Depredation

Out on the river in a distant land,
A country was begun and ran.
It was called the Land of Depredation
Where thieves and robbers ruled the nation.
In the morning they stole their breads,
And at night they all stole back their beds.
Growing food was just too much trouble,
Because when harvest day came all they had left was stubble.
And why would they bother raising herds or flocks?
It's much easier to steal than to knit your socks.
So thus they lived for about a week--
Before the whole country found itself up the creek,
With no way to fight or win its battles
Because, wouldn't you know it, someone stole their paddles.