After Andrew Lang
Bo-Peep
UNHAPPY is Bo-Peep,
Her tears profusely flow,
Because her precious sheep
Have wandered to and fro,
Have chosen far to go,
For “pastures new” inclined,
(See Lycidas)—and lo!
Their tails are still behind!
How catch them while asleep?
(I think Gaboriau
For machinations deep
Beats Conan Doyle and Co.)
But none a hint bestow
Save this, on how to find
The flocks she misses so—
“Their tails are still behind!”
This simple faith to keep
Will mitigate her woe,
She is not Joan, to leap
To arms against the foe
Or conjugate τὑρτω;
Nay, peacefully resigned
She waits, till time shall show
Their tails are still behind!
Bo-Peep, rejoice! Although
Your sheep appear unkind,
Rejoice at last to know
Their tails are still behind!
Anthony C. Deane.