Author: Jean de La Fontaine

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[1]

     John Rabbit's palace under ground
     Was once by Goody Weasel found.
     She, sly of heart, resolved to seize
     The place, and did so at her ease.
     She took possession while its lord
     Was absent on the dewy sward,
     Intent upon his usual sport,
     A courtier at Aurora's court.
     When he had browsed his fill of clover
     And cut his pranks all nicely over,
     Home Johnny came to take his drowse,
     All snug within his cellar-house.
     The weasel's nose he came to see,
     Outsticking through the open door.
     'Ye gods of hospitality!'
     Exclaim'd the creature, vexd sore,
     'Must I give up my father's lodge?
     Ho! Madam Weasel, please to budge,
     Or, quicker than a weasel's dodge,
     I'll call the rats to pay their grudge!'
     The sharp-nosed lady made reply,
     That she was first to occupy.
     The cause of war was surely small - 
     A house where one could only crawl!
     And though it were a vast domain,
     Said she, 'I'd like to know what will
     Could grant to John perpetual reign, - 
     The son of Peter or of Bill, - 
     More than to Paul, or even me.'
     John Rabbit spoke - great lawyer he - 
     Of custom, usage, as the law,
     Whereby the house, from sire to son,
     As well as all its store of straw,
     From Peter came at length to John.
     Who could present a claim, so good
     As he, the first possessor, could?
     'Now,' said the dame, 'let's drop dispute,
     And go before Raminagrobis, [2]
     Who'll judge, not only in this suit,
     But tell us truly whose the globe is.'
     This person was a hermit cat,
     A cat that play'd the hypocrite,
     A saintly mouser, sleek and fat,
     An arbiter of keenest wit.
     John Rabbit in the judge concurr'd,
     And off went both their case to broach
     Before his majesty, the furr'd.
     Said Clapperclaw, 'My kits, approach,
     And put your noses to my ears:
     I'm deaf, almost, by weight of years.'
     And so they did, not fearing aught.
     The good apostle, Clapperclaw,
     Then laid on each a well-arm'd paw,
     And both to an agreement brought,
     By virtue of his tuskd jaw.

     This brings to mind the fate
     Of little kings before the great.

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Type of Poem: Fable

Date Written:

Date Published:

Language: English

Keywords: Public Domain

Source: Public Domain Collection

Publisher:

Rights/Permissions: Public Domain

Comments/Notes: This is a delightful narrative poem that presents an insightful commentary on power, possession, and the often arbitrary nature of conflict resolution. Crafted with an engaging blend of humor and wisdom, it features anthropomorphized animal characters, a common device in fable-like poetry, to convey its message.

The poem revolves around a territorial dispute between John Rabbit and Goody Weasel, with a hermit cat acting as a mediator. The playful tone and rhythm mask a deeper exploration of themes such as entitlement, inheritance, and justice. The structure of the poem, comprised of a series of rhyming couplets, contributes to its light-hearted feel while also driving the narrative forward.

The poem's use of animals as stand-ins for human characters allows it to explore complex societal issues in an accessible way. The weasel's argument that she has just as much right to the rabbit's home as he does reflects broader debates about property rights and privilege. The rabbit's reliance on tradition and inheritance to justify his claim is a critique of entrenched systems of power.

In the resolution, the cat's seemingly arbitrary decision to side with the rabbit serves as a commentary on the often capricious nature of justice. The final lines, comparing the fate of "little kings before the great," suggest that power dynamics often outweigh fairness in conflict resolution. This poem uses its playful narrative and accessible imagery to deliver a thoughtful critique of societal norms and power structures.