The works of Alexander Pennecuik of New-Hall, M.D.; containing the description of Tweeddale, and miscellaneous poems. A new edition, with copious notes, forming a complete history of the county to the present time. To which are prefixed, memoirs of Dr Pennecuik, and a map of the shire of Peebles, or Tweeddale |
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THE CITY AND COUNTRY MOUSE. |
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 | The works of Alexander Pennecuik |  |
THE CITY AND COUNTRY MOUSE.
A country mouse, upon a winter's day,Met with a city mouse, right smooth and gay,
And being old friends, the country mouse would have
The other to his homely fare and cave.
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Yet on occasions could bestow a feast;
What need we more, he gave him wealth of pease,
Scraps of fat bacon, barley, oats, and cheese;
Hoping by these to please the gorgeous taste
Of this his proud and liquorish lipped guest,
While he amongst the chaff himself doth stretch,
And does on darnel feed, or smallest vetch,
The richer grain he to his friend resign'd,
Since for to please him he bent all his mind.
At length the city mouse thus told his friend,
In this dull life what pleasure can you find;
Will you to men and cities bid adieu,
And woods and caves thus sillily pursue;
Short is our life, no relish can we have
Of worldly comforts when laid in our grave;
Then do not slip the tide. These words did rouse,
From his low cell, the homely country mouse,
Who in a haste gets up, and quickly rose
Up from the bed, and with the other goes.
The moon was shining bright, when first they spied
The neighbouring city, and its walls descried;
When straight the city led the country mouse
Unto a wealthy citizen's fair house;
Where silken curtains deck'd the ivory bed;
Finely embost, and rich with gold inlaid;
Baskets well fill'd with meat were to be seen,
For there had lately a brave supper been.
The city mouse then plac'd his country guest
On a rich purple twilt, to grace his feast,
And with great care presents a dainty bit
To the field mouse, but first did taste of it.
The guest, thus glutted with delicious fare,
Puts on a cheerful and obliging air,
Did bless the stars which made him change his lot,
For now his former meanness he forgot.
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Alarm'd our guests, and made them quickly rise;
Each run a several way, how pale they grew,
When through the hall the horrid noise it flew,
Of wide-mouth'd hounds, which quickly fill'd the air,
And cast our mice into a deep despair.
Then said the country mouse, my friend farewell,
This life of yours doth frighten me like hell:
Welcome sobriety, my chief delight,
With woods and groves where dwells eternal night.
| The works of Alexander Pennecuik | |