Chapter 2
I don't mean to frighten you, Poor little thing, And pussy-cat is not behind me; So hop about pretty, And drop down your wing, And pick up some crumbs, and don't mind me.
_Baby's Breakfast_
Baby wants his breakfast, Oh! what shall I do? Said the cow, "I'll give him Nice fresh milk--moo-_oo_!"
Said the hen "Cut-_dah_ cut! I have laid an egg For the Baby's breakfast-- Take it now, I beg!"
And the buzzing bee said, "Here is honey sweet. Don't you think the Baby Would like that to eat?"
Then the baker kindly Brought the Baby's bread. "Breakfast is all ready," Baby's mother said;
"But before the Baby Eats his dainty food, Will he not say 'Thank you!' To his friends so good?"
Then the bonny Baby Laughed and laughed away. That was all the "Thank you" He knew how to say.
Emilie Poulsson.
V
NURSERY HEROES AND HEROINES
Bobby Shaftoe's gone to sea, Silver buckles on his knee; He'll come back and marry me, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe.
Bobby Shaftoe's fat and fair, Combing down his yellow hair; He's my love for evermair, Pretty Bobby Shaftoe.
Tom, he was a piper's son, He learned to play when he was young, And all the tune that he could play Was, "Over the hills and far away," Over the hills, and a great way off, The wind will blow my top-knot off.
Now, Tom with his pipe made such a noise That he well pleased both the girls and boys, And they always stopped to hear him play "Over the hills and far away."
Jack Horner
Jack Horner was a pretty lad, Near London he did dwell; His father's heart he made full glad, His mother loved him well.
While little Jack was sweet and young, If he by chance should cry, His mother pretty sonnets sung, With a lul-la-lul-la-by,
With such a dainty curious tone, As Jack sat on her knee, That soon, ere he could go alone, He sang as well as she.
A pretty boy of curious wit, All people spoke his praise, And in the corner he would sit In Christmas holidays.
When friends they did together meet, To pass away the time-- Why, little Jack, be sure, would eat His Christmas pie in rhyme.
He said, "Jack Horner, in the corner, Eats good Christmas pie, And with his thumbs pulls out the plums, And says, 'Good boy am I!'"
Little Tom Tucker Sings for his supper; What shall he eat? White bread and butter.
How shall he cut it Without e'er a knife? How shall he be married Without e'er a wife?
Simple Simon met a pieman, Going to the fair; Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Let me taste your ware."
Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Show me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "Indeed I have not any."
Simple Simon went a-fishing For to catch a whale; But all the water he could find Was in his mother's pail!
Jack and Jill went up the hill, To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down, and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after.
Up Jack got and home did trot As fast as he could caper; Went to bed to mend his head With vinegar and brown paper.
Jill came in and she did grin, To see his paper plaster. Mother, vexed, did whip her next, For causing Jack's disaster.
Little Boy Blue, come blow your horn, The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. Where's the boy that looks after the sheep? He's under the haycock, fast asleep.
Little Miss Muffet, She sat on a tuffet, Eating of curds and whey; There came a great spider, And sat down beside her, Which frightened Miss Muffet away.
Lucy Locket lost her pocket, Kitty Fisher found it; But never a penny was there in't Except the binding round it.
My maid Mary She minds her dairy, While I go a-hoeing and mowing each morn. Merrily run the reel And the little spinning-wheel While I am singing and mowing my corn.
Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, They were two bonny lasses: They built their house upon the lea, And covered it with rushes.
Bessy kept the garden gate, And Mary kept the pantry; Bessy always had to wait, While Mary lived in plenty.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle-shells and silver bells And pretty girls all of a-row.
Curly Locks! Curly Locks! wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine, But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam, And feast upon strawberries, sugar, and cream!
Old King Cole Was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe, And he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers three.
Every fiddler he had a fine fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he; "Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee," went the fiddlers. Oh, there's none so rare, As can compare With King Cole and his fiddlers three.
There was an old woman went up in a basket Seventy times as high as the moon; And where she was going, I could not but ask it, For under her arm she carried a broom. "Old woman, old woman, old woman," said I, "Whither, O whither, O whither so high?" "I'm sweeping the cobwebs off the sky!" "Shall I go with thee?" "Ay, by and by."
VI
NURSERY NONSENSE
Old Mother Goose, when She wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander.
Mother Goose had a house, 'T was built in a wood, Where an owl at the door For sentinel stood.
She had a son Jack, A plain-looking lad; He was not very good, Nor yet very bad.
She sent him to market, A live goose he bought: "Here! mother," says he, "It will not go for nought."
Jack's goose and her gander Grew very fond; They'd both eat together, Or swim in one pond.
Jack found one morning, As I have been told, His goose had laid him An egg of pure gold.
Jack rode to his mother, The news for to tell. She called him a good boy, And said it was well.
Goosey, goosey, gander, Where shall I wander? Upstairs, downstairs, And in my lady's chamber. There I met an old man Who would not say his prayers; I took him by the left leg, And threw him downstairs.
I'll tell you a story About Mary Morey, And now my story's begun. I'll tell you another About her brother, And now my story's done.
The lion and the unicorn Were fighting for the crown; The lion beat the unicorn All round about the town. Some gave them white bread, Some gave them brown, Some gave them plum-cake, And sent them out of town.
Three wise men of Gotham, Went to sea in a bowl; If the bowl had been stronger, My song had been longer.
There was a crooked man, And he went a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence Upon a crooked stile: He bought a crooked cat, That caught a crooked mouse-- And they all lived together In a little crooked house.
Pussicat, wussicat, with a white foot, When is your wedding? for I'll come to't. The beer's to brew, the bread's to bake, Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, don't be too late.
There was a man in our town, And he was wondrous wise, He jumped into a bramble bush, And scratched out both his eyes; But when he saw his eyes were out, With all his might and main, He jumped into another bush, And scratched 'em in again.
Solomon Grundy, Born on a Monday, Christened on Tuesday, Married on Wednesday, Took ill on Thursday, Worse on Friday, Died on Saturday. Buried on Sunday, This is the end Of Solomon Grundy!
Hey! diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; The little dog laughed To see such sport, While the dish ran away with the spoon.
What are little boys made of, made of? What are little boys made of? Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails; And that's what little boys are made of, made of.
What are little girls made of, made of? What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, and all that's nice; And that's what little girls are made of, made of.
"Come hither, little puppy-dog, I'll give you a new collar, If you will learn to read your book, And be a clever scholar." "No! no!" replied the puppy-dog, "I've other fish to fry; For I must learn to guard your house, And bark when thieves come nigh."
With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.
"Come hither, pretty cockatoo, Come and learn your letters; And you shall have a knife and fork To eat with, like your betters."
"No! no!" the cockatoo replied, "My beak will do as well; I'd rather eat my victuals thus Than go and learn to spell."
With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.
"Come hither, little pussy-cat, If you'll your grammar study, I'll give you silver clogs to wear, Whene'er the gutter's muddy." "No! whilst I grammar learn," says puss, "Your house will in a trice Be overrun from top to toe, With flocks of rats and mice."
With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.
"Come hither, then, good little boy, And learn your alphabet, And you a pair of boots and spurs, Like your papa's, shall get."
"Oh yes! I'll learn my alphabet, And when I've learned to read, Perhaps papa will give me, too, A pretty long-tailed steed."
With a tingle, tangle titmouse, Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, F, G, H, I, J, K.
Peter White will ne'er go right: Would you know the reason why? He follows his nose where'er he goes, And that stands all awry.
The man in the moon Came down too soon, And asked his way to Norwich: He went by the south, And burnt his mouth With eating cold plum-porridge.
Dear, dear! what can the matter be? Two old women got up in an apple-tree; One came down, And the other stayed up till Saturday.
Upon a great black horse-ily A man came riding cross-ily; A lady out did come-ily, Said she, "No one's at home-ily,
"But only little people-y, Who've gone to bed to sleep-ily." The rider on his horse-ily Said to the lady, cross-ily,
"But are they bad or good-ily? I want it understood-ily." "Oh, they act bad and bold-ily, And don't do what they're told-ily."
"Good-by!" said he, "dear Ma'am-ily, I've nothing for your family." And scampered off like mouse-ily Away, way from the house-ily.
"Mother Goose from Germany."
_The Rabbits_
Between the hill and the brook, ook, ook, Two rabbits sat in the sun, O! And there they ate the green, green grass, Till all the grass was gone, O!
And when they had eaten enough, nough, nough, They sat down to have a talk, O! When there came a man with a gun, gun, gun, And fired at them over the walk, O!
But when they found they were sound, ound, ound, Nor hurt by the gun, gun, gun, O! They picked themselves up from the ground, ound, ound, And scampered away like fun, O!
"Mother Goose from Germany."
The King of France, and four thousand men, They drew their swords, and put them up again.
Hickory, dickory, dock, The mouse ran up the clock; The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory, dickory, dock.
A cat came fiddling Out of a barn, With a pair of bagpipes Under her arm;
She could sing nothing But fiddle cum fee, The mouse has married The bumble-bee; Pipe, cat; dance, mouse: We'll have a wedding At our good house.
There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, She had so many children she didn't know what to do; She gave them some broth without any bread, She whipped them all soundly and put them to bed.
There were two birds sat on a stone, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; One flew away, and then there was one, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; The other flew after, And then there was none, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; And so the poor stone Was left all alone, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de.
If all the seas were one sea, What a _great_ sea that would be! And if all the trees were one tree, What a _great_ tree that would be! And if all the axes were one axe, What a _great_ axe that would be! And if all the men were one man, What a _great_ man he would be! And if the _great_ man took the _great_ axe, And cut down the _great_ tree, And let it fall into the _great_ sea, What a splish splash _that_ would be!
As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks Were walking out one Sunday, Said Tommy Snooks to Bessy Brooks, "To-morrow will be Monday."
Three children sliding on the ice Upon a summer's day, As it fell out they all fell in, The rest they ran away.
Now had these children been at home, Or sliding on dry ground, Ten thousand pounds to one penny They had not all been drowned.
Ye parents all, that children have, And ye that eke have none, If you would keep them from the grave, Pray make them stay at home.
One misty, moisty morning, When cloudy was the weather, I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather. He began to compliment, and I began to grin, How do you do, and how do you do? And how do you do again?
Brave news is come to town; Brave news is carried; Brave news is come to town-- Jemmy Dawson's married.
First he got a porridge-pot, Then he bought a ladle; Then he got a wife and child, And then he bought a cradle.
There was an old man, And he had a calf, And that's half;
He took him out of the stall, And tied him to the wall, And that's all.
The man in the wilderness asked me, How many strawberries grew in the sea? I answered him as I thought good, As many as red herrings grew in the wood.
If all the world were apple-pie, And all the sea were ink, And all the trees were bread and cheese, What should we have for drink?
(_First child_). 1. I am a gold lock.
(_Second child._) 2. I am a gold key.
1. I am a silver lock.
2. I am a silver key.
1. I am a brass lock.
2. I am a brass key.
1. I am a lead lock.
2. I am a lead key.
1. I am a monk lock.
2. I am a monk key.
(_First child._) 1. I went up one pair of stairs.
(_Second child._) 2. Just like me.
1. I went up two pair of stairs.
2. Just like me.
1. I went into a room.
2. Just like me.
1. I looked out of a window.
2. Just like me.
1. And there I saw a monkey.
2. Just like me.
Girls and boys, come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day; Leave your supper and leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows into the street. Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a good will or not at all. Up the ladder and down the wall, A halfpenny roll will serve us all. You find milk, and I'll find flour, And we'll have a pudding in half an hour.
Gay go up and gay go down, To ring the bells of London town.
"Bull's eyes and targets," Say the bells of St. Marg'ret's.
"Brickbats and tiles," Say the bells of St. Giles'.
"Halfpence and farthings," Say the bells of St. Martin's.
"Oranges and lemons," Say the bells of St. Clement's.
"Pancakes and fritters," Say the bells of St. Peter's.
"Two sticks and an apple," Say the bells at Whitechapel.
"Old Father Baldpate," Say the slow bells at Aldgate.
"You owe me ten shillings," Say the bells at St. Helen's.
"Pokers and tongs," Say the bells at St. John's.
"Kettles and pans," Say the bells at St. Ann's.
"When will you pay me?" Say the bells of Old Bailey.
"When I grow rich," Say the bells of Shoreditch.
"Pray when will that be?" Say the bells of Stepney.
"I'm sure I don't know," Says the great bell at Bow.
I saw a ship a-sailing, A-sailing on the sea; And it was full of pretty things For baby and for me.
There were sweetmeats in the cabin, And apples in the hold; The sails were made of silk, And the masts were made of gold.
The four-and-twenty sailors That stood between the decks, Were four-and-twenty white mice, With chains about their necks.
The captain was a duck, With a packet on his back; And when the ship began to move, The captain cried, "Quack, quack!"
There was a butcher cut his thumb, When it did bleed, then blood did come.
There was a chandler making candle, When he them stript, he did them handle.
There was a cobbler clouting shoon, When they mended, they were done.
There was a crow sat on a stone, When he was gone, then there was none.
There was a horse going to the mill, When he went on, he stood not still.
There was a lackey ran a race, When he ran fast, he ran apace.
There was a monkey climbed a tree, When he fell down, then down fell he.
There was a navy went into Spain, When it return'd, it came again.
There was an old woman lived under a hill, And if she's not gone, she lives there still.
VII
NURSERY NOVELS
_The Courtship, Merry Marriage, and Picnic Dinner of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren_
It was a merry time When Jenny Wren was young, So neatly as she danced, And so sweetly as she sung, Robin Redbreast lost his heart: He was a gallant bird; He doft his hat to Jenny, And thus to her he said:--
"My dearest Jenny Wren, If you will but be mine, You shall dine on cherry pie, And drink nice currant wine. I'll dress you like a Goldfinch, Or like a Peacock gay; So if you'll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."
Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: "Then let it be to-morrow, Bob, I take your offer kind-- Cherry pie is very good! So is currant wine! But I will wear my brown gown, And never dress too fine."
Robin rose up early At the break of day; He flew to Jenny Wren's house, To sing a roundelay. He met the Cock and Hen, And bid the Cock declare, This was his wedding-day With Jenny Wren, the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn, To let the neighbors know, This was Robin's wedding-day, And they might see the show. And first came parson Rook, With his spectacles and band, And one of _Mother Hubbard's_ books He held within his hand.
Then followed him the Lark, For he could sweetly sing, And he was to be clerk At Cock Robin's wedding. He sung of Robin's love For little Jenny Wren; And when he came unto the end, Then he began again.
Then came the bride and bridegroom; Quite plainly was she dressed, And blushed so much, her cheeks were As red as Robin's breast. But Robin cheered her up; "My pretty Jen," said he, "We're going to be married And happy we shall be."
The Goldfinch came on next, To give away the bride; The Linnet, being bride's maid, Walked by Jenny's side; And, as she was a-walking, She said, "Upon my word, I think that your Cock Robin Is a very pretty bird."
The Bulfinch walked by Robin, And thus to him did say, "Pray, mark, friend Robin Redbreast, That Goldfinch, dressed so gay; What though her gay apparel Becomes her very well, Yet Jenny's modest dress and look Must bear away the bell."
The Blackbird and the Thrush, And charming Nightingale, Whose sweet jug sweetly echoes Through every grove and dale; The Sparrow and Tom Tit, And many more, were there: All came to see the wedding Of Jenny Wren, the fair.
"O then," says parson Rook, "Who gives this maid away?" "I do," says the Goldfinch, "And her fortune I will pay: Here's a bag of grain of many sorts, And other things beside; Now happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride!"
"And will you have her, Robin, To be your wedded wife?" "Yes, I will," says Robin, "And love her all my life." "And will you have him, Jenny, Your husband now to be?" "Yes, I will," says Jenny, "And love him heartily."
Then on her finger fair Cock Robin put the ring; "You're married now," says Parson Rook, While the Lark aloud did sing: "Happy be the bridegroom, And happy be the bride! And may not man, nor bird, nor beast, This happy pair divide."
The birds were asked to dine; Not Jenny's friends alone, But every pretty songster That had Cock Robin known. They had a cherry pie, Beside some currant wine, And every guest brought something, That sumptuous they might dine.
Now they all sat or stood To eat and to drink; And every one said what He happened to think; They each took a bumper, And drank to the pair: Cock Robin, the bridegroom, And Jenny Wren, the fair.
The dinner-things removed, They all began to sing; And soon they made the place Near a mile round to ring. The concert it was fine; And every bird tried Who best could sing for Robin And Jenny Wren, the bride.
Then in came the Cuckoo, And he made a great rout; He caught hold of Jenny, And pulled her about. Cock Robin was angry, And so was the Sparrow, Who fetched in a hurry His bow and his arrow.
His aim then he took, But he took it not right; His skill was not good, Or he shot in a fright; For the Cuckoo he missed, But Cock Robin killed!-- And all the birds mourned That his blood was so spilled,
_The Death and Burial of 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, "I'll 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 trowel, 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 bear the pall? "We," said the Wren, Both the Cock and the Hen; "We'll bear the pall."
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."