Excerpt
THE MOUSE AND HER SONS. Once on a time there lived a Mouse,Sole mistress of a spacious house,And rich as mouse need be:'Tis true her dwelling, underground,Was neither long, nor square, nor round,But suiting her degree. No lofty ceilings there were seen,No windows clear, or gardens green,Or rooms with neat division.But, in a corner, she could findOf viands, sorted to her mind,A notable provision. Her neighbours round esteemed her well,And often in her little cell,Would spend a social hour;Besides, she had a friendly heart,And to the poor she would impartSome of her little store. Now, Madam Mouse two sons had got,One named Streak,—the other, Spot;She gave them education,And also taught them to excelIn all such arts as fitted wellA Mouse's occupation. Two prettier Mice were never seen,So soft, so nimble, and so clean;Their teeth were sharp, their eyes were bright;And when through wood she saw them gnawAs neatly, almost, as a saw,The mother's eyes beamed with delight. And oft, she said, "My sons, bewareThe guileful Cat and baited snare,To Mice a sure perdition!"And showed how, caught within the trapThey would bewail their dire mishap,With tears of sad condition. And, in plain terms, she would describeThose terrors of the mousing tribe,In every form and feature;And then she would pourtray the CatSworn enemy of Mouse or Rat,A most voracious creature. Now, being grown both stout and strong,They thought they had remained too longIn idleness at home;And now their food they daily sought,And of their mother little thoughtWhile they abroad did roam. One fatal hour, with spirits gay,Far from their home they strolled away,And reached a lone farm-house;Abundance, there, was found to eat;It had been long a known retreatTo many a wandering mouse. But now the housewife saw, dismayed,The waste so many mice had made,And did a trap procure."And if I catch a mouse," said she,"No mercy shall it find from me;From mice my pantry I'll secure." Agreeing once to sup at home,A different way the brothers roam;Each finds a different fate.Soon nimble Spot the pantry found,And views the eatables around,With consequence elate. And in the midst a trap there stood,Made strong with wire and with wood,And baited with fresh-toasted cheese."Dear me!" said the admiring mouse,"What do I see?—a pretty house,Constructed me to please. "What silly things these mothers are,"Said he, with a conceited air;"What cause is there for fear?This door is very high and wide,Myself and twenty more beside,Might safely enter here." Then in he rushed, and seized the bait,And soon the dainty morsel ate,Then turned to go away.But, ah! poor mouse, he finds the door,Which he so freely passed before,Compels him now to stay. Now his kind mother's warnings rise,And place before his weeping eyes,Grim death in every shape.Alas! poor prisoner Spot can seeNo prospect left of liberty,No chance of his escape....