I. THE PONY NEEDED
Barney was the children's donkey,
Full of tricks was he,
But no beast of sober merits
More beloved could be.
Though to tricksy little Barney
They were loyal yet,
All the children coaxed and pleaded
For another pet.
Yes, they wanted now a pony,
One which they could ride.
"Ride on Barney?" that suggestion
Shows you never tried.
For with double donkey firmness
Barney's mind is set
That he never will be ridden.
(Never has been yet!)
Barney has a plan of action,
Simple, clear, and bold;
And the fate of would-be riders
Can be well foretold.
Puffing, swelling, artful Barney
Rounds his body out
Till the strap will scarcely fasten,
He has grown so stout!
When at last the girth is buckled
By the coachman's might,
Lo! how freely slips the saddle,
Which was thought so tight.
Since his trick has made the saddle
Loose and insecure,
Barney's face is meek and placid,
Of success he's sure.
When the daring would-be rider
Mounts the donkey's back,
Barney seems resigned: and starting,
Trots along till—Whack!
Tableau—Barney standing pensive
With a guileless stare.
In the dust or mud, the rider!
How did he get there?
Many riders, big and little,
Many times have tried;
No one ever mastered Barney,—
Ever had a ride.
And since Barney is so stub—well,
Firm, at any rate,
Till a pony comes, the children
Must for riding wait.
