University of Virginia Library


23

THE MARE TURNED FARRIER.

One day at the farrier's, a spirited mare,
Declar'd that her nerves were so tender,
The process of shoeing she never could bear,
And if he persisted in hammering there,
She would take certain means to defend her.
The farrier (who happen'd just then to be cross),
Retorted abruptly upon her,
That “he would not be taken to task by a horse!”
The mare looked indignant, and giving a toss,
Resolv'd to stand up for her honour.

24

Accordingly lifting them up from the floor,
(Regardless of danger or trouble),
She shod both his feet, as he did her's before,
And when he complain'd of the torture he bore,
She bid him remember that she had got four,
And therefore her sufferings were double.
J.