Tell-Tale

Listen to: 

Tell-Tale (1:06)

by Oliver Herford 

performed by Bob Gonzalez, rhapsode

The Lily whispered to the Rose:

"The Tulip's fearfully stuck up.

You'd think to see the creature's pose,

She was a golden altar-cup.

There's method in her boldness, too;

She catches twice her share of Dew."

The Rose into the Tulip's ear

Murmured: "The Lily is a sight;

Don't you believe she powders, dear,

To make herself so saintly white?

She takes some trouble, it is plain,

Her reputation to sustain."

Said Tulip to the Lily white:

"About the Rose—what do you think?—

Her color? Should you say it's quite—

Well, quite a natural shade of pink?"

"Natural!" the Lily cried. "Good Saints!

Why, everybody knows she paints!"