To a rose that had caught her eye.

She gave it a cuff, and it trembled

Beneath her ominous paw;

And while it shook, with a threatening look,

She coveted what she saw.

Thought she, "What a beautiful toss-ball!

If I could but give it a snap,

Now all are out, nor thinking about

Their rose, or the least mishap!"

She twisted the stem, and she twirled it;