Been seiz’d by kites or prowling cat,

Or stifled in a school boy’s hat;

Or been the first unlucky mark,

Sure hit by some fantastic spark.”

Then conscience told her, want of care

Had made her fall into the snare;

That men were free their nets to throw;

And birds were free to come or go:

And all the evils she lamented,

By caution might have been prevented.