Classic Poem

A round the Parson's gate
A merry throng await
Sir Butterfly, the popular and gay.
" Marry! " they shout together,
" For you in pleasant weather
Have courted every pretty flower of May. "

The spruce young celibate
Replied. " How can I mate?
I have no house where wife and I could live. "
" My son, that doesn't matter, "
Cries Snail above the clatter,
" For I have one that I will freely give. "

The roguish celibate
Still asks: " How can I mate?
My bed without a single sheet would be. "
But Spider, sitting in
His star, replied, " I'll spin,
And you shall have a plenty, you will see. "

The roguish celibate
Still asks: " How can I mate?
There'd be no bread for wife and me to eat. "
Now, Ant enjoys a joke,
And laughingly he spoke:
" If bread is what you lack, " said he, " I'll treat. "

Again the celibate
Replies: " How can I mate?
Dry bread is rather unattractive fare. "
" For wine, rely on me,
For I've a pantry key, "
Says Mr. Rat, " and rummage everywhere. "

The roguish celibate
Yet asks: " how can I mate?
I think we'd need a little sugar, too. "
" Do what your friends advise, "
'Tis Honey Bee replies,
" You're welcome to my honey, and 'twill do. "

The roguish celibate
Still says: " How can I mate?
I haven't e'en a cent to buy a light! "
But Glow-worm cries: " Oho!
My friend, I'd have you know
That with my lantern you'll not think it's night. "

" Oh, yes, " the victim whined,
" Let's give, since you're inclined,
A wedding without music, by all means. "
" Aha! " exclaim the Crickets,
" There'll be a rush for tickets
To hear our cymbals and our tamborines. "

The poor old celibate
Entered the Parson's gate,
And made the due arrangements like a child.
His friends all kept their word,
But after mass was heard
They plagued him till they nearly drove him wild.