Part 2

She washed the stains of blood In some crystal waterfall; Then put on her most beautiful dress, And hasted away to the ball.

My lord, at the ball-room door, Was waiting with pleasure and pain; He longed to see nothing so much As the beautiful Catskin again.

When he asked her to dance, she again Said "Yes!" with her first smiling glance; And all the night long, my young lord With none but fair Catskin would dance.

"Pray tell me, fair maid, where you live?" For now was the parting-time; But she no other answer would give, Than this distich of mystical rhyme,--

[Old English Script: Kind Sir, if the truth I must tell, At the sign of the Broken-Skimmer I dwell.]

Then she flew from the ball, and threw on Her Catskin cloak again; And slipt in unseen by the cook, Who little thought where she had been.

But not by my lord unseen, For this time he followed too fast; And, hid in the forest green, Saw the strange things that past.

Next day he took to his bed, And sent for the doctor to come; And begg'd him no other than Catskin, Might come into his room.

He told him how dearly he lov'd her, Not to have her his heart would break: Then the doctor kindly promised To the proud old lady to speak.

There's a struggle of pride and love, For she fear'd her son would die; But pride at the last did yield, And love had the mastery.

Then my lord got quickly well, When he was his charmer to wed; And Catskin, before a twelvemonth, Of a young lord was brought to bed.

To a wayfaring woman and child, Lady Catskin one day sent an alms; The nurse did the errand, and carried The sweet little lord in her arms.

The child gave the alms to the child, This was seen by the old lady-mother; "Only see," said that wicked old woman, "How the beggars' brats take to each other!"

This throw went to Catskin's heart, She flung herself down on her knees, And pray'd her young master and lord To seek out her parents would please.

They set out in my lord's own coach; They travelled, but nought befel Till they reach'd the town hard by, Where Catskin's father did dwell.

They put up at the head inn, Where Catskin was left alone; But my lord went to try if her father His natural child would own.

When folks are away, in short time What great alterations appear; For the cold touch of death had all chill'd The hearts of her sisters dear.

Her father repented too late, And the loss of his youngest bemoan'd; In his old and childless state, He his pride and cruelty own'd.

The old gentleman sat by the fire, And hardly looked up at my lord; He had no hopes of comfort A stranger could afford.

But my lord drew a chair close by, And said, in a feeling tone, "Have you not, sir, a daughter, I pray, You never would see or own?"

The old man alarm'd, cried aloud, "A hardened sinner am I! I would give all my worldly goods, To see her before I die."

Then my lord brought his wife and child To their home and parent's face, Who fell down and thanks returned To God, for his mercy and grace.

The bells, ringing up in the tower, Are sending a sound to the heart; There's a charm in the old church-bells, Which nothing in life can impart!

XLVI.

[The tale of Simple Simon forms one of the chap-books, but the following verses are those generally sung in the nursery.]

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: All the water he had got Was in his mother's pail.

XLVII.

Punch and Judy, Fought for a pie, Punch gave Judy A sad blow on the eye.

XLVIII.

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.

XLIX.

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.

L.

Robin the Bobbin, the big-bellied Ben, He eat more meat than fourscore men; He eat a cow, he eat a calf, He eat a butcher and a half; He eat a church, he eat a steeple, He eat the priest and all the people!

A cow and a calf, An ox and a half, A church and a steeple, And all the good people, And yet he complain'd that his stomach wasn't full.

LI.

There was a fat man of Bombay, Who was smoking one sunshiny day, When a bird, called a snipe, Flew away with his pipe, Which vex'd the fat man of Bombay.

LII.

My dear, do you know, How a long time ago, Two poor little children, Whose names I don't know, Were stolen away on a fine summer's day, And left in a wood, as I've heard people say.

And when it was night, So sad was their plight, The sun it went down, And the moon gave no light! They sobb'd and they sigh'd, and they bitterly cried, And the poor little things, they lay down and died.

And when they were dead, The Robins so red Brought strawberry leaves, And over them spread; And all the day long, They sung them this song, "Poor babes in the wood! poor babes in the wood! And don't you remember the babes in the wood?"

LIII.

There was a man, and he had naught, And robbers came to rob him; He crept up to the chimney pot, And then they thought they had him.

But he got down on t'other side, And then they could not find him; He ran fourteen miles in fifteen days, And never look'd behind him.

LIV.

There was a little man, And he had a little gun, And he went to the brook, And he shot a little rook; And he took it home To his old wife Joan, And told her to make up a fire, While he went back, To fetch the little drake; But when he got there, The drake was fled for fear, And like an old novice, He turn'd back again.

LV.

THE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS.

Once upon a time there was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune. The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, "Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house;" which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it. Presently came along a wolf, and knocked at the door, and said,--

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

To which the pig answered,--

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

The wolf then answered to that,--

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew his house in, and eat up the little pig.

The second little pig met a man with a bundle of furze, and said, "Please, man, give me that furze to build a house;" which the man did, and the pig built his house. Then along came the wolf, and said,--

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

"Then I'll puff, and I'll huff, and I'll blow your house in."

So he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and at last he blew the house down, and he eat up the little pig.

The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks, and said, "Please, man, give me those bricks to build a house with;" so the man gave him the bricks, and he built his house with them. So the wolf came, as he did to the other little pigs, and said,--

"Little pig, little pig, let me come in."

"No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin."

"Then I'll huff, and I'll puff, and I'll blow your house in."

Well, he huffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed; but he could _not_ get the house down. When he found that he could not, with all his huffing and puffing, blow the house down, he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice field of turnips." "Where?" said the little pig. "Oh, in Mr. Smith's Home-field, and if you will be ready to-morrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together, and get some for dinner." "Very well," said the little pig, "I will be ready. What time do you mean to go?" "Oh, at six o'clock." Well, the little pig got up at five, and got the turnips before the wolf came--(which he did about six)--and who said, "Little pig, are you ready?" The little pig said, "Ready! I have been, and come back again, and got a nice pot-full for dinner." The wolf felt very angry at this, but thought that he would be _up to_ the little pig somehow or other, so he said, "Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple-tree." "Where?" said the pig. "Down at Merry-garden," replied the wolf, "and if you will not deceive me I will come for you, at five o'clock to-morrow, and we will go together and get some apples." Well, the little pig bustled up the next morning at four o'clock, and went off for the apples, hoping to get back before the wolf came; but he had further to go, and had to climb the tree, so that just as he was coming down from it, he saw the wolf coming, which, as you may suppose, frightened him very much. When the wolf came up he said, "Little pig, what! are you here before me? Are they nice apples?" "Yes, very," said the little pig. "I will throw you down one;" and he threw it so far, that, while the wolf was gone to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home. The next day the wolf came again, and said to the little pig, "Little pig, there is a fair at Shanklin this afternoon, will you go?" "Oh yes," said the pig, "I will go; what time shall you be ready?" "At three," said the wolf. So the little pig went off before the time as usual, and got to the fair, and bought a butter-churn, which he was going home with, when he saw the wolf coming. Then he could not tell what to do. So he got into the churn to hide, and by so doing turned it round, and it rolled down the hill with the pig in it, which frightened the wolf so much, that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the little pig's house, and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him. Then the little pig said, "Hah, I frightened you then. I had been to the fair and bought a butter-churn, and when I saw you, I got into it, and rolled down the hill." Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he _would_ eat up the little pig, and that he would get down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was about, he hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig put on the cover again in an instant, boiled him up, and eat him for supper, and lived happy ever afterwards.

LVI.

Little Tommy Tittlemouse Lived in a little house; He caught fishes In other men's ditches.

LVII.

Little King Boggen he built a fine hall. Pye-crust, and pastry-crust, that was the wall; The windows were made of black-puddings and white, And slated with pancakes--you ne'er saw the like.

LVIII.

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, And some gave them brown; Some gave them plum-cake, And sent them out of town.

LIX.

There was a jolly miller Lived on the river Dee, He look'd upon his pillow, And there he saw a flee. Oh! Mr. Flea, You have been biting me, And you must die: So he crack'd his bones Upon the stones, And there he let him lie.

LX.

Tom, Tom, the piper's son, Stole a pig, and away he run! The pig was eat, and Tom was beat, And Tom went roaring down the street.

LXI.

In Arthur's court Tom Thumb[*] did live, A man of mickle might; The best of all the table round, And eke a doughty knight.

His stature but an inch in height, Or quarter of a span; Then think you not this little knight Was proved a valiant man?

His father was a ploughman plain, His mother milk'd the cow, Yet how that they might have a son They knew not what to do:

Until such time this good old man To learned Merlin goes, And there to him his deep desires In secret manner shows.

How in his heart he wish'd to have A child, in time to come, To be his heir, though it might be No bigger than his thumb.

Of which old Merlin thus foretold, That he his wish should have, And so this son of stature small The charmer to him gave.

No blood nor bones in him should be, In shape, and being such That men should hear him speak, but not His wandering shadow touch.

But so unseen to go or come,-- Whereas it pleas'd him still; Begot and born in half an hour, To fit his father's will.

And in four minutes grew so fast That he became so tall As was the ploughman's thumb in height, And so they did him call--

TOM THUMB, the which the fairy queen There gave him to his name, Who, with her train of goblins grim, Unto his christening came.

Whereas she cloth'd him richly brave, In garments fine and fair, Which lasted him for many years In seemly sort to wear.

His hat made of an oaken leaf, His shirt a spider's web, Both light and soft for those his limbs That were so smally bred.

His hose and doublet thistle-down, Together weaved full fine; His stockings of an apple green, Made of the outward rind;

His garters were two little hairs Pull'd from his mother's eye; His boots and shoes, a mouse's skin, Were tann'd most curiously

Thus like a lusty gallant, he Adventured forth to go, With other children in the streets, His pretty tricks to show.

Where he for counters, pins, and points, And cherry-stones did play, Till he amongst those gamesters young Had lost his stock away.

Yet could he soon renew the same, Whereas most nimbly he Would dive into their cherry-bags, And their partaker be,

Unseen or felt by any one, Until this scholar shut This nimble youth into a box, Wherein his pins he put.

Of whom to be reveng'd, he took, In mirth and pleasant game, Black pots and glasses, which he hung Upon a bright sun-beam.

The other boys to do the like, In pieces broke them quite; For which they were most soundly whipt; Whereat he laughed outright.

And so Tom Thumb restrained was, From these his sports and play; And by his mother after that, Compell'd at home to stay.

Until such time his mother went A-milking of her kine; Where Tom unto a thistle fast She linked with a twine.

A thread that held him to the same, For fear the blustering wind Should blow him hence,--that so she might Her son in safety find.

But mark the hap! a cow came by, And up the thistle eat; Poor Tom withal, that, as a dock, Was made the red cow's meat.

Who, being miss'd, his mother went Him calling everywhere; Where art thou, Tom? Where art thou, Tom? Quoth he, here, mother, here!

Within the red cow's stomach here, Your son is swallowed up: The which into her fearful heart, Most careful dolours put.

Meanwhile the cow was troubled much, And soon releas'd Tom Thumb; No rest she had till out her mouth, In bad plight he did come.

Now after this, in sowing time, His father would him have Into the field to drive his plough, And thereupon him gave--

A whip made of a barley-straw, To drive the cattle on; Where, in a furrow'd land new sown, Poor Tom was lost and gone.

Now by a raven of great strength, Away he thence was borne, And carried in the carrion's beak, Even like a grain of corn,

Unto a giant's castle top, In which he let him fall; Where soon the giant swallowed up His body, clothes, and all.

But soon the giant spat him out, Three miles into the sea; Whereas a fish soon took him up, And bore him thence away.

Which lusty fish was after caught, And to king Arthur sent; Where Tom was found, and made his dwarf, Whereas his days he spent.

Long time in lively jollity, Belov'd of all the court; And none like Tom was then esteem'd, Among the noble sort.

Amongst his deeds of courtship done, His highness did command, That he should dance a galliard brave Upon his queen's left hand.

The which he did, and for the same The king his signet gave, Which Tom about his middle wore, Long time a girdle brave.

How, after this, the king would not Abroad for pleasure go But still Tom Thumb must ride with him, Placed on his saddle-bow.

Whereon a time when, as it rain'd, Tom Thumb most nimbly crept In at a button-hole, where he Within his bosom slept.

And being near his highness' heart, He crav'd a wealthy boon, A liberal gift, the which the king Commanded to be done.

For to relieve his father's wants, And mother's, being old; Which was, so much of silver coin As well his arms could hold.

And so away goes lusty Tom, With threepence on his back, A heavy burthen, which might make His wearied limbs to crack.

So travelling two days and nights, With labour and great pain, He came into the house whereat His parents did remain;

Which was but half a mile in space From good king Arthur's court, The which, in eight and forty hours, He went in weary sort.

But coming to his father's door, He there such entrance had As made his parents both rejoice, And he thereat was glad.

His mother in her apron took Her gentle son in haste, And by the fire-side, within A walnut-shell him placed;

Whereas they feasted him three days Upon a hazel-nut, Whereon he rioted so long, He them to charges put;

And thereupon grew wond'rous sick, Through eating too much meat, Which was sufficient for a month For this great man to eat.

But now his business call'd him forth King Arthur's court to see, Whereas no longer from the same He could a stranger be.

But yet a few small April drops Which settled in the way, His long and weary journey forth Did hinder and so stay.

Until his careful father took A birding trunk in sport, And with one blast, blew this his son Into king Arthur's court.

Now he with tilts and tournaments Was entertained so, That all the best of Arthur's knights Did him much pleasure show:

As good Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Tristain, and Sir Guy; Yet none compar'd with brave Tom Thumb For knightly chivalry.

In honour of which noble day, And for his lady's sake, A challenge in king Arthur's court Tom Thumb did bravely make.

'Gainst whom these noble knights did run, Sir Chinon and the rest, Yet still Tom Thumb, with matchless might, Did bear away the best.

At last Sir Lancelot du Lake In manly sort came in, And with this stout and hardy knight A battle did begin.

Which made the courtiers all aghast, For there that valiant man, Through Lancelot's steed, before them all, In nimble manner ran.

Yea, horse and all, with spear and shield, As hardy he was seen, But only by king Arthur's self And his admired queen;

Who from her finger took a ring, Through which Tom Thumb made way, Not touching it, in nimble sort, As it was done in play.

He likewise cleft the smallest hair From his fair lady's head, Not hurting her whose even hand Him lasting honours bred.

Such were his deeds and noble acts In Arthur's court there shone, As like in all the world beside Was hardly seen or known.

Now at these sports he toil'd himself, That he a sickness took, Through which all manly exercise He carelessly forsook.

When lying on his bed sore sick, King Arthur's doctor came, With cunning skill, by physic's art, To ease and cure the same.

His body being so slender small, This cunning doctor took A fine perspective glass, with which He did in secret look--

Into his sickened body down, And therein saw that Death Stood ready in his wasted frame To cease his vital breath.

His arms and legs consum'd as small As was a spider's web, Through which his dying hour grew on, For all his limbs grew dead.

His face no bigger than an ant's, Which hardly could be seen; The loss of which renowned knight Much grieved the king and queen.

And so with peace and quietness He left this earth below; And up into the fairy-land His ghost did fading go,

Whereas the fairy-queen receiv'd, With heavy mourning cheer, The body of this valiant knight, Whom she esteem'd so dear.

For with her dancing nymphs in green, She fetch'd him from his bed, With music and sweet melody, So soon as life was fled;

For whom king Arthur and his knights Full forty days did mourn; And, in remembrance of his name, That was so strangely born--

He built a tomb of marble gray, And year by year did come To celebrate ye mournful death And burial of Tom Thumb.

Whose fame still lives in England here, Amongst the country sort; Of whom our wives and children small Tell tales of pleasant sport.

[Footnote *: "I have an old edition of this author by me, the title of which is more sonorous and heroical than those of later date, which, for the better information of the reader, it may not be improper to insert in this place, 'Tom Thumb his Life and Death; wherein is declar'd his many marvellous Acts of Manhood, full of wonder and strange merriment.' Then he adds, 'Which little Knight liv'd in King Arthur's time, in the court of Great Britain.' Indeed, there are so many spurious editions of this piece upon one account or other, that I wou'd advise my readers to be very cautious in their choice."--_A Comment upon the History of T. T._ 1711. A "project for the reprinting of Tom Thumb, with marginal notes and cuts," is mentioned in the old play of _The Projectours_, 1665, p. 41.]

LXII.

[The following lines, slightly altered, occur in a little black-letter book by W. Wagner, printed about the year 1561; entitled, 'A very mery and pythie commedie, called, the longer thou livest, the more foole thou art.' See also a whole song, ending with these lines, in Ritson's 'North Country Chorister,' 8vo, Durham, 1802, p. 1.]

Bryan O'Lin, and his wife, and wife's mother, They all went over a bridge together: The bridge was broken, and they all fell in, The deuce go with all! quoth Bryan O'Lin.

LXIII.

Old Mother Goose, when She wanted to wander, Would ride through the air On a very fine gander.

Mother Goose had a house, 'Twas built in a wood, Where an owl at the door For sentinel stood.

This is her son Jack, A plain-looking lad, He is 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 call'd him a good boy, And said it was well.

Jack sold his gold egg To a rogue of a Jew, Who cheated him out of The half of his due.

Then Jack went a courting, A lady so gay, As fair as the lily, And sweet as the May.

The Jew and the Squire Came behind his back, And began to belabour The sides of poor Jack.