And now you would swear all the dogs in the place were set on to hunt me down,
But neither the brutes nor the people I think are as civilly bred as in town.
Last night about twelve I was scared broad awake, and all in a tremble of fright,
But instead of a family murder it proved an owl that flies screeching at night.
Then there's plenty of ricks and stacks all about, and I can't help dreaming of Swing—
In short, I think that a plastoral life is not the most happiest thing;
For besides all the troubles I've mentioned before as endur'd for rurality's sake,
I've been stung by the bees, and I've set among ants, and once—ugh! I trod on a snake!
And as to moskitoes they tortured me so, for I've got a particular skin,
I do think it's the gnats coming out of the ponds that drives the poor suicides in!