The Result Of Heedlessness

Behold that speechless, aged Dame Who totters on the Arm Of Thomas Brown, his sturdy Frame Supporting her from Harm.

Sad is the Tale that I must tell, The Cause that struck her Dumb, For to the Shock which her befell She nearly did succumb.

Her Nephew Paul a little Mouse Within the Barn had caught, And in his Pocket to the House The tiny Creature brought.

How wrong was Paul, for with Dismay His Aunt a Rodent viewed, How wickedly did he repay Her Kindness oft renewed.

The Work Box on the Table stood, He quickly rais’d the Lid, And ’mongst the Silks it did include The Mouse securely hid.

She oped the Box, her Pins to seek, Out sprang the nimble Mouse, Oh Mercy! what a dreadful Shriek Resounded through the House.

Twas her last Cry, for ne’er again Aunt Fanny’s Voice was heard: Depriv’d was she, by Shock and Pain, Of Pow’r to speak a Word.

Paul’s Penitence was no avail, The horrid Deed was done, Though Good might through his Life prevail, With Wrong it was begun.

How dread to think the Innocent Must suffer for his Crime: Mark how each Fault, though we repent, Bears Consequence through Time.