Part 4

Tell-Tale-Tit, Your tongue shall be slit, And all the little puppy dogs Shall have a little bit.

_The Queen of Hearts_

The Queen of Hearts, She made some tarts, All on a summer's day; The Knave of Hearts, He stole those tarts, And took them clean away.

The King of Hearts Called for the tarts, And beat the Knave full sore;

The Knave of Hearts Brought back the tarts, And vowed he'd steal no more.

_The Champions of Christendom_

In Egypt was a dragon dire With scales of steel, and breath of fire: And Egypt's Princess fair and good Was doomed to be the monster's food: St. George this fearful dragon slew, And for his wife gained Sebra true.

* * * * *

St. Andrew, Scotland's famous knight In deeds of valour took delight; Maidens in grief and matrons grave From insult he was wont to save. For noble deeds he was renowned: His fame did through the world resound.

St. Andrew fought, as we are told, Against a host of warriors bold; They viewed his strength with wonderment, And yielding, in submission bent. Defeated by his powerful rod, They owned the greatness of his GOD.

* * * * *

St. David, Welshman's Champion bold, Preferred rude war to ease and gold: He, fighting for his faith divine, Unhorsed and slew Prince Palestine. His Pagan followers stood in awe, And worshipped heathen gods no more.

* * * * *

St. Patrick, Ireland's valiant knight, Did thirty robbers put to flight; Rescued from them six ladies fair, And then protected them with care. Great fame and glory he acquired, And as a holy priest expired.

* * * * *

St. Dennis was the knight of France, As brave as ever carried lance: Fair fame he won: for he did free A princess prisoned in a tree. Fair Eglantine, once Thessaly's pride, He saved and took to be his bride.

* * * * *

St. James the Champion was of Spain, His country's glory to maintain: An angry boar, inflamed with rage, This hero did in fight engage. And since he slew the boar in strife, He Celestine did gain as wife.

* * * * *

St. Anthony, Italian knight, His country's fame upheld in fight: The giant Blanderon did place In prison dark the Queen of Thrace; St. Anthony the giant slew And took as wife the princess true.

_There was a little man, and he had a little gun_

There was a little man, and he had a little gun, And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead.

He shot John Sprig through the middle of his wig, And knocked it off his head, head, head.

_I have seen you, little mouse_

I have seen you, little mouse, Running all about the house, Through the hole, your little eye In the wainscot peeping sly, Hoping soon some crumbs to steal, To make quite a hearty meal. Look before you venture out, See if pussy is about, If she's gone, you'll quickly run, To the larder for some fun, Round about the dishes creep, Taking into each a peep, To choose the daintiest that's there, Spoiling things you do not care.

_As soft as silk_

As soft as silk, as white as milk, As bitter as gall, a strong wall, And a green coat covers me all.

(_a walnut_)

_Barber barber_

Barber, barber, shave a pig, How many hairs will make a wig?

"Four and twenty, that's enough" Give the barber a pinch of snuff.

_Bryan O'Lin_

Bryan O'Lin had no breeches to wear So he bought him a sheepskin and made him a pair.

With the skinny side out, and the woolly side in, "Ah ha, that is warm!" said Bryan O'Lin.

_Mary had a pretty bird_

Mary had a pretty bird, Feathers bright and yellow Slender legs, upon my word, He was a pretty fellow. The sweetest notes he always sung, Which much delighted Mary; And near the cage she'd ever sit, To hear her own canary.

_The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain_

The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain, Cried, gobble, gobble, gobble: The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still, Went hobble, hobble, hobble.

"_We are three brethren out of Spain_"

"We are three brethren out of Spain, Come to court your daughter Jane." "My daughter Jane she is too young, She has not learned her mother tongue."

"Be she young, or be she old, For her beauty she must be sold, So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll call again another day."

"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And rub thy spurs till they be bright." "Of my spurs take you no thought, For in this land they were not bought.

"So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll call again another day."

"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight; And take the fairest in your sight." "The fairest maid that I can see, Is pretty Nancy, come to me."

"Here comes your daughter, safe and sound, Every pocket with a thousand pound, Every pocket with a gay gold ring, Please to take your daughter in."

_History of John Gilpin_

John Gilpin was a citizen Of credit and renown, A train-band captain eke was he, Of famous London town.

John Gilpin's spouse said to her dear, "Though wedded we have been These twice ten tedious years, yet we No holiday have seen.

"To-morrow is our wedding-day, And we will then repair Unto the 'Bell' at Edmonton, All in a chaise and pair.

"My sister, and my sister's child, Myself, and children three Will fill the chaise; so you must ride On horseback after we."

He soon replied, "I do admire Of womankind but one, And you are she, my dearest dear, Therefore it shall be done.

"I am a linendraper bold, As all the world doth know, And my good friend the calender Will lend his horse to go."

Quoth Mrs. Gilpin, "That's well said; And for that wine is dear, We will be furnished with our own, Which is both bright and clear."

John Gilpin kissed his losing wife, O'erjoyed was he to find, That though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind.

The morning came, the chaise was brought, But yet was not allowed To drive up to the door, lest all Should say that she was proud.

So three doors off the chaise was stayed, Where they did all get in; Six precious souls, and all agog To dash through thick and thin.

Smack went the whip, round went the wheels, Were never folks so glad! The stones did rattle underneath, As if Cheapside were mad.

John Gilpin at his horse's side Seized fast the flowing mane, And up he got, in haste to ride, But soon came down again.

For saddletree scarce reached had he, His journey to begin, When, turning round his head, he saw Three customers come in.

So down he came; for loss of time, Although it grieved him sore, Yet loss of pence, full well he knew, Would trouble him much more.

'Twas long before the customers Were suited to their mind, When Betty screaming came downstairs, "The wine is left behind!"

"Good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, My leathern belt likewise, In which I bear my trusty sword When I do exercise."

Now Mistress Gilpin (careful soul!) Had two stone bottles found, To hold the liquor that she loved, And keep it safe and sound.

Each bottle had a curling ear, Through which the belt he drew, And hung a bottle on each side, To make his balance true.

Then over all, that he might be Equipped from top to toe, His long red cloak, well brushed and neat, He manfully did throw.

Now see him mounted once again Upon his nimble steed, Full slowly pacing o'er the stones, With caution and good heed.

But finding soon a smoother road Beneath his well-shod feet, The snorting beast began to trot, Which galled him in his seat.

"So, fair and softly!" John he cried, But John he cried in vain; That trot became a gallop soon, In spite of curb and rein.

So stooping down, as needs he must Who cannot sit upright, He grasped the mane with both his hands, And eke with all his might.

His horse, who never in that sort Had handled been before, What thing upon his back had got, Did wonder more and more.

Away went Gilpin, neck or nought; Away went hat and wig; He little dreamt, when he set out, Of running such a rig.

The wind did blow, the cloak did fly Like streamer long and gay, Till, loop and button failing both, At last it flew away.

Then might all people well discern The bottles he had slung; A bottle swinging at each side, As hath been said or sung.

The dogs did bark, the children screamed. Up flew the windows all; And every soul cried out, "Well done!" As loud as he could bawl.

Away went Gilpin--who but he? His fame soon spread around: "He carries weight! he rides a race! 'Tis for a thousand pound!"

And still as fast as he drew near, 'Twas wonderful to view How in a trice the turnpike-men Their gates wide open threw.

And now, as he went bowing down His reeking head full low, The bottles twain behind his back Were shattered at a blow.

Down ran the wine into the road, Most piteous to be seen, Which made the horse's flanks to smoke As they had basted been.

But still he seemed to carry weight, With leathern girdle braced; For all might see the bottle-necks Still dangling at his waist.

Thus all through merry Islington These gambols he did play, Until he came unto the Wash Of Edmonton so gay;

And there he threw the wash about On both sides of the way, Just like unto a trundling mop. Or a wild goose at play.

At Edmonton his loving wife From the balcony spied Her tender husband, wondering much To see how he did ride.

"Stop, stop, John Gilpin!--Here's the house!" They all at once did cry; "The dinner waits, and we are tired," Said Gilpin--"So am I!"

But yet his horse was not a whit Inclined to tarry there; For why?--his owner had a house Full ten miles off, at Ware.

So like an arrow swift he flew, Shot by an archer strong; So did he fly--which brings me to The middle of my song.

Away went Gilpin out of breath And sore against his will, Till at his friend the calender's. His horse at last stood still.

The calender, amazed to see His neighbour in such trim, Laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, And thus accosted him:

"What news? what news? your tidings tell; Tell me you must and shall-- Say why bareheaded you are come, Or why you come at all?"

Now Gilpin had a pleasant wit, And loved a timely joke; And thus unto the calender In merry guise he spoke:

"I came because your horse would come: And, if I well forebode, My hat and wig will soon be here, They are upon the road."

The calender, right glad to find His friend in merry pin, Returned him not a single word, But to the house went in;

Whence straight he came with hat and wig, A wig that flowed behind, A hat not much the worse for wear, Each comely in its kind.

He held them up, and in his turn Thus showed his ready wit, "My head is twice as big as yours, They therefore needs must fit.

"But let me scrape the dirt away, That hangs upon your face; And stop and eat, for well you may Be in a hungry case."

Said John, "It is my wedding-day, And all the world would stare If wife should dine at Edmonton, And I should dine at Ware."

So turning to his horse, he said, "I am in haste to dine; 'Twas for your pleasure you came here, You shall go back for mine."

Ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast! For which he paid full dear; For while he spake, a braying ass Did sing most loud and clear;

Whereat his horse did snort, as he Had heard a lion roar, And galloped off with all his might, As he had done before.

Away went Gilpin, and away Went Gilpin's hat and wig: He lost them sooner than at first, For why--they were too big.

Now Mistress Gilpin, when she saw Her husband posting down Into the country far away, She pulled out half-a-crown;

And thus unto the youth she said, That drove them to the "Bell," "This shall be yours when you bring back My husband safe and well."

The youth did ride, and soon did meet John coming back amain; Whom in a trice he tried to stop, By catching at his rein;

But not performing what he meant, And gladly would have done, The frighted steed he frighted more, And made him faster run.

Away went Gilpin, and away Went postboy at his heels, The postboy's horse right glad to miss The lumbering of the wheels.

Six gentlemen upon the road, Thus seeing Gilpin fly, With postboy scampering in the rear, They raised the hue and cry.

"Stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!" Not one of them was mute; And all and each that passed that way Did join in the pursuit.

And now the turnpike gates again Flew open in short space; The toll-men thinking, as before, That Gilpin rode a race.

And so he did, and won it too, For he got first to town; Nor stopped till where he had got up, He did again get down.

Now let us sing, "Long live the King, And Gilpin, long live he;" And when he next doth ride abroad, May I be there to see.

* * * * *

The bee doth love the sweetest flower, So doth the blossom the April shower.

_One, two, buckle my shoe_

One, two, Buckle my shoe; Three, four, Shut the door; Five, six, Pick up sticks; Seven, eight, Lay them straight; Nine, ten, A good fat hen; Eleven, twelve, Who will delve? Thirteen, fourteen, Maids a-courting; Fifteen, sixteen, Maids in the kitchen; Seventeen, eighteen, Maids a waiting; Nineteen, twenty, My plate's empty.

_Six little mice sat down to spin_

Six little mice sat down to spin, Pussy passed by, and she peeped in. "What are you at, my little men?" "Making coats for gentlemen." "Shall I come in and bite off your thread?" "No, no, Miss Pussy, you'll bite off our head."

_Jocky was a piper's son_

Jocky was a piper's son, And he fell in love when he was young, And the only tune he could play Was, "Over the hills and far away;" Over the hills and a great way off, And the wind will blow my top-knot off.

_There was a piper had a cow_

There was a piper had a cow, And he had nought to give her; He pulled out his pipes, and played her a tune, And bade the cow consider.

The cow considered very well, And gave the piper a penny, And bade him play the other tune-- "Corn rigs are bonny."

_Mary, Mary, quite contrary_

Mary, Mary, Quite contrary, How does your garden grow? Silver bells, And cockle-shells, And pretty maids all of a row.

_There was a crooked man_

There was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile: He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all lived together in a little crooked house.

_There was a jolly miller_

There was a jolly miller Lived on the river Dee: He worked and sung from morn till night, No lark so blithe as he, And this the burden of his song For ever used to be-- I jump mejerrime jee! I care for nobody--no! not I, Since nobody cares for me.

_Who killed Cock Robin?_

Who killed Cock Robin? "I," said the sparrow, "With my bow and arrow, I killed Cock Robin."

Who saw him die? "I," said the fly, "With my little eye, I saw him die."

Who caught his blood? "I," said the fish, "With my little dish, I caught his blood."

Who'll make his shroud? "I," said the beetle, "With my thread and needle, I'll make his shroud."

Who'll bear the torch? "I," said the linnet, "Will come in a minute, I'll bear the torch."

Who'll be the clerk? "I," said the lark, "I'll say Amen in the dark, I'll be the clerk."

Who'll dig his grave? "I," said the owl, "With my spade and shovel, I'll dig his grave."

Who'll be the parson? "I," said the rook, "With my little book, I'll be the parson."

Who'll be chief mourner? "I," said the dove, "I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner."

Who'll sing his dirge? "I," said the thrush, "As I sing in a bush, I'll sing his dirge."

Who'll carry his coffin? "I," said the kite, "If it be in the night, I'll carry his coffin."

Who'll toll the bell? "I," said the bull, "Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell."

All the birds of the air Fell sighing and sobbing, When they heard the bell toll For poor Cock Robin.

_Diddle diddle dumpling_

Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John, Went to bed with his breeches on, One stocking off, and one stocking on; Diddle diddle dumpling, my son John.

_Pussy-cat, pussy-cat_

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been? I've been up to London to look at the queen. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there? I frightened a little mouse under the chair.

_Billy, Billy, come and play_

"Billy, Billy, come and play, While the sun shines bright as day."

"Yes, my Polly, so I will, For I love to please you still."

"Billy, Billy, have you seen, Sam and Betsy on the green?"

"Yes, my Poll, I saw them pass, Skipping o'er the new-mown grass."

"Billy, Billy, come along, And I will sing a pretty song."

"O then, Polly, I'll make haste, Not one moment will I waste, But will come and hear you sing, And my fiddle I will bring."

_I had a little hen_

I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen, She washed up the dishes, and kept the house clean; She went to the mill to fetch me some flour, She brought it home in less than an hour; She baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale, She sat by the fire and told me a fine tale.

_Lady bird, lady bird_

Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home, Your house is on fire, your children have flown. All but one, and her name is Ann, And she has crept under the pudding-pan.

_Hushy baby, my doll_

Hushy baby, my doll, I pray you don't cry, And I'll give you some bread and some milk by-and-by; Or, perhaps you like custard, or maybe a tart,-- Then to either you're welcome, with all my whole heart.

But how, my dear baby, shall I make you eat Of the bread, or the milk, or the custard, or meat? For those pretty red lips seem shut up so fast, I much fear they won't open to taste the repast.

Ah! but then, my sweet child, you'll surely not cry, Oh no, not one tear is there now in your eye; Come kiss me, my dear, then, although you're but wood, For I'm sure now you smile, and look very good.

_Cock a doodle doo!_

Cock a doodle doo! My dame has lost her shoe; My master's lost his fiddling stick, And don't know what to do.

Cock a doodle doo! What is my dame to do? Till master finds his fiddling stick, She'll dance without her shoe.

Cock a doodle doo! My dame has lost her shoe, And master's found his fiddling stick, Sing doodle doodle doo!

Cock a doodle doo! My dame will dance with you. While master fiddles his fiddling stick, For dame and doodle doo.

Cock a doodle doo! Dame has lost her shoe; Gone to bed and scratched her head, And can't tell what to do.

_There was an old woman_

There was an old woman had three sons, Jerry and James and John: Jerry was hung, James was drowned, John was lost, and never was found; And there was an end of her three sons, Jerry and James and John!

_When the wind is in the east_

When the wind is in the east, 'Tis neither good for man nor beast; When the wind is in the north, The skilful fisher goes not forth; When the wind is in the south, It blows the bait in the fishes' mouth; When the wind is in the west, Then 'tis at the very best.

_Where should a baby rest?_

Where should a baby rest? Where but on its mother's arm-- Where can a baby lie Half so safe from every harm? Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Softly sleep, my baby; Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Soft, soft, my baby.

Nestle there, my lovely one! Press to mine thy velvet cheek; Sweetly coo, and smile, and look, All the love thou canst not speak, Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Softly sleep, my baby; Lulla, lulla, lullaby, Soft, soft, my baby.

_Let us go to the woods_

"Let us go to the woods," says Richard to Robin, "Let us go to the woods," says Robin to Bobbin, "Let us go to the woods," says John all alone, "Let us go to the woods," says every one.

"What to do there?" says Richard to Robin, "What to do there?" says Robin to Bobbin, "What to do there?" says John all alone, "What to do there?" says every one.

"We will shoot a wren," says Richard to Robin, "We will shoot a wren," says Robin to Bobbin, "We will shoot a wren," says John all alone, "We will shoot a wren," says every one.

"Then pounce, pounce," says Richard to Robin, "Then pounce, pounce," says Robin to Bobbin, "Then pounce, pounce," says John all alone, "Then pounce, pounce," says every one.

"She is dead, she is dead," says Richard to Robin, "She is dead, she is dead," says Robin to Bobbin, "She is dead, she is dead," says John all alone, "She is dead, she is dead," says every one.

"How shall we get her home?" says Richard to Robin, "How shall we get her home?" says Robin to Bobbin, "How shall we get her home?" says John all alone, "How shall we get her home?" says every one.

"In a cart with six horses," says Richard to Robin, "In a cart with six horses," says Robin to Bobbin, "In a cart with six horses," says John all alone. "In a cart with six horses," says every one.

"How shall we get her dressed?" says Richard to Robin, "How shall we get her dressed?" says Robin to Bobbin, "How shall we get her dressed?" says John all alone, "How shall we get her dressed?" says every one.

"We will hire seven cooks," says Richard to Robin, "We will hire seven cooks," says Robin to Bobbin, "We will hire seven cooks," says John all alone, "We will hire seven cooks," says every one.

_Hickory, Dickory, Dock_

Hickory, Dickory, Dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory, Dickory, Dock.

_A Frog he would a-wooing go_

A Frog he would a-wooing go, Heigho, says Rowley, Whether his mother would let him or no. With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach, Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!

So off he set with his opera hat, Heigho, says Rowley, And on the road he met with a rat. With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach, Heigho, says Anthony Rowley!