478 NURSERY RHYMES.

 

 

showed it to the King. His Majesty did not much relish the
operation, but he assented to the marvel of it, and the Princess
and shepherd were united the same day, and lived for many
years in happiness and prosperity.

DCCXCI.
LAZY JACK

ONCE upona time there was a boy whose name was Jack, and
he lived with his mother upon a dreary common. They were
very poor, and the old woman got her living by spinning ; but
Jack was so lazy that he would do nothing but bask in the sun
in the hot weather, and sit by the corner of the hearth in the
winter-time. His mother could not persuade him to do anything
for her, and was obliged at last to tell him that if he did not
begin to work for his porridge, she would turn him out to get
his living as he could.

This threat at length roused Jack, and he went out and hired
himself for the day to a neighbouring farmer for a penny ; but
as he was coming home, never having had any money in his
possession before, he lost it in passing over a brook. “You stupid
boy,” said his mother, “ you should have put it in your pocket.”
“T’ll do so another time,” replied Jack.

The next day Jack went out again, and hired himself to a
cowkeeper, who gave him a jar of milk for his day’s work. Jack
took the jar and put it into the large pocket of his jacket,
spilling it all long before he got home. “ Dear me!” said the

* From oral tradition in Yorkshire.