Benj. (with sudden enlightenment). Man-trap, I do believe poor Tom's inside of you!
That sort of smile's exceedingly suspicious.
[The Man-trap endeavours to hide in the grass.
Wm. Ah, Monster, give him back—'tis true he's vicious,
And had no business to go making free with you!
But think, so bad a boy will disagree with you!
[William and Benjamin kneel in attitudes of entreaty on either side of the Man-trap, which shows signs of increasing emotion as the song proceeds.
| Benjamin (sings). | William (sings). |
| Man-trap, bitter our distress is | In his downward course arrest him! |
| That you have unkindly penned | (He may take a virtuous tack); |
| In your innermost recesses | Pause awhile, ere you digest him. |
| One who used to be our friend! | Make an effort—bring him back! |
[The Man-trap is convulsed by a violent heave; William and Benjamin bend forward in an agony of expectation, until a small shoe and the leg of Thomas's pantaloons are finally emitted from the Monster's jaws.
Benj. (exultantly). See, William, now he's coming ... here's his shoe for you!
The Man-trap (with an accent of genuine regret), I'm sorry—but that's all that I can do for you!
Wm. (raising the shoe and the leg of pantaloons, and holding them sorrowfully at arm's length).
He's met the fate which moralists all promise is
The end of such depraved careers as Thomas's!
Oh, Benjamin take warning by it be-time!
(More brightly). But now to wash our hands—'tis nearly tea-time!