my substance to pay,

     If I could but with safety get out of your way."

     Silly people ask things that would ruin, if sent;

     They demand them in haste, and at leisure repent.

      Some

     boys, beside a pond or lake,

     Were playing once at

      duck and drake?

     When, doubtless to their heart's content,

     Volleys of stones were quickly sent.

     But there were some (there will be such)

     Who did not seem amused so much;

     These were the frogs, to whom the game,

     In point of sport was not the same.

     For scarce a stone arrived, 'tis said,

     But gave some frog a broken head;

     And scores in less than half an hour,

     Perished beneath the dreadful shower.

     At last, said one, "You silly folks, I say,

     Do fling your stones another way;

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