“But listen, wise snail, the old hen in the coop
Has her eye very closely on you;
And if she gets out, it may put you about,
Now mind, what I tell you is true.”
“But dear little girl, she is fast in her house;
No, no, she can’t touch me, no, no.
But if that respectable fowl should get out,
Oho!” said the snail. “Oho!”
ONLY NOW AND THEN.
Think it no excuse, boys,
Merging into men,
That you do a wrong act
“Only now and then.”
Better to be careful
As you go along,
If you would be manly,
Capable and strong.
Many a wretched sot, boys,
That one daily meets
Drinking from the beer-kegs,
Living in the streets,
Or at best, in quarters
Worse than any pen,
Once was dressed in broadcloth
Drinking now and then.
When you have a habit
That is wrong, you know,
Knock it off at once, lads,
With a sudden blow.
Think it no excuse, boys,
Merging into men,
That you do a wrong act
“Only now and then.”