If Barney is sulky and stubborn and slow,
Goes poking along or refuses to go,
Or if he is frisky and capers and kicks,
Or upsets the cart, or does other bad tricks,
I say 'tis no wonder he wears a big V,
So Vexing and Vicious a Villain is he!
But when the dear fellow, so pretty and strong,
In meek or gay humor trots nimbly along,
The V seems to stand for the Virtues he shows,
The Vim and Velocity with which he goes—
Our Veteran donkey, more Valued each year,
The Vigorous, Valiant, Vivacious old dear!
OLD BARNEY'S LATEST PRANK
One sunny winter morning
The air was crisp and still,
And snow on snow lay drifted deep
On every road and hill.