OLD PETER led a wretched life
Old PETER had a furious wife;
Old PETER too was truly stout,He measured several yards about.
The little fairy PICKLEKIN
One summer afternoon looked in,And said,"Old PETER,how de do?
Can I do anything for you?
"I have three gifts the first will give Unbounded riches while you live;The second health where'er you be;
The third,invisibility."
"O little fairy PICKLEKIN,"
Old PETER answered with a grin,"To hesitate would be absurd,Undoubtedly I choose the third."
"'Tis yours,"the fairy said;"be quite Invisible to mortal sight Whene'er you please.Remember me Most kindly,pray,to MRS.P."
Old MRS.PETER overheard Wee PICKLEKIN'S concluding word,And,jealous of her girlhood's choice,Said,"That was some young woman's voice:
Old PETER let her scold and swear
Old PETER,bless him,didn't care.
"My dear,your rage is wasted quite
Observe,I disappear from sight!"
A wellbred fairy (so I've heard)
Is always faithful to her word:
Old PETER vanished like a shot,Put then HIS SUIT OF CLOTHES DID NOT!
For when conferred the fairy slim Invisibility on HIM,She popped away on fairy wings,Without referring to his "things."
So there remained a coat of blue,A vest and double eyeglass too,His tail,his shoes,his socks as well,His pair of no,I must not tell.
Old MRS.PETER soon began To see the failure of his plan,And then resolved (I quote the Bard)To "hoist him with his own petard."
Old PETER woke next day and dressed,Put on his coat,and shoes,and vest,His shirt and stock;BUT COULD NOT FINDHIS ONLY PAIR OF never mind!