Pretty Lessons in Verse for Good Children; with Some Lessons in Latin, in Easy Rhyme. By Sara Coleridge. The Fourth Edition, with Many Cuts |
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THE PEACOCK AND THE SWALLOW. |
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 | Pretty Lessons in Verse |  |
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THE PEACOCK AND THE SWALLOW.
A Peacock was spreading his plumes on a wall,
And hoped admiration to gain;
A Swallow determined to make him look small,
And cure him of being so vain.
And hoped admiration to gain;
A Swallow determined to make him look small,
And cure him of being so vain.
Said he, “My Lord Argus, how long may it be
Since you from your travels return'd?
'Tis really improving fine countries to see,
This leisure no doubt you have earned.”
Since you from your travels return'd?
'Tis really improving fine countries to see,
This leisure no doubt you have earned.”
“Let Swallows and Cuckoos take flight over sea,”
The mortified Peacock replied;
“They've reason enough from the country to flee,
Their heads at a distance to hide.
The mortified Peacock replied;
“They've reason enough from the country to flee,
Their heads at a distance to hide.
“Retirement at home suits my dignity best,
My park and my palace are here.”
“You're scarce made for touring, it must be confess'd,”
The Swallow replied with a sneer;
My park and my palace are here.”
“You're scarce made for touring, it must be confess'd,”
The Swallow replied with a sneer;
“That cumbersome tail must be quite in the way
Whenever your lordship would rise.”
‘My tail!” screamed the Peacock, “my train you should say,—
As if a mere tail could have eyes!
Whenever your lordship would rise.”
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As if a mere tail could have eyes!
“Let tag-rag and bob-tail that member display,
My tail is concealed by train.”
“Cut it off!” cried the wag, “'tis a glorious day!
And scud with us over the main.”
My tail is concealed by train.”
“Cut it off!” cried the wag, “'tis a glorious day!
And scud with us over the main.”
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