“That’s enough! enough!” cried the children; but Daddy Coax went on, marking the time with his finger and his head:
“I like to twist the creaking cowl
And rock the rooks and oust the owl,
And pringle-prangle through the wires
Of telegraphs—and blow up fires
For smiths and farriers, sturdy fellows,
Who catch and send me through the bellows.”
“Play the flute! the flute!” cried the children.
But Daddy Coax raised his uplifted finger and marked the measure more impressively:
“But I can sing and whisper low