A Guinea-pig Song 

by Anonymous (1773) 

There was a little guinea-pig, 
Who, being little, was not big; 
He always walked upon his feet, 
And never fasted when he eat. 

When from a place he run away, 
He never at the place did stay; 
And while he run, as I am told, 
He ne'er stood still for young or old. 

He often squeaked, and sometimes violent, 
And when he squeaked he ne'er was silent. 
Though ne'er instructed by a cat, 
He knew a mouse was not a rat. 

One day, as I am certified, 
He took a whim and fairly died; 
And as I am told by men of sense, 
He never has been living since.