My Mother's Hen

Well, this is rich! The hen housed in the room!

Good mother hen. art happy I presume-

God has been good to thee to be kept, where
My own good mother takes of thee good care.

Right here thou art allowed to hop around,
On trunk and table e'en thou hast been found.
Right in the room thou hast been cackling loud,
And not chased out, to stay thou wert allowed.

They would not chase thee out, oh no! indeed!

As if thou wert a dove, the choicest feed

Is sought for thee, fine grains of corn and wheat,
Xo prince receives more wholesome food to eat.
But then, good mother-hen, for all this, I
Expect of thee that thou wilt truly try

For my own mother each and every day;

— She needs it, don't forget! — fresh eggs to lay.

And now, my short-tailed dog, I talk to thee,
Just prick thy ears and listen now to me:
A faithful servant thou hast been till now,
And always well behaved, I must allow.

Just list', my good old dog and don't forget,
For chicken meat thy teeth thou must not whet-
Thou and this hen must e'er as friends be known,
My mother does no other chicken own.