You thought, my dear Mary, you had Billy fast,
    But I tried very hard, and escaped you at last;
    The chance was so tempting, I thought I would nab it,—­
    It was not very naughty, I’m sure, in a rabbit. 
    O, let not your kind heart be angry with me;
    But think what a joy it is to be free,
    To see the green woods, to feel the fresh air,
    To skip, and to play, and to run everywhere. 
    The food that you gave me was pleasant and sweet,
    But I’d rather be free, though with nothing to eat.

    O, how glad they all were to see me come back,
    And every one wanted to give me a smack. 
    Dick knocked over Brownie, and jumped over Bun,
    And the neighbours came in to witness the fun. 
    My father said something, but could not be heard;
    My mother looked at me, but spoke not a word;
    And while she was looking, her eyes became pink,
    And she shed a few tears, I verily think.

    To him who a hole or a palace inhabits,
    To all sorts of beings, to men, and to rabbits,
    Ah! dear to us all is sweet Liberty,
    Especially, Mary, to you and to me. 
    So I hope you’ll forgive me for sending this letter,
    To tell you I’m safe, and feel so much better,
    Cut all sorts of capers, and act very silly,
    And am your devoted, affectionate

    Billy.

THE OLD AND NEW SHOES.

    “Good bye, get away, you ugly old things!”
      Said a little boy once to his shoes;
    “All stubbed are your toes, all twisted your strings,
      You’re wrinkled, one-sided, and loose.

    “But here are my new ones, so shiny and bright,
      They are almost as smooth as my skin;
    How stiff they are, too! how straight and upright! 
      How snug my feet feel now they’re in!”

    So saying, he gave to his old shoes a kick,
      And strutted with pride to the door;
    His unkindness had cut the old shoes to the quick,
      For nothing contempt can endure.

    “Master Frank, Master Frank, stop a while, if you please,”
      (’Twas one of the shoes he heard call);
    “Our soles cannot bear such insults as these,
      And your pride, Sir, will soon have a fall.”

    Frank stood still with wonder and looked at the shoe,
      But could not see into the matter;
    At last he exclaimed,—­“As they’ve nothing to do,
      I suppose, like Poll Parrot, they chatter.”

    So he opened the door, and walked down the stairs;
      His shoes were too stiff to go fast;
    But let us observe him, and see how he fares,
      How repentant poor Frank was at last.

    His shoes were so smooth that he could but just stand,
      So tight, that they pinched in his toes;
    He could only sit still, and try to look grand,
      And remember he had on new shoes.