The birds and the beasts of the forest Kept hidden and silent that day, But the monkey-folk formed a procession And followed the minstrel away. And thus did we give up the forest To dwell with our brothers, the men-- Farewell to the beautiful jungle! 'Twas long ere I saw it again! [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] PART SECOND. THE WAYS OF MEN. Then away to a far distant country On a drift that they said was a ship, And I studied the ways of my master And profited much by the trip. And we sailed to his home in fair Naples, Where I studied the language of men, And I sat on a bench with his children, But soon we went sailing again. [Illustration] [Illustration] And I made some nice friends on the voyage, And engaged in a pretty romance. I charmed all the ladies by climbing, And one of them taught me to dance. [Illustration] Yet often I longed for the jungle-- Its song and the rustle of wing-- And sometimes at night in my slumber I talked with our elephant king. [Illustration] [Illustration] One morning my master awoke me, And, dressed in a gaudy new suit, I beheld the New World in the sunlight, And lifted my hat in salute. And then began troubles and trials-- Through the streets by a string I was led; Toiling hard all the day for my master, Yet oft going hungry to bed. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] But he sold me at last to a circus And my lot became easier then, So I gave many moments of leisure To acquiring the habits of men. I copied their manners and customs I made of each fashion a note; And the children admired my performance And the ladies the cut of my coat. [Illustration] [Illustration] By and by I was sold to a banker Who was charmed with my ball-rolling feat, And arrayed in a Fauntleroy costume I passed all my time on the street. [Illustration] [Illustration] But alas for my plans of the future! He died without leaving a cent, And I had to go out to hard labor To pay for my victuals and rent; Till I met with a gentleman's valet Who was like me in manner and face, And I told him some stories that pleased him And bribed him to give me his place. [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] Then I started to serve my new master-- A bachelor cynic was he, Who quickly saw through the deception And made a proposal to me. Said he: "You're a monkey, you rascal, And an excellent type of the brood; Let's play a good joke on society By passing you off as a dude." [Illustration] [Illustration] [Illustration] So he took me at first to his barber, Who shaved me and shortened my hair, And the last tangled trace of the jungle Was gone when I rose from his chair.