The Boston Cats

A Little Cat played on a silver flute,
    And a Big Cat sat and listened;
The Little Cat's strains gave the Big Cat pains,
    And a tear on his eyelid glistened.

Then the Big Cat said, "Oh, rest awhile;"
    But the Little Cat said, "No, no;
For I get pay for the tunes I play;"
    And the Big Cat answered, "Oh!

If you get pay for the tunes you play,
    I'm afraid you'll play till you drop;
You'll spoil your health in the race for wealth,
    So I'll give you more to stop."

Said the Little Cat, "Hush! you make me blush;
    Your offer is unusually kind;
Though it's very, very hard to leave the back yard,
    I'll accept if you don't mind."

So the Big Cat gave him a thousand pounds
    And a silver brush and a comb,
And a country seat on Beacon Street,
    Right under the State House dome.

And the Little Cat sits with other little kits,
    And watches the bright sun rise;
And the voice of the flute is long since mute,
    And the Big Cat dries his eyes.