A Crocodile once dropped a line To a Fox to invite him to dine; But the Fox wrote to say He was dining, that day, With a Bird friend, and begged to decline.
She sent off at once to a Goat. �Pray don�t disappoint me,� she wrote; But he answered too late, He�d forgotten the date, Having thoughtlessly eaten her note.
The Crocodile thought him ill-bred, And invited two Rabbits instead; But the Rabbits replied, They were hopelessly tied By a previous engagement, and fled.
Then she wrote in despair to some Eels, And begged them to �drop in� to meals; But the Eels left their cards With their coldest regards, And took to what went for their heels.
Cried the Crocodile then, in disgust, �My motives they seem to mistrust. Their suspicions are base! Since they don�t know their place,-- I suppose if I must starve, I must.�
