  | U UPON a river side A Frog had built his house; And in a hole close by There lived a little Mouse. | | Now as they lived so near, And went out in fine weather, They used to meet sometimes, And laugh and talk together. | | Thus as they jogg’d along So happily through life, The neighbours often said, They must be man and wife. | | Now Mouse was rather gay, While Froggy was most proper; And so he said one day, ’Tis time for me to stop her. | | A fair offer, | That very afternoon, As they were taking tea, I love you, Mouse, said he; Pray will you marry me? | | But Mouse was very vain; And, though mice are so rife, I’m sure she thought herself The prettiest mouse in life. | | rejected with disdain. | So looking grave at Frog That he should dare to woo, She said,—how can I love A cold, damp thing, like you? | | Then jumping from her seat, As if to shew her spite, She whisk’d him with her tail, Nor wish’d him once good-night. | | But, as it so fell out, Old Pussy had been walking, And stopp’d to listen there While Frog and Mouse were talking: | | Vanity meets its deserts. | And just as this vain Mouse Was trotting home to bed, Old Pussy cried,—Stop, stop! And seized her by the head. | | Then Froggy who peep’d out And saw how she was treated, It serves her right, said he, For being so conceited. | | So Pussy took poor Mouse, And gave her to her kittens, Who supp’d upon her flesh, But saved her skin for mittens. |
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