The Mice Decided That Their Foe

The mice decided that their foe
The cat was bad and had to go.
Unanimous in their intent
To censor him all gave consent.

But whatsoever they might say
They knew the cat was there to stay,
So as things might go otherwise
Safeguards they thought of to devise.

One rose among the mice to speak,
"To warn us if the cat will sneak
Around his neck a bell should hang
So we could flee soon as it rang."

Votes for the measure then were cast
But one opposed, said, when it passed,
"All's well once we have settled that--
You tell me--who will bell the cat?"