The maiden mouse of an arrogant mind

To morbid romance was much inclined.

The reason for this I have not learned,

But I think by novels her head was turned.

She said that the chap who dared to nap

One hour inside of the farmer's trap

Might gain her, reign her, wholly enchain her,

Woo her, win her, and thence retain her!

Hope ran high in each suitor's breast,

And all determined to stand the test.

The maiden mouse of an arrogant mind

Laughed when she saw them thus confined.

The reason for this I can't proclaim,

But I know some girls who'd have done the same!

As thus they kept to their word, and slept,

The farmer's wife to the pantry stept:

She sought them, caught them, carefully brought them

Out to the light, and there she taught them

How that chivalry often fails,

By calmly cutting off all their tails!

The maiden mouse of an arrogant mind

Treated her swains in a way unkind.

The reason for this is not complex:

That's always the way with the tender sex.

With impudent hails she cried: "What ails

You all, and where are your splendid tails?"

She jeered so, sneered so, flouted and fleered so,

Giggled, and altogether appeared so

Lacking in heart, that her slaves grew bored,

And threw up the sponge of their own accord.

The maiden mouse of an arrogant mind

Watched and waited, and peaked and pined.

The reason for this, I beg to state,

Is all summed up in the words Too Late!

The moral intwined is: Love is blind,

But he never leaves all his wits behind:

You may beat him, cheat him, often defeat him,

Though he be true with torture treat him:

One of these days you'll be bereft,

You think you're right, but you'll find you're left.