In My Nursery Part 33

Then a gunner was shot beside him, Thet handled a six-pound gun, An' they called fer a man to tend her; An' Gran'f'ther said he was one.

"I ain't never fired a gun," said he, "But I'll do my prideful best; An' ef all you want is a man, Colonel, Mebbe I'm as good as the rest."

An' I reckon he was! fer he stood thar, An' fired thet six-pound gun, Till every redcoat within his range Hed either dropped or run.

Then all of a suddent thar kem a crack, A flash an' a twinge an' a thrill, An' Gran'f'ther's right arm dropped by his side, An' hung thar, limp an' still.

Jest fer a moment, I've heard him say, The hull world seemed to reel; An' a hummin' sound went through his ears, Like Gran'm'ther's spinnin'-wheel.

But he hedn't no time for faintin', Nor he hedn't no time for pain; "It's well I'm left-handed!" says Gran'f'ther, An' he fired the gun again.

Bimeby, when the Colonel found him, Arter the fight was done, He was lyin', all black like a n.i.g.g.e.r, An' senseless, along by his gun.

Then the boys made a kind o' stretcher, An' jest as they laid him a-top, "The b.a.l.l.s was all gone," he says, "Colonel, So I was obleeged to stop."

Yes! thet was the way Gret Gran'f'ther fit, An' the way he lost his arm; But he shot with his left till the land was free, An' then he kem back to the farm.

An' he laid his musket acrost them hooks, An' thar it's laid to this day; An' spite o' you an' the sparrers, Dan'l, Thar's whar it's a-goin' to stay.

The school-bell! run now, sonny boy!

An' thank ye fer standin' still.

What's thet? Ay! Hurrah fer Gret Gran'f'ther!

An' hurrah fer Bunker Hill!

DAY DREAMS.

White wings over the water, Fluttering, fluttering over the sea, White wings over the water, What are you bringing to me?

A fairy prince in a golden boat, With golden ringlets that fall and float, A velvet cap, and a taffety cloak, This you are bringing to me.

Fairy, fairy princekin, Sailing, sailing hither to me, Silk and satin and velvet, What are you coming to see?

A little girl in a calico gown, With hair and eyes of dusky brown, Who sits on the wharf of the fishing-town, Looking away to sea.

[Ill.u.s.tration: DAY DREAMS.]

Golden, golden sunbeams, Touch me now with your wands of gold; Make me a beautiful princess, Radiant to behold.

Blue and silver and ermine fine, Diamond drops that flash and shine; So shall I meet this prince of mine, Fairer than may be told.

White wings over the water, Fluttering ever farther away; Dark clouds shrouding the sunbeams, Sullen and cold and gray.

Back I go in my calico gown, Back to the hut in the fishing-town.

And oh, but the night shuts darkly down After the summer day!

THE BATTLE.

[_All the children march, each singing a verse in turn, and all joining in the refrain._]

I am a German, Marching, marching.

I am a German, Tum tum tum!

Musket on shoulder, Who could be bolder, Tramping away at the sound of the drum.

_Chorus_. Bang! bang! bang!

Hear the muskets rattle!

Bang! bang! bang! bang!

Now we'll have a battle.

Shoot 'em through the head, Run 'em through the body!

He who runs away Is called a Hoddy-Doddy.[1]

[_Repeat after each verse._]

I am a Frenchman, Marching, marching.

I am a Frenchman, Tum tum tum!

First at the front, I will bear the battle's brunt, Tramping away at the sound of the drum.

I am an Englishman, Marching, marching.

I am an Englishman, Tum tum tum!

Let the foeman meet me!

Where's the one to beat me?

Tramping away at the sound of the drum.

I am an Irishman, Marching, marching.

I am an Irishman, Tum tum tum!

When the battle's ready, Who'll be there but Paddy?

Tramping away at the sound of the drum.

[_All together._]

We are the regiment, Marching, marching.

We are the regiment, Tum tum tum!

Let the trumpets blow, As we rush to meet the foe, With a tan tan tara! at the sound of the drum.

[1] "Though you're such a Hoddy-Doddy!"--_Edward Lear._

THE STRANGE BEAST.

Four gay gallants of London town Went out to walk on Horsley Down; And there they saw a beast, The like of which had ne'er been seen In Cheapside or in Strand, I ween, In West-side or in East.