is was not easy, for pigs are sound sleepers,
And not very willing to open their peepers.

At last morning dawned, and mamma pig awoke,
When thus poor Miss Piggy with much spirit spoke:
"Dear mother, it certainly is a great pity,
To kill me while I'm so young and so pretty;
But if they can have such bad taste as to do it,
I really don't see why I should submit to it.
No one in their senses, I think, would remain
When they know they are soon to be cruelly slain;
There are more sties than this in the world, I dare say,
So I think I had better at once run away."

[Illustration]

"Alas! my dear child," said her mother, "I fear
You may as well make up your mind to stay here,
For 'tis likely the very first person you meet,
Would carry you off, and then kill you to eat.
Wherever you go, there is just the same danger;
You had better be killed by a friend, than a stranger.
To tell you the truth, I am sadly afraid,
It is for man's eating that we pigs are made.
The thought is not pleasant, yet, what we can't cure,
As the old proverb says, we must learn to endure."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Then a grave-looking pig, of respectable age,
Who was always considered remarkably sage,
Said, "Ladies, allow me to offer a word
Respecting the orders we yesterday heard.
It seems that Miss does not approve of the plan
Proposed by our master to Joseph, his man;
Though such we all come to, at one time or other:
Last week I thus lost my affectionate brother,
And next week, perhaps, I myself may be taken,
For this is the season for making of bacon;
However, as Miss Pig objects thus to be
Cut off in her prime,--and we all must agree
It is very unpleasant,--there can be no doubt of it,--
I've thought of a way by which she may get out of it:
Now, if she had not been so plump and good looking,
They would never have fancied her ready for cooking;
But if she'd get rid of these charms, I am thinking,
By living awhile without eating or drinking,
And hides herself up in the loft, 'mongst the hay,
They'll think that somebody has stole her away.
And when she comes back, she will be so much thinner,
Depend on't they'll no longer want her for dinner."

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

Mamma thought this scheme was uncommonly clever,
But her daughter indignantly answered, "No, never!
What! lose all my beauty? I'd much rather die for it;
If that's my last chance, I am sure I shan't try for it;
To be called thin and ugly,--I never co