Benj. It will not hurt good boys at all—
It's only Father's Man-trap—why so pale?
Wm. The self-same tree! ... the wall that Tom would scale!
Where's Thomas now? Ah, Tom, the wilful pride of you.
[The Man-trap affects an elaborate unconsciousness.
Benj. (with sudden enlightenment). Man-trap, I do believe poor Tom's inside of you!
That sort of smile's exceedingly suspicious.
[The Man-trap endeavours to hide in the grass.
Wm. Ah, Monster, give him back—'tis true he's vicious,
And had no business to go making free with you!
But think, so bad a boy will disagree with you!
[William and Benjamin kneel in attitudes of entreaty on either side of the Man-trap, which shows signs of increasing emotion as the song proceeds.
Benjamin (sings).
Man-trap, bitter our distress is
That you have unkindly penned
In your innermost recesses
One who used to be our friend!