The White Rat Mammals 
boiled egg, and now and then a bone with some raw 
meat upon it. In fact, almost any table scraps are 
acceptable to these creatures, but they should never 
be fed with cheese. Plenty of fresh water should be 
kept in a dish where the rats can have constant access 
to it. 
Into the street the Piper stept, 
Smiling first a little smile, 
As if he knew what magic slept 
In his quiet pipe the while; 
Then, like a musical adept, 
To blow the pipe his lips he wrinkled, 
And green and blue his sharp eyes twinkled 
Like a candle-flame where salt is sprinkled; 
And ere three shrill notes the pipe uttered, 
You heard as if an army muttered; 
And the mutterings grew to a grumbling; 
And the grumbling grew to a mighty rumbling; 
And out of the house the rats came tumbling. 
Great rats, small rats, lean rats, brawny rats, 
Brown rats, black rats, gray rats, tawny rats, 
Grave old plodders, gay young friskers, 
Fathers, mothers, uncles, cousins, 
Cocking tails and pricking whiskers, 
Families by tens and dozens, 
Brothers, sisters, husbands, wives— 
Followed the Piper for their lives. 
From street to street he piped advancing, 
And step by step they followed dancing, 
Until they came to the river Weser 
Wherein all plunged and perished. 
From ‘‘The Pied Piper of Hamelin’ by Robert Browning. 
IOI 
