THE HEN.

A FAMOUS hen's my story's theme,

Who ne'er was known to tire

Of laying eggs, - but then the scream

So loud o'er every egg, - 'twould seem

The house must be on fire.

A turkey-cock, who ruled the walk,

A wiser bird and older,

Could bear't no more; so off did stalk

Right to the hen and told her:

"Madam, that scream, I apprehend,

Does nothing to the matter;

It surely helps the egg no whit;

So lay your egg, and done with it.

I pray you, madam, as a friend,

Cease that superfluous clatter;

You know not how't goes through my head!"

"Humph! very likely," madam said,

Then proudly putting forth a leg, -

"Uneducated barn-yard fowl,

You know no more than any owl

The noble privilege and praise

Of authorship in modern days;

I'll tell you why I do it;

First, you perceive, I lay my egg,

And then - review it."