Truant Bunny.

Come, children, listen to me,Hear what I shall relate

About a silly truant Hare,And think upon his fate.

Attention give to what I say,And bear it well in mind,

And when you hear the story through,The moral you will find.

A certain wise grey Owl did onceFor youngsters keep a school,

Where little pigs, and hares, and dogs,Were sent to learn by rule.

It happened that a silly HareThe truant once did play;

And o’er the fields did scaraper-off,From school-house far away.

A gun upon his shoulder lay,A bag flung o’er his back :

“What fine sport I shall have,” said he,“Ere I to home go back.”

He’d not gone far upon his way,Before a Fox he saw :

Says Reynard, “Ah I’m glad you’re here,”

And offered him his paw.

“Shake paws with me, and then we both

To join some friends will go;They’ll treat you well,―before you

part,You’ll like them all, I know.”

The Fox the silly Hare believed,And followed him till when

He saw three other Foxes, allCarousing in their den.

They welcomed Bunny, who was fainTo do as they were doing,

Not thinking that what would ensueMust lead to his own ruin.

These wicked Foxes well were knownTo all the farmers round;

They’d robbed the country far and near,Where poultry did abound.

Hounds, as Police, were on their track,The den they sought and found it,

Where on the floor poor Bunny snored,With gun, and bag around it.

Policeman Trim soon collared Bun,The Foxes fled away;

The gun and bag were also seized,For Bun had nought to say.

Bunny was then to prison borne,Like malefactor bound,

And soon for poaching he was tried,Before Judge Ape profound.

His guilt was plain, sad proofs appeared,

Nought could poor Bunny save;The bag and gun, - the Fox’s den, -

Brought Bunny to the grave.

Behold the last sad scene of all, -The Ox, with mournful tread,Led Bunny to the gibbet tall,To hang – till he was dead.

Now you who’ve heard poor Bunny’s fate

From it this moral glean,Who in bad company is found,

Will dearly rue, I ween.