“But, alas! my Mumma’s pining “In the fetters of those rascals, “Who, the name of men adopting, “Deem themselves creation’s masters.
“Death and hell! These men unworthy “Aristocracy’s arch-emblems, “Look down on the an’mal kingdom “Proudly and disdainfully.
“Take away our wives and children, “Fetter us, ill-treat us, even “Kill us, for the sake of selling “Our poor hide and our poor carcass!
“And they think themselves permitted “Wicked deeds like this to practise “‘Gainst us bears especially, “And the rights of man they call it!
“Rights of man indeed! Fine rights these. “Tell me who bestow’d them on you? “Nature certainly ne’er did so, “For she’s not unnatural!
“Rights of man indeed! Who gave you “This great privilege, I wonder? “Reason certainly ne’er did so, “For she’s not unreasonable!
“Men, pray are ye any better “Than we others, just for eating “All your dinners boil’d or roasted? “In a raw state we eat ours,
“Yet is the result the same “To us both.--No, food can never “Make one noble; he is noble “Who both nobly feels and acteth.
“Men, pray are ye any better “Just because the arts and science “With success ye follow? We now “Never give ourselves the trouble.
“Are there not such things as learnèd “Dogs, and horses too, who reckon “Just like councillors of Commerce? “Do not hares the drum play finely?
“Are not many beavers adepts “In the art of hydrostatics? “Were not clysters first invented “By the cleverness of storks?
“Write not asses criticisms? “Are not apes all good comedians? “Is there any greater mimic “Than Batavia, long tail’d monkey?
“Are not nightingales good singers? “And is Freiligrath no poet, “Who can sing of lions better “Than his countryman the Camel?
“I myself the art of dancing “Have advanced as much as Raumer “That of writing. Writes he better “Than I dance,--yes, I the bear?
“Men, why are ye any better “Than we others? Upright hold ye, “It is true, your heads, but in them “Low-born thoughts are ever creeping.
“Men, pray are ye any better “Than are we, because your skin is “Smooth and glist’ning? This advantage “Ye but share with every serpent.
“Human race, two leggèd serpents! “Well I see the reason why ye “Breeches wear; with foreign wool ye “Hide your serpent-nakedness!