And Why by Margaret Eytinge Insect poem

"A little bird's gone from my nest,"
Sang mournfully Robin Redbreast:
"Oh! somebody tell me, I pray,
Who carried the darling away."
"Katy did, Katy did," came quick in reply.
"And why?" Redbreast queried, "and why? and why?"
But no other word
From Katy was heard
But, "Katy did, Katy did, Katy did."

"A sweet bud I miss from my side,"
Said a red rose. "I watched it with pride,
It promised so lovely to be.
I wonder who stole it from me?"
"Katy did, Katy did," came quick in reply.
"And why?" asked the red rose, "and why? and why?"
But no other word
From Katy was heard
But, "Katy did, Katy did, Katy did."

"A kitten I've lost," mewed the cat;
"I left it upon the door-mat.
Its fur was as white as an egg.
Tell me, some one, who took it, I beg."
"Katy did, Katy did," came quick in reply.
"And why?" asked poor pussy, "and why? and why?"
But no other word
From Katy was heard
But, "Katy did, Katy did, Katy did."

Now I knew very well 'twasn't true,
For Katy such things couldn't do,
As carry off bud, bird, or kit;
For she is not larger a bit
Than her cousin the beautiful Prince Butterfly.
"And why do you fib so?" I asked her, "and why?"
But no other word
From Katy I heard
But, "Katy did, Katy did, Katy did."