National Rhymes of the Nursery Part 8

_Little Bob Snooks_

Little Bob Snooks was fond of his books, And loved by his usher and master: But naughty Jack Spry, he got a black eye, And carries his nose in a plaster.

_There was a man, and he had naught_

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 looked behind him.

_Where are you going_

"Where are you going, my pretty maid?"

"I'm going a-milking, sir," she said.

"May I go with you, my pretty maid?"

"You're kindly welcome, sir," she said.

"What is your father, my pretty maid?"

"My father's a farmer, sir," she said.

"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"

"My face is my fortune, sir," she said.

"Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid!"

"n.o.body asked you, sir!" she said.

[Ill.u.s.tration: WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO MY PRETTY MAID?]

_Hush-a-bye_

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows, the cradle will rock; When the bough bends, the cradle will fall, Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all.

_Poor old Robinson Crusoe_

Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

They made him a coat Of an old nanny goat, I wonder how they could do so!

With a ring a ting tang, And a ring a ting tang, Poor old Robinson Crusoe!

_Queen Anne, Queen Anne_

Queen Anne, Queen Anne, you sit in the sun, As fair as a lily, as white as a wand I send you three letters, and pray read one, You must read one, if you can't read all, So pray, Miss or Master, throw up the ball.

_The Spider and the Fly_

"Will you walk into my parlour?" said the spider to the fly,-- "'Tis the prettiest little parlour that ever you did spy.

The way into my parlour is up a winding stair; And I have many curious things to show you when you're there."

"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "to ask me is in vain; For who goes up your winding stair can ne'er come down again."

"I'm sure you must be weary, dear, with soaring up so high; Will you rest upon my little bed?" said the spider to the fly.

"There are pretty curtains drawn around; the sheets are fine and thin; And if you like to rest awhile, I'll snugly tuck you in!"

"Oh no, no," said the little fly; "for I've often heard it said, They never, never wake again, who sleep upon your bed!"

Said the cunning spider to the fly--"Dear friend, what can I do To prove the warm affection I've always felt for you?

I have within my pantry good store of all that's nice; I'm sure you're very welcome--will you please to take a slice?"

"Oh no, no," said the little fly, "kind sir, that cannot be; I've heard what's in your pantry, and I do not wish to see."

"Sweet creature," said the spider, "you're witty and you're wise; How handsome are your gauzy wings, how brilliant are your eyes!

I have a little looking-gla.s.s upon my parlour shelf, If you'll step in one moment, dear, you shall behold yourself."

"I thank you, gentle sir," she said, "for what you're pleased to say, And bidding you good-morning now, I'll call another day."

The spider turned him round about, and went into his den, For well he knew the silly fly would soon come back again; So he wove a subtle web in a little corner sly, And set his table ready, to dine upon the fly.

Then he came out to his door again, and merrily did sing,-- "Come hither, hither, pretty fly, with the pearl and silver wing; Your robes are green and purple--there's a crest upon your head!

Your eyes are like the diamond bright, but mine are dull as lead!"

Alas! alas! how very soon this silly little fly, Hearing his wily, flattering words, came slowly flitting by.

With buzzing wings she hung aloft, then near and nearer drew, Thinking only of her brilliant eyes, her green and purple hue-- Thinking only of her crested head--poor foolish thing! At last, Up jumped the cunning spider, and fiercely held her fast!

He dragged her up his winding stair, into his dismal den, Within his little parlour--but she ne'er came out again!

And now, dear little children, who may this story read, To idle, silly flattering words, I pray you, ne'er give heed; Unto an evil counsellor close heart, and ear, and eye.

And take a lesson from this tale of the Spider and the Fly.

_Rain, rain, go away_

Rain, rain, go away, Come again another day; Little Susy wants to play.

_As the days_

As the days grow longer The storms grow stronger.

_Bessy Bell and Mary Gray_

Bessy Bell and Mary Gray, They were two bonny la.s.ses: They built their house upon the lea, And covered it with rashes.

Bessy kept the garden gate, And Mary kept the pantry: Bessy always had to wait, While Mary lived in plenty.

_Jack Sprat's pig_

Jack Sprat's pig, He was not very little, Nor yet very big; He was not very lean, He was not very fat; He'll do well for a grunt, Says little Jack Sprat.

_Needles and Pins_