Allowance must, of course, be made for youthful inexperience in the matter of rhymes.
_Remus_.
D'you hear, you cads?
Shut up, and let us be.
You shall not dine off Romulus and me! _John (in alarm_).
Upon my word! What if the boys are right?
Friend Lupus, thanks--I'd rather not to-night.
_Wolf (scornfully_).
What?
Do you funk it?
Well, I call that rough.
_John_.
Fact is, I can't help thinking they'd taste tough.
_Rom.

and Rem.

(excitedly_).
We would! we would! we're awful tough to eat; We're only skin and bone and gristle; and no meat.
(_They sing_).
Two little kids from nurse are we, Skinny as two kids can be; Never a bite since yesterday, Two little kids from nurse.
Dropped we were by our cruel ma (With full consent of our awful pa) Into the stream of the river Tiber - Two little kids from nurse.
We were nearly drowned, when the stream stood still And left us dry (and hungry) till This old she-wolf came to take her fill Of two little kids from nurse.
You let us be, or we'll tell our ma, And she'll inform our awful pa; If he comes round, you'll catch a Tartar-- Two little kids from nurse.
_Wolf (turning pale_).
Your words alarm me! Gentle lads, behold, I'll be your nurse until you're two years old.
Then if you have not found your pa or ma, I will adopt you.

What say you?
_Rom.

and Rem._.
Hurrah! _John_.
So now that's settled, let's chant one more strain, And after that I'll to my home again.
Song.
_Rom._.
Who ran to gulp me where I lay, And took me in her mouth away, And talked of eating me to-day?
The she-wolf.
_Rem._.
Who scrunched my arm and clawed my side, And would not heed me when I cried, But whispered, "Won't he taste prime fried ?" The she-wolf.
_John_.
Who wouldn't spare two pretty boys, Until they kicked and made a noise?
Who ever thus her time employs?
The she-wolf.
_Wolf_.
Who's not as bad as people say?
Who's going to nurse you night and day, And wash your face and help you play?
The she-wolf?
(_Exeunt dancing_.) Scene II.
The Same.