Good King Wenceslas Again
Good King Wenceslas again
On the feast of Stephen
Saw the snow spread white and plain
Deep and crisp and even.
Afar a snowy hump in sight
Attracted his attention
Could it be that something might
Need royal intervention?
"Hither, page, and stand by me
If thou know'st it, telling
Yonder lump, what could it be
To cause that snowy swelling?"
"Sire, there is a woolly sheep
Who grazes nearby boldly
Mayhap now that frosted heap
Doth bury him most coldly."
"Bring me now my trusty spade
We shall both go thither
Rescue must not be delayed
Before we bear him hither."
"Sire, thou hast no trusty spade
In thy royal kit nor rigging,
I'll go rouse the kitchen maid
And borrow tools for digging."
The page went off, returning swift
With garden shovel ready
In furs they went into the drift
Proceeding slow but steady
Page and monarch forth they went
In snowbound exploration,
Through the blizzard's wild lament,
Prepared for excavation
"Sire, the night is dark I fear
And the cold forsaking
Perhaps the sheep is happy here,
And doth not want awaking?"
"Mark my footsteps, my good page,
Stop snivelling and sneezing
The victim's near and sooth I gauge
In gravest fear of freezing."
In his master's steps he trod
Where the snow had drifted
Digging out the woolly bod
The sheep was soon uplifted
"Come, my man, let's make him warm
Both outer sheep and inner
Let him fill his forlorn form
With fine Christmas Dinner"
"Carrots, parsnips, for his fill
Sage and chestnut stuffing
Onions, gherkins, pickled dill
He shall want for nothing
Brussell sprouts will also do
Roast potato wedgies -
Look, he's noshed the turkey too!
... Don't sheep just eat veggies?"
Good King Wenceslas looked out
With appetite imploring
Empty plates were strewn about
The sheep asleep and snoring
Sheep it seems are much like goats
Not just in their bleating
Most food will go down their throats
And they're most happy eating!
The moral of this festive tale
It now is time to mention
Hasty plans will often fail
Although of best intention
Take care who you might invite
What species and what breeding
Your guests all come with appetite
And appetite needs feeding.
Student Notes
Sheep are, indeed, not particularly fussy with respect to diet and almost always hungry. They will have a go at eating nearly anything and, although this has caused some sheep digestive distress and occasionally death, it has kept the majority healthy and happy. They will eat to excess, if given the chance.
Copyright © Lee Leon | Year Posted 2018
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