DOBBIN THE BLACKSMITH

The gossips of the town would pay
     A morning visit to his shop;
And while old Dobbin worked away,
     They talked as if they'd never stop.

Thus Farmer Dogberry, you see,
     Lays down the law to Beadle Dio;
While Ploughman Ox appears to be
     The wisest of the idle trio.

But Dobbin only blinks his eyes,
     For he has honest work to do,
And thinks that talk, however wise,
     Will never mend a horse's shoe.

Like Dobbin, let us learn to keep
     A watchful eye and silent tongue;
And never let our conscience sleep
     When idle gossips we're among.