Armenian legends and poems

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Armenian Legends and Poems
THE FOX, THE WOLF,
AND THE BEAR
FOLK SONG
The little fox, the wolf and bear made peace;
Like kinsfolk all, they bade their warfare cease.
The fox they consecrate a hermit now;—
False monk, false hermit, false recluse's vow
The little fox a sack found in the street
Through which he thrust his head ; then shod his feet
With iron shoes, and got a staff, I trow
False monk, false hermit, false recluse's vow
The fox has sent the wolf to fetch the bear.
" For him," he said, " I live this life of care
Yet never hath he sent me aught to eat :
"
Sore are my knees with walking, sore my feet !
At morning dawn forth to the hunt they creep
A ram they catch, a lambkin and a sheep.
Holy dispenser is the wolf proclaimed
Unjust dispenser, judge unwisely named
He gives the sheep as portion to the bear;
The lambkin falls to the poor hermit's share.
" The ram for me," he said, " I'm tired and lamed "
Unjust dispenser, judge unwisely named