Part 1
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Transcriber’s Note:-
The original spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation has been retained, with the exception of apparent typographical errors which have been corrected.
The transcriber has added a Table of Contents, following the Dedication.
Italic text is denoted _thus_.
Bold text is denoted =thus=.
WRITTEN AND ADAPTED
_by_
M. A. BONNELL
=A=wake, sweet hope! for she who shares the throne =L=ends her own merit to make dulness bright, =E=ven as Luna to the insipid drop its light.
=X=anthine yellow might the aster take for hue, =A=n emerald green the clove carnation crown, =N=or could fair England’s rose yet learn to frown.
=D=iadems of humble bloom and royal fleur-de-lis, =R=are crowns of love, have crowned her long ago; =A=nd ever round her noble brow more intertwined they grow.
—_M. A. BONNELL_
_July 3rd, 1901._
_The above lines accompanied the copy which was graciously accepted by Queen Alexandra._
MOTHER GOOSE’S BICYCLE
TOUR.
BY M. S. G.
Toronto: William Briggs.
With honest pride the rhymer sings Her ancestress’ renown,— Oh, proud the day that gave her birth! And proud her natal town!
Oh, may the theme the verse redeem, Of meagre wit and rhyming loose, And win a kind indulgence still For Mary Susan Goose!
Entered according to Act of the Parliament of Canada, in the year one thousand nine hundred, by WILLIAM BRIGGS, at the Department of Agriculture.
Dedicated
By
Permission
To
Miss Liv Nansen
DEDICATION.
1.
Though pure the drifting snows of northern realms, Dazzling the Aurora of the polar girth, More stainless still thy fair and childish brow, More bright the aureole that surrounds thy birth.
2.
Ofttimes a nation bends its tender gaze To watch the blooming of a royal flower; Child of heroic blood, genius thy heritage! The loving interest of a world thy dower!
M. A. B.
CONTENTS.
DEDICATION. THE DEPARTURE. PUSSY CAT. HIGH DIDDLE-DIDDLE. THE QUEENS OF THE CARDS. JACK AND JILL. OLD KING COLE. THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN. BAA-BAA BLACK SHEEP. OLD MOTHER HUBBARD. WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO, MY PRETTY MAID? WHEN I WAS A BACHELOR. HUMPETY DUMPETY. TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN. THREE WISE MEN OF ST. IVES. THE FROG AND THE CROW. THE DONKEY’S REPLY. FARMER BROWN. THE CAPTAIN. THE SHOEMAKER. THE COOK. THE GROCER. THE FARMER. THE FARMER’S WIFE. THE TAILOR. MRS. THOMPKINS AND MR. HOPKINS. THIS VERY BLACK MAN OF SIAM. THIS LAZY OLD MAN OF MOSELLE. CE COCHON, AN INTERESTING PIG. THIS SHOCKING OLD MAN FROM CAPE RAY. PETER PRADDLE BOUGHT A SADDLE. THE MAN FROM HONG KONG. THE LITTLE BOHEMIAN. THE KING IS RETURNING TO PARIS. LE PETIT MARÉCHAL. LA PETITE ÉTRANGÈRE. LAY THE TABLE. TOMMY HAS A GUN. ENIGMAS. THE MAID WITH EYES OF BLUE. THIS STUDIOUS GIRL OF OGONTZ ENIGMAS. THE MILLER. A KING. LOUIS HAD A SISTER TRÈS-PETITE. DICK’S POEM. THE LITTLE NUT TREE. L’ENFANT TERRIBLE. ISIDORE ET ISABELLE. EVERY DOG ON THE STREET. THE APPLE-PIE PARTY. GLOSSARY.
Mother Goose’s Bicycle Tour.
THE DEPARTURE.
1.
Long years ago dear Mother Goose For little people made, you see, Of merry rhymes and odd conceits A veritable pot pourri.
2.
Some riddles hard the brain to puzzle, Tales that really seemed quite true, Rhymes with fun just brimming o’er, For each one something à son goût.
3.
Her fame had spread through many lands,— A princess came from France to see The tree that bore the golden pear: At least such was l’on dit.
4.
But years rolled by, the dame grew old,— Alas, the universal fate! She found herself almost forgot, And with her goose left tête à tête.
5.
Said Mother Goose: “My faithful bird, Our friends neglect us, to be sure; But never mind, we’ll just prepare And take a pleasant little tour.
6.
Some evenings spent in brushing up The foreign words we used to know, Ere setting out upon our trip, Would now be very à propos.
7.
I’ll order from my milliner A brand new hat and travelling suit; And then procure some maps and guides; We’ll surely need them whilst en route.
8.
’Tis fifty years since you and I Our journey took the moon to see; For fear we never should come back We left our cards with P. P. C.
9.
What crowds there were to see us off! What merry shout and loud hurrah! Most certainly we undertook Our enterprise with great éclat.
10.
And then the journey back again, And how we made the world to stare When home we brought the wondrous news— The moon was made of fromage vert!
11.
But times are changed, and people now Doubt everything they cannot see; And men are old before they’re young, And even children feel ennui.
12.
No fairies now their revels hold, Nor dare their merry pranks pursue; The prying eye, the searchlight’s glare, Have made them bid the land adieu.
13.
Should you in this material age Your magic powers reveal by chance, You’d never be a moment free From scientific surveillance.
14.
Besides, to ride upon your back Would outrage modern fashion’s code; To go upon a two-wheeled thing Is now considered à la mode.”
15.
When thus the dame had spoke her mind, Her banker first she went to see; Then purchase made of many things, Besides a flask of eau-de-vie.
16.
She meant to cross the Channel soon, And for the future had a care;— All those who travel on the sea Provision make for mal de mer.
17.
Two bicycles were ordered then From Monsieur Brun de Chambray; To tell the truth, the dame on hers Looked really most distinguée.
18.
The goose all unaccustomed was To this most curious gait, But spite of this her mistress vow’d She thought her manner was parfaite.
19.
“I am an awkward creature,” Quoth the goose, “as people say; But on the water, rest assured, You’ll find me quite au fait.
20.
“I know you dread the noisy ship, With all its bustle and to-do; And for the horrid smell of tar You have a natural dégoût.
21.
“So let us take an open boat; The voyage is not very long. I’m sure we’ll reach the other side Without the slightest contre-temps.”
22.
With courage rare the dame replied, “Your plan, I think, is for our weal; We’ll follow it without delay.” Her charming nature was facile.
23.
The noble, brave, and clever bird, As one may well perceive, For new and strange adventures now Was quite on the qui vive.
24.
Adventures came too soon, alas! For on that self-same day A storm arose, and they were wrecked In that short traversée.
25.
In this extremity most dire The dame takes off a wooden boot, And says, “I’ll buoy these precious bikes, And get them sometime coûte que coûte.”
26.
For string she ravels out her hose, While briny waters saturate her; Her plan will surely win success For is it not a coup de maître!
27.
“Now bind together, mistress dear, Before they float away, Those oars of good Canadian pine; They are our pis aller.
28.
“Your weight, supported by this frame, I have the power to draw; Nor danger fear while you retain Such admirable sang-froid.”
29.
By strength of will, and wing, and web, They reached a passing man-of-war, And now to Mother Goose and bird We must say “au revoir.”
PUSSY CAT.
“Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?” “I’ve been to London to see the Queen.” “Pussy cat, pussy cat, what saw you there?” “I saw a little mouse under the chair.” “Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you do?” “J’ai mangé la souris tout à coup.”
HIGH DIDDLE-DIDDLE.
1.
High diddle-diddle, the cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon. Regardez donc cette vache agile, Qui saute par-dessus la lune.
2.
Je vais au marché à l’instant, I’m going to the market now, Pour acheter cette vache surprenante, To buy that remarkable cow.
3.
The well-known cat and the wonderful cow, On the picture now you may see, Ainsi que le chien intelligent, Qui avait beaucoup ri.
THE QUEENS OF THE CARDS.
Les dames des cartes, Elles firent des tartes All on a summer’s day.
Les valets des cartes Volèrent ces tartes, And took them clean away.
Les rois des cartes Cherchèrent les tartes, And beat the knaves full sore.
Les valets des cartes Rapportèrent les tartes, And vow’d they’d steal no more.
JACK AND JILL.
1.
Jack and Jill went up the hill, Ensemble de l’eau y chercher; Jack fell down and broke his crown, La pauvre Jille fut renversée.
2.
Up Jack got and home did trot, En colère et très-pressé; Dame Jill had the job to plaster his knob, Quand l’effusion de sang eut cessé.
3.
Jill came in and she did grin, En voyant cet emplâtre; Her mother vow’d she’d whip her next, À cause de ce désastre.
OLD KING COLE.
Old King Cole was a merry old soul, Il aimait la compagnie; He called for his pipe, he called for his bowl, Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He shared with his fiddlers the very best cheer, Singing “Vive la compagnie!” He drank from his bowl the very best beer, Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He never knew sorrow, he never knew fear, Singing “Vive la compagnie!” He lived very happy (cela va sans dire), Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN.
1.
There was an old woman Who lived in a shoe, Elle avait beaucoup d’enfants, And she didn’t know what to do.
2.
She gave them some broth, Without any bread, Elle les battait très-fort, And sent them to bed.
Illustration]
BAA-BAA BLACK SHEEP.
“Baa-baa black sheep, As-tu de la laine?” “Oui, Monsieur, j’en ai Deux poches pleines.
“Une pour mon maître, Une pour ma dame, Rien pour le garçon Qui versa des larmes.”
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.
1.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard Des os d’obtenir pour son chien, But when she got there, the cupboard was bare, Hélas! le pauvre chien n’eut rien.
2.
She went to get bread From the baker next door, But when she returned Le chien était mort.
3.
She went for a coffin, With many a tear, But the dog was only joking, Se met donc à rire.
4.
She went for some tripe, Feeling all in a maze, But when she returned Il fumait à l’aise.
5.
“I will get him some ale,” Mother Hubbard said she, But when she returned Le chien était assis.
6.
She went for some wine, Her favorite to fête, Returning she found him Debout sur sa tête.
7.
She went to the hatter’s To get him a hat, But when she returned Il nourrissait la chatte.
8.
She went to the barber’s To buy him a wig, But when she returned Il dansait une gigue.
9.
She went to the fruiterer’s To get him some fruit, Returning she found him Jouant de la flûte.
10.
To buy him a coat She went to the tailor, Returning she found him À cheval sur une chèvre.
11.
She went to buy shoes, But, most strange to tell, Returning, she found him Lisant les nouvelles.
12.
To buy him some linen She went one fine day, Returning, she found Le chien qui filait.
13.
She went to buy hose From old Father Drew, Returning she found him Paré de son mieux.
14.
The dame made a curtsey, The dog made a bow; The dame said, “Your servant,” Le chien dit, “Bow-wow.”
15.
This wonderful dog To the dame was most dear, He could read, sing and dance, Et il savait écrire.
16.
Whilst living she fed him With dainties galore, And built him a tombstone Quand il était mort.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO, MY PRETTY MAID?
“Où vas-tu, ma belle chérie?” “I’m going a-milking, sir,” said she. “Puis-je t’accompagner, belle chérie?” “Just as you please, kind sir,” said she. “Que fait ton père, ma belle chérie?” “My father’s a farmer, sir,” said she. “Que fait ta mère, ma belle chérie?” “Wife to my father, sir,” said she. “Quelle est ta fortune, belle chérie?” “My face is my fortune, sir,” said she. “S’il en est ainsi, belle chérie—” “What do you mean, kind sir,” said she. “Nous n’aurons jamais de fiançailles.” “Nobody asked you, sir,” said she.
WHEN I WAS A BACHELOR
1.
Quand j’étais un garçon, I lived by myself, Et toute la viande et le fromage I put upon a shelf.
2.
Les rats et les souris Did lead me such a life, Je m’en allai à Londres To get myself a wife.
3.
Les rues étant grandes, And the lanes being narrow, Je dus amener mon épouse, In a wheel-barrow.
4.
La brouette se cassa, My wife got a fall, A terre fut la brouette, Little wife and all.
HUMPETY DUMPETY.
Humpety Dumpety sat on a wall; Humpety Dumpety had a great fall. All the King’s horses Et l’armée du roi Couldn’t make Humpety Dumpety Ce qu’il était autrefois.
TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN.
1.
Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief, Taffy coura chez moi And stole a leg of beef.
2.
I went to Taffy’s house, Taffy wasn’t at home, Taffy coura chez moi And stole a marrow bone.
3.
I went to Taffy’s house, Taffy was in bed, Je pris vite le savouret, And beat him on the head.
THREE WISE MEN OF ST. IVES.
1.
Said this very wise man of St. Ives, “I hear that potatoes have eyes; I’ll shave all my head and dye my clothes red, I’ve a nervous objection to spies.”
2.
Said the wiser, “I cannot advise Such a strange and uncommon disguise; But this is my plan, to eat all we can, Regardless of shape or of size.”
3.
Said the sagest, “You don’t realize That your scheme is most truly unwise; If you eat them at all, either large ones or small, Every thought of your heart they’ll surmise.
4.
“On the man who successfully tries, Or some feasible plan can devise, To grow us a kind that really is blind, We’ll bestow a magnificent prize.”
THE FROG AND THE CROW.
3.
So the frog began a-jumping, A-jumping to land, oh! And the crow began a-hopping, To give her his hand, oh! “Je vous remercie, je vous remercie,” Dit encore la jeune grenouille. “Miss, you’re welcome; Miss, you’re welcome,” Dit le corbeau à la grenouille.
4.
“But where is the music On yonder green hill, oh! And where are the dancers All dressed up in yellow—?” “Yough” (scream).
THE DONKEY’S REPLY.
1.
“Dear Neddy, I called you long ago, Are you cold out here in the snow? I would take you down to the kitchen below, Only—”
“Frottez le dos.”
2.
“Cook is so cross I’m afraid to go; When I wanted to help her knead the dough She sent me away and scolded so, But—”
“Frottez le dos.”
3.
“But if you are quiet and speak very low, And try to walk on your very tip-toe, We might go to the room where sisters sew, Or—”
“Frottez le dos.”
4.
“Dear old Ned, you are as hoarse as a crow, And you wobble your long ears to and fro, But whatever you mean, I would like to know, By—”
“Frottez le dos.”
FARMER BROWN.
I painted a picture of his two cows, And sent him in the bill; Old Pogue is there, and Sukie, too, And Minn’s behind the hill.
1.
Farmer Brown is a sneak, And Farmer Brown is a rogue! He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t, For painting his cows and Pogue.
2.
He wanted a picture of his two cows, Sukie and coal-black Minn; And then for the pound he was to give Old Pogue must be painted in.
3.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak, And Farmer Brown is a rogue! He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t, For painting his cows and Pogue.
4.
I painted a picture of his two cows, Sukie and coal-black Minn; And then for the pound he was to give, Old Pogue was painted in.
5.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak, And Farmer Brown is a rogue! He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t, For painting his cows and Pogue.
6.
I painted a picture of his two cows, And sent him in the bill; Old Pogue is there, and Sukie, too, And Minn’s behind the hill.
7.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak, And Farmer Brown is a rogue! He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t, For painting his cows and Pogue.
THE CAPTAIN.
“I’ve finished my ship to the very last nail, I’ve painted the deck and set the sail, And now I’m ready to cross the main, For I will be le capitaine.”
THE SHOEMAKER.
“I mean to make shoes of the strongest leather, That boys may go out in any weather. I’ve got some wax, and I know the way, So I will be le cordonnier.”
THE COOK.
“My cakes will be indeed a treat; I’ll make them of raisins and sugar sweet: First a story and then a layer, And I will be la cuisinière.”
THE GROCER.
“Currants and chocolate, apples as well, The very things I would like to sell; In spite of brother Ned’s facetiæ, I’ll be a prosperous épicier.”[A]
FOOTNOTES:
[A] The exigencies of the language do not admit of a very good rhyme here.
THE FARMER.
“You must have horses large and strong, To drag the heavy plough along; And go to market and draw the hay, So I will be le fermier.”
THE FARMER’S WIFE.
“I’d like to make butter and skim the milk, And go to church in a nice black silk; And I like boys with curly hair; I think I’ll be la fermière.”
THE TAILOR.
“The stylish suits of cloth I’ll make The eye of taste will surely take; And swain, intent on wedding tour, Will ask, ‘Qui est votre tailleur?’”
MRS. THOMPKINS AND MR. HOPKINS.
THIS VERY BLACK MAN OF SIAM.
Ce jeune homme très-noir de Siam, Just asked for a slice of good ham; They said, “If you crave it, And take affidavit You’re not a Mohamme-dan-dan, You can.”
THIS LAZY OLD MAN OF MOSELLE.
This lazy old man of Moselle Said, “Indeed, it is all very well; But to kill flies with pease Is not taking one’s ease, ‘Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.’”
CE COCHON, AN INTERESTING PIG.
Ce cochon, an interesting pig, Always wore a dress coat and a wig, But his friends looked askance, And soon took a chance To ask why he wore that strange rig.
THIS SHOCKING OLD MAN FROM CAPE RAY.
This shocking old man from Cape Ray Refusa de mettre son gilet; They put him to bed, And everyone said, “Such men must be made to obey.”
PETER PRADDLE BOUGHT A SADDLE.
Peter Praddle bought a saddle, Put it on a pump handle; When they asked him what for, He answered, “Je ne sais quoi.”
THE MAN FROM HONG KONG.
This extraordinary man of Hong Kong Déclarait la journée trop longue; They put on his head a poultice of bread, And told him his views were all wrong.
THE LITTLE BOHEMIAN.
1.
“Que fais-tu ici, mon petit? You must be far from home; It is not right that such a mite Should be allowed to roam.
2.
“What is your race and country,— It never could be guessed,— Your raven locks and Northern bloom To different climes attest?”
3.
“I had a race, a long one, Across the river Seine, Ma mère parle le Français Et elle est Américaine.
4.
“But I’m going to my own country, And it’s forty miles away; I’m walking very fast because I must be there to-day.
5.
“My father knows the name of it, Il m’appelle Bohème; And Victor’s going with me, For I think he is the same.”
THE KING IS RETURNING TO PARIS.
Le roi revient à Paris, La reine est très-heureuse, Le roi il est le mari, La reine elle est l’épouse.
LE PETIT MARÉCHAL.[B]
1.
I was a little sergeant, don’t you see, And I drilled my soldiers one and twenty-three, And we all stepped out together, In fair and stormy weather, Myself and soldiers one and twenty-three.
2.
I was a little captain, happy me! Of my chosen band of one and twenty-three, And we roamed the world together, In fair and stormy weather, Myself and soldiers one and twenty-three.
3.
And now I am a marshal, as you see, With a score and four of soldiers under me, And we roam the world together In fair and stormy weather, Just five and twenty soldiers counting me.
FOOTNOTES:
[B] The answer is “A,” the first letter of the twenty-five that compose the French alphabet.
LA PETITE ÉTRANGÈRE.
1.
I met a little foreigner, All on a walking tour; She smiled at me and sweetly said, “Je suis Française, Monsieur.”
2.
She looked so very elegant— A countess, I am sure— I quickly lifted off my hat And said, “Madame, bonjour.”
LAY THE TABLE.
1.
Mettez donc le couvert Vite, vite, vite. Set the plates immediately To heat, heat, heat.
2.
Jeanne a fait le ragoût, Anne a fait la tarte, Sue will place the chairs around With all her little heart.
TOMMY HAS A GUN.
Tommy has a gun, Prenez-garde; It has bullets made of lead, Very hard. He might take you for a bear, He might take you for a hare, He might take you for a bird, Prenez-garde.
ENIGMAS
ENIGMA.
I feed all the Summer, O dear, yes! You’d better keep out of my way. I fast all the Winter, O dear, dear! In the dark and the cold I stay.
ENIGMA.
I feed all the Winter, O dear, yes! I feed both night and day. I fast all the Summer, O dear, dear! In a dark, dreary place I stay.
COMME IL FAUT.
This is a pretty little girl, And yet I do not know, It seems to me her manners Are not quite comme il faut.