At whom did Leo struggle to get loose? Who mourns through Monkey-tricks his damaged clothing? Who has been hissed by the Canadian Goose? On whom did Llama spit in utter loathing? Some Smithfield Saint did jealous feelings tell To keep the Puma out of sight till Monday, Because he preyed extempore as well As certain wild Itinerants on Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? To me it seems that in the oddest way (Begging the pardon of each rigid Socius) Our would-be Keepers of the Sabbath-day Are like the Keepers of the brutes ferocious-- As soon the Tiger might expect to stalk About the grounds from Saturday till Monday, As any harmless man to take a walk, If Saints could clap him in a cage on Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? In spite of all hypocrisy can spin, As surely as I am a Christian scion, I cannot think it is a mortal sin-- (Unless he's loose)--to look upon a lion. I really think that one may go, perchance, To see a bear, as guiltless as on Monday-- (That is, provided that he did not dance)-- Bruin's no worse than bakin' on a Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? In spite of all the fanatic compiles, I can not think the day a bit diviner, Because no children, with forestalling smiles, Throng, happy, to the gates of Eden Minor-- It is not plain, to my poor faith at least, That what we christen "Natural" on Monday, The wondrous history of Bird and Beast, Can be unnatural because it's Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? Whereon is sinful fantasy to work? The Dove, the winged Columbus of man's haven? The tender Love-Bird--or the filial Stork? The punctual Crane--the providential Raven? The Pelican whose bosom feeds her young? Nay, must we cut from Saturday till Monday That feathered marvel with a human tongue, Because she does not preach upon a Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy? The busy Beaver--that sagacious beast! The Sheep that owned an Oriental Shepherd-- That Desert-ship, the Camel of the East, The horned Rhinoceros--the spotted Leopard-- The Creatures of the Great Creator's hand Are surely sights for better days than Monday-- The Elephant, although he wears no band, Has he no sermon in his trunk for Sunday?-- But what is your opinion, Mrs, Grundy? What harm if men who burn the midnight-oil, Weary of frame, and worn and wan of feature, Seek once a week their spirits to assoil, And snatch a glimpse of "Animated Nature?" Better it were if, in his best of suits, The artisan, who goes to work on Monday, Should spend a leisure-hour among the brutes, Than make a beast of his own self on Sunday-- But what is your opinion, Mrs. Grundy?