Page:Poems Merrill.djvu/123

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HUMOROUS
117
  "You silly chick,"
  Said the white hen quick—
"Much wiser I hope you'll soon be.—
  Just stand in your track
  When she makes an attack
And your safety I will guarantee!"

  When, as it chanced,
  She firmly advanced,
Hen and chicken with diligence scratched;
  No verbal command
  Availed, so her hand
A stone from the dusty loam snatched.

  To Southward she aimed—
  And hostilely proclaimed!
('Twas just as the white hen said)
  The pebble flew forth,
  And, sailing due North,
It struck her old man on the head!