My Pony

My pony toss'd his sprightly head,

And would have smiled, if smile he could,

To thank me for the slice of bread

He thinks so delicate and good;

His eye is very bright and wild,

He looks as if he loved me so,

Although I only am a child

And he's a real horse, you know.

How charming it would be to rear,

And have hind legs to balance on;

Of hay and oats within the year

To leisurely devour a ton;

To stoop my head and quench my drouth

With water in a lovely pail;

To wear a snaffle in my mouth,

Fling back my ears, and slash my tail!

To gallop madly round a field,—

Who tries to catch me is a goose,

And then with dignity to yield

My stately back for rider's use;

To feel as only horses can,

When matters take their proper course,

And no one notices the man,

While loud applauses greet the horse!

He canters fast or ambles slow,

And either is a pretty game;

His duties are but pleasures—oh,

I wish that mine were just the same!

Lessons would be another thing

If I might turn from book and scroll,

And learn to gallop round a ring,

As he did when a little foal.

It must be charming to be shod,

And beautiful beyond my praise,

When tired of rolling on the sod,

To stand upon all-fours and graze!

Alas! my dreams are weak and wild,

I must not ape my betters so;

Alas! I only am a child,

And he's a real horse, you know.