Page:Bells and pomegranates, 1st series (IA bellspomegranate00brow).pdf/200

Bells and Pomegranates.

'Tis clear, cried they, our mayor's a noddy;
And as for our Corporation—shocking
To think we buy gowns lined with ermine
For dolts that can't or won't determine
What's like to rid us of our vermin!
Rouse up, Sirs! Give your brains a racking
To find the remedy we're lacking,
Or, sure as fate, we'll send you packing!
 At this the Mayor and Corporation
 Quaked with a mighty consternation.

IV.
An hour they sate in council;
At length the Mayor broke silence:
For a guilder I'd my ermine gown sell;
I wish I were a mile hence!
It's easy to bid one rack one's brain—
I'm sure my poor head aches again
I've scratched it so, and all in vain.
Oh for a trap, a trap, a trap!
Just as he said this, what should hap
At the chamber door but a gentle tap?
Bless us, cried the Mayor, what's that?
(With the Corporation as he sate,
Looking little though wondrous fat)
Only a scraping of shoes on the mat?
Anything like the sound of a rat
Makes my heart go pit-a-pat!

V.
Come in!—the Mayor cried, looking bigger:
And in did come the strangest figure!
His queer long coat from heel to head