The Boston Cats

A Little Cat played on a silver flute,         And a Big Cat sat and listened;      The Little Cat's strains gave the Big Cat pains,         And a tear on his eyelid glistened.      Then the Big Cat said, "Oh, rest awhile;"         But the Little Cat said, "No, no;      For I get pay for the tunes I play;"         And the Big Cat answered, "Oh!      If you get pay for the tunes you play,         I'm afraid you'll play till you drop;      You'll spoil your health in the race for wealth,         So I'll give you more to stop."      Said the Little Cat, "Hush! you make me blush;         Your offer is unusually kind;      Though it's very, very hard to leave the back yard,         I'll accept if you don't mind."      So the Big Cat gave him a thousand pounds         And a silver brush and a comb,      And a country seat on Beacon Street,         Right under the State House dome.      And the Little Cat sits with other little kits,         And watches the bright sun rise;      And the voice of the flute is long since mute,         And the Big Cat dries his eyes.