THE LEARNED PIG | |
| The farm's philosophy, our eyes assure us, Is simpler than in Aristotle's day: The youngest pigling follows Epicurus, And Bacon's Essays take the primrose way. |
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THE BEAUTIFUL SWAN | |
| All day she rules the pond from edge to edge, Exerting Beauty's easy privilege; Her world a mirror spread in each direction, Where she reflects upon her own reflection. |
THE VERY TAME LAMB | |
| All men, said the poet, are struck at a mint, And some coins ring flat that the coiners embellish: But the lamb is so tame he will pardon the hint— He'd be best with a little mint-sauce for a relish! |
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THE TOILSOME GOAT | |
| "You're a lively kid!" is the schoolboy jest: But the kid is driven to work one day, And the hours of harness know little rest For the stiff goat-carriage round the bay. |
THE LUCKY DUCK | |
| There was a Drake, my Duck, at Plymouth Hoe Played bowls, with Spain's Armada clear of Dover! A gamesome spirit! But to him we owe The peace your farm and all our homesteads know: For, ere the Spaniard reached our wickets, lo! Drake bowled him over! |
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