Mother Fur

I wonder what charm there can be in fur? The kitten curls up and begins to purr, The puppy tumbles about in the rug In his silly way and gives it a hug, And mousekin, that even a shadow can scare, For a moment lies still in the long, soft hair Then slips away to its home in the wall. Can it be--poor darlings! that each and all Believe 'tis their mother, and hasten to her?

All babies, I think, love old Mother Fur; For my little brother--too little to speak-- See how he nestles his peach-blossom cheek In the velvet coat that the tiger wore, As it lies stretched out at length on the floor! Tiger, if you were alive--dear me! I shudder to think how cruel you'd be. No doubt in your day you did harm enough, But now you're safe as my tippet or muff! You, too, I will call (since you never can stir) Old Mother Fur, kind Mother Fur!