Davies: The Fir-Tree and the Bramble

A fir tree and a bramble disagreed,
For the fir alway paid to self the meed
Of praise, "I'm fine, well-grown in point of size:
And my straight top is neighbour to the skies;
'Tis I am roof of mansions, keel of ships:
So much my comeliness all trees outstrips."
To whom the bramble said, "Keep well in view
The axe, whose business is thy trunk to hew,
And saws that cut thee: haply thou'lt prefer
To be the bramble rather than the fir."

Source: Davies: Fables of Babrius = Babrius 64.

---

---

Click here for a SLIDESHOW of all the Rackham images. I like the subtle way that Rackham turns the plants into something like people!

---

M0722 Perry304