Читать книгу A Satire Anthology - Wells Carolyn - Страница 53

WAS once a hen of wit not small

(In fact, ’twas not amazing),

And apt at laying eggs withal,

Who, when she’d done, would scream and bawl,

As if the house were blazing.

A turkey-cock, of age mature,

Felt thereat indignation;

’Twas quite improper, he was sure —

He would no more the thing endure;

So, after cogitation,

He to the lady straight repaired,

And thus his business he declared:

“Madam, pray, what’s the matter,

That always, when you’ve laid an egg,

You make so great a clatter?

I wish you’d do the thing in quiet.

Do be advised by me, and try it.”

“Advised by you!” the lady cried,

And tossed her head with proper pride;

“And what do you know, now I pray,

Of the fashion of the present day,

You creature ignorant and low?

However, if you want to know,

This is the reason why I do it:

I lay my egg, and then review it!”