Page:Poems - Southey (1799) volume 2.djvu/227

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A little hut of wicker-work and clayUnder the hedge, to shelter him in rain.And then he took for very idlenessTo making traps to catch the plunderers,All sorts of cunning traps that boys can make—Propping a stone to fall and shut them in,Or crush them with its weight, or else a springeSwung on a bough. He made them cleverly—And I, poor foolish woman! I was pleasedTo see the boy so handy. You may guessWhat followed Sir from this unlucky skill.He did what he should not when he was older:I warn'd him oft enough; but he was caughtIn wiring hares at last, and had his choiceThe prison or the ship.TRAVELLER.The choice at leastWas kindly left him, and for broken lawsThis was methinks no heavy punishment.
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