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.