The Haughty Snail-king

(Moon Poems for the Children/Fairy-tales for the Children)              (What Uncle William told the Children)          Twelve snails went walking after night.          They'd creep an inch or so,          Then stop and bug their eyes          And blow.          Some folks... are... deadly... slow.          Twelve snails went walking yestereve,          Led by their fat old king.          They were so dull their princeling had          No sceptre, robe or ring -          Only a paper cap to wear          When nightly journeying.          This king-snail said:    "I feel a thought          Within....    It blossoms soon....          O little courtiers of mine,...          I crave a pretty boon....          Oh, yes... (High thoughts with effort come          And well-bred snails are ALMOST dumb.)          "I wish I had a yellow crown          As glistering... as... the moon."