INTRODUCTION.
I. Far from wild, Far from wood, In a field Rich and good; | VI. Once he fled, Twice he fled, Over meadow And garden bed. | ||
II. Near to hill, And winding glade, Lived the naughtiest Hare e'er made. | VII. Thrice he had The rarest fun, Fourth was just Another one. | ||
III. Father scolded, Mother whipped, But every day Away he slipped. | VIII. Mad the races, Jolly the Hare, Little did he Reck or care. | ||
IV. Brothers three, And sisters two, Cried and cried As off he flew. | IX. The winds might blow, The waters flow, Over the hills Away he'd go! | ||
V. Sore—sore—sore was the sobbing, Wild—wild—wild was his race; Only the woods to echo his footsteps, Only the winds—his hiding-place. | X. "Don't you come home," the father said, "Until you can stay in your little bed; One more race and you keep away, Though you should beg and cry all day." | ||
XI.
Alack!
He never came back;
That swift-footed Hare,
That knowing Hare,
That beast who didn't
Reck nor care.
Whether swallowed alive,
Or hung on a rail,
Or dancing along
The waters pale,
Or running, or walking,
Or leaping a star,
He was gone so long,
And he went so far,
That the winds forgot
His very name;
And lost to memory,
Love, and fame,
He became in verity
The LOST HARE!
ADVENTURES.