Page 31 - Poetry-Animals

Fifthly, your utmost strength you try;
And sixth, and last of all, you fly!
Thus must he do who follows me:
Sic itur ad astra! One—Two—Three!”
Enthusiasm the most intense
Followed this burst of eloquence.
The cows and pigs were melted quite ;
The oxen lowed in loud delight;
The geese and chickens, much impressed,
Gabbled and cackled with the rest;
The ducks, the turkeys did the same.

* * * * * * * * * *
Henceforth, ‘tis said, the Ass went lame!

— Robertson Trowbridge (Century Magazine, 1886)

Remonstrance with the Snails

Ye little snails.
With slippery tails.
Who noiselessly travel
Along this gravel.
By a silvery path of slime unsightly,
I learn that you visit my pea-rows nightly.
Felonious your visit, I guess!
And I give you this warning,
That, every morning,
I’ll strictly examine the pods;
And if one I hit on,
With slaver or spit on,
Your next meal will be with the gods.
I own you’re a very ancient race.

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