The while assiduous tail doth twitch To fend mosquitoes from his back; — Alas! it had no power to switch Approaching train from off the track! Poor silly wretch! he strays along Unthinking, heedless, void of fear; And though his ears are very long, Alas! he has no engineer. And so a locomotive rude, Upon that deadly iron rail, Doth very wantonly intrude 'Twixt ample ears and meagre tail.
Now, when to suit the matter grew, The engineman had naught to say, Save that though he no whistle blew, He thought the mule would step away. He knew the measure of his care Toward men appearing on the road; To mules he never was aware A similar vigilance was owed. 'T was strange if sorry quadruped Could stay the progress of the mails, Because from rightful precincts led To loiter on forbidden rails. His ears were thrice as long as men's, So should his sense of hearing be; He 'd twice as many legs, and hence The abler accidents to flee. He had no claim to bell nor whistle; He had no right that men respect : If too intent on meal of thistle, He met the fate he might expect.
This heartless but ingenious plea Seduced that hasty magistrate, And this illogical decree Sustained the corporation's prate : "If engineers were held to sound The whistle or to ring the bell,
