The conclusion to the earlier poem. Lines 102-220.enjoy.


The race was prepared, the course was so set:
From west sea to sea where new sun beget

The racers stood still till Condor gave call
Then both took off to the cheering of all

Now Falcon was swift and soon gained the lead
But Raven was not yet set to concede

Far downwards he flew towards forest-ed floor
He looking for ones who ran on all four

And after short while Lord Raven found
for whom he was searching down the ground

There sat King Rabbit, that fear-filled monarch
He, hunted by all things, Wolf, Fox and Hawk

Then spotting Raven, Rabbit turned to run
And clever Raven feared his scheme undone

But with call of kind words Rabbit was stayed
The two lords took council in sheltered glade 

"King Rabbit" cawed Raven in polite tones
"Let's strike a bargain that pleases both thrones

"Now as you know Falcon hunts you with glee
"And now he wishes to reign in my tree!

"He challenged me to a race, he hopes to best
"me. And bare my title upon his chest

"But if I am to win, he has agreed
"to act as my vassal, serve wish and need

"Falcon may be fast but so are your sons
"Your princes the fleetest of them who runs

"What's more they are many, you've breed quite a few
"So call them together. Here's what we'll do

"I'll ride upon them as they run so far
"'till they're tied, stiff and can't lift a paw

"Then I'll mount on another, one still fresh
"And so overcome Falcon while he must rest

"Then still I'll be king and this I will swear
"With Falcon my slave you'll less to beware

"For this I'll command: He shan't hunt your kind
"Not bucks nor does nor any he find 

"What say you to that, my proposal so fair
"To refuses it you'd be quite a fool hare"

Then Rabbit said not but wriggled his nose
Weighed out the choices, the cons and the pros

Then he choose his choice, Oh! wise Rabbit King
Oh! What fruit-filled days this union would bring

So Rabbit then called out to his princes
Gathering them with few groans and winces

He explained the plain in soft bunny talk
The picked his swiftest and hardiest stock  

A large Lionhead was picked from the pack
Raven approved and then climbed on his back

The rabbit ran with the speed of his kind
soon leaving the woods of his home behind

Meanwhile up in the trees proud Falcon slept
Deeming race was won and Raven inept

For he'd not heard nor seen sign of his foe
Not guessing he ran with rabbits below

So Falcon did halt to take rest that night
He felt in his heart he had won the fight

So he slept and slept while moon was high
All the while Raven kept drawing nigh

On Lupine host Raven roved far and quick
getting some cottontail help with his trick 

Yet at long last the Lionhead flagged
His bounds were less light his hindquarters dragged

So the prince then stopped, gave forth a whistle
Out came another from 'hind a thistle

The prince told the plan to brother bunny
That hare agreed (thought it quite funny)

In this way King Raven rode without stop
Switching off rabbit as each lost it's hop

Though Falcon flew fast while under the sun
Bunnies kept bounding when day was long done

And as Falcon slept atop the tall trees
Raven's rabbits stopped not, hopping o'er leaves

So though road was long and Falcon was swift
Raven was the first to reach the sea cliff

Then Raven smiled, dismounted rabbit
and perched on high branch, as was his habit

"Thank you prince rabbit and thank all your kin
"Falcon's not yet here" he said with a grin

Two days he waited, and half a night more
'Till Falcon came near to far eastern shore

That sharp feathered Falcon, so fool of pride
Upon spotting Raven he nearly cried

"Must be the wind or some dust in my eye
"That couldn't be what I think I descry!"

Yet as closer he came, the clearer it came
The opponent he left, it was the same!

"Now how came he here, so far and so fast?
"I am the swifter, he should have been last"

The Raven cawed out " Hail never-was-king
""I was starting to think you'd hurt your wing

"For three days I've waited here by the sea
"Wondered if ever you'd make it to me

"So race is done and the victor I
"I've proved I'm fastest of all things that fly

"Now, to my reward as you consented
"To me your will must now be relented"

Then Falcon took seat and bowed to his Lord
Gave him his fealty, the King's just reward