Would the sprightly small animal gaily make free,
And kick up its heels in the finest of fettle,
Considering it all as a wonderful spree—
How long would a bat keep alive in a kettle?
Now it wouldn't be truthful to say that my purse
Has a superabundance of £, s., or d.,
Yet I don't mind confessing I'd gladly disburse
All I have got to know who it was—he or she—
Who fooled the poor bat to so great a degree.
But it's really high time to take hold of the nettle