"Neighbour," said the Iron Pot,
"Let us go abroad a little."
"Thank you, I would rather not,"
Was the answer that he got.
Earthenware, you know, is brittle;
And the weaker Pot was wiser
Than to trust his bad adviser.
"Mighty well for <i>you</i>" said he;
"Skin like yours can hardly suffer
Very much by land or sea,
That is clear; but, as for <i>me</i>,
Stop till I'm a little tougher.
<i>You</i> may roam the wide world over;
I shall stay at home in clover."
"Friend!" the Iron Pot replied,
"Don't let such a fear affect you;
I shall travel at your side:
So, whatever may betide,
Cling to me, and I'll protect you."
Having won his friend's compliance,
Off they started in alliance.
Jigging, jogging, on they went,
Knocking one against the other;
Till the Earthen Pot was sent
(Past the powers of cement)
Into atoms by his brother.
'Twas his <i>own</i> imprudence, clearly,
That was paid for very dearly.
With our equals let us mate,
Or dread the weaker vessel's fate.