The Goose

Here is a tale for spinsters at their sewing: There was a goose, a little gosling surely, Who went her goose-girl way and looked demurely As every goose should when 'tis wise and knowing. Proper was she as every gosling should be, And innocent as Margarete or Gretchen, And did her duty in the house and kitchen, And like a goose was happy as she could be. Smug was she with a sleek and dove-like dimple, Great gooseberry eyes and cheeks out of the dairy: A goose, aye, just a goose, a little dumb thing. One day the goose was gone. The tale is simple. She had eloped. 'Twas nothing ordinary. A married man with children. That was something.