Elate with flattery and conceit, He seeks his royal sire's retreat; Forward and fond to show his parts, His Highness brays; the lion starts. "Puppy! that curs'd vociferation: Betrays thy life and conversation: Coxcombs, an ever-noisy race, Are trumpets of their own disgrace." "Why so severe?" the cub replies; "Our senate always held me wise!" "How weak is pride," returns the sire: "All fools are vain when fools admire! But know, what stupid asses prize, Lions and noble beasts despise." JOHN GAY. In Merry Mood Elegy on the Death of a Mad Dog Good people all, of every sort, Give ear unto my song; In Islington there was a Man, Of whom the world might say, That still a godly race he ran— Whene'er he went to pray. In Merry A kind and gentle heart he had, To comfort friends and foes: And in that town a Dog was found, Both mongrel, puppy, whelp, and hound, This Dog and Man at first were friends; The Dog, to gain some private ends, Around from all the neighbouring streets The wound it seem'd both sore and sad And while they swore the Dog was mad, But soon a wonder came to light, That show'd the rogues they lied:The Man recover'd of the bite, The Dog it was that died! OLIVER GOLDSMITH. The Walrus and the Carpenter The sun was shining on the sea, The billows smooth and bright- The moon was shining sulkily, The sea was wet as wet could be, The Walrus and the Carpenter "If this were only cleared away, They said, "it would be grand!” In Merry In Merry "If seven maids with seven mops 66 And shed a bitter tear. "O Oysters, come and walk with us!" We cannot do with more than four, The eldest Oyster looked at him, But four young Oysters hurried up, Their coats were brushed, their faces washed, And this was odd, because, you know, Four other Oysters followed them, And yet another four; And thick and fast they came at last, The Walrus and the Carpenter Walked on a mile or so, And then they rested on a rock And all the little Oysters stood "The time has come," the Walrus said, Of shoes—and ships-and sealing-wax- And why the sea is boiling hot— "But wait a bit," the Oysters cried, "No hurry!" said the Carpenter. They thanked him much for that. "A loaf of bread," the Walrus said, Are very good indeed— In Merry Mood |