a city rat, one night

did with a civil stoop

a country rat invite

to end a turtle soup.

upon a turkey carpet

they found the table spread,

and sure i need not harp it

how well the fellows fed.

the entertainment was

a truly noble one;

but some unlucky cause

disturbed it when begun

it was a slight rat-tat,

that put their joys to rout;

out ran the city rat;

his guest, too, scampered out.

our rats but fairly quit,

the fearful knocking ceased,

"return we," said the cit,

"to finish there our feast."

"no," said the rustic rat;

"to-morrow dine with me.

i'm not offended at

your feast so grand and free,

"for i've no fare resembling;

but then i eat at leisure,

and would not swap for pleasure

so mixed with fear and trembling."