Do Irish minds,-(whose theory allows That now and then Good Friday falls on Monday) Do Irish minds suppose that Indian Cows VII. There are some moody Fellows, not a few, And think when they are dismal they are pious Is't possible that Pug's untimely fun Has sent the brutes to Coventry till MondayOr p'rhaps some animal, no serious one, Was overheard in laughter on a Sunday- VIII. What dire offence have serious Fellows found To raise their spleen against the Regent's spinney? Were charitable boxes handed round, And would not Guinea Pigs subscribe their guinea? Perchance, the Demoiselle refused to moult The feathers in her head-at least till Monday; Or did the Elephant, unseemly, bolt A tract presented to be read on Sunday- IX. At whom did Leo struggle to get loose? Who mourns through Monkey tricks his damaged clothing? Who has been hiss'd by the Canadian Goose? Because he prey'd extempore as well X. To me it seems that in the oddest way Are like the Keepers of the brutes ferociousAs soon the Tiger might expect to stalk About the grounds from Saturday till Monday, As any harmless man to take a walk, If Saints could clap him in a cage on SundayBut what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? XI. In spite of all hypocrisy can spin, As surely as I am a Christian scion, I cannot think it is a mortal sin (Unless he's loose) to look upon a lion. I really think that one may go, perchance, To see a bear, as guiltless as on Monday-(That is, provided that he did not dance) Bruin's no worse than bakin' on a Sunday— But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? XII. In spite of all the fanatic compiles, I cannot think the day a bit diviner, Because no children, with forestalling smiles, Throng, happy, to the gates of Eden Minor-It is not plain, to my poor faith at least, That what we christen "Natural" on Monday, The wondrous history of Bird and Beast, Can be Unnatural because it's SundayBut what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? XIII. Whereon is sinful fantasy to work? The Dove, the wing'd Columbus of man's haven? The tender Love-Bird-or the filial Stork? Nay, must we cut from Saturday till Monday That feather'd marvel with a human tongue, Because she does not preach upon a SundayBut what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? XIV. The busy Beaver-that sagacious beast! The horn'd Rhinoceros-the spotted Leopard- The Elephant, although he wears no band, XV. What harm if men who burn the midnight-oil, Weary of frame, and worn and wan in feature, Seek once a week their spirits to assoil, And snatch a glimpse of "Animated Nature?" Better it were if, in his best of suits, The artisan, who goes to work on Monday, Should spend a leisure hour amongst the brutes, Than make a beast of his own self on SundayBut what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? XVI. Why, zounds! what raised so Protestant a fuss Is Brahma's Bull-a Hindoo God at home- Or Leo, like his namesake, Pope of Rome, XVII. Spirit of Kant! have we not had enough END OF VOL I |