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PRETTY MOUSE
- PRETTY mouse, I like to see
- Your sparkling eyes look up at me!
- Did you leave your home so snug
- That I might see you on the rug?
- I almost think you came to play
- Because I’m not quite well to‐day;
- You cannot speak,—I’m sure it’s true,
- And it was very kind of you.
- You need not start so, silly mouse,
- There’s not a cat in all the house!
- Besides, you see, I’ve shut the door,
- So you can run all round the floor.
- Come hither, and a morsel take
- Of this most delicious cake.
- You won’t—what do you mean to say,
- Twisting your nose in that queer way?
- You don’t believe the cake is nice?
- I’m sure it’s much too good for mice!
- What, you won’t taste it! Well, then, don’t,
- But I shall eat it if you won’t.
- Ah! now the crumbs are falling fast,
- So you’ve changed your mind at last,
- And hither run in scrambling haste,
- That you may have a little taste.
- But, mouse, I’m quite ashamed to see
- You eating crumbs so greedily!
- If you go on so fast, you will
- Most certainly be very ill.
- You’ve had enough—you’re going back
- To your small home behind the crack.
- Why are you taking that large crumb?
- No doubt to give your children some.
- Dear mouse—then see—I’ll give you more,
- Here’s a large crumb before your door.
- There now—pull harder—pull it through,
- And call your friends to feast with you.
E.K.
