National Rhymes of the Nursery Part 18

Around from all the neighbouring streets The wondering neighbours ran; And swore the dog had lost his wits, To bite so good a man.

The wound it seemed both sore and sad To every Christian eye; And while they swore the dog was mad, They swore the man would die.

But soon a wonder came to light, That showed the rogues they lied-- The man recovered of the bite; The dog it was that died.

_There was an old woman_

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 round, and sent them to bed.

[Ill.u.s.tration: "SHE WHIPPED THEM ALL ROUND."]

_Monday's bairn_

Monday's bairn is fair of face, Tuesday's bairn is full of grace, Wednesday's bairn is full of woe, Thursday's bairn has far to go, Friday's bairn is loving and giving, Sat.u.r.day's bairn works hard for its living, But the bairn that is born on the Sabbath day Is bonny and blythe and good and gay.

_Punch and Judy_

Punch and Judy Fought for a pie, Punch gave Judy A knock in the eye.

Says Punch to Judy, "Will you have any more?"

Says Judy to Punch, "My eyes are too sore."

_I will sing you a song_

I will sing you a song, Though 'tis not very long, Of the woodc.o.c.k and the sparrow, Of the little dog that burned his tail, And he shall be whipped to-morrow.

_The little clock_

There's a neat little clock, In the schoolroom it stands, And it points to the time With its two little hands

And may we, like the clock, Keep a face clean and bright, With hands ever ready To do what is right.

_Cross patch, draw the latch_

Cross patch, Draw the latch, And sit by the fire and spin; Take a cup, And drink it up, Then call your neighbours in.

_There was a lady loved a swine_

There was a lady loved a swine, Honey, quoth she, Pig-hog, wilt thou be mine?

Grunt, quoth he.

I'll build thee a silver stye Honey, quoth she; And in it thou shalt lie; Grunt, quoth he.

Pinned with a silver pin, Honey, quoth she, That you may go out and in; Grunt, quoth he.

Wilt thou now have me, Honey, quoth she; Grunt, grunt, grunt, quoth he, And went his way.

_Robin-a-Bobbin_

Robin-a-Bobbin Bent his bow, Shot at a pigeon, And killed a crow.

_In marble walls_

In marble walls as white as milk, Lined with a skin as soft as silk; Within a fountain crystal clear, A golden apple doth appear.

No doors there are to this stronghold, Yet thieves break in and steal the gold.

_If all the world were water_

If all the world were water, And all the sea were ink, What should we do for bread and cheese?

What should we do for drink?

_G.o.d bless the master of this house_

G.o.d bless the master of this house, The mistress bless also, And all the little children That round the table go; And all your kin and kinsmen, That dwell both far and near: I wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy new year.

_Birds, beasts, and fishes_

The Dog will come when he is called The Cat will walk away; The Monkey's cheek is very bald; The Goat is fond of play.

The Parrot is a prate-apace, Yet knows not what he says: The n.o.ble Horse will win the race, Or draw you in a chaise.

The Pig is not a feeder nice, The Squirrel loves a nut, The Wolf would eat you in a trice, The Buzzard's eyes are shut.

The Lark sings high up in the air, The Linnet in the tree; The Swan he has a bosom fair, And who so proud as he?

Oh, yes, the Peac.o.c.k is more proud, Because his tail has eyes; The Lion roars so very loud, He'd fill you with surprise.

The Raven's coat is shining black, Or, rather, raven-grey: The Camel's bunch is on his back, The Owl abhors the day.

The Sparrow steals the cherry ripe.

The Elephant is wise, The Blackbird charms you with his pipe, The false Hyena cries.

The Hen guards well her little chicks, The Cow--her hoof is slit: The Beaver builds with mud and sticks, The Lapwing cries "Peewit."

The little Wren is very small, The Humming-bird is less; The Lady-bird is least of all, And beautiful in dress.

The Pelican she loves her young, The Stork its parent loves; The Woodc.o.c.k's bill is very long, And innocent are Doves.

The streaked Tiger's fond of blood, The Pigeon feeds on peas, The Duck will gobble in the mud, The Mice will eat your cheese.

A Lobster's black, when boiled he's red, The harmless Lamb must bleed; The Cod-fish has a clumsy head, The Goose on gra.s.s will feed.

The lady in her gown of silk, The little Worm may thank; The sick man drinks the a.s.s's milk, The Weasel's long and lank.