The viands were various; delighted were they;
Some honey the Bee brought, to honor the day.
Said he, "My dear friends, I am far behind time,
But, WORK BEFORE PLAY, is a maxim of mine."
The feast now commenced, they ate and they talked
Of the news of the day, and the distance they'd walked
When the banquet was finished, they said one and all,
That Gaffer Grasshopper must open the ball;
Behold him then, bowing politely, advance
To ask Madam Butterfly with him to dance.
The dancing began, each a partner had got,
Excepting the Snail, who said, dance she could not,
For, fatigued with the distance the length of an ell,
She said she must sleep in her own little shell.
The party was merry,—and well it might be—
For the Cockchafer sang, and a soft voice had he:
The name of the song I've forgotten completely,
And also the words, but they sounded most sweetly.
The company, charmed, entreated another,
And he favored them, gladly, with "Jack and his brother;"
When ended the song, (it was loudly applauded,)
The dance, for a time, again pleasure afforded,
'Till slily came on the dark shadows of night,
And the Watchmen, the Glowworms, each showed his bright light;