第16章

THE LONELY HOUSE.

I know some lonely houses off the road A robber 'd like the look of, --Wooden barred, And windows hanging low, Inviting to A portico, Where two could creep:

One hand the tools, The other peep To make sure all's asleep.

Old-fashioned eyes, Not easy to surprise!

How orderly the kitchen 'd look by night, With just a clock, --But they could gag the tick, And mice won't bark;And so the walls don't tell, None will.

A pair of spectacles ajar just stir-- An almanac's aware.

Was it the mat winked, Or a nervous star?

The moon slides down the stair To see who's there.

There's plunder, -- where?

Tankard, or spoon, Earring, or stone, A watch, some ancient brooch To match the grandmamma, Staid sleeping there.

Day rattles, too, Stealth's slow;

The sun has got as far As the third sycamore.

Screams chanticleer, "Who's there?"

And echoes, trains away, Sneer -- "Where?"

While the old couple, just astir, Fancy the sunrise left the door ajar!