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With lively step and lithy leap, |
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The rabbit raced upon the steep |
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Unyielding hill which higher rose |
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And gave the rabbit no repose. |
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Behind him loped the growling dane, |
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(They call him there, The Rabbit's Bane,) |
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Who bared his teeth and chased his foe |
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Up from the fertile plain below. |
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The hill afforded cave nor hole |
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And, as the running took its toll, |
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The rabbit wished he could not see |
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The dane approach so rapidly. |
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The rabbit failed to keep the lead |
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And stumbled in a patch of weed. |
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But when the canine reached the bed, |
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He let the rabbit run ahead. |
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This dane and rabbit often meet |
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And, not for life and not for meat, |
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Begin anew their fearful play |
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To see who's more in shape that day. |
