Part 35 (2/2)
But when a fat and torpid hum Escapes the eater's unctuous nose, Turn up the light and let it come Full on his innocent repose; Then pour your shot between his eyes, And go on pouring till he dies.
Play, even so, discretion's part; Descend with stealth; bring on your gun; Then lay your hand above his heart To see if he is really done; Don't skin him till you know he's dead Or you may perish in his stead!
Years hence, at home, when talk is tall, You'll set the gun-room wide agape, Describing how with just a small Pea-rifle, going after ape You met a Lion unaware, And felled him flying through the air.
_Owen Seaman_.
THE FROG
Be kind and tender to the Frog, And do not call him names, As ”Slimy-Skin,” or ”Polly-wog,”
Or likewise, ”Uncle James,”
Or ”Gape-a-grin,” or ”Toad-gone-wrong,”
Or ”Billy-Bandy-knees;”
The Frog is justly sensitive To epithets like these.
No animal will more repay A treatment kind and fair, At least, so lonely people say Who keep a frog (and, by the way, They are extremely rare).
_Hilaire Belloc_.
THE YAK
As a friend to the children commend me the yak, You will find it exactly the thing: It will carry and fetch, you can ride on its back, Or lead it about with a string.
A Tartar who dwells on the plains of Thibet (A desolate region of snow) Has for centuries made it a nursery pet, And surely the Tartar should know!
Then tell your papa where the Yak can be got, And if he is awfully rich, He will buy you the creature--or else he will not, (I cannot be positive which).
_Hilaire Belloc_.
THE PYTHON
A python I should not advise, It needs a doctor for its eyes, And has the measles yearly.
However, if you feel inclined To get one (to improve your mind, And not from fas.h.i.+on merely),
Allow no music near its cage; And when it flies into a rage Chastise it most severely.
I had an Aunt in Yucatan Who bought a Python from a man And kept it for a pet.
She died because she never knew These simple little rules and few;-- The snake is living yet.
_Hilaire Belloc_.
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