Explore "The Paths of Rashness" by Ring Lardner on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Up to the sky the birdman flew / And looped some loops that were bold and new.
The people marvelled at nerve so great / And gasped or cheered as he tempted fate, / More daring each day than the day before, / Till the birdman fell and arose no more.
The bandit bragged of his daylight crimes / And said: "I'm the wonder of modern times."
Bolder and bolder his thefts became, / And the people shook when they heard his name.
He boasted: "I'm one that they'll never get."
But he jollied himself into Joliet.
Well, son, I suppose you would be admired / For the valorous habit that you've acquired / Of rushing at each little girl you meet / And hugging her tight in the public street.
But the day will come, I have not a doubt, / When you'll stagger home with an eye scratched out.