Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes Part 6

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."

"Oh, 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 you will have him, Jenny, Your husband now to be?"

"Yes, I will," says Jenny, "And love him heartily!"

Then on her finger fair c.o.c.k 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!"

[Ill.u.s.tration]

The birds were asked to dine, Not Jenny's friends alone, But every pretty songster That had c.o.c.k Robin known.

They had a cherry-pie, Besides 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.

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They each took a b.u.mper, And drank to the pair, c.o.c.k Robin the bridegroom, And Jenny 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 should sing for Robin, And Jenny Wren the bride.

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When in came the Cuckoo, And made a great rout; He caught hold of Jenny, And pulled her about.

c.o.c.k 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 c.o.c.k Robin he killed!-- And all the birds mourned That his blood was so spilled.

[Ill.u.s.tration: _Alas! Poor c.o.c.k Robin!_]

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THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF POOR c.o.c.k ROBIN.

WHO killed c.o.c.k Robin?

I, said the Sparrow, With my bow and arrow, I killed c.o.c.k Robin.

This is the Sparrow, With his bow and arrow.

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Who saw him die?

I, said the Fly, With my little eye, I saw him die.

This is the little Fly Who saw c.o.c.k Robin die.

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Who caught his blood?

I, said the Fish, With my little dish, I caught his blood.

This is the Fish, That held the dish.

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Who'll make his shroud?

I, said the Beetle, With my thread and needle, I'll make his shroud.

This is the Beetle, With his thread and needle.

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Who'll dig his grave?

I, said the Owl, With my spade and show'l, I'll dig his grave.

This is the Owl, With his spade and show'l.

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Who'll be the Parson?

I, said the Rook, With my little book, I'll be the Parson.

This is the Rook, Reading his book.

[Ill.u.s.tration]