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The Little Cock-Sparrow.

LITTLE Cock-sparrow sat top of a tree,
And he whistled so merry, so happy was he ;
Till a little boy came with his bow and his arrow,
And threatened to shoot at this little Cock-sparrow.

‘Oh! your body will make me a nice little stew,
And your giblets will make me a little pie, too.’
Says the little Cock-sparrow, ‘I'll be shot if I stay,
So I’m off, little sportsman, and wish you good day.’

MORAI..

Don’t count up your chickens before they are hatched,
Or count on a dinner before it is catched.

 

The Carrion Crow.

HERE was an old crow once sat upon an oak,

Watching a fat tailor cutting out a cloak :
‘Heigho!’ says the Carrion Crow,

‘You of your trade, sir, very little know!’

‘Wife!’ cried the tailor, ‘ bring arrows and a bow,
And I'll harrow up the feelings of this wretched Carrion Crow!’

‘ Heigho!’ said the Carrion Crow,
‘Now mind you do not aim too high, and mind don’t shoot too low.’

The tailor shot, but the cruel, treach’rous dart,
Flew far wide of the enemy, and pierced the old sow’s heart.

‘Heigho!’ says the Carrion Crow,
‘Passionate old tailor, I guessed it would be so!’

‘Wife! run and fetch me some treacle in a spoon,
That I may try and put an end to our sow’s swoon.’

‘’Tis useless!’ cried his better-half, now weeping o’er'the slain,
’ SD
‘She must be cured as bacon now—she'll never grunt again,’

E