khahpogheen khahpogh ou gehss

A thief who is a greater cheat than another thief.

The Armenian female poet Seebeel wrote this poem that I have translated in English
that illustrates how the treacherous can be subjected to treachery.

Red crested and sharp claws
a green chest, with many spots
a head held high, proud,
eating grains, eating grains.

In the farmyard chicken coup
striding proudly with a slow pompous gait
the handsome cock with golden feathers
eating grains, eating grains

Then low and behold, stealthily slow
head hung low, and a ruthless heart,
a fox reduced to skin and bones
approached our proud cock

“Hello,” he said, “you bird of epic stature
what an opulent presence, such a sight of rich feathers.
where did you find such silver feathers,
whose tips seem to have precious stones, like emerald droplets.
your crest like silken fibers the color of apricots,
resembling the metal caps of ancient heros.
your beak appears more precious than a sapphire,
you use it to sing songs of mirth to uplift the world.
I don’t know a bird as charming as you,
Lo even the swams are far beneath your noble mien.
There was only one I knew like you, your father,
He would also charm us with his flights of song.
But he had a particular skill, you seem to lack,
( How can I forget the talent of that sweet bird)
When he sang he closed his eyes.
What a beautiful voice like a flute, violin, vina, or lyre.

The rooster’s inexperienced boy,
believed the fox’s word ploy,
Closed his eyes and raised his voice,
“gougouleek-gou” he rejoiced
With a loud song and much energy.
The fox jumped toward the boy
grabbed him with his paws and jaws
and quickly made off light and fast.
But the shepherders awake in the fields,
observed the wily fox’s mad foray,
pursued with their dogs with sprightly gait
armed with thick long sticks ready to kill.

Although in the tight grips of the fox,
the rooster said, “Fox brother, tell the dogs
And the stupid, lazy shepherders
that they have no hope of retrieving this cock.”
The fearless fox wagging his tail,
Intoxicated by the pride of a victorious predator
Opened wide his mouth and shouted with all his might.
“The cock is mine, don’t waste your time chasing after it.”
Suddenly the cock flew up to the branch of a tree.
The skinny fox looked up with a crazed look
depressed and angry a fire burned in his heart.
“You bereft, foolish faceless beast
How could I fall into such deceit.
Oh you vain and stupid mouth,” he said crying.
“Instead of staying silent, you blab uselessly.”
A witness crow yelled from above.

“Alas the eye that closes in sleep
when it must stay awake , the prize to keep.”