The Farmer was swinging his scythe with a will,
His Donkey was turning the primitive mill;

The Learned Logician of Lalli-Bazan
Stood watching the labors of Donkey and Man.

" My friend, " quoth the Solver of Tangled Affairs,
" What use is the bell that your Animal wears? "

" Why, " answered the Farmer, " it tells on the Brute;
It rings while he moves, when he stops it is mute;

" And so, though I'm acres away at my work,
I'll know if the gray-coated Scamp is a shirk. "

" Right well! " cried the Sage; " but supposing, instead
Of working, your Donkey just waggled his head:

" The bell would still ring like a steeple possessed,
Yet how would you know he was taking a rest? "

The Farmer looked hard at the Sage (it appears
Suspecting the length of his logical ears),

Then answered him, giving his Servant a slap,
" This Donkey has never learned Logic! — Gid-dap! "