Runaway Donkey and Other Rhymes for Children

<p><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</SPAN></span></p> <h2>PONY ROLLO RHYMES</h2> <h3>I. THE PONY NEEDED</h3> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Barney was the children's donkey,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Full of tricks was he,<br/></span> <span class="i0">But no beast of sober merits<br/></span> <span class="i2">More beloved could be.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Though to tricksy little Barney<br/></span> <span class="i2">They were loyal yet,<br/></span> <span class="i0">All the children coaxed and pleaded<br/></span> <span class="i2">For another pet.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Yes, they wanted now a pony,<br/></span> <span class="i2">One which they could ride.<br/></span> <span class="i0">"Ride on Barney?" that suggestion<br/></span> <span class="i2">Shows you never tried.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">For with double donkey firmness<br/></span> <span class="i2">Barney's mind is set<br/></span> <span class="i0">That he never will be ridden.<br/></span> <span class="i2">(Never has been yet!)<br/></span> <span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</SPAN></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Barney has a plan of action,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Simple, clear, and bold;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And the fate of would-be riders<br/></span> <span class="i2">Can be well foretold.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Puffing, swelling, artful Barney<br/></span> <span class="i2">Rounds his body out<br/></span> <span class="i0">Till the strap will scarcely fasten,<br/></span> <span class="i2">He has grown so stout!<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When at last the girth is buckled<br/></span> <span class="i2">By the coachman's might,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Lo! how freely slips the saddle,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Which was thought so tight.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Since his trick has made the saddle<br/></span> <span class="i2">Loose and insecure,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Barney's face is meek and placid,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Of success he's sure.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">When the daring would-be rider<br/></span> <span class="i2">Mounts the donkey's back,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Barney seems resigned: and starting,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Trots along till&mdash;Whack!<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Tableau&mdash;Barney standing pensive<br/></span> <span class="i2">With a guileless stare.<br/></span><span class="pagenum"><SPAN name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</SPAN></span> <span class="i0">In the dust or mud, the rider!<br/></span> <span class="i2">How did he get there?<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Many riders, big and little,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Many times have tried;<br/></span> <span class="i0">No one ever mastered Barney,&mdash;<br/></span> <span class="i2">Ever had a ride.<br/></span></div> <div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And since Barney is so stub&mdash;well,<br/></span> <span class="i2">Firm, at any rate,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Till a pony comes, the children<br/></span> <span class="i2">Must for riding wait.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/013.jpg" alt="Barney is so stub" style="width: 50%" /></div> <hr class="tb" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />