  W hen Jack and Tom were little kits, No settled home had they; But Mother found within the barn A hamper full of hay, And there she took her children two, And told them what they ought to do. She said, 'Now, darlings, make no noise, And if you do no harm, And learn your business, you will live In comfort at the farm. Just catch a mouse—for that's your trade— And then your fortune will be made.' Now, when the kits were left alone They soon began to play, For neither cats nor children can Be busy all the day; But as they tossed the hay about, A little mouse came creeping out! 'Look! look!' cried Jack, with eager eyes. 'I see!' cried Tom, 'I see! And leave this mouse to me.' 'Indeed, I won't!' cried Jack at once; 'You surely take me for a dunce! 'That mouse is mine—I saw it first; So, Tom, away you go, And let me tackle it at once, And lay the rascal low.' But naughty Tom would not submit; He said, 'It's mine—I'll capture it.' But while they quarrelled loud and long, They quite forgot their prey, And when at last they made it up Miss Mouse had slipped away— For if you fight and disagree, You ne'er will catch the enemy. |
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