An Old Rat's Tale

He was a rat, and she was a rat,

And down in one hole they did dwell.

And each was as black as your Sunday hat,

And they loved one another well.

He had a tail, and she had a tail,

Both long and curling and fine.

And each said, "My love's tail is the finest tail

In the world, excepting mine!"

He smelt the cheese, and she smelt the cheese,

And they both pronounced it good;

And both remarked it would greatly add

To the charm of their daily food.

So he ventured out and she ventured out;

And I saw them go with pain.

But what them befell I never can tell,

For they never came back again.

— Laura E. Richards