Each dawn a cock’s commotion
Ended a housewife’s snores;
She roused her maids and called them
Back to heir daily chores.
“But for the fowl’s intrusion,”
They raised resentful cries,
“We would be left to slumber
Until we wished to rise!”
Then, in their indignation,
They seized the erring bird,
And wrung its neck – Thenceforward
No voice at dawn was heard.
But now the mistress, fearing
To sleep beyond the night,
Would wake at least an hour
Before the early light.
And the servants, working sooner
Then ever in days before,
Bewailed, “It would be music
To hear the cock once more!”
