The Town Rat and the Country Rat

A RAT from town, a country Rat
Invited in the civilest way ;
For dinner there was just to be
Ortolans and an entremet.
Upon a Turkey carpet soft
The noble feast at last was spread ;
I leave you pretty well to guess
The merry, pleasant life they led.
Gay the repast, for plenty reigned,
Nothing was wanting to the fare ;
But hardly had it well begun
Ere chance disturbed the friendly pair.
A sudden racket at the door
Alarmed them, and they made retreat ;
The City Rat was not the last,
His comrade followed fast and fleet.
The noise soon over, they returned,
As rats on such occasions do ;
" Come, " said the liberal citizen,
" And let us finish our ragout. "
" Not a crumb more, " the rustic said ;
" To-morrow you shall dine with me ;
Don't think me jealous of your state,
Or all your royal luxury ;
" But then I eat so quiet at home,
And nothing dangerous is near ;
Good-bye, my friend, I have no love
For pleasure when it's mixed with fear. "