Salamanca Parrot

When the Salamanca Parrot, rather rowdy in its screeching

(As a young and ardent parrot well may be)

Flapped its wings and ruffed its feathers, while allegedly upreaching

For the Fruit of Truth that leads to Liberty, Lo, there came his aged master, robed in academic trapping,

And counselled by the sages of the Press, Saying: "Stop your naughty flapping, while these gentleman are napping.

And squawk your views on Life a litle less!"

So they clipped the eager wings and they slit the fearless tongue.

Then resumed their creed-drugged slumber as before;

While upon the Tree of Truth where the Fruit of Reason hung Swings a withered apple, rotten to the core.