_An Adaptation of “Mary had a Little Lamb,” said to have been Sung during the Ayr Contest, in which Mr. Collings took an active part._ Joseph had a little lamb――a little lamb―― Joseph had a little lamb, Which loved its master so, That everywhere that Joseph went――that Joseph went―― That everywhere that Joseph went, The lamb was sure to go. It followed him so close about――so close about―― It followed him so close about, To every place you know, It made the people laugh and shout――laugh and shout―― It made the people laugh and shout, To see the lamb and Joe. And when the laborers turned it out――turned it out―― And when the laborers turned it out, Yet still it lingered near, And wandered helplessly about――helplessly about―― And wandered helplessly about, Till Joseph did appear. “What makes the lamb love Joseph so――love Joseph so―― What makes the lamb love Joseph so?” The “Rural Laborers” cry, “Why Joseph loves the lamb, you know――the lamb, you know”―― Why Joseph loves the lamb――you know, And Jesse makes reply, Baa! Baa! _The Star._ June 18, 1888. ―――― Mary had a cactus plant So modestly it grew, Shooting its little fibers out It lived upon the dew. Her little brother often heard Her say it lived on air, And so he pulled it up one day And placed it in a chair. Placed it in a chair he did, Then laughed with ghoulish glee―― Placed it in the old arm chair Under the trysting tree. Nor thought of Mary’s lover, Who called each night to woo, Or even dreamed they’d take a stroll, As lovers often do. The eve drew on. The lover came. They sought the _trysting tree_, Where has the little cactus gone? The lover――where is he! ――――:o:―――― SONG. AIR.――“_If I had a donkey vot vouldn’t go, Do you think I’d wallop, &c._” Had I an ass averse to speed, Deem’st thou I’d strike him? No, indeed Mark me, I’d try persuasion’s art, For cruelty offends my heart: Had all resembled me, I ween, Martin, thy law had needless been Of speechless brutes from blows to screen The poor head; For had I an ass averse to speed I ne’er would strike him; no indeed! I’d give him hay, and cry, “Proceed,” And “Go on, Edward!” Why speak I thus? This very morn, I saw that cruel William Burn, Whilst crying “Greens!” upon his course, Assail his ass with all his force; He smote him o’er the head and thighs, Till tears bedimm’d the creature’s eyes! Oh! ’twas too much. My blood ’gan rise, And I exclaim’d, “Had I an” &c.