The Cockatrice

If you will listen to advice You will avoid the Cockatrice-- A caution I need hardly say Wholly superfluous to-day. Yet had you lived when they were rife Such warning might have saved your life. To meet the Cockatrice's eye Means certain death--and that is why When I its features here portray I make it look the other way. O Cockatrice! were you so mean What must the Henatrice have been!