Those who feel continually stressed

About their fate to be second best

Should heed the tale of young Horace Hurst

Driven by the desire always to be first.

 

Horace, an apprentice, considered his place

Ahead of the rest in any sort of race,

A volunteer through and through

As those about him certainly knew.

 

In truth, when all was said and done

He had a reputation second to none.

So, when his master called him nigh

Saying "I've got something new for you to try"

 

Eager Horace saw it as a feather in his cap -

Always a pushy obliging young chap.

His master added, with a smile benign

"I'd like you to test my latest design"

 

Well, before you could say "lickety-spit"

Young Horace had put himself first for it.

Led like a trusting rat to a trap

Almost immediately he heard a sharp clap.

 

Down he descended, no time even to yell

There was no doubt - the new trap worked well.

His master - the hangman - with a barely suppressed snort,

Murmured "Being first can sometimes be fraught!"

 

But whatever his failings, Horace wasn't a complete dope,

He had wisely decided against testing the rope!

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