hath our human quarrels brought | U |
| Three quarters of the time is nought | U |
| That will be is or ever was | K |
| Ye veterans in state and church | V |
| At threescore years indeed | U |
| It seems there still is need | U |
| To give you lessons with the birch | V |
Jean De La Fontaine
(1)
Poem topics: , Print This Poem , Rhyme Scheme
Submit Spanish Translation
Submit German Translation
Submit French Translation
<< The Mule Boasting Of His Genealogy Poem
The Ass Loaded With Sponges, And The Ass Loaded With Salt Poem>>
Write your comment about The Quarrel Of The Dogs And Cats, And That Of The Cats And Mice poem by Jean De La Fontaine
Best Poems of Jean De La Fontaine