A Donkey, whose talent for burdens was wondrous, <br />So much that you'd swear he rejoic'd in a load, <br />One day had to jog under panniers so pond'rous, <br />That -- down the poor Donkey fell smack on the road! <br /> <br />His owners and drivers stood round in amaze -- <br />What! Neddy, the patient, the prosperous Neddy, <br />So easy to drive, through the dirtiest ways, <br />For every description of job-work so ready! <br /> <br />One driver (whom Ned might have "hail'd" as a "brother") <br />Had just been proclaiming his Donkey's renown <br />For vigour, for spirit, for one thing or another -- <br />When, lo, 'mid his praises, the Donkey came down! <br /> <br />But, how to upraise him? - one shouts, t'other whistles, <br />While Jenky, the Conjurer, wisest of all, <br />Declar'd that an "over-production of thistles" -- <br />(Here Ned gave a stare) -- "was the cause of his fall." <br /> <br />Another wise Solomon cries, as he passes -- <br />"There, let him alone, and the fit will soon cease; <br />The beast has been fighting with other jack-asses, <br />And this is his mode of "transition to peace"." <br /> <br />Some look'd at his hoofs, and with learned grimaces, <br />Pronounc'd that too long without shoes he had gone -- <br />"Let the blacksmith provide him a sound metal basis <br />(The wise-acres said), and he's sure to jog on." <br /> <br />Meanwhile, the poor Neddy, in torture and fear, <br />Lay under his panniers, scarce able to groan; <br />And -- what was still dolefuller - lending an ear <br />To advisers, whose ears were a match for his own. <br /> <br />At length, a plain rustic, whose wit went so far <br />As to see others' folly, roar'd out, as he pass'd -- <br />"Quick -- off with the panniers, all dolts as ye are, <br />Or, your prosperous Neddy will soon kick his last!"<br /><br />Thomas Moore<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-donkey-and-his-panniers/
