Смарагдове місто країни Оз
21. How the King Changed His Mind
AndnowyoushalllistentotheWinsomeWaggishWarblers,whohaveoftencheeredmeinmymomentsofanguish."
TheWinsomeWaggishWarblersprovedtobeaquartetteofrabbitsingers,twogentlemenandtwoladyrabbits.ThegentlemenWarblersworefull-dressswallow-tailedsuitsofwhitesatin,withpearlsforbuttons,whiletheladyWarblersweregownedinwhitesatindresseswithlongtrails.
Thefirstsongtheysangbeganinthisway:
"Whenarabbitgetsahabit
Oflivinginacity
Andwearingclothesandfurbelows
Andjewelsrareandpretty,
HescornstheBunwhohastorun
Andburrowintheground
Andpitiesthosewhosewatchfulfoes
Aremanandgunandhound."
DorothylookedattheKingwhensheheardthissongandnoticedthatheseemeddisturbedandillatease.
"Idon’tlikethatsong,"hesaidtotheWarblers."Giveussomethingjollyandrollicking."
Sotheysangtoajoyous,tinklingmelodyasfollows:
"Bunniesgay
Delighttoplay
Intheirfairytownsecure;
Ev’ryfrisker
Flirtshiswhisker
Atapink-eyedgirldemure.
Ev’rymaid
Insilkarrayed
Atherpartnershylyglances,
Pawsaregrasped,
Waistsareclasped
Astheywhirlingiddydances.
Thentogether
Throughtheheather
’Neaththemoonlightsofttheystroll;
Eachisvery
Blitheandmerry,
Gambolingwithlaughterdroll.
Lifeisfun
Toev’ryone
Guardedbyourmagiccharm
Fortodangers
Wearestrangers,
Safefromanythoughtofharm."
"Yousee,"saidDorothytotheKing,whenthesongended,"therabbitsallseemtolikeBunnyburyexceptyou.