Doubtless my readers all have heard

Of the “wonderful one-horse shay,”

That “went to pieces all at once

On the terrible earthquake day.”

But did they ever think of the horse

Or mourn the loss of him—

The “ewe-necked bay (who drew the “shay,”)

So full of life and vim?

He was a wonderful nag, I’m told,

In spite of his old “rat-tail,”