Tom and His Pony, Jack

H. Belloc

Tom had a little pony, Jack:

He vaulted lightly on its back

And galloped off for miles and miles,

A-leaping hedges, gates and stiles,

And shouting “Yoicks!” and “Tally-Ho!”

And “Heads I win!” and “Tails below!”

And many another sporting phrase.

He rode like this for several days,

Until the pony, feeling tired,

132Collapsed, looked heavenward and expired.

His father made a fearful row.

He said, “By Gum! You’ve done it now!

Here lies, a Carcase on the ground,

No less than five and twenty pound!

Indeed, the value of the beast

Would probably have much increased.

His teeth were false; and all were told

That he was only four years old.

Oh! Curse it all! I tell you plain

I’ll never let you ride again.”

Moral

His father died when he was twenty,

And left three horses—which is plenty.

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