That night there was a party, the poor old sow was there,
And five-and-twenty blackbirds—so I’ve heard folks declare.
‘Heigho !’ sings the Carrion Crow,
‘Let’s drink the funny tailor’s health, my friends, before we go.’

MORAL.
Don’t give way to temper, though ’tis much the fashion,
And if crows crow over you, don’t get in a passion ;
Never go out shooting, if only with a bow,
‘Without a glance on every side—above, behind, below.

Bad Companions.

OME little mice sat in a hole to spin,
Puss came by and puss peeped in—
‘May I come and help you to wind up your threads ?’
‘Oh, no, Mistress Pussy, you'd bite off our heads!’

‘Now, surely, you’re joking!’ the Cat replied,
‘On my word and my honour you may confide ;
I never touch nothing but bread soaked in milk :
Oh, let me then come in to wind up your silk.’

‘Oh, no, thank you, Miss Puss, we’ve heard mother relate
How that she, through your aid, nearly met a sad fate ;
And besides, from the books we have read for adyice,
We have learnt “there are cats who can feed upon mice !”’
MORAL.

Then all you young people from this beware,

Against all bad companions the door shut with care ;

For had these mice trifled with what mother said,

They had all in a moment been dead—quite dead !