Where Lilies Live and Waters Wind Away Verses by F. W. Bourdillon: Pictures by Edith J. Berkeley |
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WATER-RATS.
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 | Where Lilies Live and Waters Wind Away |  |
WATER-RATS.
Brother rat
By brother sat,
Far away from dry land;
A lily leaf
Their coral reef,
Or, rather, floating island.
By brother sat,
Far away from dry land;
A lily leaf
Their coral reef,
Or, rather, floating island.
There laugh they at
The coward cat
Who dare not cross the water.
Safe sitting so
They fear no foe,
Nor risk of sudden slaughter.
The coward cat
Who dare not cross the water.
Safe sitting so
They fear no foe,
Nor risk of sudden slaughter.
The food they eat
Is grasses sweet:
Nor rick nor barn they ravage;
This harmless folk
No hate provoke,
Nor persecution savage.
Is grasses sweet:
Nor rick nor barn they ravage;
This harmless folk
No hate provoke,
Nor persecution savage.
However wet
Their feet may get
They change not shoe nor stocking;
In furs all day
They swim or play,
And no one thinks it shocking.
Their feet may get
They change not shoe nor stocking;
In furs all day
They swim or play,
And no one thinks it shocking.
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