SAR RN RTE OTT 7 leqque i (fle from Te Donal door ; Xmas “g Gi : I 8ins-a-Son$ of Sixpence A Pocket full of Rye Four and twenty. Blackbirds, N When the fie was opened __ The Birds began to sing Was not that a dainty dish To set before a King MOTHER GOOSE’S Nursery Rhymes, TALES AND JINGLES, With 400 Fllustrations. IW LONDON: FREDERICK WARNE AND Co. AND NEW YORK. 7S Proprietors of “Nursery Rhymes, Tales, and Jingles,” “ Popular Nursery Tales,” and Hatitwetw’s “N ursery. We Rhymes and Tales,” and many hundreds of Illustrations, it has been considered advisable to embody the whole in one exhaustive volume, entitled ‘“ MorHer Goosr’s Nursery Ruymes, TALes, AND Jinctes.” vi PREFACE, Re-edited throughout, we trust that this New Edition will be considered a volume, by its com- pleteness, Illustrations, and general appearance, to be worthy of a place in all the Nursery Libraries of England. Bedford Street, Strand. ONTENTS. FIRST CLASS, Page HISTORICAL , i 2 : : 5 : : : ' : 2 I SECOND CLASS, LITERAL. : - : A z : : ; : : : mG THIRD CLASS, TALES, A ; ‘ ae 2 B : & Sears ee35, FOURTH CLASS, PROVERBS : : 5 5 ; : * aenears $ 5 > 63 FIFTH CLASS, SCHOLASTIC , : i ; ; ; ; ‘ : ; : eee, SIXTH CLASS. SONGS Se oe SEVENTH CLASS, RIDDLES . i i 5 : : : : j : : 6 - 44 EIGHTH CLASS. CHARMS , ; : See een eee ee > 175 viii CONTENTS. NINTH CLASS. Page GAFFERS AND GAMMERS @ j Ostet: ; . 181 TENTH CLASS. GAMES . ; ; : , 5 ; 7 3 ene . 202 ELEVENTH CLASS. PARADOXES . : : 3 : ; : : 3 é s 273 TWELFTH CLASS, LULLABIES . 3: 3 : : 5 ; 5 6 ; A . 284 THIRTEENTH CLASS. JINGLES . a : 5 : : ; ; f ; ; 5 . 296 FOURTEENTH CLASS. NATURAL HISTORY. : : z Ree ‘ 5 ; 2 SIZ, FIFTEENTH CLASS. RELICS . ‘ : 4 : j j Seah : : : 35 SIXTEENTH CLASS. LOCAL . : : : : : gs : : : : > 395 SEVENTEENTH CLASS. LOVE AND MATRIMONY . ‘ : 8 : : z . 2 402 EIGHTEENTH CLASS. ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. »- + + «© * + 8 8 439 NINETEENTH CLASS. FIRESIDEVSTORIES (=) Ge 458 Hse BERS (GEASs: Keyistorical. OLD King Cole Was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he; He called for his pipe, And he called for his bowl, And he called for his fiddlers: three. 1 2 NURSERY RHYMES. Every fiddler he had a ffhe fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he; Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers, Oh, there’s none so rare As can compare 3 With King Cole and his fiddlers three. [The traditional: Nursery Rhymes of England commence with a legendary satire on King Cole, who reigned in Britain in the third century after Christ. According to Robert of Gloucester, he was the father of St. Helena, and if so, Butler:must be wrong in ascribing an obscure origin to the celebrated mother of Constantine, King Cole was a brave and popular man in his day.] Il. WHEN good King Arthur ruled this land, He was a goodly King; He stole three pecks of barley-meal, To make a bag-pudding. A bag-pudding the King did make,. And stuffed it well with plums, And in it put great lumps of fat As big as my two thumbs. The King and Queen did eat thereof, And noblemen. beside ; And what they could not eat that night, The Queen next morning fried. AISTORICAL. III. WHEN Arthur first in Court began To wear long hanging sleeves, He entertained three servingmen And all of them were thieves. The first he was an Irishman, The second was a Scot, The third he was a Welshman, And all were knaves, I wot. The Irishman loved usquebaugh, The Scot loved ale called bluecap, The Welshman he loved toasted cheese, And made his mouth like a mouse-trap. Usquebaugh burnt the Irishman; The Scot was drowned in ale; The Welshman had like to be choked by a mouse, But he pulled it out by the tail. 4 NURSERY RHYMES. IV. RoBIN Hoop, Robin Hood, Is in the mickle wood! Little John, Little John, - He to the town is gone. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Is telling his beads, All in the greenwood, Among the green weeds. Little John, Little John, If he comes no more, Robin Hood, Robin Hood, We shall fret full sore! Vv. [The following perhaps refers to Joanna of Castile, who visited the Court of Henry VII., in the year 1506. ] I HAD a little nut-tree, nothing would it bear But a silver nutmeg and a golden pear ; The King of Spain’s daughter came to visit me, And all was because of my little nut-tree. I skipped over water, I danced over sea, And all the birds in the air couldn’t catch me, AIISTORICAL. 5 VI. THE King of France, and four thousand men They drew their swords—and put them up again. VIi. [In a tract, called ‘‘ Pigges Corantoe, or Newes from the North,” 4to. Lond. 1642, p- 3, this is called ‘‘Old Tarlton’s Song.” It is perhaps a parody on the popular epigram of ‘‘Jack and Jill.” I do not know the period of the battle to which it appears to allude, but Tarlton died in the year 1588, so that the rhyme must be earlier, ] THE King of France went up the hill, With twenty thousand men; The King of France came down the hill, And ne’er went up again. VIII. THE King of France, with twenty thousand men, Went up the hill, and then came down again ; The King of Spain, with twenty thousand more, Climbed the same hill the French had climbed before. IX, [Another version. The nurse sings the first line, and repeats it, time after time, until the expectant little one asks, What next? Then comes the climax. ] THE King of France, the King of France, with forty thousand men, Oh, they all went up the hill, and so—came back again! 6 NURSERY RHYMES. x, AT the siege of Belleisle I was there all the while, All the while, ‘all the while, At the siege of Belleisle. ExeL [From a MS. in the old Royal Library, in the British Museum, the exact reference to which is mislaid, It is written, if I recollect rightly, in a hand of the time of Henry VIII., in an older manuscript. ] WE make no spare Of John Hunkes’ mare; And now I think she will die; - He thought it good To put her in the wood, To seek where she might lie dry; If the mare should chance to fail, Then the crowns would for her sale. XII. THE rose is red, the grass is green, Serve Queen Bess our noble Queen ; Kitty the spinner Will sit down to dinner, And eat the leg of a frog; All good people Look over the steeple, And see the cat play with the dog. ATSTORICAL, 7 XIII. Goop Queen Bess was a glorious dame, When bonny King Jemmy from Scotland came; We'll pepper their bodies, Their peaceable noddies, And give them a crack of the crown! XIV. [The word sory originated in the reign of Elizabeth, and represented a class of ‘‘bog- trotters,’ who wereacompound of the knave and the highwayman. ] Ho! Master Teague, what is your story? I went to the wood and killed a tory ; : I went to the wood and killed another ; Was it the same, or was it his brother? I hunted him in, and I hunted § him out, — Three times through the bog, about and about ; When out of a bush I saw his head, So I fired my gun, and shot him dead. WL ig LEE NN WS FEES) LEME XV. I know no reason PLEASE to remember Why gunpowder treason The Fifth of November, Should ever be forgot. Gunpowder treason and plot; AISTORICAL. XVI. [Taken from MS. Douce, 357, fol. 124. See Echard’s ‘‘ History of England,” Book III. chap. 1.] SEE saw, sack-a-day ; Monmouth is a pretie boy, Richmond is another, Grafton is my only joy, And why should I these three destroy, To please a pious brother? XVII. ~ [The following is partly quoted in an old song in a MS. at Oxford, Ashmole, No. 36, fol. 113.] As I was going by Charing Cross, I saw a black man upon a black horse ; They told me it was King Charles the First; Oh, dear! my heart was ready to burst! XVIII. HIGH diddle ding, Did you hear the bells ring? The Parliament soldiers are gone to the King: Some they did laugh, some they did cry, To see the Parliament soldiers pass by. XIX, HIGH ding a ding, and ho ding a ding, The Parliament soldiers are gone to the King; Some with new beavers, some with new bands, The Parliament soldiers are all to be hanged. ‘Oo 10 NURSERY RHYMES. XX. HECTOR PROTECTOR was dressed all in green ; Hector Protector was sent to the Queen. The Queen did not like him, nor more did the King; So Hector Protector was sent back again. XXI. Poor old Robinson Crusoe! I wonder how they could do so! Poor old Robinson Crusoe! With a ring a ting tang, They made him a coat And a ring a ting tang, | Of an old nanny goat, Poor old Robinson Crusoe: HISTORICAL. II XXII. [From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 19, written in the time of Charles I. It appears from MS. Harl. 390, fol. 85, that these verses were written in 1626, against the Duke of Buckingham. ] THERE was a monkey climbed up a tree, When he fell down, then down fell he. There was a crow sat on a stone, When he was gone, then there was none. There was an old wife did eat an apple, When she had eat two, she had eat a couple. There was a horse going to the mill, When he went on, he stood not still. There was a butcher cut his thumb, When it did bleed, then blood did come. There was a lackey ran a race, When he ran fast, he ran apace. There was a cobbler clouting shoon, When they were mended, they were done. There was a chandler making candle, When he them strip, he did them handle. There was a navy went into Spain, When it returned, it came again. 2 NURSERY RHYMES. XXIII. THE twenty-ninth of May Is oak-apple day. Ring a ting ting, God save the King. XXIV. LITTLE General Monk Sat upon a trunk, Eating a crust of bread, There fell a hot coal And burnt in his clothes a hole, Now General Monk is dead. Keep always from the fire: If it catch your attire, You too, like Monk, will be dead. XXV. EIGHTY-EIGHT wor Kirby feight, When niver a man was slain; They yat ther meat, an drank ther drink, And sae com merrily heaam agayn. XXVI. [Written on occasion of the marriage of Mary, the daughter of James Duke of York, afterwards James II., with the young Prince of Orange. ] WHAT is the rhyme for poringer ? The King he had a daughter fair, And gave the Prince of Orange her. HISTORICAL, 13 XXVII. [The following nursery song alludes to William III. and George Prince of Denmark. ] WILLIAM and Mary, George and Anne, Four such children had never a man: They put their father to flight and shame, And called their brother a shocking bad name. AXVIIL. DOcTOR SACHEVEREL Did very well, But Jacky Dawbin Gave him a warning. XXIX. [A song on King William III.] As I walked by myself, And talked to myself, Myself said unto me, Look to thyself, Take care of thyself, For nobody cares for thee. I answered myself, And said to myself, In the self-same repartee, Look to thyself, Or not look to thyself, The selfsame thing will be. i4 NURSERY RHYMES, XXX. [The following may possibly allude to King George and the Pretender. ] Jim and George were two great lords, They fought all in a churn; And when that Jim got George by the nose, Then George began to gern. XXXI. OVER the water, and over the lee, | And over the water to Charley, ; Charley loves good ale and wine, And Charley loves good brandy, And Charley loves a pretty girl, As sweet as sugar-candy. | Over the water, and over the sea, And over the water to Charley, I’ll have none of your nasty beef, Nor I’ll have none of your bar- ley ; But I’ll have some of your very best flour, To make a white cake for my Charley. LITERAL. Is SECOND CLASS, Teciteral. XXXII. ONE, two, three, I love coffee, And Billy loves tea. How good you be, One, two, three, I love coffee, And Billy loves tea. XX XIII. A, B, C, tumble-down D, The cat’s in the cupboard and can’t see me. 15 16 NURSERY RHYMES. XXXIV. F for fig, J for jig, And N for knuckle-bones, I for John the waterman, And S for sack of stones. XXXV. Up ay oh ee I caught a hare alive; 6, 7, 8, 9, 10! I let her go again. LITERAL. 17 XXXVI. ONE’s none; Two’s some ; Three’s a many; Four’s a penny ; penny ; Five is a little hundred. XXXVIL AT reck’ning let’s play, And, prithee, let’s lay A wager, and let it be this: Who first to the sum Of twenty doth come, Shall have for his winning a kiss. XXXVIII. TWENTY, nineteen, eighteen, Seventeen, sixteen, fifteen, Fourteen, thirteen, twelve, Eleven, ten, nine, Eight, seven, six, Five, four, three, Two, one; The tenor o’ the tune plays merrilie. 18 NURSERY RHYMES. XXXIX. A, B, C, and D, Pray, playmates, agree. E, F, and G, Well, so it shall be. J, K, and L, In peace we will dwell. M, N, and O, To play let us go. iP Oh Re and: S: Love may we possess. W, X, and Y, Will not quarrel or die. Z, and amperse-and, Go to school at command. XL. HICKERY, dickery, 6 and 7, Alabone Crackabone 10 and II, Spin span muskidan ; Twiddle ’um twaddle ’um, 21. LXI. APPLE-PIE, pudding, and pancake, All begin with A. LITERAL. 19 XLII. MIss One, Two, and three could never agree, While they gossiped round a tea-caddy, XLIIT. WHO is that I heard call? Little Sam in the hall, What does he do there? He asked for some fruit. For some fruit did he ask? Can he yet read his book? 2—2 20 NURSERY RHVMES. He can’t read it yet; then he shan’t have a bit. But pray give him a bite when he says his task right ; And till that is well done, take you care he has none. XLIV. ONE, two, Buckle my shoe; Three, four, Shut the door ; Five, six, Pick up sticks: Seven, eight, Lay them straight ; Nine, ten, A good fat hen; 21 LITERAL. , twelve, leven Who will delve? E Th fourteen, courting.; sixteen teen, ir 2 kissing ; eighteen, -waiting ; Seventeen Maids a i 2 d Maids a Maids a Fifteen S » el Be on = Ll LO aac 5 § 8+ o # SSeS Za Ja ait : i ba jl ti Nia XLV, PAT-A-CAKE, pat-a-cake, baker’s man! So I will, master, as fast as I can: Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T, Put in the oven for Tommy and me, 22 LITERAL. 23 XLVI. {Tom Thumb’s Alphabet.] A was an Archer, and shot at a frog, B was a Butcher, and had a great dog. C was a Captain, all covered with lace, D was a Drunkard, and had a red face. E was an Esquire, with pride on his brow, F was a Farmer, and followed the plough, G was a Gamester, who had but ill luck, Howas a Hunter, and hunted a buck. I was an Innkeeper, who loved to bouse, J was a Joiner, and built up a house. K was King William, once governed this land, L was a Lady, who had a white hand. M was a Miser, and hoarded up gold, N was a Nobleman, gallant and bold. O was an Oyster Wench, and went about town, P was a Parson, and wore a black gown. Q was a Queen, who was fond of good flip, R was a Robber, and wanted a whip. S was a Sailor, and spent all he got, T was a Tinker, and mended a pot. U was an Usurer, a miserable elf, V was a Vintner, who drank all himself. 24 NURSERY RHYMES. W was a Watchman, and guarded the door, X was expensive, and so became poor. Y was a Youth, that did not love school, 4 was a Zany, a poor harmless fool. XLVII. GREAT A, little a, Bouncing B! The cat’s in the cupboard, And she can’t see. XLVIIT. A was an angler, Went out in a fog; Who fish’d all the day, And caught only a frog. B was cook Betty, A. baking a pie With ten or twelve apples All piled up on high. OG was a custard In a glass dish, With as much cinnamon As you could wish. D was fat Dick, Aza Who did nothing but eat; > & He would leave book and play ‘upg, For a nice bit of meat. NURSERV RHYMES. Eis an egg In a basket with more, Which Peggy will sell For a shilling a score. F' was a fox, So cunning and sly: Who looks at the hen-roost— I need not say way. G was a greyhound, As fleet as the wind; In the race or the course Left all others behind. Ei was a heron, Who lived near a pond; Of gobbling the fishes He was wondrously fond. I was the ice On which Billy would skate; So up went his heels, And down went his pate. J was Joe Jenkins, Who played on the fiddle; LITERAL. 27 He began twenty tunes, But left off in the middle. K was a kitten, Who jumped at a cork, And learned to eat mice Without plate, knife, or fork. L is a lark, Who sings us a song, And wakes us betimes Lest we sleep too long. M was Miss Molly, Who turned in her toes, And hung down her head Till her knees touched her nose. N was a nosegay Sprinkled with dew, Pulled in the morning And presented to you. O is an owl, Who looks wondrously wise ; But he’s watching a mouse With his large round eyes. 28 NURSERY RHYMES, P is a parrot, With feathers like gold, Who talks just as much, And no more than he’s told. Q is the Queen Who governs the land, And sits on a throne Very lofty and grand. R is a raven Perched on an oak, Who with a gruff voice Cries, Croak, croak, croak! S is a stork With a very long bill, Who swallows down fishes And frogs to his fill. T is a trumpeter Blowing his horn, Who tells us the news As we rise in the morn. U is a unicorn, Who, as it is said, LITERAL. 29 Wears an ivory bodkin On his forehead. V is a vulture Who eats a great deal, Devouring a dog Or a cat at a meal. W was a watchman Who guarded the street, Lest robbers or thieves The good people should meet. X was King Xerxes, Who, if you don’t know, Reigned over Persia A great while ago. Y is the year That is passing away, And still growing shorter Every day. Z is a zebra, Whom you’ve heard of before; So here ends my rhyme Till I find you some more. 30 NURSERV RHYMES. XLIX, A for the ape, that we saw at the fair; B for a blockhead, who ne’er shall go there; C for a cauliflower, white as a curd; D for a duck, a very good bird; E for an egg, good in pudding or pies, F for a farmer, rich, honest, and wise ; G for a gentleman, void of all care; HI for the hound, that ran down the hare; LITERAL. 31 I for an Indian, sooty and dark; K for the keeper, that looked to the park ; L for a lark, that soared in the air; M for a mole that ne’er could get there; N for Sir Nobody, ever in fault ; O for an otter, that ne’er could be caught ; P for a pudding, stuck full of plums; Q was for quartering it, see here he comes : R for a rook, that croaked in the [reese S for a sailor, that ploughed the deep seas; T for a top, that doth prettily spin; V for a virgin of delicate mien ; W for wealth, in gold, silver, and pence ; X for old Xenophon, noted for sense ; Y for a yew, which for ever is green ; A for the zebra, that belongs to the Queen. 32 NURSERY RHYMES. A was an apple-pie; B bit it; C cut it; D dealt it; E eat it; F fought for it; G got it; H had it; J joined it; K kept it; L longed for it ; M mourned for it; L. N nodded at it; O opened it; P peeped in it; Q quartered it; R ran for it; S stole it; T took it; V viewed it; W wanted it; X, Y, Z, and amperse-and, (&) All wish'd for a piece in hand LITERAL, 33 LI. COME hither, little puppy dog ; I’ll give you a new collar, If you will learn to read your book And be a clever scholar. No, no! replied the puppy dog, I’ve other fish to fry, For I must learn to guard your house, And bark when thieves come nigh. With a tingle, tangle, titmouse! Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, Ea Groeten] es Come hither, pretty cockatoo ; Come and learn your letters, And you shall have a knife and fork To eat with, like your betters, No, no! the cockatoo replied, My } -*: will do as well; Id rather eat my victuals thus Than go and learn to spell. With a tingle, tangle, titmouse! Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, 195 (Ge let, dei IK. 34, NURSERY RHYMES. Come hither, little pussy cat; If youll your grammar study T’ll give you silver clogs to wea Whene’er the gutter’s muddy, No! whilst I grammar learn, says Puss, Your house will in a trice he | i a Be overrun from top to Boron Hp yO With flocks of rats and mice. BR ; With a tingle, tangle, titmouse ! Robin knows great A, And B, and C, and D, and E, 1p debe ta IK, Come hither, then, good ‘little boy, And learn your alphabet, And you a pair of boots and spurs Like your papa’s, shall get. Oh, yes! I’ll learn my alphabet ; And when I well can read, Perhaps papa will give me, too, A pretty long-tail’d steed. With a tingle, tangle, titmouse! > Wi \ A = ) y i Robin knows great A, WZ) eon if = oy Se fd And B, and C, and D, and EB Laff UBF EGE les nek THIRD CLASS. ales, LIT. SOLOMON GRUNDY, Born ona Monday, Christened on Tuesday, pee Married on Wednesday, Took ill on Thursday, Worse on Friday, Died on Saturday, Buried on Sunday: This is the end Of Solomon Grundy. 25 3——2 36 NURSERY RHYMES. 1 THOME SY LIII. My dear, do you know, How a long time ago, Two poor little children, Whose names I don’t know, TALES, —— Were stolen away on a fine summer’s day, And left in a wood, as I’ve heard people say. And when it was night, So sad was their plight, The sun it went down, And the moon gave no light! They sobbed and they sighed, and they bitterly cried, And the poor little things, they lay down and died. And when they were dead, The Robins so red Brought strawberry-leaves And over them spread ; And all the day long They sung them this song: “Poor babes in the wood! Poor babes in the wood! And don’t you remember the babes in the wood?” 37 38 NURSERY RHYMES. LIV. THERE was a fat man of Bombay, Who was smoking one sunshiny day, When a bird, called a snipe, Flew away with his pipe, Which vexed. the fat man of Bombay. LV. THERE was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile: He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all lived together in a little crooked house, PUNCH and Judy Fought for a pie, Punch gave Judy A sad blow on the eye. LVII. ROBIN the Bobbin, the big-headed Ben, He ate more meat than fourscore men; He ate a cow, he ate a calf, He ate a butcher and a half; He ate a church, he ate a steeple, He ate the priest and all the people! ' A cow and a calf, An ox and a half, A church and a steeple, And all the good people, And yet he complained that his stomach wasn’t full, B ag S i Ey LY LVIII. SIMPLE SIMON met a pieman, Going to the fair ; Says Simple Simon to the pieman, “Let me taste your ware.” 40 TALES. Al Says the pieman to Simple Simon, “Show me first your penny.” Says Simple Simon to the pieman, “Indeed I have not any.” Simple Simon went a-fishing For to catch a whale: All the water he had got Was in his mother’s pail! LIX. THERE was a little man, And he had a little gun, And he went to the brook, And he shot a little rook ; And he took it home To his old wife Joan, And told her to make up a fite, While he went back To fetch the little drake ; But when he got there, The drake was fled for fear; And, like an old novice, he turned back again, BRYAN O’LIN and his wife and wife’s mother, They all went over a bridge together: The bridge was broken, and they all fell in, “The deuce go with all!” quoth Bryan O’Lin. 42 NURSERY RHYMES. LXI. LITTLE Tommy Tittlemouse Lived in a little house: He caught fishes In other men’s ditches. LXII. THERE was a man, and he had nought, 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, TALES. 43 LXIII. OLD Mother Goose, when Mother Goose had a house, She wanted to wander, ’T was built in a wood, Would ride through the air Where an owl at the door On a very fine gander. For sentinel stood. This is her son Jack, a plain-looking lad: He is not very good, nor yet very bad. She sent him to market, Jack found one morning, ~ A. live goose he bought: As I have been told, “Here! mother,” says he, His goose had laid him “Tt will not go for nought.” An-egg of pure gold. Jack’s goose and her gander Jack rode to his mother, Grew very fond ; The news for to tell. 4 They’d both eat together, She called him a good boy, Or swim in one pond. And said it was well, 44 NURSERY RHYMES. Jack sold his gold egg She then with her wand To a rogue of a Jew, Touched the lady so fine, Who cheated him out of And turned her at once The half of his due. Into sweet Columbine. Then Jack went a-courting The gold egg into the sea A lady so gay, Was thrown then,— As fair as the lily, * When Jack jumped in, And sweet as the May. And got the egg back again. The Jew and the Squire The Jew got the goose, Came behind his back, Which he vowed he would kill, And began to belabour Resolving at once The sides of poor Jack. His pockets to fill. The old Mother Goose, Jack’s mother came in, That instant came in, And caught the goose soon, And turned her son Jack And mounting its back, Into famed Harlequin. Flew up to the moon. LXIV, TomMy kept a chandler’s shop, Richard went to buy a mop, Tommy gave him such a knock, That sent him out of his chandler’s shop. TALES, A5 LXV. WHEN I was a little girl, about seven years old, I hadn’t got a petticoat, to cover me from the cold; So I went into Darlington, that pretty little town, And there I bought a petticoat, a cloak, and a gown. I went into the woods and built me a kirk, And all the birds of the air, they helped me to work: The hawk with his long claws pulled down the stone, The dove, with her rough bill, brought me them home: The parrot was the clergyman, the peacock was the clerk, The bullfinch played the organ, and we made merry work. LXVI. I’LL tell you a story I’ tell you another About Jack a Nory,— About Jack his brother,— And now my story’s begun; And now my story’s done. LXVII. THREE wise men of Gotham Went to sea in a bowl; And if the bowl had been stronger, My song would have been longer. LXVIII. {The following two stanzas, although they belong to the same piece, are often found separated from each other. ] ROBIN and Richard were two pretty men; They lay in bed till the clock struck ten; Then up starts Robin, and looks at the sky, Oh! brother Richard the sun’s very high: 46 NURSERY RHVMES. The bull’s in the barn threshing the corn ; The cock’s on the dunghill blowing his horn, The cat’s at the fire frying of fish, The dog’s in the pantry breaking his dish. LXIXx. THERE was an old woman who rode on a broom, With a high gee ho, gee humble; And she took her old cat behind for a groom, With a bimble, bamble, bumble. They travelled along till they came to the sky, With a high gee ho, gee humble; But the journey so long made them very hungry, With a bimble, bamble, bumble. Says Tom, “I can find nothing here to eat, With a high gee ho, gee humble; So let us go back again, I entreat, With a bimble, bamble, bumble.” The old woman would not go back so soon, With a high gee ho, gee humble ; For she wanted to visit the Man in the Moon, With a bimble, bamble, bumble. TALES. 47 Says Tom, “T’ll go back by myself to our house, With a high gee ho, gee humble; For there I can catch a good rat or a mouse, With a bimble, bamble, bumble.” “But,” says the old woman, “how will you go? With a high gee ho, gee humble; You shan’t have my nag, I protest and vow, With a bimble, bamble, bumble.” “No, no,” says Tom, “I’ve a plan of my own, With a high gee ho, gee humble;” So he slid down the rainbow, and left her alone, With a bimble, bamble, bumble. So now, if you happen to visit the sky, With a high gee ho, gee humble, And want to come back, you Tom’s method may try, With a bimble, bamble, bumble. LXX. THERE was a King, and he had three daughter, And they all lived in a basin of water; The basin bended, My story’s ended: If the basin had been stronger My story would have been longer. 48 NURSERY RHYMES. LXXI. PEMMY was a pretty girl, But Fanny was a better ; Pemmy looked like any churl, When little Fanny let her. Pemmy hac a pretty nose, But Fanny had a better; Pemmy oft would come to blows, But Fanny would not let her. Pemmy had a pretty doll, But Fanny had a better; Pemmy chattered like a poll, When little Fanny let her. Pemmy had a pretty song, But Fanny had a better; Pemmy would sing all day long, But Fanny would not let her. Pemmy loved a pretty lad, And Fanny loved a better; And Pemmy wanted for to wed, But Fanny would not let her. ae Ay FLA — LXXIL _ TAFFY was a Welshman, Taffy was a thief; Taffy came to my house and stole a piece of beef; I went to Taffy’s house, Taffy was not at home; Taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-bone. 49 4 > 50 NURSERY RHYMES. I went to Taffy’s house, Taffy was not in; Taffy came to my house and stole a silver pin ; I went to Taffy’s house, Taffy was in bed, I took up a poker and flung it at his head. LXXIII. The man in the moon Came tumbling down, And. asked his way to Norwich: He went by the south, And burnt his mouth With supping cold pease-porridge. PEN XIV, [The rhyme of Jack Horner has been stated to be asatire on the Puritanical aversion to Christmas pies and suchlike abominations. It forms part of a metrical chap-book history, founded on the same story as the Friar and the Boy, entitled ‘‘The Pleasant History of Jack Horner, containing his witty tricks and pleasant pranks which he played from his youth to his riper years: right pleasant and delightful for winter and summer’s recreation,” embellished with frightful woodcuts, which have not much con- nection with the tale. The pleasant history commences as follows: Jack Horner was a pretty lad, A pretty boy of curious wit, Near London he did dwell, All people spoke his praise, His father’s heart he made full glad, And in the comer would he sit His mother lov’d him well. In Christmas holidays. While little Jack was sweet and young, | When friends they did together meet If he by chance should cry, To pass away the time, His mother pretty sonnets sung, Why, little Jack, he sure would eat With a lul-la-ba-by, His Christmas pie in rhyme. With such a dainty curious tone, And said, Jack Horner, in the corner, As Jack sat on her knee, Eats good Christmas pie, So that ere he could go alone And with his thumbs pulls out the plums, He sung as well as she. And said, Good boy am 1! Here we have an important discovery !_ Who before suspected that the nursery rhyme was written by Jack Horner himself ?] LITTLE JACK HORNER sat in the corner, Fating a Christmas pie ; ~ TALES. thumb, and he took out a plum, 1S h And said, “What a good boy am I!” He put in 4-——2 52 NURSERY RHYMES, LXXV. My Lady Wind, my Lady Wind, Went round about the house to find A chink to get her foot in: She tried the key-hole in the door, She tried the crevice in the floor, And drove the chimney soot in. And then one night when it was dark, She blew up such a tiny spark That all the house was pothered : From it she raised up such a flame As flamed away to Belting Lane, And White Cross folks were smothered. And thus when once, my little dears, A whisper reaches itching ears, The same will come, you’ll find: Take my advice, restrain the tongue, Remember what old Nurse has sung Of busy Lady Wind! LXXVI. OLD Abram Brown is dead and gone, You ’ll never see him more; He used to wear a long brown coat, That buttoned down before. TALES. 53 LXXVII. Two little dogs Sat by the fire, Over a fender of coal-dust; Said one little dog To the other little dog, If you don’t talk, why, I must. LXXVIII. LITTLE Tom Twic bought a fine bow and arrow, And what did he shoot? why, a poor little sparrow. Oh, fie, little Tom! with your fine bow and arrow, How cruel to shoot at a poor little sparrow! LXXIx. LITTLE Jack Jelf Was put on the shelf Because he would not spell “pie ;” When his aunt, Mrs. Grace, Saw his sorrowful face, She could not help saying, “Oh, fie!” And since Master Jelf Was put on the shelf Because he would not spell “ pie,” Let him stand there so grim, And no more about him, For I wish him a very good bye! NURSERY RHYMES. UXXX. THE lion and the unicorn Were fighting for the crown: The lion beat the unicorn All round about the town. . Some gave them white bread, And some gave them brown; Some gave them plum cake, And sent them out of town. LXXXI. OUR saucy boy Dick Had.a nice little stick Cut from a hawthorn tree, And with this pretty stick He thought he could beat A boy much bigger than he. But the boy turned round, And hit him a rebound, Which did so frighten poor Dick, That, without more delay, He ran quite away, And over a hedge he jumped quick, LXXXIi. WHEN little Fred went to bed He always said his prayers. He kissed mamma and then papa, And straightway went upstairs, 5d 56 NURSERY RHYMES. LXXXIII. LITTLE WILLIE WINKIE runs through the town, Upstairs and downstairs, in his nightgown, Rapping at the window, crying through the lock, “Are the children in their beds? for now it’s eight oclock.” LXXXIV. Moss was a little man, and a little mare did buy, For kicking and for sprawling none her could come nigh; She could trot, she could amble, and could canter here and there ; But one night she strayed away—so Moss lost his mare. ‘ Moss got up next morning to catch her fast asleep, And round about the frosty fields so nimbly he did creep. Dead in a ditch he found her, and glad to find her there, So I’ll tell you, by-and-bye, how Moss caught his mare. “Rise! stupid, rise!” he thus to her did say: “Arise, you beast, you drowsy beast, get up without delay, For I must ride you to the town, so don’t lie sleeping there.” He put the halter round her neck—so Moss caught his mare. LXXXV. LITTLE King Boggen he built a fine hall, Pie-crust and pastry-crust, that was the wall; The windows were made of black-puddings and white; And slated with pancakes ;—you ne’er saw the like, Bi nehely mar LXXXVI. Tom, Tom, the piper’s son, Stole a pig, and away he run. The pig was eat, and Tom was beat, And Tom went roaring down the street, Kh of 58 NURSERV RHYMES. LXXXVII. FIAVE you ever heard of Billy Pringle’s pig? It was very little, and not very “big: When it was alive it lived in clover; But now it’s dead,. and that’s:all over. Billy Pringle he lay down and died; Betsy Pringle she sat down and cried; .So there’s an end of all the three, Billy Pringle he, Betsy Pringle she, and poor little piggy wigee. LXXXVIII. A DOG and a cock a journey once took, They travelled along till ’t was late ; The dog he made free in the hollow of a tree, And the cock on the boughs of it sate. TALES. 59 a PE Eee CaS NLR Ui eee The cock, nothing knowing, In the morn fell a-crowing, Upon which comes a fox to the tree; Says he,“I declare Your voice is above All the Scuitires I ever did see. Oh, would you come down, I the fav’rite might own!” . Said the cock, “There’s a porter below; If you will go in, I promise I’ll come down.” So he went—and was worried for it too. LXXXIX. THERE was a jolly miller Lived on the River Dee; He looked upon his pillow, And there he saw a flea. “Oh, Mr. Flea, You have been biting. me, And you must die.” So he cracked his bones Upon the stones, And there he let him lie, XC. LITTLE Tom Tittlemouse Lived in a bell-house; The bell-house broke, And Tom Tittlemouse woke, 60 NURSERY RHYMES. LITTLE Blue Betty lived in a lane, She sold good ale to gentlemen: Gentlemen came every day, And little Betty Blue hopped away. She hopped upstairs to make her bed, And she tumbled down and broke her head. XCII. _ THE Queen of Hearts, she made some tarts, All on a summer's day ; The Knave of Hearts, he stole the tarts, And took them clean away. 6L 62 NURSERY RHYMES. The King of Hearts called for the tarts, And beat the Knave full sore; The Knave of Hearts brought back the tarts, And vowed jhe’d steal no more. XCIII. I HAD a little hobby-horse, . And it was dapple ‘grey ; Its head was-made of pea-straw, Its tail was made of hay. I sold it to an old woman For a copper groat; And I'll not sing my song again Without a new coat. FOURTH CLASS. rovers. XCIV. ST. SWITHIN’S Day, if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain: St. Swithin’s Day, if thou be fair, For forty days ’t will rain na mair XCV. To make your candles last for aye, You wives and maids give ear-o! To put ’em out ’s the only way, Says honest John Boldero. 68 64 NURSERY RHYMES. XCVI. IF wishes were horses, Beggars would ride ; If turnips were watches, I would wear one by my side. ACVILI. {Hours of sleep. ] NATURE requires five, Custom gives seven; Laziness takes nine, And Wickedness eleven, PROVERBS. 65 XCVIILI. THREE straws on a staff, Would make a baby cry and laugh, XCIX. SEE a pin and pick it up, All the day you’ll have good luck; See a pin and let it lay, Bad luck you'll have all the day. Cc Go to bed first, a golden purse; Go to bed second, a golden pheasant; Go to bed third, a golden bird! 66 NURSERY RHYMES, CI. SHOE the horse, and shoe the mare; But let the little colt go bare. Cil. WHEN the wind is in the east, ’Tis neither good for man nor beast; When the wind is in the north, The skilful fisher goes not forth; When the wind is in the south, It blows the bait in the fishes’ moutin; When the wind is in the west, Then ’tis at the very best. CIII. BOUNCE BUCKRAM, velvet’s dear; Christmas comes but once a year. a PROVERBS. 67 CIV. A MAN of words and not of deeds, Is like a garden full of weeds; And when the weeds begin to grow, It’s like a garden full of snow; And when the snow begins to fall, It’s like a bird upon the wall; And when: the bird away does fly, It’s like an eagle in the sky; And when the sky begins to roar, It’s like a lion at the door; NURSERY RHVMES, And when the door begins to crack, It’s like a stick across your back; And when your back begins to smart, It’s like a penknife in your heart; And when your heart begins to bleed, You’re dead, and dead, and dead indeed, EVE A MAN of words and not of deeds, Is like a garden full of weeds; For when the weeds begin to grow, Then doth the garden overflow. CVI. A SWARM of bees in May Is worth a load of hay; IF you Sneeze Sneeze Sneeze Sneeze Sneeze PROVERBS. OV \O A swarm of bees in June is worth a silver spoon; A swarm of bees in July is not worth a fly. CVII. A PULLET in the pen is worth a hundred in the fen. CVITIl. sneeze on Monday, you sneeze for danger; on a Tuesday, kiss a stranger; on a Wednesday, sneeze for a letter; on a Thursday, something better ; on a Friday, sneeze for sorrow ; on a Saturday, see your sweetheart to-morrow. CIX. THEY that wash on Monday Have all the week to dry; They that wash on Tuesday Are not so much awry; They that wash on Wednesday Are not so much to blame; They that wash on Thursday, Wash for shame; They that wash on Friday, Wash in need; And they that wash on Saturday, Oh! they’re sluts indeed. 7O NURSERY RHYMES. CX. NEEDLES and pins, needles and pins, When a man marries his trouble begins. CXI. [In Suffolk, children are often reminded of the decorum due to the Sabbath by the following lines. ] YEOW mussent sing a’ Sunday, Becaze it is a sin, But yeow may sing a’ Monday ‘Till Sunday cums agin. CxXII. A. SUNSHINY shower Won't last half an hour. CX1iL. As the days grow longer The storms grow stronger. CHIV. As the days lengthen So the storms strengthen. CXYV. FOR every every evil under the sun There is a remedy, or there is none. if there be one, try and find it; if there be none, never mind it, PROVERBS. Fi CXVI. He that goes to see his wheat in May, Comes weeping away. 2OSute IN july, Some reap rye, In August, If one will not the other musi. CXVIII. THE mackerel’s cry Is never long dry. 72 NURSERY RHYMES. CXIX. HE that would thrive Must rise at five; He that hath thriven May lie till seven; And he that by the plough would thrive, Himself must either hold or drive. CXX. WHEN the sand doth feed the clay, England woe and well-a-day! But when the clay doth feed the sand, Then it is well with Angle-land. CXXI. [Proverbial many years ago, when the guinea in gold was of a higher value than its nominal representative in silver. ] A. GUINEA it would sink, And a pound it would float; Yet I’d rather have a guinea, Than your one pound note. CXXIL THE art of good driving is a paradox quite, Though custom has proved it so long: If you go to the left, you’re sure to go right, If you go to the right, you go wrong, CXXUL. Lazy Lawrence, let me go, Don’t hold me summer and winter too. [This distich is said by a boy who feels very lazy, yet wishes to exert himself. Lazy Lawrence is a proverbial expression for an idle person, and there is an old chap- book, entitled ‘‘the History of Lawrence Lazy, containing his birth and slothful breeding ; how he served the schoolrnaster, his wife, the squire’s cook, and the farmer, which, by the laws of Lubberland, was accounted high treason.” A west country proverb, relating to a disciple of this hero, runs thus: Sluggardy guise, Loth to go to bed, And loth to rise.] 73 74 NURSERY RHYMES. CXXIV. [The proverb of dit for tat may perhaps be said to be going out of fashion, but it is still a universal favourite with children. When any one is ill-natured, and the sufferer wishes to hint his intention of retaliating at the first convenient opportunity, he cries out—] Tir for tat, If you kill my dog, I'll kill your cat. CXXV. MARcH will search, April will try, May will tell ye if ye’ll live or die. CXXVI. Sow in the sop, *T will be heavy a-top. [That is, land in a soppy or wet state is in a favourable condition for receiving seed ; a statement, however, somewhat questionable. ] CXXVII. A caT may look at a King, And surely I may look at an ugly thing. {Said in derision by one child to another, who complains of being stared at. ] CXXVIII. HE that hath it and will not keep it, He that wanteth it and will not seek it He that drinketh and is not dry, Shall want money as well as I. ’ [From Howell’s English Proverbs, 1659, p. 21. PROVERBS. 75 CXXIX. GRAY’S Inn for walks, Lincoln’s Inn for a wall, The Inner-Temple for a garden, And the Middle for a hall. [A proverb, no doubt, true in former times, but now only partially correct. ] CXXX. In time of prosperity friends will be plenty, In time of adversity not one amongst twenty. [From Howell’s English Proverbs, p. 20. The expression, zo¢ one amongst twenty, 1s a generic one for not one out of a large number. It occurs in Shakspeare’s ‘‘Much Ado About Nothing,” V., 2.] CXXXI. TRIM tram, Like master like man. [From an old manuscript political treatise, dated 1652, entitled ‘A Cat may look at a King.” ] CXXXIL BEER a bumble, "T will kill you Afore ’t will make ye tumble. {A proverbial phrase applied to very small beer, implying that no quantity of it will cause intoxication. ] CXXXIIL FRIDAY night’s dream On the Saturday told, Is sure to come true, Be it never so old. oD NURSERY RHYMES. CXXXIV. THE fair maid who, the first of May, Goes to the fields at break of day, And washes in dew from the hawthorn-tree, Will ever after handsome be. on CXXKYV, A DILLER, a dollar, A ten o'clock scholar, What makes you come sc soon? You used to come at ten o'clock, But now you come at noon. CXXXVI. SPEAK when you’re spoken to, Come when one call, Shut the door after you, And turn to the wall. 14 78 NURSERV RHVMES. CXXXVII. TELL tale, tit! Your tongue shall be slit, And all the dogs in the town Shall have a little bit. CXXXVIII. [The joke of the following consists ia saying it so quick that it cannot be told whether itis English or gibberish. It was a schooiboy’s rhyme in the fifteenth century. ] IN fir tar is, In oak none is. In mud eel is, In clay none is. Goat eat ivy, Mare eat oats. CXXXIX. [The dominical letters attached to the first days of the several months are remembered by the following lines. | AT Dover Dwells George Brown Esquire, Good Christopher Finch, And David Friar. CXL. BIRCH and green holly, boys, Birch and green holly. If you get beaten, boys, *T will be your own folly. CXLI. MULTIPLICATION is vexation, The Rule of Three doth puzzle me, Division is as bad; And Practice drives me mad. 79 80 NURSERY RUYVIIES., CXLII. [The following memorial mes are by no means modern. They oceur, with slight variations, in an old play called ‘* The Retume from Parnassus,” 4to. Lond. 1606. | THIRTY days hath September, April, June, and November ; February has twenty-eight alone, All the rest have thirty-one, Excepting Leap-year, that’s the time When February’s days are twenty-nine. SCHOLASTIC. CXLIII. WHEN V and I together meet, They make the number Six complete. When I with V doth meet once more, Then ’tis they Two can yake but Four. And when that V from I is gone, Alas! poor I can make but One. CXLIV. THE rose is red, The grass is green; And in this book My name is seen. CXLV. CROSS-PATCH, Draw the latch, Sit by the fire and spin. Take a cup, And drink it up, Then call your neighbours in, 82 NURSERY RHYMES. XLVI. COME when you're called, Do what you’re bid, Shut the door after you, Never be chid. CXLVII. I LOVE my love with an A because he’s Agreeable. I hate him because he’s Avaricious. He took me to the sign of the Acorn, And treated me with Apples. His name’s Andrew, And he lives at Arlington. CXLVIIL. [A laconic reply to a person who indulges much in supposition. ? IF “ifs” and “ands” Were pots and pans, There would be no need for tinkers! SCHOLASTIC. CXLIX. DOCTOR FAUSTUS was a good man, He whipped his scholars now and then ; . When he whipped them he ; made them dance ' fBNG Out of Scotland into France, Out of France into Spain, And then he whipped them : back again! CL. WHEN I was a little boy I had but little wit; It is some time ago, and I’ve no more yet; Nor ever ever shall until that I die, For the longer I live the more fool am I. Guim [A Greek bill of fare.] LEGOMUTON, Acapon, Afatgheuse, Pasti venison. SS omy 84 NURSERY RHYMES. CLIL. MISTRESS MARY, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With cockle-shells and silver bells And mussels all a-row. CLIII. My story’s ended, My spoon is bended: Tf you dont like it, Go to the next door And get it mended. CLIV [On arriving at the end of a book, boys have a practice of reciting the following ee which form the word fis backwards and forwards by the initials of the words. FATHER IOHNSON Nicholas Iohnson’s Son— Son Johnson Nicholas Iohnson’s Father. [To “get to Father Johnson,” therefore, was to reach the end of the book. } SEXEH: GEASS. Songs. CLY. OH, where are you going, My pretty maiden fair, With your red rosy cheeks, And your coal-black hair? I’m going a-milking, Kind sir, says she, And it’s dabbling in the dew Where you'll find me. May I go with you, My pretty maiden fair, &e. 86 NURSERY RHYMES. Ch, you may go with me, Kind sir, says she, &c. If I should chance to kiss you, My pretty maiden fair, &c. The wind may take it off again, Kind sir, says she, &c.. And what is your father, My pretty maiden fair? &c, My father’s a farmer, Kind sir, says she, &c. And what is your mother, My pretty maiden fair? With your red rosy cheeks, And your coal-black hair ? My mother’s a dairymaid, Kind sir, says she, And it’s dabbling in the dew Where you’ll find me. CLVI. WHERE are you going, my pretty maid, With your rosy cheeks and golden hair? “T’m going a-milking, sir,” she said ; The strawberry-leaves make maidens fair, SONGS. 87 Shall I go with you, my pretty maid, With your rosy cheeks and golden hair? “Ves, if you please, kind sir,” she said; The strawberry-leaves make maidens fair. What is your father, my pretty maid, With your rosy cheeks and golden hair? “My father’s a farmer, sir,” she said; The strawberry-leaves make maidens fair. What is your fevtune, my pretty maid, With your rosy cheeks and golden hair? “My face is my fortune, sir,” she said; The strawberry-leaves make maidens fair. Then I won’t have you, my pretty maid, With your rosy cheeks and golden hair. “Nobody asked you, sir,’ she said; The strawberry-leaves make maidens fair. CLVII. You shall have an apple, You shall have a plum, You shall have a rattle-basket, When your dad comes home. 88 NURSERY RHVMES. CLVIILI. POLLY, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, Polly, put the kettle on, And let’s drink tea. Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, Sukey, take it off again, They ’re all gone away. SONGS. 89 CLIX. THE fox and his wife they had a great strife, They never ate mustard in all their whole life; They ate their meat without fork or knife, And loved to be picking a bone, e-ho! The fox jumped up on a moonlight night, The stars they were shining, and all things bright; Oh, ho! said the fox, it’s a very fine night For me to go through the town, e-ho! The fox when he came to yonder stile, He lifted his lugs and he listened awhile ; Oh, ho! said the fox, it’s but a short mile From this unto yonder wee town, e-ho! The fox when he came to the farmer's gate, Who should he see but the farmer’s drake: I love you well for your master’s sake, And long to be nicking your bone, e-hol go NURSERY RHYMES. Then the old man got up in his red cap, And swore he would catch the fox in a trap ; But the fox was too cunning, and gave him the slip, And ran thro’ the town, the town, e-oh! When he got to the top of the hill, He blew his trumpet both loud and shrill, For joy that he was safe Through the town, e-oh! When the fox came back to his den, He had young ones both nine and ten, “You ’re welcome home, daddy; you may go again, If you bring us such nice meat From the town, e-oh!” The grey goose she ran round the hay-stack, Oh, ho! said the fox, you are very fat; You’ll grease my beard and ride on my back From this into yonder wee town, e-ho! Old Gammer Hipple-hopple hopped out of bed, She opened the casement, and popped out her head; Oh! husband, oh! husband, the grey goose is dead, And the fox is gone through the town, oh! CLX, Up at Piccadilly oh! the coachman takes his stand, And when he meets a pretty girl, he takes her by the hand, Whip away for ever oh! drive away so clever oh! All the way to Bristol oh! he drives her four-in-hand. SONGS. gI CLXI. ONE misty moisty morning When cloudy was the weather, There I met an old man Clothed all in leather ; Clothed all in leather, With cap under his chin,— How do you do, and how do you do, And how do you do again? CLXII. LITTLE Tom Dogget, What dost thou mean, To kill thy poor Colly Now she’s so lean? Sing, oh poor Colly, Colly, my cow; For Colly will give me No more milk now. I had better have kept her Till fatter she had been, For now, I confess, She’s a little too lean. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. First in comes the tanner With his sword by his side, Q2 NURSERY RHYMES. And he bids me five shillings For my poor cow’s hide. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. Then in comes the tallow-chandler, Whose brains were but shallow, And he bids me two-and-sixpence For my cow’s tallow. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. Then in comes the huntsman So early in the morn, He bids me a penny For my cow’s horn. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. SONGS. 93 Then in comes the tripe-woman, So fine and so neat, She-bids me three halfpence For my cow’s feet. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. Then in comes the butcher, That nimble-tongued youth, Who said she was carrion, But he spoke not the truth. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. The skin of my cowly Was softer than silk, And three times a day My poor cow would give milk. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. 94. NURSERY RHYMES. She every year A fine calf did me bring, Which fetched me a pound, For it came in the spring. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. But now I have killed her i can’t her recall; ¥ will sell my poor Colly, Hide, horns, and all. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. The butcher shall have her, Though he gives but a pound, And he knows in his heart That my Colly was sound, Sing, oh poor Coily, &c. | | | | SONGS. 95 And when he has bought her, Let him sell all together, The fiesh for to eat, And the hide for leather. Sing, oh poor Colly, &c. ; is current [A different version from the above, commencing, ‘‘ My Billy Aroma,’ in the nurseries of Cornwall. One verse runs as follows : In comes the horner, Who roguery scorns, And he gives me three farthings For poor cowly’s horns. This is better than our reading, and concludes thus : There’s an end to my cowly, Now she’s dead and gone; For the loss of my cowly E sob and I mourn. | CLXIE [A north-country song. ] Says t? auld man tit. s oak-tree, Young and lusty was I when I kenn’d thee; I was young and lusty, I was fair and clear, Young and lusty was 1 mony a lang year; But sair fail’d am I, sair x fail'd now, Sair fail’d am I sen I kenn’d thou. 96 NURSERY RHYMES. CLXIV. My maid Mary she minds her dairy, While I go a-hoeing and mowing each morn; Merrily run the reel and the little spinning- wheel Whilst I am singing and mowing my corn. SONGS. Q7 CLXV. A PRETTY little girl in a round-eared cap I met in the streets t’other day; She gave me such a thump, That my heart it went bump; I thought I should have fainted away ! I thought I should have fainted away! CLXVI. JEANIE come tie my, Jeanie come tie my, Jeanie come tie my bonnie cravat ; I’ve tied it behind, I've tied it before, And I’ve tied it so often, I'll ‘tie it no more. CLXVII. [From W. Wager's play, called ‘‘ The longer thou livest, the more foole thou art,” 4to, Lond.] ‘ THE white dove sat on the castle wall, I bend my bow and shoot her I shall; I put her in my glove both feathers and all ; I laid my bridle upon the shelf, If you will any more, sing it yourself. NURSERY RHYMES. [This appears to be an old hunting song. CLXVIIL WueEn I was a little boy I lived by myself; And all the bread and cheese I got I put upon the shelf. The rats and the mice They made such a strife, I was forced to go to London town To buy me a wife. The streets were so broad, And the lanes were so narrow, I was forced to bring my wife home In a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow broke, And my wife had a fall, Down came wheelbarrow, Wife and all. CLXIX, OLD Father of the Pye, I cannot sing, my lips are dry; But when my lips are very well wet, Then I can sing with the Heigh go Bet! ; Go bet is a very ancient sporting phrase, equivalent to go along. It occurs in Chaucer. ] 5 SONGS. 99 [The first line of this nursery rhyme is quoted in Beaumont and Fletcher's ‘*Bonduca,” Act V., sc. 2. It is probable also that Sir Toby alludes to this song in ‘* Pwelfth Night,” Act IL, sc. 2, when he says “Come on ; there is sixpence for you: let’s havea song.” In ‘‘Epulario, or the Italian Banquet,” 1589, is a receipt “‘to make pies so that the birds may be alive in them and flie out when it is cut up,”—a mere device, live birds being introduced after the pie is made. This may be the original subject of the following song. ] 2 SING a song of sixpence, A bag full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie; When the pie was opened The birds began to sing ; Was not that a dainty dish To set before the King? The King was in his counting-house, Counting out his money ; wT 100 NURSERY RHYMES. The Queen was in the parlour, Eating bread and honey ; The maid was in the garden Hanging out the clothes; By came a little bird, And snapt off her nose. Jenny was so mad She didn’t know what to do; She put her finger in her ear, And cracked it right in two. CLXXI. LEND me thy mare to ride a mile? She is lamed, leaping over a stile. Alack! and I must keep the fair! I'll give thee money for thy mare. Oh, oh! say you so? Money will make the mare to go! CLXXII. ABOUT the bush, Willy, About the bee-hive, About the bush, Willy, I’ll meet thee alive. SONGS. IOI AN Wer ay \ \ re ey, ares sae S Then to my ten shillings Add you but a groat, I’ll go to Newcastle, _And buy a new coat. Five and five shillings, Five and a crown; Five and five shillings Will buy a new gown. Five and five shillings, Five and a groat; Five and five shillings Will buy a new coat. CLXXIITI. LITTLE Bo-peep has lost his sheep, ? e home, "ll com And can’t tell where to find them: Leave them alone, and they And bring their tails behind them. 102 SONGS. 103 Little Bo-peep fell fast asleep, And dreamt he heard them bleating; But when he awoke he found it a joke, For they were all still fleeting. Then up he took his little crook, Determined for to find them; He found them indeed, but it made his heart bleed, For they ’d left all their tails behind ’em! CLXXIV. {From ‘‘ Histrio-mastix ; or, the Player Whipt,” 4to, Lond. 1610, Mr. Rimbault says this is common in Yorkshire. ] SOME up and some down, There’s players in the town, You wot well who they be: The sun doth arise To three companies, One, two, three, four, make we! Besides we that travel, With pumps full of gravel, Made all of such running leather, That once in a week New masters we seek, And never can hold together. 104. NURSERY RHVMES, CLXXY. TRIP upon trenchers, and dance upon dishes, j My mother sent me for some barm, some barm: She bade me tread lightly, and come again quickly, For fear the young men should do me some harm. Yet didn’t you see, yet didn’t you see, What naughty tricks they put upon me: They broke my pitcher, And spilt the water, And huffed my mother, And chid her daughter, And kissed my sister instead of me. CLAXVI. fi ari ani i 7 A-singing a comical song, song, song, PTH eT ong iN long, long, And so I went singing along. SONGS. 105 CLXXVII. My father he died, but I can't tell you how, He left me six horses to drive in my plough: With my wing wang waddle oh, Jack sing saddle oh, Blowsey boys buble oh, Under the broom. I sold my six horses, and I bought me a cow, I’d fain have made a fortune, but did not know how: With my, &c. I sold my cow, and I bought me a calf; I’d fain have made a fortune, but lost the best half: With my, &c. I sold my calf, and I bought me a cat; A pretty thing she was, in my chimney corner sat: With my, &c. I sold my cat, and bought me a mouse ; He carried fire in his tail, and peat down my house: With my, &c. CLXXVITI. As I was walking o’er Little Moorfields, Ts saw St. Paul’s a-running on wheels, With a fee, fo fum. Then for further frolics I’ll go to France, While Jack shall sing and his wife shall dance, With a fee, fo fum. 106 NURSERY RHYMES. CLXXIX. [The original of the following is to be found in ‘‘ Deuteromelia, or the second part of Musicks Melodie,” ato, Lond. 1609, where the music is also given. | THREE blind mice, see how they run! They all ran after the farmer’s wife, Who cut off their tails with the carving-knife ; Did you ever see such fools in- your life? Three blind mice. CLXXX. JOHNNY shall have a new bou- net, And Johnny shall go to the fair, : And Johnny shall have a blue ribbon To tie up his bonny brawn hair. And why may not 1 love Johnny? And why may not Johnny love me? And why may not I love Johnny, As well as another body? ~ And here’s a leg for a stocking, And here is a leg for a shoe, And he has a kiss for his daddy, And two for his mammy, I trow. SONGS. 107 And why may not I love Johnny? And why may not Johnny love me? And why may not I love Johnny, As well as another body ? 1 ae Tue north wind doth blow, And we shall have snow, And what will poor Robin do then? Poor thing! Hell sit in a barn, And to keep himself warm, Will hide his head under his wing, Poor thing! 108 NURSERY RHYMES. CLXXXII. Ir I’d as much money as I could spend, I never would cry old chairs to mend: Old chairs to mend, old chairs to mend, I never would cry old chairs to mend. If I’d as much money as I could tell, I never would cry old clothes to sell; Old clothes to sell, old clothes to sell, I never would cry old clothes to sell. CLXXXIII. LONDON bridge is broken down, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; London bridge is broken down, With a gay ladye. How shall we build it up again? Dance o'er my Lauy Lee; How shall we build it up again? With a gay ladye. Silver and gold will be stole away, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; Silver and gold will be stole away, With a gay ladye. SONGS. 109 Build it up again with iron and steel, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; Build it up with iron and steel, With a gay ladye. Iron and steel will bend and bow, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; Iron and steel will bend and bow, With a gay ladye. Build it up with wood and clay, Dance o'er my Lady Lee; Build it up with wood and clay, With a gay ladye. Wood and clay will wash away, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; Wood and clay will wash away, With a gay ladye. Build it up with stone so strong, Dance o’er my Lady Lee; Huzza! ’t will last for ages long, With a gay ladye. 110 | NURSERY RHYMES. CLXXXIV. [The following lines are part of an old song, the whole of which may be found ia ‘* Deuteromelia,” 1609, and also in MS. Additional, 5336, fol. 5.] OF all the gay birds that eer I did see, The owl is the fairest by far to me; For all the day long she sits on a tree, And when the night comes away flies she. Te-whit, te-whou, Sir knave to thou, This song is well sung, I make you a vow; And he is a knave that drinketh not now. XXXV. CL Hot-cross Buns! -cross Buns! One a penny, two a penny, Hot cross Buns! Hot il 112 NURSERY RHYMES. Hot-cross Buns! Hot-cross Buns! If ye have no daughters Give them to your sons. CLXXXVI. I LOVE sixpence, pretty little sixpence, I love sixpence better than my life; I spent a penny of it, I spent another, And took fourpence home to my wife. Oh, my little fourpence, pretty little fourpence, I love fourpence better than my life; J spent a penny of it, I spent another, And I took twopence home to my wife. Oh, my little twopence, my pretty little twopence, I love twopence better than my life; I spent a penny of it, I spent another, And I took nothing home to my wife. Oh, my little nothing, my pretty little nothing, What will nothing buy for my wife? I have nothing, I spend nothing, I love nothing better than my wife. SONGS. 113 CLXXXVII. [Elsie Marley is said to have been a merry alewife who lived near Chester, and the remainder of this song relating to her will be found in the ‘‘ Chester Garland,” 12mo, n.d. The first four lines have become favourites in the nursery. ] ELSIE MARLEY is grown so fine She won't get up to serve the swine, But lies in bed till eight or nine, And surely she does take her time. And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey? The wife who sells the barley, honey ; She won’t get up to serve her swine, And do you ken Elsie Marley, honey? CLXXXVIII. WOOLEY FOSTER has gone to sea, With silver buckles at his knee, When he comes back he’ll marry me, Bonny Wooley Foster! Wooley Foster has a cow, Black and white about the mow, ‘Open the gates and let her through, Wooley Foster’s ain cow! Wooley Foster has a hen, Cockle button, cockle hen, She lays eggs for gentlemen, But none for Wooley Foster! tf4 NURSERY RHVMES, CLXXXIX. {The following catch is found in Ben Jonson’s ‘ Masque of Oberon,” and is a most common nursery song at the present day. | Buz, quoth the blue fly, Hum, quoth the bee, Buz and hum they cry, And so do we: : In his ear, in his nose, thus, do you see? He ate the dormouse, else it was he. CXC, JACKY, come give me the fiddle, If ever thou mean to thrive. Nay, I’ll not give my fiddle To any man alive. If I should give my fiddle They ‘ll think that I’m gone mad, For many a joyful day My fiddle and I have had. SONGS. 118 CXCI. JOHN Cook had a little grey mare; he, haw, hum! Her back stood up, and her bones they were bare; he, haw, hum! John Cook was riding up Shuter’s bank; he, haw, hum! And there his nag did kick and prank; he, haw, hum! John Cook was riding up Shuter’s hill; he, haw, hum! His mare fell down, and she made her will; he, haw, hum! The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf; he, haw, hum! If you want any more you may sing it yourself; he, haw, hum’ CXCIL. THERE was a jolly miller Lived on the River Dee; He worked and sung from morn till night, No lark so blithe as he; 8—2 116 NURSERY RHYMES. And this the burden of his song For ever used to be— I jump mejerrime jee! I care for nobody—no! not I, Since nobody cares for me, CXCHI, As I was going up the hill, I met with Jack the piper, And all the tunes that he could play Was “Tie up your petticoats tighter.” I tied them once, I tied them twice, I tied them three times over; And all the songs that he could sing Was “Carry me safe to Dover.” CXCIV. My father left me three acres of land, Sing ivy, sing ivy; My father left me three acres of land, Sing holly, go whistle, and ivy! I ploughed it with a ram’s horn, Sing ivy, sing ivy ; And sowed it all over with one peppercorn, Sing holly, go whistle, and ivy! SONGS. 117 I harrowed it with a bramble bush, Sing ivy, sing ivy ; And reaped it with my little penknife, Sing holly, go whistle, and ivy! I got the mice to carry it to the barn, Sing ivy, sing ivy ; And thrashed it with a goose’s quill, Sing holly, go whistle, and ivy! I got the cat to carry it to the mill, Sing ivy, sing ivy; The miller he swore he would have her paw, And the cat she swore she would scratch his face, Sing holly, go whistle, and ivy' CXCV. I HAVE been to market, my lady, my lady. Then you’ve not been to the fair, says pussy, says pussy. I bought me a rabbit, my lady, my lady. Then you did not buy a hare, says pussy, says pussy. I roasted it, my lady, my lady. Then you did not boil it, says pussy, says pussy. I ate it, my lady, my lady. And I’ll eat you! says pussy. CKCVI,. SING song! merry go round, Here we go up to the moon, oh! Little Johnnie a penny has found, And so we’ll sing a tune, oh! What shall I buy, Johnnie did cry, With the penny I’ve found, So bright and round? What shall you buy? A kite that will fly to the moon, all through the sky! But if, when it gets there, It should stay in the air, Or the man in the moon Should open the door, And take it in with his long, long paw,— We should sing te another tune, oh! SONGS. 119 CXCVII. [The music to the following song, with different words, is given in “ Melismata,” 4to, Lond. 1611. See also the ‘¢ Pills to Purge Melancholy,” 1719, voli., p.14. The well-known song, ‘A Frog he would a-woving go,” appears to have been borrowed from this. See Dauney’s “Ancient Scottish Melodies,” 1838, p. 53. The story is of old date, and in 1580 there was licensed ‘‘ A most strange weddinge of the frogge and the mouse,” as appears from the books of the Stationers’ Company quoted in Warton’s Hist. Engl. Poet., ed. 1840, vol. iii., p. 360.] THERE was a frog lived in a well, Kitty alone, Kitty alone; There was a frog lived in a well; Kitty alone and I! There was a frog lived in a well, And a farce* mouse in a mill, Cock me cary, Kitty alone, Kitty alone and If. This frog he would a-wooing ride, Kitty alone, &c. This frog he would a-wooing ride, And ona snail he got astride, Cock me cary, &c. He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse Hiaii, Kitty alone, &c. He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse Hall, And there he did both knock and call, Cock me cary, &c. * Merry. 120 NURSERY RHYMES. ————_——— Quoth he, “Miss Mouse, I’m come to thee,’— Kitty alone, &c. Quoth he, “Miss Mouse, I’m come to thee, To see if thou canst fancy me.” Cock me cary, &c. Quoth she, “Answer I’ll give you none”— Kitty alone, &c. Quoth she, “Answer I'll give you none Until my Uncle Rat come home.” Co me cary, &c. And when her Uncle Rat came home, Kitty alone, &c. And when her Uncle Rat came home: “Who’s been here since I’ve been gone?” Cock me cary, &c. “Sir, there’s been a worthy gentleman ”— Kitty alone, &c. “Sir, there’s been a worthy gentleman, That’s been here since you’ve been gone.” Cock me cary, &c. The frog he came whistling through the brook, Kitty alone, &c. The frog he came whistling through the brook, And there he met with a dainty duck. Cock me cary, &c. SONGS. I21 This duck she swallowed him up with a pluck, Kitty alone, Kitty alone ; This duck she swallowed him up with a pluck, So there’s an end of my history-book. Cock me cary, Kitty alone, Kitty alone and I. CXCVIII. A CARRION crow sat on an oak, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, Watching a tailor shape his cloak. Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do. Wire, bring me my old bent bow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, That I may shoot yon carrion crow. Sing heigh ho, &c. 122 NURSERY RHYMES. The tailor he shot and missed his mark, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, And shot his own sow quite through the heart ; Sing heigh ho, &c. Wife, bring brandy in a spoon ; Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, For our old sow is in a swoon, Sing heigh ho, the carrion crow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, di ding do, CXCIX. {Another version from MS, Sloane, 1489, fol. 17. written in the time of Charles IJ Hic hoc, the carrion crow, For I have shot something too low; SONGS 123 I have quite missed my mark, And shot the poor sow to the heart; Wife, bring treacle in a spoon, Or else the poor sow’s heart will down. CC, [Part of this is in a song called ‘‘Jockey’s Lamentation,” in the ‘‘ Pills to Purge Melancholy,” 1719, vol. v., p. 317-] Tom he was a piper’s son, He learned to play when he was young, But all the tunes that he could play Was, “Over the hills and far away;” Over the hills, and a great way off, And the wind will blow my top-knot off. Now, Tom with his pipe made such a noise, That he pleased both the girls and boys, And they stopped to hear him play “Over the hills and far away.” Tom with ms pipe did play with such skill, That those who heard him could never keep still; Whenever they heard they began for to dance,— Even pigs on their hind legs would after him prance. As Dolly was milking her cow one day, Tom took out his pipe and began for to play; So Doll and the cow danced “the Chéshire round,” Till the pail was broke, and the mill ran on the ground. t SCE ILA He met old Dame Trot with a basket of eggs, He used his pipe and she used her legs; She danced about till the eggs were all broke, She began for to fret, but he laughed at the joke. He saw a cross fellow was beating an ass, Heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes and glass ; He took out his pipe and played them a tune, And the jackass’s load was lightened full soon. CCI. 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, 124 my pretty maid? at is your father, y father Wh M she said. s a farmer, sit, ) my pretty maid: » will you marry me if you ple d Sa she said. , kind sir 2 aseé, Yes, Ww rw 126 NURSERY RHYMES. Will you be constant, my pretty maid? That I can’t promise you, sir, she said. Then I won’t marry you, my pretty maid; Nobody asked you, sir! she said. CCII. THERE were two birds sat on a stone, Ba lawlaala, alae: One flew away, and then there was one, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; The other flew after, and then there was none, Fa, la, la, la, lal,-de; And so the poor stone was left all alone, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de! SONGS. 127 Of these two birds one back again flew, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; The other came after, and then there were two, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de; Said one to the other, “Pray how do you do?” Ha-lasla;-la-lals de: “Very well, thank you, and pray how do you?” Fa, la, la, la, lal, de! CCI. MERRY are the bells, and merry would they ring, Merry was myself, and merry could I sing; With a merry ding-dong, happy, gay, and free, And a merry sing-song, happy let us be! Waddle goes your gait, and hollow are your hose, Noddle goes your pate, and purple is your nose; Merry is your sing-song, happy, gay, and free, With a merry ding-dong, happy let us be! Merry have we met, and merry have we been, Merry let us part, and merry meet again; With our merry sing-song, happy, gay, and free, And a merry ding-dong, happy let us be! 128 NURSERY RHYMES. CCIV. A FROG he would a-wooing go, Heigho, says Rowley, TWihetier his mother would let him or no. With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach. Heigho, says Anthony Rowley! SONGS. 129 So off he set with his opera hat, Heigho, says Rowley, And on the road he met with a rat. With a rowley powley, &c. “Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me, Heigho, says Rowley, Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?” With a rowley powley, &c. When they came to the door of Mousey’s hall, Heigho, says Rowley, They gave a loud knock and they gave a loud call. With a rowley powley, &c. “Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?” ' Heigho, says Rowley, “Oh, yes, kind sirs, I’m sitting to spin.” With a rowley powley, &c. “Pray, Mrs. Mouse, will you give us some beer? Heigho, says Rowley, For Froggy and I are fond of good cheer.” With a rowley powley, &c. “Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song? Heigho, says Rowley, But let it be something that’s not very long.” With a rowley powley, &c. 9 130 NURSERV RHYMES. “Indeed, Mrs. Mouse,” replied the frog, Heigho, says Rowley, “A cold has made me as hoarse as a dog.” With a rowley powley, &c. “Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog,” Mousey said, Heigho, says Rowley, “T’ll sing you a song-that I have just made.” With a rowley powley, &c. But while they were all a merry-making, Heigho, says Rowley, A cat and her kittens came tumbling in. With a rowley powley, &c. The cat she seized the rat by the crown; Heigho, says Rowley, The kittens they pulled the little mouse down. With a rowley powley, &c. This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright , Heigho, says Rowley, He took up his hat, and he wished them good night. With a rowley powley, &c. But as Froggy was crossing over a brook, Heigho, says Rowley A lily-white duck came and gobbled him up. With a rowley powley, &c. SONGS. 131 So there was an end of one, two, and three, Heigho, says Rowley, The Rat, the Mouse, and the little Frog-gee! With a rowley powley, gammon and spinach, Heigho, says Anthony Rowley! CCV. [Song of a little boy while passing his hour of solitude in a corn-field.] AWAY, birds, away ! Take a little, and leave a little, And do not come again ; For if you do, I will shoot you through, And there is an end of you. THERE were three jovial huntsmen, say, And they would go a- hunting All on a summer’s day. All the day they hunted, And nothing could they find But a ship a-sailing, A-sailing with the wind. Ke ff Zu) Wi SND db \\ One said it was a ship, The other said Nay; The third said it was a house With the chimney blown away. And all the night they hunted, [find ; And nothing could they SONGS. 133 But the moon a-gliding, A-gliding with the wind. One said it was the moon, The other said Nay; The third said it was a cheese, And half o’t cut away. CCVII. As I was going to Derby all on a market-day, T met the finest ram, sir, that ever was fed upon hay ; Upon hay, upon hay, upon hay ; I met the finest ram, sir, that ever was fed upon hay. 134 NURSERY RHYMES. This ram was fat behind, sir; this ram was fat before ; This ram was ten yards round, sir; indeed he was no more; No more, no more, no more; This ram was ten yards round, sir; indeed he was no more. The horns that grew on his head, sir, they were so wondrous high, As I’ve been plainly told, sir, they reached up to the sky ; The sky, the sky, the sky ; As I’ve been plainly told, sir, they reached up to the sky. The tail that grew from his back, sir, was six yards and an ell ; And it was sent to Derby to toll the market bell ; The bell, the bell, the bell ; And it was sent to Derby to toll the market bell. CCVIIi. OH, who is so merry, so merry, heigh ho! As the light-hearted fairy, heigh ho, heigh ho! He dances and sings To the sound of his wings, With a hey, and a heigh, and a ho! Oh, who is so merry, so airy, heigh ho! ‘As the light-headed fairy, heigh ho, heigh ho! His nectar he sips From the primrose’s lips, With a hey, and a heigh, and a ho! SONGS. 135 Oh, who is so merry, so metry, heigh ho! As the light-footed fairy, heigh ho, heigh ho! His night is the noon, And his sun is the moon, With a hey, and a heigh, and a ho} 136 NURSERY RHYMES. CCIX. THERE was a man in our toone, in our toone, in our toone, There was a man in our toone, and his name was Billy Pod; And he played upon an old razor, an old razor, an old razor, And he played upon an old razor, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo. And his hat it was made of the good roast beef, the good roast beef, the good roast beef, And his hat it was made of the good roast beef, and his name was Billy Pod; And he played upon an old razor, &c. And his coat it was made of the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe, And his coat it was made of the good fat tripe, and his name was Billy Pod ; And he played upon an old razor, &c. And his breeks were made of the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps, the bawbie baps, And his breeks were made of the bawbie baps, and his name was Billy Pod ; And he played upon an old razor, &c. And there was a man in tither toone, in tither toone, in tither toone, And there was a man in tither toone, and his name was Edrin Drum ; SONGS. 137 And he played upon an old laadle, an old laadle, an old laadle, And he played upon an old laadle, with my fiddle fiddle fe fum fo. And he ate up all the good roast beef, the good roast beef, &c. And he ate up all the good fat tripe, the good fat tripe, &c. And he ate up all the bawbie baps, &c., and his name was Edrin Drum. cCcx, I WILL sing you a sony, Though it is not very long, Of the woodcock and the sparrow, Of the little dog that burned his tail, And the boy that must be whipt to-morrow. NURSERY RHVMES. 138 CCXI. S gar- , w does my lady Ho 4 3 on A py ue} 3 — Sb tea, > Sse ewe 8 ct ge = O° ay , and sil- shells With cockle- ver bells, CCXII. And pretty maids all of a row. ———————— = fre y on a custom now [Song on the bells of Derb foot ball mornin ed.] discontinu g) ancakes and fritters, P a ‘e & a ° < oO ah 8 n S sy ag oO oa a 3 S a a = 3 > Gi 3 ee un ; m Say the bells of St. Alk- Says little Michel. SONGS. 139 CCXIII. DAME, get up and bake your pies, Bake your pies, bake your pies, Dame, get up and bake your pies On Christmas Day in the morning. Dame, what makes your maidens lie, Maidens lie, maidens lie, Dame, what makes your maidens lie On Christmas Day in the morning? Dame, what makes your ducks to die, Ducks to die, ducks to die, I40 NURSERY RHYMES. ne. Dame, what makes your ducks to die On Christmas Day in the morning? Their wings are cut and they cannot fly, Cannot fly, cannot fly, Their wings are cut and they cannot fly On Christmas Day in the morning. CCXIV. I’LL sing you a song, Though not very long, Yet I think it as pretty as any; Put your hand in your purse, You ’ll never be worse, And give the poor singer a penny. SONGS. 14] CCXV. WHISTLE, daughter, whistle ; whistle, daughter dear. I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot whistle clear. Whistle, daughter, whistle; whistle for a pound. I cannot whistle, mammy, I cannot make a sound. 142 NURSERY RHYMES. CCXVI. THE miller he grinds his corn, his corn; The miller he grinds his corn, his corn; The little boy blue comes winding his horn, With a hop, step, and a jump. The carter he whistles aside his team ; The carter he whistles aside his team ; And Dolly comes tripping with the nice clouted cream, With a hop, step, and a jump. The nightingale sings when we’re at rest; The nightingale sings when we’re at rest; The little bird climbs the tree for his nest, With a hop, step, and a jump. The damsels are churning for curds and whey; The damsels are churning for curds and whey; The lads in the fields are making the hay, With a hop, step, and a jump. CCXVII. I saw three ships come sailing by, Come sailing by, come sailing by— I saw three ships come sailing by, New Year’s Day in the morning. SONGS | 143 And what do you think was in them then, Was in them then, was in them then? And what do you think was in them then? New Year’s Day in the morning. Three pretty girls were in them then, Were in them then, were in them then— Three pretty girls were in them then, New Year’s Day in the morning. One could whistle, and another could sing, And the other could play on the violin— Such joy was there at my wedding, New Year’s Day in the morning. SEVENTH CLASS. Es ivdles. CCXVIII. RIDDLE-ME, riddle-me, riddle-me-ree, Perhaps you can tell what this riddle may be: As deep as a house, as round as a cup, And all the King’s horses can’t draw it up. A well. CCXIX. THERE was a girl in our towne, Silk an’ satin was her gowne, Silk an’ satin, gold an’ velvet, Guess her name,—three times I’ve tell’d it. Ann, 144 RIDDLES, 145 CCXX. I WENT to the wood and got it, I sat me down and looked at it; _ The more I looked at it the less I liked it, And brougnt it home because I couldn’t help it. A thorn. CCXXI. i’M in every one’s way, But no one I stop;. My four horns every day In every way play, And my head is nailed on at the top! A turnstile, 10 140 NURSERY RHYMES. CCXXII. THE cuckoo and the gowk, The laverock and the lark, The twire-snipe, the weather-bleak ; How many birds is that? Three, for the second name in each line is a synonym. [The cuckoo is called a gow in the north of England; the lark, a Zaverock; and the twire-snipe and weather-bleak, or weather-bleater, are the same birds. ] CCXXIII. HODDY-DODDY, With a round black body ; Three feet and a wooden hat: What’s that? An iron pot. {In the country, an iron pot with three legs, and a wooden cover, the latter raised or put on by means of a peg at the top, is s used for suspending over a fire, or to place on the hearth with a wood fire. | CCXXIV. THE fiddler and his wife, The piper and his mother, Ate three half cakes, three whole cakes, And three quarters of another. How much did each get? The fiddler’s wife was the piper’s mother. Each one there- fore got $+ 1+} or 13. RIDDLES. 147 CCXXV. RIDDLE me, riddle me, what is that Over the head and under the hat? Hair. [From Kent.] CCXXVI. THERE was a little green house, And in the little green house There was a little brown house, And in the little brown house There was a little yellow house, And in the little yellow house There was a little white house, And in the little white house There was a little heart. A walnut. CCXXVIL A FLOCK of white sheep On a red hill; - Here they go, there they go, Now they stand still! The teeth and gums. CCXXVIII. As I was going o’er London Bridge, I met a cart full of fingers and thumbs! Gloves. 10—2 148 NURSERY RHYMES. CCXXIX. LIVES in winter, Dies in summer, And grows with its root upwards! An icicle. CCXXX. OLD father Greybeard, Without tooth or tongue ; If you’ll give me your finger, Tl give vou my thumb. CCXXX!I. ASKING RIDDLES. WHEN I went up sandy hill, I met a sandy boy ; I cut his throat, I sucked his blood, P And left his skin a hanging-o. CCXXXII. As I was going o’er Londor Bridge, And peeped through a nick, I saw four-and-twenty ladies Riding on a stick! A firebrand with sparks on it RIDDLES. 149 CCXXXIII. I HAVE a little sister, they call her peep, peep; She wades the waters deep, deep, deep; She climbs the mountains high, high, high; Poor little creature! she has but one eye. A star, CCXXXIV. WHAT shoemaker makes shoes without leather, With all the four elements put together? Fire and water, earth and air; Evcry customer has two pair. A. torse-shoer. CCX XXV. HICK-A-MORE, Hack-a-more, On the King’s kitchen-door ; All the King’s horses, And all the King’s men, Couldn’t drive Hick-a-more, Hack-a-more, Off the King’s kitchen-door! Sunshine. CCXXXVI. OLD Mother Twitchett had but one eye, And a long tail which she let fly ; And every time she went over a gap, She left a bit of her tail in a trap. A needle and thread. 150 » NURSERY RHYMES, \ ‘i i CCKXXVII. I WENT into my grandmother’s garden, And there I found a farthing. I went into my next-door neighbour's, There I bought a pipkin and a popkin, A slipkin and a slopkin, A nailboard, a sailboard, And all for a farthing. ; A pipe CCXXXVII. MADE in London, Sold at York, Stops a bottle, And és a cork. RIDDLES. 151 CCXXXIX. iThe allusion to Oliver Cromwell satisfactorily fixes the date of the riddle to belong ta the seventeenth century. The answer is, a rainbow. ] PURPLE, yellow, red, and green, ‘he King cannot reach it, nor the Queen; Nor can old Noll, whose power’s so great: Tell me this riddle while I count eight. CCXL. - HIGGELDY piggeldy Here we lie, Picked and plucked, And put in a pie. My first is snapping, snarling, growling, My second’s industrious, romping, and prowling. Higgeldy piggeldy Here we lie, Picked and plucked, And put in a pie. Currants. CCXLI. As I looked out of my chamber window I heard something fall; 1 sent my maid to pick it up, But she couldn’t pick it all. Snuff. Se Se a a a ge CCXLII. . Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; Threescore men and threescore more Cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before. 152 An Egg. RIDDLES. 153 CCXLIII. BLACK we are, but much admired; Men seek for us till they are tired. We tire the horse, but comfort man: Tell me this riddle if you can. Coals. CCXLIV. THOMAS A TATTAMUS took two Ts To tie two tups to two tall trees, To frighten the terrible Thomas a Tattamus! Tell me how many Ts there are in all THAT? CCXLV. WHEN I was taken from the fair body, They then cut off my head, And thus my shape was altered. It’s I that make peace between King and King, And many a true lover glad: ~All this I do, and ten times more, And more I could do still; But nothing can I do Without my guider’s will. A pen. CCXLVI. TWELVE pears hanging high, Twelve knights riding by ; Each knight took a pear, And yet left eleven there! 154 NURSERY RHYMES. CCXLVII, ARTHUR O’BOWER has broken his band; He comes roaring up the land. The King of Scots, with all his power, Cannot turn Arthur of the Bower! A storm of wind. CCXLVIIE. WHAT GOD never sees, What the King seldom sees, What we see every day: Read my riddle, I pray. An equal. CCXLIX. THE land was white, The seed was black; It'll take a good scholar To riddle me that. Paper and writing. CCL. ‘ As high as a castle, As weak as a wastle; And all the King’s horses Cannot pull it down. Smoke. [A wastle is a North-country term for a twig or withy, possibly connected with A.S. wedl,] RIDDLES. 155 CCLI. AS white as milk And not milk; As green as grass, And not grass; As red as blood, And not blood; As black as soot, And not sovt! A bramble biossom. CCLIL, . [A young man and a young woman quarrelled, and the former, in his anger, exclaimed, Three words I know to be true, All which begin with W. {The young woman immediately guessed the enigma, and replied ina similar strain, I too know them, And eke three which begin with M.] Woman Wants Wit. Man Much More CCLITI BANKS full, braes full, Though ye gather all day, Ye'll not gather your hands full. The mist. [From Northumberland.—Sometimes thus : A hill full, a hoie fuii, Ye cannot catch a bowlful. j 156 NURSERY RHYMES. CCLIV. THE calf, the goose, the bee, The world is ruled by these three. Parchment, pens, and wax. CCLY. 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. RIDDLES. 157 CCLVI. I’VE seen you where you never was, And where you ne’er will be, And yet you in that very same place May still be seen by me. The reflection of a face in a looking-glass, CCLVIi. -MAKE three-fourths of a cross, And a circle complete ; And let two semicircles On a perpendicular meet ; Next add a triangle _ That stands on two feet ; Next two semicircles, sind a circle complete. : TOBACCO. CCLVIIL THERE was a King met a King In a narrow lane, Says this King to that King, “Where have you been?” “Oh! I’ve been a-hunting With my dog and my doe.” “Pray lend him to me, That I may do so.” 158 _ NURSERY RHYMES. “There’s the dog, take the dog.” “What’s the dog’s name?” “T’ve told you already.” “Pray tell me again.” COUN FLOUR of England, fruit of Spain, Met together in a shower of rain; Put in a bag tied round with a string: If you’ll tell me this riddle, I’ll give you a ring. A plum pudding. CCLX. A HOUSE full, a yard full, And ye can’t catch a bow! full. Smoke. CCLXI. As I was going o’er yon moor of moss, I met a man on a grey horse; He whipped and he wailed ; I asked him what he ailed ; He said he was going to his father’s funeral, Who died seven years before he was born! His father was a dyer. CCLXII. - BLACK’M, saut’m, rough’m, glower’m, saw, Click’m, gatt’m, flaug’m. into girnigaw. Eating a sloe. [A North-country riddle, given by Brockett. ‘‘ Girnigaw” is the cavity of the mouth.] RIDDLES. 159 CCLXIII. As I was going o’er London Bridge I met a drove of guinea pigs; They were nicked and they were nacked, And they were all yellow backed. A swarm of bees. [Not a very likely family to meet in that neighbourhood, at least nowadays ; but some of the authors of these poems seem to have been continually traversing London Bridge. CCLXIV. WHICH weighs heavier— A stone of lead Or a stone of feather ? They both weigh alike. CCLXV. LILLYLOW, lillylow, set up on an end, See little baby go out at town end. A candle. [‘‘ Lillylow” is a North-country term for the flame of a candle. Low, A.S. lig, is universal. ] CCLXVI. AT the end of my yard there is a vat,— Four-and-twenty ladies dancing in that; Some in green gowns, and some with blue hat:. ‘Te is a wise man who can tell me that. A field of flax, 160 NURSERY RHYMES, CCLXVII. THERE was a man went over the Wash, Grizzle grey was his horse; Bent was his saddle-bow: I’ve told you his name three times, And yet you don’t know! Gaffer Was. [From Norfolk.] CCLXVIII. I AM become of flesh and blood, As other creatures be; Yet there’s neither flesh nor blood Doth remain in me. I make Kings that they fall out; I make them agree ; And yet there’s neither flesh nor blood Doth remain in me. ~ A pen. CCLXIX. INTO my house came neighbour John, With three legs and a wooden one; If one be taken from the same, Then just five there will remain. He had a I[V-legged stool with him, ana taking away the left-hand numeral, there remains V. | RIDDLES. 161 CCLXX. JACKATAWAD ran over the moor: Never: behind, but always before! The zenis fatuus, or Will-o’-the-wisp. [‘‘Jackatawad ” is a provincial term for this phenomenon. ] CCLXXI. LINK lank on a bank, Ten against four. A milkmaid. CCLXXII. Two legs sat upon three legs, With four legs standing by ; Four then were drawn by ten: Read my riddle ye can’t, However much ye try. An amplification of the above, the milk- maid, of course, sitting on a three-legged stool. CCLXXIIL. As straight as a maypole, As little as a pin, As bent as a bucker, And as round as a ring. [We do not know the solution of this riddle. A “ bucker” is a bent piece of wood Sa slaughtered sheep are hung up by their expanded hind legs, before being AL 162 NURSERY RHYMES. Sg Neer ee eee toe eae SS eS eS CCLXXIV. OVER the water, And under the water, And always with its head down. A nail in the bottom of a ship. CCLXXV. ELIZABETH, Elspeth, Betsy and Bess, They all went together to seek a bird’s nest. They found a bird’s nest with ~ five eggs in, i, They all took one, and left four | || EVERY lady in this land Has twenty nails upon each hand, Five and twenty hands and feet: All this is true without deceit. in, CCLXXVI. CCLXXVIL LONG legs, crooked thighs, Little head, and no eyes. Pair of tongs. RIDDLES. 163 CCLXXVIIL. [From MS. Sloane, 1489, fol. 16, written in the time of Charles I). THERE were three sisters in a hall, There came a knight amongst them all; ood morrow, aunt, to the one, Good morrow, aunt, to the other, Good morrow, gentlewoman, to the third: lf you were my aunt, as the other two be, I would say good morrow, then, aunts, all three, CCLXXIX. CONGEALED water and Cain’s brother, That was my lover’s name, and no other. Isabel. 164 NURSERY RHYMES. CCLXXX. Tuirty white horses upon a red hill, Now they tramp, new they champ, now they stand still. Teeth and gums. CCLXXXI. BLACK within and red without ; Four corners round about. A chimney. CCLX XXII. THERE was a man rode through our town, Grey Grizzle was his name ; His saddle-bow was gilt with gold: Three times I’ve named his name. CCLXXXIII. PEASE-PORRIDGE hot, pease-porridge cold, Pease-porridge in the pot, nine days old. Spell me ¢ha¢ without a P, And a clever scholar you will be. CCLX XXIV. THE moon nine days old, The next sign to Cancer, Pat, rat without a tail ;— And now, sir, for your answet. C-leo-pat-ra. RIDDLES. 105 CCLXXXV. A RIDDLE, a riddle, as I sup pose, A hundred eyes, and never a | nose. A. cinder-sifter. CCLXXXVI. As round as an apple, as deep as a cup, | And all the King’s horses can’t : pull it up. A well CCLXXXVIL 2 As I went through the gar- den gap, Who should I meet but Dick Red-cap ! A stick in his hand, a stone in his throat : If you’ll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat. A cherry. CCLXXXVIII. LITTLE Nancy Etticoat, In a white petticoat, And a red nose ; The longer she stands, The shorter she grows. 166 NURSERY RHYMES. CCLXXXIX. AS I was going o’er Westminster Bridge, I met with a Westminster scholar ; He pulled off his cap az drew off his glove, = And wished me a very good morrow. What is his name? CCLXC, THERE was a man who had no eyes, He went abroad to view the skies ; He saw a tree with apples on it, He took no apples off, yet left no apples en it. The man had one eye, and the tree two apples upon it. CCLXCI. As I went over Lincoln Bridge, I met Mister Rusticap ; Pins and needles on his back, A going to Thorney fair. A hedgehog. CCLXCII. FORMED long ago, yet made to-day, Employed while others sleep ; What few would like to give away, Nor any wish to keep, CCXCIIL. HIGHER than a house, higher than a tree; Oh, whatever can that be? A star, 167 168 ‘ NURSERY RHYMES. CCXCIV. Two legs sat upon three legs, With one leg in his lap; In comes four legs, And runs away with one leg. Up jumps two legs, Catches up three legs, Throws it after four legs, And makes him bring back one leg. One leg is a leg of mutton; two legs, a man; three -legs, a stool; four legs, a dog. CCXCV. AS i was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives, Every wife had seven sacks, Every sack had seven cats, Every cat had seven kits: Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, How many were there going to St. Ives? CCXCVI. HITTY PITTY within the wall, Hitty Pitty without the wall: If you touch Hitty Pitty, Hitty Pitty will bite you. A nettle. [MS. Harl. 1962, xvii. cent.] Gower RIDDLES. 169 CCXCVITI. THE first letter of our fore-fadyr, A worker of wax, An I and an N; The colour of an ass; And what have you then? A-b-in-dun, or Abingdon, in Berks {An ancient rebus given in Lelanai [tin., ed. 1744, li. 136.] CCXCVIII. I saw a fight the other day; A damsel did begin the fray. She with her daily friend did meet, Then standing in the open street ; She gave such hard and sturdy blows, He bled ten gallons at the nose; Yet neither seem to faint nor fall, Nor gave her any abuse at all. A pump. (MS. Harl. 1962, xvii. cent. ] CCXCXIx. A WATER there is I must pass, A broader water never was ; And yet of all waters I ever did see, To pass over with less jeopardy. The dew. [From the same MS.] 170 NURSERY RHYMES. ccc. SEE, see! what shall I see? A horse’s head where his tail should be. CCCE THERE is a bird of great renown, Useful in city and in town; None work like unto him can do; He’s yellow, black, red, and green, A very pretty bird I mean; Yet he’s both fierce and fell: I count him wise that can this tell. A bee. (MS. Harl, 1962, xvii. cent] Cccit. As I went over Hottery Tottery, I looked into Harbora Lilly ; I spied a cutterell Playing with her cambril, I cryed, Ho, neighbour, ho! Lend me your cue and your Zoe, To shoot at yonder cutterell Playing with her cambril, And you shall have the curle of her loe. A man calling to his neighbour for a gun to shoot a deer, and he should have her humbles. [MS. ied] RIDDLES. 171 CCCIII. As I went through my houter touter, Houter trouter, verly ; I see one Mr. Higamgige Come over the hill of Parley. But if I had my carly verly, Carly verly verly, I would have bine met with Higamgige Come over the hill of Parley. A man going over a hill, and a fly lighting on his head [MS. zbid.] CCCIV, I HAVE four sisters beyond the sea, Para-mara, dictum, domine. And they did send four presents to me, Partum, quartum, paradise, tempum, Para-mara, dictum, domine! The first it was a bird without e’er a bone; Para-mara, dictum, &c. The second was a cherry without e’er a stone; Partum, quartum, &c. The third it was a blanket without eer a thread, Para-mara, dictum, &c. The fourth it was a book which no man could read, Partum, quartum, &c, 172 NUKSERY RAYMES. How can there be a bird without eer a bone? Para-mara, dictum, &c. How can there be a cherry without e’er a stone? Partum, quartum, &c. How can there be a blanket without e’er a thread? Para-mara, dictum, &c. How can there be a book which no man can read ? Partum, quartum, &c. When the bird’s in the shell, there is no bone; Para-mara, dictum, &c. When the cherry’s in the bud, there is no stone; Partum, quartum, &c. When the blanket’s in the fleece, there is no thread ; Para-mara, dictum, &c. When the book’s in the press, no man can read; Partum, quartum, &c. Several versions of this metrical riddle are common in the north of England, and an ingenious antiquary has suggested that it is a parody on the old monkish songs !] : CCCV. HIGHTY, tighty, paradighty clothed in green, The King could not read it, no more could the Queen ; They sent for a wise man out of the East, Who said it had horns, but was not a beast! The Holly Tree. RIDDLES. 173 TE ee ame nee Sener ne CCCVI. I HAD a little castle upon the sea-sand, One-half was water, the other was land ; I opened my little castle door, and guess what I found: I found a fair lady with a cup in her hand. The cup was gold, filled with wine; Drink, fair lady, and thou shalt be mine! CCCVII. As I was going o’er Tipple Tine, I met a flock of bonny swine ; Some green-lapped, some green-backed ; They were the very bonniest swine That e’er went over Tipple Tine. A swarm of bees, 174 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCVIII. TEN and ten and twice eleven, Take out six and put in seven; Go to the green and fetch eighteen, And drop one a-coming. (CCCREXS AS soft as sillk, as white as milk, As bitter as gall, a thick wail, And a green coat covers me all. A walnut. CCCX. HUMPTY Dumpty lay in a beck* With all his sinews round his neck; Forty doctors and forty wrights Couldn’t put Humpty Dumpty to rights! An egg. * A brook. EIGHTH CLASS, harms. CCCXI. [The following, with a very slight variation, is found in Ben Jonson’s ‘Masque of Queen’s,” and it is singular to account for its introduction into the modern nursery. ] I WENT to the toad that lies under the wall, I charmed him out, and he came at my call; I scratched out the eyes of the owl before, I tore the bat’s wing: what would you have more? CCCXII. CusHY cow bonny, let down thy milk, And I will give thee a gown of silk; A gown of silk and a silver tee, If thou wilt let down thy milk to me 175 176 NURSERY RHYMES, CCCXIII. [Ady, in his ‘‘ Candle in the Dark,” 4to, Lond. 1656, p. 59, says that this was a charm to make butter come from the churn. ‘[t was to be said thrice. ] COME, butter, come, Come, butter, come! Peter stands at the gate, Waiting for a buttered cake; Come, butter come! CCCXIV. [From Dr. Wallis’s ‘¢ Grammatica J.inguz Anglican,” 12mo, Oxon. 1674, p. 164. This and various others are said to be certain cures for the hiccup if repeated in one breath.] WHEN a Twister’a-twisting, will twist him a twist : For the twisting of his twist, he three times doth intwist; But if one of the twines of the twist do untwist, The twine that untwisteth, untwisteth the twist. Untwirling the twine that untwisteth between, He twirls with the twister, the two in a twine: Then twice having twisted the twines of the twine, He twisteth the twine he had twined in twain. The twain that, in twining, before in the twine As twines were intwisted, he now doth untwine: *Twixt the twain intertwisting a twine more between, He, twirling his twister, makes a twist of the twine. CHARMS. PROSE AG S Yay) RS SS CCCXV. SWAN swam over the sea Swim, swan, swim; Swan swam hack again, Well swum, swan. CCCXVI. THREE crooked cripples went through Cripplegate, and through Cripplegate went three crooked cripples, boa ao 178 NURSERY RHYMES. - CCCXVII. {Said to pips placed in the fire ; a species of divination practised by children.] Ir you love me, pop and fly; If you hate me, lay and die. CCCXVIITI. ROBERT ROWLEY rolled a sound roll round, A round rol! Robert Rowley rolled round ; Where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round? CCCKIX My grandmother sent me a new-fashioned three-cornered cambric country-cut handkerchief. Not an old-fashioned three- cornered cambric country-cut handkerchief, but a new-fashioned three-cornered cambric country-cut handkerchief. CCCXX. A. THATCHER of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a-thatching ; Did a thatcher of Thatchwood go to Thatchet a-thatching ? if a thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a-thatching, Where’s the thatching the thatcher of Thatchwood has thatched? CCCXXI. [Sometimes ‘‘ off a pewter plate” is added at the end of each line.] PETER PIPER picked a peck of pickled pepper ; A peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked ; If Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled pepper, Where’s the peck of pickled pepper Peter Piper picked ? CHARMS, ewe CCCXXII. My father he left me, just as he was able, One bowl, one bottle, one label, Two bowls, two bottles, two labels, Three, &c. [Aud so on ad lib. in one breath,” CCCXXIII. Hickup, hickup, go away ! Come again another day; Hickup, hickup, when I bake, I’ll give to you a butter-cake, CCCXXIV. Hickup, snicup, Rise up, right up! Three drops in the cup Are good for the hiccup. L2—~~ «80 NURSERY RHYMES. ———— CCCXXV. i charm somewhat similar to the following may be seen in the ‘‘Townley Mysteries,” p- 91. See a paper in the * Archzeologia,” vol. xxvii. p. 253, by the Rev. Lancelot Sharpe, M.A. See also MS. Lansd. 231, fol. 114, and “Ady’s Candle in the Dark,” 4to, London, 1650, p. 58.4 MATTHEW, Mark, Luke, and John, Guard the bed that I lie on! Four corners to my bed; Four angels round my head, One to watch, one to pray, And two to bear my soul away! INDINGES GIS ASS: @natters and G ammers. CCCXXVI. THERE was an old woman, as I’ve heard teil, She went to market her eggs for to sell; She went to market all on a market day, And she fell asleep on the King’s highway. - There came by a pedlar, whose name was Stout,-~ He cut her petticoats all round about ; He cut her petticoats up to the knees, Which made the old woman to shiver and freeze. 18t go2 NURSERY RHYMES. When this little woman first did wake, She began to shiver and she began to shake, She began to wonder and she began to cry, “Oh! deary, deary me, this is none of I! “But if it be I, as I do hope it be, I have a little dog at home, and he’ll know me; If it be I, he’ll wag his little tail, Aind if it be not I, he’ll loudly bark and wail.” Home went the little woman all in the dark: Up got the little dog, and he began to bark ; He began to bark, so she began to cry, “Oh! deary, deary me, this is none of I!” CCCLYV. HEWLEY-PULEY. THE children are seated and the following questions put by one of the party, holding a twisted handkerchief or something of the sort in the hand. The handkerchief is called “hewley- puley,” and the questions are asked by the child who holds it. Tf one answers wrongly, a box on the ear with the handkerchief is the consequence ; but if they all reply correctly, then the one who breaks silence first has that punishment. Take this! What’s this >—Hewley-puley. Where’s my share ?—About the kite’s neck. Where’s the kite >—Flown to the wood. Where’s the wood ?—The fire has burned it. Where’s the fire ?—The water has quenched it. Where’s the water ?—The ox has drunk it, 14 210 NURSERY RHYMES. Where’s the ox ?—The butcher has killed it. Where’s the butcher ?—The rope has hanged him. Where’s the rope ?—The rat has gnawed it. Where’s the rat ?—The cat has killed it. Where’s the cat >—Behind the church-door, cracking pebble- stones and marrow-bones for yours and my supper, and the one who speaks first shall have a box on the ear. Ler — anne a : CCCLVI. ONE child holds a wand or pen or stick to the face of another, repeating these lines, and making grimaces, to cause the latter to laugh, and so to the others: those who laugh paying a forfeit. Buff says Buff to all his men, And I say Buff to you again ; Buff neither laughs nor smiles, But carries his face with a very good grace, And passes the stick to the very next place! GAMES. 211 CCCLVII, HERE goes my lord A trot, a trot, a trot, a trot! Here goes my lady A canter, a canter, a canter, a canter! Here goes my young master Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch, Jockey-hitch! Here goes my young miss An amble, an amble, an amble, an amble! The footman lags behind to tipple ale and wine, And goes gallop, a gallop, a gallop, to make up his time. CCCLVITi HIGHTY lock, O! To.London we go, To York we ride ; And Edward has pussy-cat tied to his side; He shall have little dog ‘tied to the other, And then he goes trid-trod to see his grandmother. CCCLIX. SEE-SAW, jack a daw! What is a craw to do wi’ her ? She has not a stocking to put on her, And the craw kas not one for to gi’ her. 212 NURSERY RHVMES. CCCLX. 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! CCCLXI. MARGERY MUTTON-PIE and Johnny Bopeep, They met together in Gracechurch Street , In and out, in and out, over the way, 9 ! “Oh,” says Johnny, “’tis chop-nose day GAMES. 213 CCCLXII. SIEVE my lady’s oatmea.., Grind my lady’s flour, Put it in a chestnut, Let it stand an hour; One may rush, two may rush,— Come, my girls, walk under the bush CCCLXIII. ‘RIDE a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To buy little Johnny a galloping horse; It trots behind, and it ambles before, And Johnny shall ride till he can ride no more. CCCLXIV. A GAME RHYME. TRIP and go, heave anid hoe! Up and down, to and fro; From the town to the grove, Two and two let us rove, A-maying, a-playing ; Love hath no gainsaying! So, merrily trip and go! So, merrily trip and go! CCCLXYV. Now we dance looby, looby, looby, Now we dance looby, looby, light, Shake your right hand a little, And turn you round about. 214 NURSERY RHYMES. Now we dance looby, looby, looby, Shake your right hand a little, Shake your left hand a little, And turn you round about. Now we dance looby, looby, looby, Shake your right hand a little, Shake your left hand a little, Shake your right foot a little, And turn you round about. Now we dance looby, looby, looby, Shake your right hand a little, Shake your left hand a little, Shake your right foot a little, Shake your left foot a little, And turn you round about, GAMES. 215 Now we dance looby, looby, looby, Shake your right hand a little, Shake your left hand a little, Shake your right foot a little, Shake your left foot a little, Shake your head a little, And turn you round about. Children dance round first, then stop and shake the hand, &c., then turn slowly round, and then dance in a ring again. CCCLXVI. THE BRAMBLE-BUSH. A RING-DANCE imitation play, the metrical portion of which is not without a little melody. The bramble-bush is often imaginative, but sometimes represented by a child in the centre of the ring; all join hands, and dance round ina circle, singing, Here we go round the bramble-bush, The bramble-bush, the bramble-bush ; Here we go round the bramble-bush On a cold frosty morning! After the chanting of this verse is ended, all the children com- mence an imitation of washing clothes, making appropriate movements with their hands, and saying, This is the way we wash our clothes, Wash our clothes, wash our clothes; This is the way we wash our clothes On a cold frosty morning! They then dance round, repeating the first stanza, after which 216 NURSERY RHYMES. the operation of drying the clothes is commenced with a similar verse, “This is the way we dry our clothes,” &c. The game may be continued almost ad infinitum by increasing the number of duties to be performed. They are, however, generally satis- fied with mangling, smoothing, or ironing the clothes, and then putting them away. Sometimes they conclude with a general cleaning, which may well be necessary after the large quantity of work which has been done: This is the way we clean our rooms, Clean our rooms, clean our rooms ; This is the way we clean our rooms On a cold frosty morning! And, like good merry washing-women, they are not exhausted with their labours, but conclude with the song, “Here we go round the bramble-bush,” having had sufficient exercise to warm themselves on any “cold frosty morning,” which was doubtless the result, we may observe ez passant, as a matter of domestic economy aimed at by the author. It is not so easy to givea similar explanation to the game of the mulberry-bush, conducted in the same manner: Here we go round the mulherry-bush, The mulberry-bush, the mulberry-bush ; Here we go round the mulberry-bush On a sunshiny movrning. In this game the motion-cries are usually “This is the way we wash our clothes,” “This is the way we dry our clothes,” “ This is the way we make our shoes,” “ This is the way we mend our shoes,” “This is the way the gentlemen walk,” “This is the way the ladies walk,” &c. As in other cases, the dance may be con- tinued by the addition of cries and motions, which may be ren- dered pretty and characteristic in the hands of judicious actors. This game, however, requires too much exercise to render it so appropriate to the season as the other. GAMES. 217 P BSS o Oe ge . a EAS Seay = = ——— |) SREY = ey ow SSS CCCLXVII, DROP-GLOVE. CHILDREN stand round in a circle, leaving a space between each. One walks round the outside, and carries a glove or hand- kerchief in her hand, saying, I’ve a glove in my hand, Hittity Hot! Another in my other hand, Hotter than that! So I sow beans, and so they come up, Some in a mug, and some in a cup. I sent a letter to my love, I lost it, I lost it! 218 NURSERY RHVMES. I found it, I found it! It burns, it scalds. Repeating the last words very rapidly till she drops the glove behind one of them, and whoever has the glove must overtake her, following her exactly in and out till she catches her. If the pursuer makes a mistake in the pursuit, she loses, and the game is over; otherwise she continues the game with the glove. CCCLXVIII. INTERY, mintery, cutery-corn, Apple seed and apple thorn; Wine, brier, limber-lock, Five geese in a flock, Sit and sing by a spring, O-U-T, and in again. CCCLXIX. THE OLD DAME. ONE child, called the Old Dame, sits on the floor, and the rest joining hands, following lines : Children. Dame. Children. Dame. form a circle round her, and dancing, sing the To Beccles! to Beccles! To buy a bunch of nettles! Pray, old Dame, what’s o'clock? One, going for two. To Beccles! to Beccles! To buy a bunch of nettles! Pray, old Dame, what’s o'clock ? Two, going for three. s And so on till she reaches “Eleven, going for twelve.” After GAMES. 219 this the following questions are asked, with the replies.—C. Where have you been? D. To the wood. C What for? D. to pick up sticks. C What for? D. To light my fire. C. What for? D. To boil my kettle. C. What for? D. To cook some of your chickens. The children then all run away as fast as they can, and the Old Dame tries to catch one of them. Whoever is caught is the next to personate the Dame. CCCLXX. IN the game where the following lines are used, one person goes round inside a ring of children, clapping a cap between his hands. When he drops it at the foot of any one, that one leaves his position and gives chase, and is obliged to thread the very same course among the children till the first is caught. The first then stands with his back towards the centre of the ring, the one called out takes his place, and thus they continue till nearly all are “turned.” My hand burns hot, hot, hot, And whoever I love best, I'll drop this at his foot! CCCLXXI. NIDDY-NODDY. A SIMPLE but very amusing game at cards, at which any number can play. The cards are dealt round, and one person commences the game by placing down a card, and the persons next in succession who hold the same card in the various suits place them down upon it, the holder of the last winning the trick. The four persons who hold the cards say, when they put them down, 1, There’s a good card for thee. _ 2, There’s a still better than he 3. There’s the best of all three. 4. And there is Niddy-noddee! The person who is first owz, receives a fish for each card unplayed. 220 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCLXXII. A GAME AT BALL. Cuckoo, cherry-tree, Catch a bird, and give it to me; Let the tree be high or low, Let it hail, rain, or snow. CCCLXXIII. BARLEY-BRIDGE. A STRING of boys and girls, each holding by his predecessor's skirts, approaches two .others, who, with joined and elevated hands, form a double arch. After the dialogue is concluded, the GAMES. 221 line passes through the arch, and the last is caught, if possible, by the sudden lowering of the arms. “How many miles to Barley-bridge?” “Threescore and ten.” “Can I get there by candlelight ?” “Yes, if your legs be long.” “A courtesy to you, and a courtesy to you, If you please will you let the King’s horses through?” “Through and through shall they go, For the King’s sake; But the one that is hindmost Will meet with a great mistake.” CCCLXXIV. [The game of water-skimming is of high antiquity, being mentioned by Julius Pollux, and also by Eustathius, in his commentary upon Homer. Brand quotes a curious passage from Minucius Felix ; but all antiquaries seem to have overlooked the very curious notice in Higgins’ adaptation of Junius’s ‘‘N omenclator,” 8vo, London, 1585, p- 299, where it is called ‘‘a duck and a drake, and a halfe-penie cake.” Thus it is probable that lines like the following were employed in this game as early as 1585 ; and it may be that the last line has recently furnished a hint to Mathews in his amusing song in ‘‘ Putter v. Clatter.’”’] A DUCK and a drake, A nice barley-cake, With a penny to pay the old baker; A hop and a scotch, Is another notch, Slitherum, slatherum, take her. 222 NURSERY RHVMES. CCCLXXV. SEE-SAW. A COMMON game, children vacillating on either end of a plank supported on its centre. While enjoying this recreation, they have a song of appropriate cadence, the burden of which is, Titty cum tawtay, The ducks in the water: Titty cum tawtay, The geese follow after. CCCLXXVI. NETTLES grow in an angry bush, An angry bush, an angry bush; Nettles grow in an angry bush, With my High, Ho, Ham! This is the way the lady goes, The lady goes, the lady goes; This is the way the lady goes, With my High, Ho, Ham! The children dance round some chairs, singing the first three lines, turning round and clapping hands for the fourth line. They curtsey while saying “this is the way the lady goes,” and again turn round and clap hands for the last line. The same process is followed in every verse, only varying what they act: thus, in the third verse, they dow for the gentleman. Nettles grow in an angry bush, &c. This is the way the gentleman goes, &c. Il r Nettles grow in an angry bush, &c. This is the way the tailor goes, &c. And so the amusement is protracted ad Lbitum, with shoemaking, washing the clothes, ironing, churning, milking, making up butter, &c. CCCLX XVII. SEE-SAW, Margery Daw, Sold her bed and lay upon straw ; Was not she a dirty slut, To sell her bed and lie in the dirt? CCCLXXVIII. TIP, top, tower Tumble down in an hour. NURSERY RHYMES. Leader. ist Child. Leader. and Child. Leader. 3rd Child. CCCLXXIX. [Game with the hands.] PEASE-PUDDING hot, Pease-pudding cold, Pease-pudding in the pot, Nine days old. Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old. CCCLXXX. THERE were two blackbirds Sitting on a hill, The one named Jack, The other named Jill; Fly away, Jack! Fly away, Jill! Come again, Jack! Come again, Jill! CCCLXXXI. I went up one pair of stairs. Just like me. I went up two pair of stairs. Just like me. I went into a room. Just like me. Leader, 4th Child. Leader. sth Child. Leader. 1st Child. Leader. and Child. Leader. 3rd Child. Leader. 4th Child. Leader. 5th Child. GAMES. 228 I looked out of a window. Just like me. And there I saw a monkey. Just like me! CCCLX XXII. I am a gold lock. I am a gold key. I am a silver lock. Iam a silver key. I am a brass lock. I am a brass key. I am a lead lock. I am a lead key. I am a monk lock. I am a monk key! 15 226 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCLXXXIII. THERE was a man, and his name was Dob, And he had a wife, and her name was Mob, And he had a dog, and he called it Cob, And she had a cat, called Chitterabob. Cob, says Dob, Chitterabob, says Mob, Cob was Dob’s dog, Chitterabob Mob’s cat. CCCLXXXIV. Twe children sit opposite to each other; the first turns her fingers one over the other, and says, “May my geese fly over your. barn?” The other answers “Yes, if they’ll do no harm,” upon which the first unpacks the fingers of her hand, and, waving it over- head, says, “Fly over his barn, and eat all his corn.” CCCLXXXYV. To market ride the gentlemen, So do we, so do we; Then comes the country clown, Hobbledy gee, Hobbledy gee ; First go the ladies, nim, nim, nim ; Next come the gentlemen, trim, trim, trim: Then come the country clowns, gallop-a-trot. | | CCCLXXXVI RIDE a cock horse to Coventry Cross, To see what Emma can buy ; A penny white cake I’ll buy for her sake, And a twopenny tart or a pie. 2 15 22% 228 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCLXXXVII. RIDE a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To see an old lady upon a white horse, Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, And so she makes music wherever she goes. CCCLXXXVIII. ,A Christmas custom in Lancashire. The boys dress themselves up with ribbons, and perform various pantomimes, after which one of them, who has a blackened face, a rough skin coat, and a broom in his hand, sings as follows :] HERE come I, Little David Doubt ; If you don’t give me money, I’ll sweep you all out. GAMES. 229 Money I want, And money I crave; you don’t give me money, T’ll sweep you all to the grave! CCCLXXXIX. ' THE TOWN LOVERS. A GAME played by boys and girls. A girl is placed in the niddle of a ring, and says the following lines, the names being altered to suit the party. She points to each one named, and at the last line the party selected immediately runs away, and if the girl catches him, he pays a forfeit, or the game is com- menced again, the boy being placed in the middle, and the lines, mutatis mutandis, serve for a reversed amusement : There is a girl of our town, She often wears a flowered gown: Tommy loves her night and day, And Richard when he may, And Johnny when he can: I think Sam will be the man! CCCXC. THIS is the way the ladies ride ; Eris tre, tre; tree; Tri, tre, tre, tree! This is the way the ladies ride, Tri, tre, tre, tre, tri-tre-tre-tree ! 230 NURSERY RHYMES. This is the way the gentlemen ride ; Gallop-a-trot, : Gallop-a-trot ! This is the way the gentlemen ride, Gallop-a-gallop-a-trot ! This is the way the farmers side ; Hobbledy-hoy, Hobbledy-hoy ! This is the way the farmers ride, Hobbledy hobbledy-hoy ! CCCXCI. ONE old Oxford ox opening oysters ; Two teetotums totally tired of trying to trot to Tadbury; Three tall tigers tippling tenpenny tea ; Four fat friars fanning fainting flies ; Five frippy Frenchmen foolishly fishing for flies ; Six sportsmen shooting snipes ; Seven Severn salmons swallowing shrimps ; Eight Englishmen eagerly examining Europe; Nine nimble noblemen nibbling nonpareils ; Ten tinkers tinkling upon ten tin tinder-boxes with ten ten- penny tacks ; Eleven elephants elegantly equipt ; Twelve typographical typographers typically translating types. GAMES. 23% TERETE (Ff tS jj BY CCCXCII. Tus is the key of the kingdom. In that kingdom there is a city. In that city there is a town. In that town there is a street. In that street there is a lane. In that lane there isa yard. In that yard there is a house. In that house there’is a room. In that room there is a bed. On that bed there is a basket. In that basket there are some flowers. Flowers in the basket, basket in the bed, bed in the room, &c., &c. 232 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCXCIII. [The following lines are sung by children when starting for a race. ] GOOD horses, bad horses, What is the time of day? Three o'clock, four o’clock, Now fare you away. CCCXCIV. MARY BROWN. FAIR GUNDELA. A slightly dramatic character may be observed in this game, which was 0 dtained from Essex. Children form a ring, one girl kneeling in the centre, and sorrowfully hiding her face with her hands. One in the ring then says: Here we all stand round the ring, And now we shut poor Mary in; Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, And see your poor mother go through the town. To this she answers: I will not stand up upon my feet, To see my poor mother go through the street. The children then cry: Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, And see your poor father go through the town. Mary. I will not stand up upon my feet, To see my poor father go through the street. Chilivex, Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, To see your poor brother go through the town. GAMES. 233 Mary. I will not stand up upon my feet, To see my poor brother go through the street. Children, Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, To see your poor sister go through the town. Mary. I will not stand up upon my feet, To see my poor sister go through the street. Children, Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, To see the poor beggars go through the town. Mary. I will not stand up upon my feet, To see the poor beggars go through the street. One would have thought that this tiresome repetition had been continued quite long enough; but two other verses are sometimes added, introducing gentlemen and ladies with the same questions, to both of which it is unnecessary to say that the callous and hard-hearted Mary Brown replies with perfect in- difference and want of curiosity. All versions, however, conclude with the girls saying: Rise up, rise up, poor Mary Brown, And see your poor sweetheart go through the town. The chord is at last touched, and Mary, frantically replying, I will get up upon my feet, To see my sweetheart go through the street ! rushes with impetuosity to break the ring, and generally suc- ceeds in escaping the bonds that detain her from her imaginary love, CCCXCV. Two of the strongest children are selected, A and B; A stands within a ring of the children, B being outside. A. Who is going round my sheepfold? &. Only poor old Jacky Lingo. 234 NURSERV RHYMES. f 2 a “ aid i \. ae A. Don’t steal any of my black sheep. B. No, no more I will, only by one: Up! says Jacky Lingo. (Strikes one.) The child struck leaves the ring, and takes hold of B behind g & in the same manner takes the other children, one by one, gradually increasing his tail on each repetition of the verses, until he has got the whole; 4 then tries to get them back; B runs away with them ; they try to shelter themselves behind B ; A drags them off, one by one, setting them against a wall until he has recovered all_—A regular “tearing game,” as children say, CCCXCVI, RIDE a cock-horse to Banbury Cross, To see what Tommy can buy: A penny white loaf, a penny white cake, And a twopenny apple pie. GAMES. 238 CCCXCVII. NUMBER number nine, this hoop’s mine ; Number number ten, take it back again. CCCXCVIILI. THIS is acted by two or more girls, who walk or dance up and down, turning when they say “ Turn, cheeses, turn.” The ‘green cheeses,” as we are informed, are made with sage and potato-tups. Two girls are said to be “cheese and cheese.” Green cheese, yellow laces, Up and down the market-places, Turn, cheeses, turn. CCCXCIX. THE “Three Knights of Spain” is a game played in the fol- lowing manner: The dramatis persone form themselves in two parties—one representing a courtly dame and her daughters, the other the suitors of the daughters. The last party, moving back- wards and forwards, with their arms entwined, appreach and recede from the mother party, which is stationary, singing to a very sweet air. Suttors, We are three brethren out of Spain, Come to court your daughter Jane. Mother. My daughter Jane she is too young, And has not learned her mother tongue. NURSERY RHYMES. 236 Suitors. Mother. Suttors. Be she young, or be she old, For her beauty she must be sold. So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll call again another day. Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And rub thy spurs till they be bright. Of my spurs take thou no thought, For in this town they were not bought; So fare you well, my lady gay, Well call again another day. Suttor. Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And take the fairest in your sight. The fairest maid that I can see Is pretty Nancy,—come to me.* * Here the suitor tries to pull Nancy over to his side. GAMES. 237 Here comes your daughter safe and sound, Every pocket with a thousand pound; Every finger with a gay gold ring ; Please to take your daughter in. CCCC. HERE we come a-piping, First in Spring, and then in May; The Queen she sits upon the sand, Fair as a lily, white as a wand: King John has sent you letters three, And begs you’ll read them unto me.— We can’t read one without them all, So pray, Miss Bridget, deliver the ball! 238 NURSERY RHVMES. CCCCI. BEANS AND BUTTER. ~fSo the game of ‘‘ Hide-and-Seek ” is called in some parts of Oxfordshire. ] CHILDREN hide from each other, and when it is time to com- mence the search, the cry is, Hot boiled beans and very good butter, If you please to come to supper! WF mr | i CCCCII. THIS should be accompanied by a kind of pantomimic dance, in which the motions of the body and arms express the process of weaving ; the motion of the shuttle, &c. Weave the diaper tick-a-tick tick, Weave the diaper tick— GAMES. 239 Come this way, come that, As close as a mat, Athwart and across, up and down, round about, And forwards, and backwards, and inside, and out; Weave the diaper thick-a-thick thick, Weave the diaper thick! CCCCIII, HITTY-TITTY. HITTY-TITTY indoors Hitty-titty out ; You touch Hitty-titty, And Hitty-titty will bite you. These lines are said by children when one of them has hid herself. They then run away, and the one who is bitten (caught) becomes Hitty-titty, and hides in her turn. [A variation of the above lines occurs in MS. Harl. 1962, as a riddle, the solution of which is ‘A nettle.”] CCCCIV. A NUMBER of boys and girls stand round one in the middle, who repeats the following lines, counting the children until one is counted out by the end of the verses, Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3), As I go round (4), ring by ring (5); A virgin (6) goes a-maying (7). Here’s a flower (8), and there’s a flower (9), Growing in my lady’s garden (10), 240 NURSERY RHYMES. If you set your foot awry (11), Gentle John will make you cry (12), If you set your foot amiss (13), Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss. The child upon whom (14) falls is then taken out, and forced to select one of the other sex. The middle child then proceeds. This [lady or gentleman] is none of ours, Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child’s] power, So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o’er. (Al clap hands.) If the child taken by lot joins in the clapping, the selected child is rejected, and I believe takes the middle place. Other- wise, I think there is a salute. CCCCV. ANOTHER game, played exclusively by boys. Two, who are fixed upon for the purpose, leave the group, and privately arrange that the pass-word shall be some implement of a particular trade. The trade is announced in the dialogue, and then the fun is, that the unfortunate wight who guesses the “tool” is beaten with the caps of his fellows till he reaches a fixed goal, after which he goes out in turn. “Two broken tradesmen, Newly come over, The one from France and Scotland, The other from Dover.” “What’s your trade?” Carpenters, nailers, smiths, tinkers, or any other is answered, and on guessing the instrument “plane him!” “hammer him!” “rasp him!” or “solder him!” is called out respectively during the period of punishment. GAMES, 241 ee CCCCVI. WHOOP, whoop, and hollow, Good dogs won't follow Without the hare cries “pee wit.” CCCCVII. [Used in Somersetshire in counting out the game of pee-wip or pee-wit. ] _ONE-ERY, two-ery, hickary, hum, Fillison, follison, Nicholson, John, Quever, quauver, Irish Mary, Stenkarum, stankarum, buck ! 16 242 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCVIII. Tom Brown’s two little Indian boys, One ran away, The other wouldn’t stay,— Tom Brown's two little Indian boys. CCCCIX. THE following is a game played as follows: A string of boys and girls, each holding by the predecessor’s skirts, approach two others, who with joined and elevated hands form a double arch, After the dialogue, the line passes through, and the last is caught by a sudden lowering of the arms—if possible. How many miles is it to Babylon ?— Threescore miles and ten. Can I get there by candlelight ?— Yes, and back again! If your heels are nimble and light, You may get there by candlelight. CCCCX. CLAP hands, clap hands! Till father comes home ; For father’s got money, But mother’s got none. Clap hands, &c. Till father, &c, GAMES. 243 CCCCXI. CLAP hands, clap hands, Hie Tommy Randy, Did you see my good man? They call him Cock-a-bandy. Silken stockings on his legs, Silver buckles glancin’, A sky-blue bonnet on his head, And oh! but he is handsome. CCCCXIL. THIS game begins thus: “Take this.” “What’s this?” Seeks, wide-mouthed, waddling frog,” &c. Twelve huntsmen with horns and hounds, Hunting over other men’s grounds ; Eleven ships sailing o’er the main, Some bound for France and some for Spain: I wish them all safe home again ; Ten comets in the sky, Some low and some high ; Nine peacocks in the air, I wonder how they all came there, I do not know and I do not care; Eight joiners in Joiners’ Hall, Working with the tools and all; Seven lobsters in a dish, As fresh as any heart could wish; 16—2 244 NURSERY RHYMES. Six beetles against the wall, Close by an old woman’s apple-stall ; Five puppies of our dog Ball, Who daily for their breakfast call ; Four horses stuck in a bog, ‘Three monkeys tied to a clog; Two pudding-ends would choke a dog, With a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog. CCCCXIII. A STRING of children, hand in hand, stand ina row. A child (A) stands in front of them, as leader ; two other children (4 and C) form an arch, each holding both the hands of the other. A. Draw a pail of water, For my lady’s daughter ; GAMES. 245 My father’s a King, and my mother’s a Queen, My two little sisters are dressed in green, Stamping grass and parsley, Marigold-leaves and daisies. 5. One rush, two rush, Pray thee, fine lady, come under my push. A passes by\ under the arch, followed by the whole string of children, the last of whom is taken captive by B and C The verses are repeated until all are taken. WA ae WAI dahl VAR CCCCXIV, GAME OF THE GIPSY. ONE child is selected for Gipsy, one for Mother, and one for Daughter Sue. The Mother says, I charge my daughters every one To keep good house while I am gone. 246 NURSERY RHYMES. You and you (points) but specially you, [Or sometimes, “but specially Sue] Or else I’ll beat you black and blue. During the Mother's absence the Gipsy comes in, entices a child away, and hides her. This process is repeated till all the chil- dren are hidden, when the Mother has to find them, CCCCXYV. A STANDS with a row of girls (her daughters) behind her; B, a suitor, advances. &,. Trip trap over the grass. If you please will you let one of your [eldest] daughters come, Come and dance with me? I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass, I will give you anything for a pretty lass, A says, “No,” &. I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl, I will give you anything for a pretty girl. A. Take one, take one, the fairest you may see. B. The fairest one that I can see is pretty Nancy,—come to me, B& carries one off, and says, You shall have a duck, my dear, and you shall have a drake, And you shall have a young man apprentice for your sake. g GAMES. 247 Children say, If this young man should happen to die, And leave this-poor woman a widow, The bells shall all ring, and the birds shall all sing, And we'll all clap hands together. So it is repeated until the whole are taken. CCCCXVI. [Children hunting bats. ] BAT, bat, (clap hands), Come under my hat, And I’ll give you a slice of bacon ; And when I bake, I'll give you a cake, If I am not mistaken, CCCCXVII. SEE-SAW sacradown, Which is the way to London town? One foot up and the other down, And that is the way to London town. CCCCXVIII. HERE stands a post: Who put it there? A better man than you; Touch it if you dare! 248 NURSERY RHVMES. @ames on a hily’s “Reatures, CCCCXIX. HERE sits the Lord Mayor Here sit his two men Here sits the cock Here sits the hen Here sit the little chickens Here they run in : Chinchopper, chinchopper, Chinchopper, chin! Sorehead. eyes. right cheek. left cheek. tip of nose. mouth, chuck the chin. GAMES. 249 CCCCXX. THESE lines are said to a very young child, touching succes- sively for each line the eye, nose, chin, tooth, tongue, and mouth. Bo peeper, Nose dreeper, Chin chopper, White lopper, Red rag, And little gap. [Sometimes the following version is used. ] Brow brinky, Eye winky, Chin choppy, Nose noppy, Cheek cherry, Mouth merry. CCCCXXI. A PLAY WITH THE FACE. THE child exclaims: Ring the bell!. . giving a lock of its har a pull. Knock at the door. ‘apping its forehead. Draw the latch! . pulling up its nose. And walk in. . opening its mouth and putting in its jiuuger. 250 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCXXII. In the following, the various parts of the countenance are touched as the lines are repeated, and at the close the chin is . struck playfully, that the tongue may be gently bitten. Eye winker, Tom Tinker, Nose dropper, Mouth eater, Chin chopper, Chin chopper. CCCCX XIII. THUMB bold, Thibity-thold, Langman, Lick-pan, ’ Mamma’s little man. CCCCX XIV. [The following song for the four fingers is obtained from Lancashire.] THIS broke the barn, This stole the corn, This got none, This went pinky-winky All the way home! GAMES. 251 CCCCXXV. [A song set to five fingers.] 1, THIS pig went to market; 2. This pig stayed at home; 3. This pig had a bit of meat; 4. And this pig had none; 5. This pig said, Wee, wee, wee! - I can’t find my way home. 252 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCXXVI. [A game on the slate. ] EGGs, butter, bread, Stick, stock, stone dead! Stick him up, stick him down, Stick him in the old man’s crown: CCCCXX VII. [From Yorkshire. A game to alarm children. { FLOWERS, flowers, high-do ! - Sheeny, greeny, rino !— Sheeny, greeny, Sheeny, greeny, Rum tum fra! CCCCX XVIII. SEE-SAW, Margery Daw, Little Jacky shall have a new master; Little Jacky shall have but a penny a day, Because he can’t work any faster. CCCCXXIX. A GAME OF THE FOX. Fox a fox, a brummalary, How many miles to Lummaflary?. Lummabary. A. Eight and eight and a hundred and eight. How shall I get home to-night ? A. Spin your legs, and run fast. GAMES. 253 CCCCXXX. IN the following childish amusement, one extends his arm, and the other, in illustration of the narrative, strikes him gently with the side of his hand at the shoulder and wrist, and then at the word “middle” with considerable force on the flexor muscles at the elbow-joint. My father was a Frenchman, He bought for me a fiddle, He cut me here, he cut me there, He cut me right in the middle. CCCCXXXI. I WENT to the sea, And saw twentee Geese all in a row: My glove I would give Full of gold, if my wife Was as white as those. These lines are to be repeated rapidly and correctly, inserting che word cother after every word, under pain of a forfeit, CCCCX XXII. IT’s time, I believe, For us to get ieave: The little dog says It isn’t, it is; it isn’t, it is, &c. Said by a schoolboy, who places his book between his knees, His two forefingers are then placed together, and the breadth of each is measured alternately along the length of the book. The 254 NURSERY RHYMES. time to get leave (to be dismissed) is supposed to have arrived or not according as one finger or the other fills up the last place. A duck and a drake, And a white penny cake. It’s time to go home, It isn’t, it is, &c. So going on with the fingers one over the other along the edge of a book or desk, till the last finger determines the question. CCCCXXXIII. PUT your finger in Foxy’s hole, Foxy is not at home: Foxy is at the back door, Picking of a bone. Holding the fist in such a way that if a child puts its finger in, you can secure it, still leaving the hole at top open. CCCCXXXIV. Jack’s alive, and in very good health; If he dies in your hand, you must look to yourself. Played with a stick, one end burnt red hot: it is passed round a circle from one to the other, the one who passes it saying this, and the one whose hand it goes out in paying a forfeit. CCCCXXXV. THIS pig went to market, Squeak mouse, mouse, mousey; Shoe, shoe, shoe the wild colt, And here’s my own doll, Dowsy. CCCCXXXVI. [Song set to five toes. ] 1. LET us go to the wood, said this pig; 2, What to do there? says that pig; 255 256 NURSERY RHVMES. 3. To look for my mother, says this pig; 4. What to do with her? says that pig; 5. Kiss her to death, says this pig. CCCCXXXVII. !Patting the foot on the five toes.] SHOE the colt, shoe! Shoe the wild mare; Put a sack on her back, See if she'll bear. If she'll bear, We'll give her some grains ; If she won't bear, We'll dash out her brains! CCCCX XXVIII. [An exercise during which the fingers of the child are enumerated. ] THUMBIKIN, Thumbikin, broke the barn, Pinnikin, Pinnikin, stole the corn. Long backed Gray Carried it away. Old Mid-man sat and saw, But Peesy-weesy paid for a’. CCCCXX XIX. . THIS pig went to the barn. . This eat all the corn. . This said he would tell. . This said he wasn’t well. . This went Week! week! week! over the door sill. uri BR WN HY ee J GAMES. 257 Sk SD ANE a sam i he ae eS CCCCXL. A GAME ON THE FINGERS. HEETUM peetum penny pie, Populorum gingum gie; East, West, North, South, Kirby, Kendal, cock him out! SS SS. SS . ON SN x CCCCXLI. THE two following are fragments of a game called “ The Lady of the Land.” Here comes a poor woman from Baby-land, With three small children in her hand: One can brew, the other can bake, The other can make a pretty round cake. One can sit in the garden and spin, Another can make a fine bed for the King ; Pray, ma’am, will you take one in? 17 258 NURSERV RHYMES. CCCCXLII. I CAN make diet bread, Thick and thin ; I can make diet bread, . Fit for the King. CCCCXLITI. THE first day of Christmas, My true love sent to me A partridge in a pear-tree. The second day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Two turtle-doves and A partridge in a pear-tree. The third day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The fourth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The fifth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me GAMES. 250 Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three, French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The sixth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The seventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me 17—% 260 NURSERY RHYMES. —— Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The eighth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The ninth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree, GAMES. 261 = STS aa ET i Ny Ca i T TMT TTT TTT TE ANY SHR i RH cH ARS The tenth day of Christmas, My true love sent to me Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The eleventh day of Christmas, My true love sent to me 262 NURSERY RHYMES. Eleven ladies dancing, Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimining, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. The twelfth day of Christmas My true love sent to me Twelve lords a-leaping, Eleven ladies dancing, GAMES. 263 Ten pipers piping, Nine drummers drumming, Eight maids a-milking, Seven swans a-swimming, Six geese a-laying, Five gold rings, Four colly birds, Three French hens, Two turtle-doves, and A partridge in a pear-tree. Each child in succession repeats the gifts of the day, and raises her fingers and hands according to the numbers named. Forfeits are paid for each mistake. [This accumulative process is a favourite one with children. In early writers, such as Homer, the repetition of messages, &c., pleases on the same principle. ] CCCCXLIV. THE POOR SOLDIER, CHILDREN form a half-circle, first choosing one of their num- ber to represent the poor soldier. The chief regulation is that none of the players may use the words “ yes,” “no,” “black,” “white,” or “grey.” The poor soldier traverses the semicircle thus addressing each player: “Here’s a poor soldier come to town! Have you aught to give him?” The answer must, of course, be evasive, else there is a fine. He continues, “ Have you a pair of trousers [or old coat, shoes, cap, &c.] to give me?” The answer must again be evasive, or else another forfeit. The old soldier then asks, “ Well, what colour is it?” The reply must avoid the forbidden colours, or another 264 NURSERY RHYMES. forfeit is the penalty. Great ingenuity may be exhibited in the manner in which the questions and answers are constructed, and, in the hands of some children, this is a most amusing recreation. The forfeits are, of course, cried at the end of the game. CCCCXLV. THE DIAMOND RING. CHILDREN sit in a ring or ina line, with their hands placed together palm to palm, and held straight, the little fingers down- most between the knees. One of them is then chosen to represent a servant, who conceals a ring, or some other small article asa substitute, in her hands, which are pressed flat together like those of the rest, and goes round the circle or line, placing her hands into the hands of every player, so that she is enabled to let the ring fall wherever she pleases without detection. After this, she GAMES. 265 returns to the first child she touched, and, with her hands behind her, exclaims, “My lady’s lost her diamond ring; 1”? I pitch upon you to find it The child who is thus addressed must guess who has the ring, and the servant performs the same ceremony with each of the party. Those who guess right, escape; but the rest forfeit. Should any one in the ring exclaim, “I have it!” she also for- feits ; nor must the servant make known who has the ring, until all have guessed, under the same penalty. The forfeits are after- wards cried as usual. CCCCXLVI. THE following lines are said by the nurse when moving the child’s foot up and down: The dog of the kill* He went to the mili To lick mill-dust. The miller he came With a stick on his back— Home, dog, home! The foot behind, The foot before, When he came to a stile, Thus he jumped o’er. * That is, a kiln. 266 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCXLVII. THIS game is now played as follows: A child hides something in one hand, and then places both fists endways on each other, crying, Handy-dandy riddledy ro, Which will you have, high or low? Or sometimes the following distich: Handy-dandy, Jack-a-dandy, Which good hand will you have? The party addressed either touches one hand, or guesses in which one the article (whatever it may be) is placed. If he guesses rightly, he wins its contents; if wrongly, he loses an equivalent. [Some versions read ‘‘ Mandy-pandy” in the first of these, with another variation that would not now be tolerated. This is one of the oldest English games in existence, and appears to be alluded to in ‘‘ Piers Ploughman,” ed. Wright, p. 69: ‘*Thanne wowede Wrong Wisdom ful yerne, To maken pees with his pens, Handy-dandy played.”’] CCCCXLVIII. THE GAME OF DUMP. A BoY’s amusement in Yorkshire, in vogue about half a century ago, but now, I believe, nearly obsolete. It is played in this manner. The lads crowd round and place their fists endways the one on the other till they form a high pile of hands. Then a boy who has one hand free, knocks the piled fists off one by one, saying to every boy as he strikes his fists away, “What’s there, Dump?” He continues this process till he comes to the last fist, when he exclaims, What’s there?—Cheese and bread and a mouldy halfpenny! Where’s my share?—I put it on the shelf, and the cat got it. 267 iles through the wood. ine m Ss tun n Where’s the cat ?—She’ Where’s the wood ?—T’ fire burnt it. 268 NURSERY RHYMES. Where’s the fire ?—T’ water sleckt [extinguished] it. Where’s the water ?—T’ oxen drunk it. Where’s the oxen ?—T” butcher kill’d ’em. Where’s t’ -butcher ? Upon the church-top cracking nuts, and you may go and eat the shells ; and zhem as speak first shall have nine nips, nine scratches, and nine boxes over the lug! Every one then endeavours to refrain from speaking, in spite of mutual nudges and grimaces, and he who first allows a word to escape is punished by the others in the various methods adopted by schoolboys. In some places the game is played differently. The children pile their fists in the manner described above, then one, or sometimes all of them, sing, I’ve built my house, I’ve built my wall: I don’t care where my chimneys fall! The merriment consists in the bustle and confusion occasioned by the rapid withdrawal of the hands. CCCCXLIX. SLATE GAMES. ENTERTAINING puzzles or exercises upon the slate are generally great favourites with children. A great variety of them are cur- rent in the nursery, or rather were so some years ago. The story of the four rich men, the four poor men, and the pond, was one of these; the difficulty merely requiring a zigzag enclosure to enable it to be satisfactorily solved. Once upon a time there was a pond lying upon common land, which was extremely commodious for fishing, bathing, and various other purposes. Not far from it lived four poor men, to whom it was of great service; and, farther off, there lived four rich men, The latter envied the poor men the use of the pond, and, as GAMES. 269 Ui eT 7 Hy PY hepa — enclosure bills had not then come into fashion, they wished to invent an enclosure-wall which should shut out the poor men from the pond, although they lived so near it, and still give free access to the rich men, who resided at a greater distance. How was this done? CCCCL. GAME OF THE CAT. THIS is another slate game, in which, by means of a tale and appropriate indications on the slate, a rude figure of a cat is delineated. It requires, however, some little ingenuity to ac- complish it. Tommy would once go to see his cousin Charles. [Here one draws T for Tommy, and C for Charles, forming the forehead, nose, and mouth of the cat.] But before he went, he would make walls to his house. [Here he draws lines from the arms of the T to its foot, forming the cheeks of the cat.] But then it smoked, and he would put chimneys to it. [Here he inserts two narrow triangles on each arm of the T, forming the ears of the cat.] But 270 NURSERY RHVMES, then it was so dark, he would put windows into it. [Here he draws a small circle under each arm of the T, forming the eyes. | Then to make it pretty, he would spread grass at the door. [Here he scratches lines at the foot of the T, representing the cat's whiskers.] Then away he went on his journey, but after a little while, down he fell. [Here he draws down a line a little way from the foot of the T.] But he soon climbed up again, [Here he draws a zigzag horizontally from the foot of the last line, and draws one up, forming with the last movement the first foot of the cat.] Then he walks along again, but soon falls down once more. [Here he draws a short horizontal line, and one downwards.] He soon, however, got up again, as before, &c. [The second leg is then formed, and by similar movements the four legs of the cat appear.] After thus falling down four times, Tommy determined to proceed more firmly, and climbing up, he walks along [the back of the cat] another way round till he comes to C. His journey is now accomplished, and an animal, called by courtesy a cat, appears on the slate, “the admiration of all beholders.” CCCCLI. THE OLD GAME OF HONEY-POTS. ONE of the players must be selected to act the part of a Honey Merchant, another to come as a Purchaser to the honey stores. These two should be the tallest and strongest of the party. The rest of the party represent pots of honey. They must clasp their hands under their raised knees, sitting in a row on the grass. Then the game proceeds thus: The purchaser approaches the merchant and asks, “ Have you any good honey for sale, friend ?” Loney Merchant. Yes, ma’am [or sir], first-rate. This pot is from Mount Hybla, the finest honey in the world; tastes of thyme, I assure you. This one is from Sicily, quite as good as any you would get at Fortnum and Mason’s. Taste and try before you buy. The purchaser goes round and pretends to taste the honey. Purchaser (shaking his head). Not very good. I see that everything Greek is best ancient. Ah! I like this Sicilian jar. How much will you sell it for ? floney Merchant. A shilling a pound. Purchaser. WNhat does the jar weigh ? floney Merchant. We will see, sir, if you will be good enough to help me. They then take hold of the arms of the Sicilian jar (who must hold her hands very tightly clasped under her knees), and swing her backwards and forwards till she is obliged to let her hands drop apart and her feet touch the ground. She is then said to weigh as many pounds as she has been times swung backwards and forwards, Purchaser may object to the weight, and choose another pot ; and thus the game goes on, till each jar has had a swing, and taken part in the sport. 272 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCLII. GAME OF THE FOX. ONE child is Fox. He has a knotted handkerchief, and a home to which he may go whenever he is tired; but while out of home he must always hop on one leg. The other children are Geese, and have no home. When the fox is coming out he says, The fox gives warning It’s a cold frosty morning. After he has said these words he is at liberty to hop out, and use his knotted handkerchief. Whoever he can touch is fox instead ; but the geese run on two legs; and if the fox puts his other leg down, he is hunted back to his home. CCCCLII. THE following lines are repeated by the nurse when sliding her hand down the child’s face: My mother and your mother Went over the way; Said my mother to your mother, It’s chop-a-nose day! ELEVENTH CLASS. Paradozes. CCCCLIV. (The following is quoted in Parkin’s reply to Dr. Stukeley’s second number of “ Origines Roystonianz,” 4to, London, 1748, p. vi.] PETER WHITE will ne’er go right: Would you know the reason why? He follows his nose where’er he goes, And that stands all awry. CCCCLYV. O THAT I was where I would be, Then would I be where I am not! But where I am I must be, And where I would be, I cannot. 273 18 274 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCLVI. IN a cottage in Fife Lived a man and his wife, Who, believe me, were comical foll ; For to people’s surprise, They both saw with their eyes, And their tongues moved whenever they spoke! When quite fast asleep, I’ve been told that, to keep Their eyes open they scarce could contrive ; They walked on their feet, And ’t was thought what they eat Helped, with drinking, to keep them alive!! CCCCLVII. I saw a ship a-sailing, A-sailing on the sea; And, oh! it was all laden With pretty things for thee ! PARADOXES. 275 There were comfits in the cabin, And apples in the hold ; The sails were made of silk, And the masts were made of gold. The four-and-twenty sailors That stood between the decks Were four-and-twenty white mice, With chains about their necks. The captain was a duck, . With a packet on his back; And when the ship began to move, The captain said, “ Quack! quack! ” CCCCLVIII. [The following was sung to the tune of Chevy Chase. It was taken from a poetical tale in the ‘‘Choyce Poems,” 12mo, London, 1662, the music to which may be seen in D’Urfey’s ‘ Pills to Purge Melancholy,” 1719, Vol. IV., p. 1.] THREE children sliding on the ice Upon a summer’s day, 18—2 76 NURSERY RHYMES. As it fell out they all fell in, The rest they ran away. Now, had these children been at home, Or sliding on dry ground, Ten thousand pounds to one penny They had not all been drowned. You parents all that children have, And you that have got none, ff you would have them safe abroad, Pray keep them safe at home. CCCCLIX. Up stairs, down stairs, upon my lady’s window, There I saw a cup of sack and a race of ginger: Apples at the fire and nuts to crack, A little boy in the cream-pot up to his neck. CCCCLX. I wouid if I coud, If i cowdn’t, how cou’d I? I coudn’t, without I cou’d, cowd I? Cou’d you, without you cou’d, cou’d ye? Cou’d ye, cou’d ye? Cou’d you, without you coud, cou’d ye? PARADOXES. 277 CCCCLXI. THERE was a man of Newington, And he was wondrous wise, He jumped into a quickset hedge, And scratched out both his eyes; But when he saw his eyes were out, With all his might and main Fle jumped into another hedge And scratched ’em in again. CCCCLXII. IF all the world was apple pie, And all the sea was ink, And all the trees were bread = ea Se and cheese, What should we have for drink? CCCCLXITI. THERE was a little Guinea-pig, Who, being little, was not big ; He always walked upon his teet, And never fasted when he eat. When from a place he ran away, He never at that place did stay; 278 NURSERY RHYMES. And while he ran, as I am told, He ne’er stood still for young or old. He often squeaked, and sometimes vi’lent, And when he sqeaked he ne’er was silent: Though ne’er instructed by a cat, He knew a mouse was not a rat. One day, as I am certified, He took a whim and fairly died; And, as I’m told by men of sense, He never has been living since! PARADOXES. 279 CCCCLXIV. TOBACCO wick! tobacco wick! When you’re well, ’t will make you sick ; Tobacco wick! tobacco wick! "T will make you well when you are sick, CCCCLXV. [Mind your punctuation. ] I SAW a peacock with a fiery tail, I saw a blazing comet drop down hail, I saw a cloud wrapped with ivy round, I saw an oak creep upon the ground, I saw a pismire swallow up a whale, I saw the sea brimful of ale, 280 NURSERY RHYMES. saw a Venice glass full fifteen feet deep, saw a well full of men’s tears that weep, saw red eyes all of a flaming fire, saw a house bigger than the moon and higher, saw the sun at twelve o’clock at night, mde saw the man that saw this wondrous sight. CCCCLXVI. [The conclusion of the following resembles a verse in the nursery history of ; Mother Hubbard. ] THERE was an old woman, and what do you think? She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink: Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet; This tiresome old woman could never be quiet. She went to the baker, to buy her some bread, And when she came home her old husband was dead ; She went to the clerk to toll the bell, And when she came back her old husband was well. CCCCLXVII. THERE was an old woman had nothing, And there came thieves to rob her; When she cried out she made no noise, But all the country heard her. PARADOXES, 281 Ss Re i CCCCLXVIIL. BARNEY BODKIN broke his nose, Without feet we can’t have toes ; Crazy folks are always mad, Want of money makes us sad. CCCCLXIX. If a man who turnips cries Cries not when his father dies, It is a proof that he would rather Have a turnip than his father. CCCCLXX. THE man in the wilderness asked me, How many strawberries grew in the sea? I answered him as I thought good, As many as red herrings grew in the wood. 282 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCLXXI. THERE was a man and he was mad, And he jumped into a pea-swad ; The pea-swad was over-full, So he jumped into a roaring bull; The roaring bull was over-fat, So he jumped into a gentleman’s hat; The gentleman’s hat was over-fine, So he jumped into a bottle of wine; The bottle of wine was over-dear, So he jumped into a bottle of beer; The bottle of beer was over-thick, So he jumped into a club-stick; The club-stick was over-narrow, So he jumped into a wheelbarrow; The wheelbarrow began to crack, So he jumped on to a hay-stack ; The hay-stack began to blaze, So he did nothing but cough and sneeze! CCCCLX XII. My true love lives far from me, Perrie, Merrie, Dixie, Dominie. Many a rich present he sends to ne, Petrum, Partrum, Paradise, Temporie, Perrie, Merrie, Dixie, Dominie. He sent me a goose without a bone; He sent me a cherry without a stone. Petrum, &c. PARADOXES. 283 He sent me a Bible no man could read; He sent me a blanket without a thread. Petrum, &c. » How could there be a goose without a bone? How could there be a cherry without a stone? Petrum, &c. How could there be a Bible no man could read ? How could there be a blanket without a thread? Petrum, &c, When the goose is in the egg-shell, there is no bone; When the cherry is in the blossom, there is no stone. Petrum, &c. When ye Bible is in y® press, no man it can read; When y° wool is on y* sheep’s back, there is no thread. Petrum, &c. CCCCLXXII HERE am I, Little jumping Joan; When nobody’s with me, I’m always alone. TWELETH CLASS: TWecullabies. CCCCLXXIV. ROCK-A-BYE, baby, thy cradle is green; Father ’s a nobleman, mother’s a Queen; And Betty’s a lady, and wears a gold ring; And Johnny’s a drummer, and drums for the King. 284 LULLABIES. 285. CCCCLXXV. RIDE, baby, ride, Pretty baby shall ride, And have a little puppy-dog tied to her side, And little pussy-cat tied to the other, And away she shall ride to see her grandmother, To see her grandmother, To see her grandmother. CCCCLXXVI. BYE, baby bunting, Daddy ’s gone a-hunting, To get a little hare’s skin To wrap a baby bunting in. CCCCLXXVIL GIVE me a blow, and I’ll beat ’em, Why did they vex my baby ? Kissy, kiss, kissy, my honey, - And cuddle your nurse, - my deary. CCCCLX XVIII. My dear cockadoodle, my jewel, my joy, My darling, my honey, my pretty sweet boy; Before I do rock thee with soft lullaby, Give me thy dear lips to be kissed, kissed, kissed. 286 NURSERY RHVMES. CCCCLXXIX. BYE, O my baby! When I was a lady, Oh, then my poor baby didn’t cry. But my baby is weeping For want of good keeping, Oh, I fear my poor baby will die! CCCCLXXX, HusH thee, my babby, Lie still with thy daddy, Thy mammy has gone to the mill, To grind thee some wheat, To make thee some meat, And so, my dear babby, lie still. 287 LULLABIES. is Lip LE V5, LB LU pi il Ml CCCLXX XI. Cc my kitten, 2 HEY, my kitten my deary tten, 1S i my k And hey, Such a sweet pet as th Was neither far nor neary. Here we go up, up, up, And here we go down, down, downy , 288 NURSERY RHYMES. And here we go backwards and forwards, And here we go round, round, roundy. CCCCLXXXII. Tom shall have a new bonnet, With blue ribbons to tie on it, With a hush-a-bye and a lull-a-baby, Why so like to Tommy’s daddy ? CCCCLXXXIII. DANCE to your daddy, My little babby, Dance to your daddy, My little lamb. You shall have a fishy In a little dishy ; You shall have a fishy. When the boat comes in, CCCCLX XXIV. IT won’T be my father’s Jack, T won't be my mother’s Gill, I will be the fiddler’s wife, And have music when I will. T’ other little tune, T’ other little tune, Pr’ythee, love, play me T other little tune. NY Nee SAAN = S i] f | EN Hi = ==] CCCCLXXXV. 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, 289 19 290 NURSERY RHYMES. CCCCLXXXVI. HUSH-A-BVE, a ba lamb, Hush-a-bye a milk cow, You shall have a little stick To beat the naughty bowwow. CCCCLXXXVIL Byg, baby bumpkin, Nhere’s Tony Lumpkin? “My lady’s on her death-bed, With eating half a pumpkin. CCCCLXX XVIII. [From ‘‘ The Pleasant Comcedie of Patient Grissell,” 1603.] Husu, hush, hush, hush! And I dance mine own child, And I dance mine own child, Hush, hush, hush, hush! CCCCLXXXIX. [From Yorkshire. A nursery cry. ] RABBIT, rabbit, rabbit pie! Come, my ladies, come and buy ; Else your babies they will cry. CCCCXC, (From Yorkshire and Essex. A nursery cry. It is also sometimes sung in the streets by boys who have small figures of wool, wood, or gypsum, &c., of lambs to sell. ] YouNG Lambs to sell! Young Lambs to sell! 291 19—2 292 NURSERY RHYMES. If I’d as much money as I can tell, I never would cry—Young Lambs to sell! CCCCXCI. [A favourite lvilaby in the north of England fifty years ago, and perhaps still heara. The last word is pronounced Jee. ] HusH-A-BYE, lie still and sleep, It grieves me sore to see thee weep, For when thou weep’st thou wearies me, Hush-a-bye, lie still and dye. LULLABIES, CCCCXCII. DANCE, little baby, dance up high, Never mind, baby, mother is by ; Crow and caper, caper and crow, There, little baby, there you 80; Up to the ceiling, down to the ground, Backwards and forwards, round and round ; Dance, little baby, and mo- ther will sing, With the merry coral, ding, ding, ding! CCCCXCIII. [The following is quoted in Florio’s ““New World of Words,” fol., London, 1611, p. 3.] To market, to market, To buy a plum bun; Home again, come again, Market is done. 293 —-— 204 NURSERY RHYMES, CCCCXCIV. HUSHY baby, my doll, I pray you don’t cry, And I’ll give you some bread and some milk by-and-bye; Or perhaps you like custard, or maybe a tart,— Then to either you’re welcome, with all my whole heart. CCCCXCV. DaNntTy baby diddy, What can a mammy do wid’e, But sit in a lap, And give ’un a pap? Sing danty baby diddy. CCCCXCVI. To market, to market, To buy a plum cake LULLABIES. 205 Home again, home again, Ne’er a one baked ; The baker is déad and all his men, And we must go to market again. CCCCXCVIL. Rock well my cradle, And “bee baa,” my son; You shall have a new gown When y° lord comes home. Oh! still my child, Orange, Still him with a bell; I can’t still him, ladie, Till you come down yoursell ! CCCCXCVIII. WHERE was a sugar and fretty ? And where was jewel and spicy? Hush-a-bye, babe in a cradle, And we’ll go away in a tricy! CCCCXCIX. I’LL buy you a tartan bonnet, And some feathers to put on it, Tartan trews and a phillibeg, ' Because you are so like your daddy. THIRTEENTH CLASS. ¥F ingles. D. HEY ding a ding, what shall I sing? How many holes in a skimmer? Four and twenty,—my stomach is empty; Pray, mamma, give me some dinner. DI. TIDDLE liddle lightum, Pitch and tar ; Tiddle liddle lightum, What’s that for? DII. SEE-SAW, Jack in a hedge, Which is the way to London Bridge? One foot up, the other down, That is the way to London town. 296 DIII. Cock a doodle doo! My dame has lost her shoe; My master’s lost his fiddling-stick, And don’t know what to do. 297 208 NURSERY RHYMES. Cock a doodle doo! What is my dame to do? Till master finds his fiddling-stick, She’ll dance without her shoe. Cock a doodle doo! My dame has lost her shoe, And master’s found his fiddling-stick, Sing doodle doodle doo! Cock a doodle doo! My dame will dance with you, While master fiddles his fiddling-stick, For dame and doodle doo. Cock a doodle doo! Dame has lost her shoe ; Gone to bed and scratched her head, And can’t tell what to do. DIV. LITTLE Tee Wee, He went to sea In an open boat; And while afloat The little boat bended, And my story’s ended. DV. [The first line of the following is the burden of a song in the ‘*Tempest,” Act I. sc. 2, and also of one in the ‘‘ Merchant of Venice,” Act III. sc. 2.] DING, dong bell, Pussy ’s in the well! 299 300 NURSERY RHYMES. Who put her in?— Little Tommy Lin. Who pulled her out ?— Dog with long snout. What a naughty boy was that To drown poor pussy-cat, Who never did any harm, But killed the mice in his father’s barn. DVI. SING jigmijole, the pudding-bowl, The table and the frame ; My master he did cudgel me For speaking of my dame. DVII. DEEDLE, deedle, dumpling, my son John Went to bed with his trowsers on ; One shoe off, the other shoe on, Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John, DVLII. DIDDLEDY, diddledy, dumpty : ' The cat ran up the plum-tree. T’ll lay you a crown T’ll fetch you down; So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty. FINGLES. 301 (i | Na ctosse ALANNA DIX. SING, sing, what shall I sing? The cat has ate the pudding-string ! Do, do, what shall I do? The cat has bit it quite in two. i S ra oi yy eS | i a ) | il DX. [I do not know whether the following may have reference to the game of handy- dandy mentioned in ‘‘ King Lear,” Act IV. sc. 6, and in Florio’s ‘New World of Words,” 1611, p. 57-] Hanpy SPANDY, Jack-a-dandy, Loved plum cake and sugar-candy ; 302 FINGLES. 393 He bought some at a grocer’s shop, And out he came, hop, hop, hop. DXI. DripBiTy, dibbity, dibbity, doe, Give me a pancake And I'll go. Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity, ditter, Please to give me A bit of a fritter. DXII. HYDER iddle diddle dell, A yard of pudding is not an ell; Not forgetting tweedle-dye, A tailor’s goose will never fly. DXIII. GILLY Silly Jarter, Who has lost a garter, In a shower of rain? The miller found it, The miller ground it, And the miller gave it to Silly again. DXIV. Hey diddle, dinketty, poppety, pet, The merchants of London they wear scarlet ; Silk in the collar, and gold in the hem, So merrily march the merchantmen. 304 NURSERY RHYMES. DXV. Hus a dub dub, Three men in a tub; And who do you think they be? The butcher, the baker, The candlestick-maker ; Turn ’em out, knaves all three! DXVi. HIGH, ding, cockatoo-moody, Make a bed in a barn, I will come to thee; High, ding, straps of leather, Two little puppy-dogs tied together; One by the head, and one by the tail, And over the water these puppy-dogs sail. DXVII. FEEDUM, fiddledum fee, The cat’s got into the tree. Pussy, come down, Or I’ll crack your crown, And toss you into the sea. DXVIII. PUSSICAT, wussicat, with a white foot, When is your wedding? for I'll come to’t. The beer’s to brew, the bread’s to hake, Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, don’t be too late. FINGLES. a ee ne nee DXIx. HICKETY, dickety, dock, The mouse ran up the clock; The clock struck one, Down the mouse ran, Hickety, dickety, dock. 305 300 NURSERY RHVMES. DXX. FIDDLE-DE-DEE, fiddle-de-dee, The fly shall marry the humble-bee. They went to the church, and married was she, The fly has married the humble-bee. DXXI. A caT came fiddling out of a barn, With a pair of bagpipes under her arm; She could sing nothing but fiddle cum fee, The mouse has married the humble-bee ; Pipe, cat; dance, mouse: We'll have a wedding at our good house. DXXIl. LITTLE Jack a Dandy Wanted sugar-candy, And fairly for it cried; But little Billy Cook, Who always reads his book, Shall have a horse to ride. DXXITl. Is John Smith within? Yes, that he is. Can he set a shoe? Ay, marry, two; YINGLES. 307 ‘ ire 5 AW ANY Ny ANS SS hl Ul RAE RT A ihe, \\HRRVAN a , uh | y/} Here a nail and there a nail, Tick, tack, too. 20—2 308 NURSERY RHYMES. DXXIV. DooDLEDY, doodledy, doodledy, dan, I’ll have a piper to be my good man; And if I get less meat, I shall get game, Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan. DXXV. HEY, dorolot, dorolot! Hey, dorolay, dorolay! Hey, my bonny boat, bonny boat, Hey, drag away, drag away ! DXXVI. TWEEDLE-DUM and Tweedle-dee Resolved to have a battle, For Tweedle-dum said Tweedle-dee Had spoiled his nice new rattle. Just then flew by a monstrous crow, As big as a tar-barrel, Which frightened both the heroes so, They quite forgot their quarrel. DXXVII. DING, dong, darrow, The cat and the sparrow; The little dog has burnt his tail, And he shall be hanged to-morrow. / dy b> KS ji Di Z DXXVIII. To market, to market, tc buy a fat pig, Home again, home again, dancing a jig; Ride to the market to buy a fat hog, Home again, home again, jiggety-jog, 309 310 NURSERY RHYMES. DXXIX. 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 well and put them to bed. DXXX. CoME, dance a jig To my granny’s pig, With a raudy, rowdy, dowdy ; Come, dance a jig To my granny’s pig, And pussy-cat shall crowdy. DXXXI. LITTLE Dicky Dilver Had a wife of silver, He took a stick and broke her back, And sold her to the miller ; The miller wouldn’t have her, So he threw her in the river. DXXXII. OLD woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing ? Speak a little louder, sir,—I am very thick of hearing. Old woman, old woman, shall I love you dearly? Thank you, kind sir, I hear you very clearly. : Tits HN CHC i J DXXXIII. LITTLE Polly Flinders, Sat among the cinders, Warming her pretty little toes ; 811 312 NURSERY RHYMES. Her mother came and caught her, And scolded her little daughter, For spoiling her nice new clothes. DXXXIV. DOODLE doodle doo, The Princess lost her shoe; Her Highness hopped,— The fiddler stopped, Not knowing what to do. DXXXV. [Magotty-pie is given in MS. Lands 1033, fol. 2, as a Wiltshire word for a magpie. See also ‘‘Macbeth,” Act III. sc. 4. The same term occurs in the dictionaries of Hollyband, Cotgrave, and Minsheu. ] ROUND about, round about, Magotty-pie, My father loves good ale, And so do I. DXXXVI. THERE was an old woman sat spinning, And that’s the first beginning ; She had a calf, and that’s half; She took it by the tail, And threw it over the wall, And that’s all. DKXXVIL Hery! diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped over the moon; 312 314 NURSERY RHYMES. The little dog laughed To see the sport, While the dish ran after the spoon. DXXXVIII. RomPty iddity, row, row, row, If I had a good supper, I could eat it now. DXXXIX. THERE was an old woman, her name it was Peg; Her head was of wood, and she wore a cork leg. The neighbours all pitched her into the water, Her leg was drowned first, and her head followed a’ter. SINGLES. 315 DXL. OLD Dame Widdle Waddle jumped out of bed, And out at the casement she popped her head, Crying, The house is on fire, the grey goose dead, And the fox he is come to the town, oh! DXLI. THERE was an old soldier of Bister Went walking one day with his sister, When a cow at one poke Tossed her into an oak, Before the old gentleman missed her. DXLII. “FIRE! fire!” said the town-crier ; “Where? where?” said Goody Blair; “Down the town,” said Goody Brown; “T’ll go and see’t,” said Goody Fleet; “So will I,” said Goody Fry. DXLIII. [Our collection of nursery jingles may appropriately be concluded with the Quaker’s commentary on one of the greatest favourites—‘‘ Hey! diddle diddle.” We have endeavoured, as far as practicable, to remove every line from the present edition that could offend the most fastidious ear ; but the following annotations on a song we cannot be induced to‘omit, would appear to suggest that our endeavours are scarcely likely to be attended with success. | Hey! diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle— “Yes, thee may say that, for that is nonsense.” The cow jumped over the moon— 316 NURSERV RHYMES. “Oh no! Mary, thee musn’t say that, for that is a falsehood; thee knows a cow could never jump over the moon; but a cow may jump under it; so thee ought to say—‘ The cow jumped wzder the moon.’” Yes,— The cow jumped under the moon ; The little dog laughed— *‘Oh, Mary, stop. How can a little dog laugh? thee knows a little dog can’t laugh. Thee ought to say—‘ The little dog darked’”— To see the sport, And the dish ran after the spoon— ‘*Stop, Mary, stop. A dish could never run after a spoon ; thee ought to know that. Thee had better say—‘ And the caf ran after the spoon.’” So,— Hey! diddle diddle, The cat and the fiddle, The cow jumped zzder the moon; The little dog darked To see the sport, And the cat ran after the spoon. eae ( == fi ? a mt si ULL wr ele We mane cS a AGA) Hy op fl ii Nee Ph FOURTEENTH CLASS, Watural Asyistory. DXLIV. THE cuckoo’s a fine bird, He sings as he flies ; He brings us good tidings, He tells us no lies, He sucks little birds’ eggs, To make his voice clear | And when he sings “cuckoo!” The summer is near. 317 Cuckoo, Cuckoo, What do you do? In April I open my bill; In May I sing night and day; In June I change my tune; In July Away I fly; In August Away I must. NURSERY RHYMES. DXLV. [A provincial version of the same.] THE cuckoo’s a vine bird, A zéngs as a vlies; A brengs us good tidins, And tells us no lies : A zucks th’ smael birds’ eggs, To make his voice clear; And the mwore a cries “cuckoo \ The zummer draws near. DXLVI. NATURAL HISTORY. 319 i mo DXLVIL [Imitated from a pigeon.] CurR dhoo, curr dhoo, Love me, and Ill love you! DXLVIII. T’LL away yhame, And tell my dame That all my geese Are gane but yane; And it’s a steg (gander), And it’s lost a leg; And it’ll be gane By I yet yhame.- 320 NURSERY RHYMES. DXLIX. JACK SPRAT Had a cat, It had but one ear; It went to buy butter, When butter was dear. SSE DL. PRETTY John Watts, We are troubled with rats, Will you drive them out of the house? We have mice, too, in plenty, That feast in the pantry; But let them stay, And nibble away: What harm in a little brown mouse? NATURAL HISTORY. 321 i. iP Hi : DLI. How d’’e, dogs, how? whose dog art thou? Little Tom Tinker's dog! what’s that to thou? Hiss! bow. a wow, wow! DLII. SEE-SAW, Margery Daw, The old hen flew over the malt-house ; She counted her chickens one by one, Still she missed the little white one, And this is it, this is it, this is it! 2) 322 NURSERY RHYMES. DLIII. [The Proverb of Barnaby Bright is given by Ray and Brand as referring to St. Barnabas. ] BARNABY BRIGHT he was a sharp cur, He always would bark if a mouse did but stir; But now he’s grown old, and can no longer bark, He’s condemned by the parson to be hanged by the clerk. DLIV. LITTLE boy blue, come blow up your horn, The sheep’s in the meadow, the cow’s in the corn. \\ } yy pabeN ae Where’s the little boy that looks after the sheep? He’s under the haycock fast asleep. Will you wake him? No, not I; For if I do, he'll be sure to cry. 323 21—2 324 NURSERY RHYMES. DLV. HuRLY BURLY, trumpet trase, The cow was in the market-place, Some goes far, and some goes near, But where shall this poor henchman steer? DLVI. ON Christmas Eve I turned the spit, I burnt my fingers, I feel it yet. The cock-sparrow flew over the table. The pot began to play with the ladle. DLVII. Hussy, hussy, where’s your horse ? Hussy, hussy, gone to grass! Hussy, hussy, fetch him home, Flussy, hussy, let him alone. DLVIII. PUSSY-CAT sits by the fire: How did she come there? In walks the little dog— Says, “Pussy! are you there? How do you do, Mistress Pussy? Mistress Pussy, how d’ ye do?” “TI thank you kindly, little dog, o I fare as well as you!” 325 NURSERY RHYMES. DLIX. Bow, wow, says the dog; Mew, mew, says the cat; Grunt, grunt, goes the hog; And squeak goes the rat. Tu-whu, says the owl; Caw, caw, says the crow. Quack, quack, says the duck; And what sparrows say, you know. So, with sparrows and owls, With rats and with dogs, With ducks and with crows, With cats and with hogs, A fine song I have made, To please you, my dear; And if it’s well sung, ’T will be charming to hear. 326 NATURAL HISTORY. 327 DLX. LEG over leg, As the dog went to Dover; When he came to a stile, Jump! he went over. DLXI. Rowsty dowt, my fire’s all out, My little dame is not at home! I'll saddle my cock, and bridle my hen, And fetch my little dame home again! Home she came, tritty trot, She asked for the porridge she left in the pot; Some she ate and some she shod, And some she gave to the truckler’s dog ; She took up the ladle and knocked its head, And now poor Dapsy dog is dead! DLXII. THE sow came in with the saddle, The little pig rocked the cradle, The dish jumped over the table, To see the pot with the ladle. The broom behind the butt Called the dish-clout a nasty slut: Oh! oh! says the gridiron, can’t you agree? I’m the head constable—come along with me, 328 NURSERY RHYMES. DLXIII. EOOSEY, goosey, gander, Where shall I wander? Upstairs, downstairs, And in my lady’s chamber ; There I met an old man That would not say his prayers; I took him by the left leg, And threw him downstairs. DLXIV. GOOSEY, goosey, gander, Who stands yonder ? Little Betsy Baker ; Take her up, and shake her. Goosey, goosey, gander. 329 330 NURSERY RHYMES. DLXV. “Wuat do they cail you?” “Patchy Dolly.” “Where were you born?” “Tn the cow’s horn.” “Where were you bred?” “In the cow’s head.” “Where will you die?” “Tn the cow’s eye.” DLXVI. SNAIL, snail, shoot out your horns; Father and mother are dead: ~ Brother and sister are in the back yard, Begging for barley bread. DLXVIL. [Bird-boy’s song. ] EAT, birds, eat, and make no waste, I lie here and make no haste; If my master chance to come, You must fly, and I must run. DLXVIN. THE cat sat asleep by the side of the fire, The mistress snored loud as a pig: Jack took up his fiddle, by Jenny’s desire, And struck up a bit of a jig. AE Ne "I | DLXIX. A LONG-TAILED pig, or a short-tailed pig, Or a pig without e’er a tail, A sow-pig, or a boar-pig, Or a pig with a curly tail. 381 332 NURSERY RHYMES, DLXx. Wuy is pussy in bed, pray? She is sick, says the fly, And I fear she will die; That’s why she’s in bed. Pray, what’s her disorder? She’s got a locked jaw, Says the little jackdaw, And that’s her disorder. Who makes her gruel? I, says the horse, For I am her nurse, And I make her gruel. Pray, who is her doctor? Quack, quack: says the duck, I that task undertook, And I am her doctor. Who thinks she’ll recover? I, says the deer, For I did last year: So I think she’ll recover, NATURAL HISTORY. 333 ILXXI. CATCH him, crow! carry him, kite! Take him away till the apples are ripe; When they are ripe and ready to fall, Home comes [Johnny], apples and all. DLXXII. RIDDLE me, riddle me, ree, A hawk sate up on a tree; And he says to himself, says he, Oh dear! what a fine bird I be! 334 NURSERY RHYMES. DLXXIII. [An ancient Suffolk song for a bad singer.] THERE was an old crow Sat upon a clod: There’s an end of my song, That’s odd! DLXXIV. I AD a little hobby-horse, and it was well shod, It carried me to the mill-door, trod, trod, trod ; When I got there I gave a great shout, Down came the hobby-horse, and I cried out. Fie upon the miller! he was a great beast, He would not come to my house, I made a little feast: I had but little, but I would give him some, For playing of his bagpipes and beating his drum. DLXXV. LADYBIRD, ladybird, fly away home, Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone, All but one, and her name is Ann, And she crept under the pudding-pan. DLXXVI1. BaH, bah, black sheep, Have you any wool? Yes, marry, have I, Three bags full: Sm G2 SS Se? Mi fer B Ae ee Seg in flte2 NWO, SS == eS oe USS One for my master, And one for my dame, But none for the little boy Who cries in the lane. 835 336 NURSERY RHYMES. DLXXVII. I HAD a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell, I gave him some work, and he did it very well; I sent him upstairs to pick up a pin, He stepped in the coal-scuttle up to the chin; I sent him to the garden to pick some sage, He tumbled down and fell in a rage; I sent him to the cellar to draw a pot of beer, He came up again and said there was none there. DLXXVIII. The Cock. Lock the dairy door, Lock the dairy door! The Hen. Chickle, chackle, chee, I haven’t got the key! DLXXIX. LITTLE Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree, Up went pussy-cat, and down went he; Down came pussy-cat, and away Robin ran; Says little Robin Redbreast, “Catch me if you can.” 337 22 338 NURSERY RHYMES. Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall, Pussy-cat jumped after him, and almost got a fall ; Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did pussy say? Pussy-cat said “Mew,” and Robin jumped away. DLXXX. LITTLE Cock Robin peeped out of his cabin, To see the cold winter come in, Tit for tat, what matter for that? He'll hide his head under his wing! DLXXxI. I LIKE little pussy, her coat is so warm, And if I don’t hurt her she’ll do me no harm; So I’ll not pull her tail, nor drive her away, But pussy and I very gently will play. NATURAL HISTORY. 339 DLXXXIL. THE pettitoes are little feet, And the little feet not big ; Great feet belong to the grunting hog, And the pettitoes to the little pig. DLXXXIII. THE dove says coo, coo, what shall I do? I can scarce maintain two. Pooh, pooh, says the wren, I have got ten, And keep them all like gentlemen! DLXXXIV. I HAD a little pony, His name was Dapple-gray, T lent him to a lady, To ride a mile away; 22—2 She whipped him, she slashed him, She rode him through the mire ; I would not lend my pony now For all the lady’s hire. 340 NATURAL HISTORY. DLXXXV. CoME hither, sweet Robin, And be not afraid, I would not hurt even a feather ; Come hither, sweet Robin, And pick up some bread, To feed you this very cold wea- ther. I don’t mean to frighten you, Poor little thing, And pussy-cat is not behind me; ¢ So hop about pretty, i And drop down your wing, And pick up some crumbs, And don’t mind me. DLXXXVI. PIT, pat, well-a-day! Little Robin flew away ; Where can little Robin be ? Gone into the cherry-tree. DLXXXVII. LITTLE Robin Redbreast Sat upon a rail: Niddle naddle went his head, Wiggle waggle went his tail. 341 342 NURSERY RHYMES. DLXXXVIII. [The following song is given in Whiter’s ‘Specimen, ora Commentary on Shakspeare,”’ 8vo, London, 1794, p. 19, as common in Cambridgeshire and Norfolk. Dr. Farmer gives another version as an illustration of a ditty of Jacques in ‘‘As You Like It,” Act II. sc. 5. See Malone’s Shakspeare, ed. 1821, Vol. VI. p. 398; Caldecott’s ‘‘Speci- men,” 1819, note on ‘‘As You Like It,” p. 11; and Douce’s “ So he doffed his hat to Jenny Wren, uy Requesting to be heard. If you will but be mine, You shali feed on cherry pie, you shall, And drink new currant wine; T’ll dress you like a goldfinch, Or any peacock gay ; So, dearest Jen, if you’ll be mine, Let us appoint the day. 364 NURSERY RHYMES. Jenny blushed behind her fan, And thus declared her mind: Since, dearest Bob, I love you well, I’ll take your offer kind ; Cherry pie is very nice, And so is currant wine ; But I must wear my plain brown gown, And never go too fine. Robin Redbreat rose up early, All at the break of day, And he flzw to Jenny Wren’s house, And sung a roundelay ; He sung of Robin Redbreast And little Jenny Wren, And when he came unto the end, He then began again. DCXLIII. THERE was a glossy blackbird once Lived in a cherry-tree, He chirped and sung from morn till night, No bird so blithe as he; And this the burden of his song For ever used to be: Good boys shall have cherries as soon as they’re ripe, But naughty boys none from me. NATURAL HISTORY. 365 DCXLIV. LITTLE Jenny Wren fell sick upon a time; In came Robin Redbreast, and brought her cake and wine. Eat of my cake, Jenny, and drink of my wine. Thank you, Robin, kindly, you shall be mine. Jenny she got well, and stood upon her feet, And told Robin plainly she loved him not a bit. Robin he was angry, and hopped upon a twig, Saying, Out upon you, fie upon you, bold-faced jig! But Jenny Wren fell sick again, and Jenny Wren did die! The doctors said they’d cure her, or know the reason why; Doctor Hawk felt her pulse, and, shaking his head, Said, I fear I can’t save her, because she’s quite dead! 366 NURSERY RHYMES. Doctor Cat said—Indeed, I don’t think she’s dead ; I believe, if I try, she yet may be bled !— You need not a lancet, Miss Pussy, indeed, Your claws are enough a poor wren to bleed. Why, Puss, you "re quite foolish, exclaimed Doctor Goose ; To bleed a dead wren can be of no use !— Ah, Doctor Goose, you’re very wise ; Your learning profound might ganders surprise. She ’ll do very well yet, exclaimed Doctor Fox, If she’ll take but two pills from out of this box !-- Ah, Doctor Fox, you are very cunning ; But if she’s dead, you’ll not get one in. Doctor Jackass advanced—See this balsam: / make it! She yet may survive, if you get her to take it !— What you say, Doctor Ass, may be very true, But I ne’er saw the dead drink—pray, doctor, did you? Says Robin, Get out! you’re a parcel of quacks ; Or I’ll put this good stick about each of your backs. So Robin began to bang them about ; They stayed for no fees, but were glad to get out. Cock Robin long for Jenny grieves, At last he covered her with leaves ; And o’er the place a mournful lay For Jenny Wren sings every day. DCXLV. WHo killed Cock Rob ? In d the sparrow, i sa I, With my bow and arrow, ‘ e 367 308 NURSERY RHYMES. Who saw him die? I, said the fly, With my little eye. Who caught his blood? I, said the Fish, With my little dish. Who’ll make his shroud? Who'll dig his grave? I, said the Beetle, I, said the Owl, With my thread and needle. With my spade and shovel. Who'll carry him to the grave? Who’ll carry the link? I, said the Kite, I, said the Linnet,— If it’s not in the night. I’]l fetch it in a minute. Who’ll be chief mourner? I, said the Dove, For I mourn. for my love. Who’ll sing a psalm ? I, said the Thrush, As he sat in a bush. Who’ll be the Parson? I, said the Rook, With my little book. Who’ll be the clerk ? I, said the Lark, If it’s not in the dark, 369 NATURAL HISTORY. ‘ll toll the bell ? I, said the Bull, Who Because I can pull. 370 NURSERY RHYMES. All the birds of the air Fell a-sighing and sobbing, When they heard the bell toll For poor Cock Robin. DCXLVI. “ ROBERT BARNES, fellow fine, Can you shoe this horse of mine?” "Ves, good sir, that I can, As well as any other man: There’s a nail, and there’s a prod, And now, good sir, your horse is shod.” DCXLVII. I HAD a little dog, and they called him Buff; I sent him to the shop for a hap’orth of snuff; But he lost the bag, and spilt the snuff, So take that cuff, and that’s enough. DCXLVIII. As I went over the water, The water went over me, I saw two little blackbirds sitting on a tree: The one called me a rascal, The other called me a thief; I took up my little black stick, And knocked out all their teeth. NATURAL HISTORY. ZiT. DCXLIX. IN the month of February, When green leaves begin to spring, Little lambs do skip like fairies, Birds do couple, build, and sing, DCL. CROAK! said the Toad, I’m hungry, I think, To-day I’ve had nothing to eat or to drink, 24-8 371 372 NURSERY RHYMES. I’ll crawl to a garden and jump through the pales, And there I’ll dine nicely on slugs and on snails; Ho, ho! quoth the frog, is that what you mean? Then I’ll hop away to the next meadow stream, There I will drink, and eat worms and slugs too, And then I shall have a good dinner like you. DCLI. Tue winds they did blow, The leaves they did wag ; Along came a beggar boy, And put me in his bag. He took me up to London, A lady did me buy, Put me in a_ silver cage, And hung me up on high. With apples by the fire, ‘ And nuts for to enuerse ” crack, Besides a little feather bed To rest my little back. NATURAL HISTORY. 373 DCLII. A FARMER went trotting Upon his grey mare, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! With his daughter behind him, So rosy and fair, Lumpety, lumpety, lump! A raven cried Croak! And they all tumbled down, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! The mare broke her knees, And the farmer his crown, Lumpety, lumpety, lump! The mischievous raven Flew laughing away, Bumpety, bumpety, bump! And vowed he would serve them The same the next day, Lumpety, lumpety, lump! 374 NURSERY RHYMES. DCLII. GRAV goose and gander, Waft your wings together, And carry the good King’s daughter Over the one strand river. ; Zz aoe é 7 , 2 eS ae OH (AES FIFTEENTH CLASS, Bs elics. DCLIV. THE girl in the lane, that couldn’t speak plain, Cried “Gobble, gobble, gobble :” The man on the hill, that couldn’t stand still, Went hobble, hobble, hobbie, 875 376 NURSERV RHYMES. DCLV. HINK, minx! the old witch winks, The fat begins to fry: There’s nobody at home but jumping joan, Father, mother, and I. DCLVI. WHAT are little boys made of, made of? What are little boys made of? Snaps and snails, and puppy-dogs’ tails; And that’s what little boys are made of, made of. What are little girls made of, made of, made of? What are little girls made of? Sugar and spice, and all that’s nice; And that’s what little girls are made of, made of. DCLVII. Bapy and I Were baked in a pie, The gravy was wonderful hot: We had nothing to pay To the baker that day, And so we crept out of the pot. RELICS. 377 ee a ee Zh Wi, GD i} yp DCLVIIL. RAIN, rain, go away, Come again another day; Little Arthur wants to play. DCLIX. WHAT’s the news of the day, Good neighbour, I pray? They say the balloon Is gone up to the moon! 378 NURSERY RHYMES. DCLX. CHARLEY wag, . Ate the pudding and left the bag. DCLXI. HANNAH BANTRY in the pantry, Eating a mutton-bone ; How she gnawed it, how she clawed it, When she found she was alone! DCLXII. GIRLS and boys, come out to play, The moon doth shine as bright as day; Leave your supper and leave your sleep, And come with your playfellows into the street. Come with a whoop, come with a call, Come with a good will or not at all. Up the ladder and down the wall, A halfpenny roll will serve us all. You find milk, and I’ll find flour, And we’ll have a pudding in half an hour. DCLXIII. Hark, hark! The dogs do bark, Beggars are coming to town, Some in jags, Some in rags, And some in velvet gowns. RELICS. 379 DCLXIV. WILLY boy, Willy boy, where are you going? T will go with you, if that I may. I’m going to the meadow to see them a-mowing, I’m going to help them to make the hay. DCLXV. SHAKE a leg, wag a leg, when will you gang? At midsummer, mother, when the days are lang. 380 NURSERY RHYMES. DCLXVI. To market, to market, a gallop, a trot, To buy some meat to put in the pot; Threepence a quarter, a groat a side, If it hadn’t been killed, it must have died. DCLXVII. WE’RE all in the dumps, For diamonds are trumps ; The kittens are gone to St. Paul’s! The babies are bit, The moon’s in a fit, And the houses are built without walls. DCLXVIII. I HAD a little moppet, I put it in my pocket, And fed it with corn and hay; Then came a proud beggar, And swore he would have her, And stole little moppet away. DCLXIX. THE children of Holland Take pleasure in making PINV TT! WAN ea He I | i All iN == —— = ———= =| What the children of England Take pleasure in breaking.* * Aliuding to toys, a great number of which are imported into this country from olland. R81 382 NURSERY RHYMES. DCLXX. IF all the seas were one sea, What a great sea that would be! And if all the trees were one tree, What a great tree that would be! And if all the axes were one axe, What a great axe that would be! And if all the men were one man, What a great man he would be! And if the great man took the great axe, And cut down the great tree, And let it fall into the great sea, What a splish-splash ¢hat would be! DCLXXI. THE barber shaved the mason, As I suppose Cut off his nose, And popped it in a basin. DCLXXII. CoME, let’s to bed, Says Sleepy-head ; Tarry awhile, says Slow; Put on the pot, Says Greedy-gut, Let’s sup before we go. Spas f Aig TAN T g } Dy > SS KEN =, tie, 4 Z Ke FAS AOD Cy J La Ne AN 20, Ke Ye = RQ wif Pak a a Wai 4 2 NE Ves br y a. Nees : aeRO ae” SE eS 7 SA ww a =H ST Fs IN) S UP Ta iy A LW MY ‘ Sy 7% aS) fz) as = ey fi Es é z 3 3 > p a i i \ MD Ae) - i Mh DCLXXIII. LITTLE girl, little girl, where have you been? Gathering roses to give to the Queen. Little girl, little girl, what gave she you? She gave me a diamond as big as my shoe. 383 384. NURSERY RHYMES. ae —$—————seenneonermer ee 8 ereme~sy DCLXXIV.. [A marching air.] DaRBy and Joan were dressed in black, Sword and buckle behind their back ; Foot for foot, and knee for knee, Turn about Darby’s company. DCLXXV. BARBER, barber, shave a pig, How many hairs will make a wig? “Four-and-twenty, that’s enough.” Give the barber a pinch of snuff. DCLXXVI. FINGER-NAILS. [There is a superstition, says Forby, ii., 411, respecting cutting the nails, and some days are considered more lucky for this operation than others. To cut them on a Tuesday is thought particularly auspicious. Indeed, if we are to believe an old rhyming saw on this subject, every day of the week is endowed with its several and peculiar virtue, if the nails are invariably cut on that day and no other. The lines are as follow :] Cut them on Monday, you cut them for health ; Cut them on Tuesday, you cut them for wealth ; Cut them on Wednesday, you cut them for news; Cut them on Thursday, a new pair of shoes ; Cut them on Friday, you cut them for sorrow ; Cut them on Saturday, see your true love to-morrow ; Cut them on Sunday, ill luck will be with you all the week. RELICS, 385 [The following divination rhymes refer to the gyts, or white spots on the nails, beginning with the thumb, and going on regularly to the little finger. The last gift will show the destiny of the operator pro tempore. | A GIFT—a friend—a foe— A journey—to go. DCLXXVII. DAYS OF BIRTH. Monpav’s child is fair in face, Tuesday’s child is full of grace, Wednesday’s child is full of woe, Thursday’s child has far to go, Friday’s child is loving and giving, Saturday’s child works hard for its living ; And a child that’s born on Christmas Day Is fair and wise, good and gay. DCLXXVIII. COLOURS. Colour superstitions, though rapidly disappearing, still obtain in the remote rural districts, The following lines were obtained from the east of England :] BLUE is true, Yellow’s jealous, Green’s forsaken, Red’s brazen, White is love, And black is death ' 25 386 NURSERY RHYMES. SR DCLXXIX. THE quaker’s wife got up to bake, Her children all about her, She gave them every one a cake, And the miller wants his moulter. DCLXXX. _ WHO comes here ?—A grenadier. What do you want?—-A pot of beer. Where is your money ?—I ve forgot. Get you gone, you drunken sot! DCLXXxXI. Go to bed, Tom! Go to bed, Tom! Drunk or sober, Go to bed, Tom! DCLXXXILI. As I went over the water, The water went over me, I heard an old woman crying, Will you buy some furmity? DCLXXXIII. HicH diddle doubt, my candle out, My little maid is not at home: Saddle my hog, and bridle my dog, And fetch my little maid home. nny | bought a little horse - i ’ That galloped up and down; I bridled him, and saddled him, And sent him out of town. 424 LOVE AND MATRIMONY. 425 I gave him some garters, To garter up his hose, And a little handkerchief, To wipe his pretty nose. DCCLVIII. I MARRIED my wife by the light of the moon, A tidy housewife, a tidy one; She never gets up until it is noon, And I hope she’ll prove a tidy one. And when she gets up, she is slovenly laced, A tidy, &c. She takes up the poker to roll out the paste, And I hope, &c. She churns her butter in a boot, A tidy, &c. And instead of a churn-staff she puts in her foot, And I hope, &c. _ She lays her cheese on the scullery shelf, A tidy, &c. And she never turns it till it turns itself, And I hope, &c. 426 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCLIX. CAN you make me a cambric shirt, Parsley, sage, rosemary, and thyme, Without any seam or needlework? And you shall be a true lover of mine. Can you wash it in yonder well, Parsley, &c., _ Where never sprung water, nor rain ever fell? And you, &c. Can you dry it on yonder thorn, Parsley, &c., Which never bore blossom since Adam was born? And you, &c. Now you have asked me questions three, Parsley, &c., I hope you’ll answer as many for me, And you, &c. Can you find me an acre of land, Parsley, &c., Between the salt water and the sea-sand? And you, &c. Can you plough it with a ram’s horn, Parsley, &c., And sow it all over with one peppercorn ? And you, &c. LOVE AND MATRIMONY. 427 “" Tt fl SX - Can you reap it with a sickle of leather, Parsley, &c., And bind it up with a peacock’s feather? And you, &c. 428 NURSERY RHYMES. When you have done and finished your work, Parsley, &c., Then come to me for your cambric shirt, And you, &c. DCCLX. SAW ye aught of my love a-coming from the markct ? A. peck of meal upon her back, A babby in her basket; Saw ye aught of my love a-coming from the market? DCCLXI1. UP street, and down street, Each window ’s made of glass; If you go to Tommy Tickler’s house, You'll find a pretty lass. DCCLXII. OH! mother, I shall be married to Mr. Punchinello. Yo Mr. Punch, To Mr. Chin, To Mr. Nell, To Mr. Lo, Mr. Punch, Mr. Chin, Mr. Nell, Mr. Lo, To Mr. Punchinello. DCCLXIII. “MADAM, I am come to court you If your favour I can gain.” “ Ah, ah!” said she, “you are a bold fellow, If I e’er see your face again!” “Madam, I have rings and diamonds, Madam, I have houses and land, Madam, I have a world of treasure,— All shall be at your command.” 429 430 NURSERY RHYMES. “T care not for rings and diamonds, I care not for houses and land, I care not for a world of treasure, So that I have but a handsome man,” “Madam, you think much of beauty : Beauty hasteneth to decay}’ For the fairest of flowers that grow in summer Will decay and fade away.” DCCLXIV. Bessy BELL and Mary Gray, They were two bonny lasses: 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. DCCLXV. LITTLE John Jiggy Jag, He rode a penny nag, And went to Wigan to woo: When he came to a beck, He fell and broke his neck,— Johnny, how dost thou now? LOVE AND MATRIMONY. 431 I made him a hat, Of my coat-lap, And stockings of pearly blue ; 432 NURSERY RHYMES. A hat and a feather, To keep out ccid weather ; So, Johnny, how dost thou now? DCCLXVI, uh . tC if Wwe AM cumberland Courtship. ] Wf a ye: (/ . i ines lil “4 Bonny lass,canny lass, CJ Stauiiano | E 3 AS willta be mine? Thou’se neither wesh dishes, nor sarrah (serve) the swine; Thou sall sit on a cushion, and sew up a seam, And thou sall eat strawberries, sugar, and cream. DCCLXVII. JACK and Jill went up the hill To fetch a pail of water; Jack fell down, and broke his crown, And Jill came tumbling after, 433 28 , 434 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCLXVIII. LITTLE Tom Dandy Was my first suitor, He had a spoon and dish, And a little pewter. DCCLXIX., 4)“ THERE was a little pretty iad, And he-lived by himself, And all the meat he got «> He put upon a shelf. The rats and. the mice Did lead him such a life, That he went to Ireland To get himself.a wife. The lanes they were so broad, And the fields they were so narrow, He couldn't get his wife home Without a wheelbarrow. . The wheelbarrow broke, My wife she got a kick, The deuce take the wheelbarrow, That spared my wife’s neck. ALEUTIAN Kee LOVE AND MATRIMONY. 435 DCCLXX. ROWLEY POWLEY, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry; When the girls begin to cry, Rowley Powley runs away. ellis 11 DCCLXXI. LOVE your own, kiss your own, Love your own mother, hinny, For if she was dead and gone, You ’d ne’er get such another, hinny. 28—2 436 NURSERY RHYMES. Chorus. DCCLXXII. MARGARET wrote a letter, Sealed it with her finger, Threw it in the dam For the dusty miller. © Dusty was his coat, Dusty was the siller, Dusty was the kiss I’d from the dusty miller. If I had my pockets Full of gold and siller, I would give it all To my dusty miller. Oh, the little, little, Rusty, dusty, miller. DCCLXXIII. HERE comes a lusty wooer, My a dildin, my a daldin; Hre comes a lusty wooer, Lily bright and shine a’. Pray, who do you woo, My a dildin, my a daldin? Pray, who do you woo, Lily bright and shine a’? 437 LOVE AND MATRIMONY. aT Se SN SY SWAG S aS \ S SS SS s LAK QQ LEZ, > | SSI = \ Say Way | S | a = = D :) Veli am. For your fairest daughter, my a daldin, 2 My a dildin For your fairest daughter, Lily bright and shine a’. Then there she is for you, My a dildin, my a daldin; 438 NURSERY RHYMES. Then there she is for you, Lily bright and. shine a’. _BeGL XXIV. O RARE Harry Parry, When will you marry? When apples and pears are ripe. Ill come to your wedding, Without any bidding, And dance and sing all the night. DCCLXXV. BLUE eye beauty, Grey eye greedy, Black eye blackie, Brown eye brownie. DCCLXXVI. CURLY locks! curly locks! wilt thou be mine? Thou shalt not wash dishes, nor yet feed the swine; But sit on a cushion and sew a fine seam, And feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream. EIGHTEENTH CLASS. FAceumulative Stories. DCCLXXVII. I SELL you the key of the King’s garden: I sell you the string that ties the key, &c. I sell you the rat that gnawed the string, &c. I sell you the cat that caught the rat, &c. I sell you the dog that bit the cat, &c. DCCLXXVIIL [Traditional pieces are frequently so ancient, that possibility will not be outraged by conjecturing the John Ball of the following piece to be the priest who took so distinguished a part in the rebellion emg. Richard II.] JoHN BALL shot them all; John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. 439 440 NURSERY RHYMES. John Wyming made the priming, And John Brammer made the rammer, And John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. John Block made the stock, And John Brammer made the rammer, And John Wyming made the priming, And John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. John Crowder made the powder, And John Block made the stock, And John Wyming made the priming, And John Brammer made the rammer, And John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. John Puzzle made the muzzle, And John Crowder made the powder, And John Block made the stock, And John Wyming made the priming, And John Brammer made the rammer, And John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them ail. John Clint made the flint, And John Puzzle made the muzzle, Lan ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. 44! And John Crowder made the powder, And John Block made the stock, And John Wyming made the priming, And John Brammer made the rammer, And John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. John Patch made the match, John Clint made the flint, John Puzzle made the muzzle, John Crowder made the powder, John Block made the stock, John Wyming made the priming, John Brammer made the rammer, John Scott made the shot, But John Ball shot them all. DCCLXXIX. . THIS is the house that Jack built. . This is the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the rat That ate the malt . That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the cat, That killed the rat, NURSERY RHYMES, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. . This is the man all tattered and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, NURSERY RHYMES. Il. That That That . This That That That That That That That That . This That That That That That That That That That This That That That killed the rat, ate the malt lay in the house that Jack built. is the priest all shaven and shorn, married the tan all tattered and torn, kissed the maiden all forlorn, milked the cow with the crumpled horn, tossed the dog, worried the cat, killed the rat, ate the malt lay in the house that Jack built. is the cock that crowed in the morn, waked the priest all shaven and shorn, married the man all tattered and torn, kissed the maiden all forlorn, milked the cow with the crumpled horn, tossed the dog, worried the cat, killed the rat, ate the malt lay in the house that Jack built. is the farmer sowing his corn, kept the cock that crowed in the morn, waked the priest all shaven and shorn, married the man all tattered and torn, ACCUMULATIVE STORIES, 445 That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with the crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built. DCCLXXX. [The original of ‘‘The house that Jack built” is presumed to be a hymn in ‘ Sefer Haggadah,” fol. 23, a translation of which is here given. The historical inter- pretation was first given by P. N. Leberecht, at Leipsic, in 1731, and is printed in the ‘‘Christian Reformer,” vol. xvii., p. 28. The original is in the Chaldee language, and it may be mentioned that a very fine Hebrew manuscript of the fable, with illuminations, is in the possession of George Offer, Esq., of Hackney.] 1. A kid, a kid, my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. 2. Then came ¢he cat, and ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid, 3. Then came the dog, and bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. 446 NURSERY RHYMES. 4. Then came ¢he staff, and beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. 5. Then came ¢he fire, and burned the staff That beat the dog, That bit the cat, ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. 447 That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. . Then came the water, and quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. . Then came ¢#e ox and drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. . Then came che butcher, and slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, 448 10. NURSERY RHYMES. That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. . Then came che angel of death, and killed the butcher, That slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. Then came the Holy One, blessed be He! And killed the angel of death, That killed the butcher, That slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. 449 That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. The following is the interpretation : 1, The kid, which was one of the pure animals, denotes the Hebrews. The father by whom it was purchased is Jehovah, who represents Himself as sustain- ing this relation to the Hebrew nation. The two pieces of money signify Moses and Aaron, through whose mediation the Hebrews were brought out of Egypt. 2. The cat denotes the Assyrians, by whom the ten tribes were carried into captivity, 3. The dog is symbolical of the Babylonians. 4. The staff signifies the Persians. 5. The fire indicates the Grecian empire under Alexander the Great. 6. The water betokens the Roman, or the fourth of the great monarchies to whose dominion the Jews were subjected, 7. The ox isa symbol of the Saracens, who subdued Palestine, and brought it under the caliphate. 8. The butcher that killed the ox denotes the crusaders, by whom the Holy Land was wrested out of the hands of the Saracens. 9. The angel of death signifies the Turkish power, by which the land of Palestine was taken from the Franks, and to which it is still subject. to. The commencement of the tenth stanza is designed to show that God will take signal vengeance on the Turks, immediately after whose overthrow the Jews are to be restored to their own land, and live under the government of their long-expected Messiah. 450 NURSERY RHVMES. DCCLXXXI. AN old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. “What,” said she, “shall I do with this little sixpence? I will go to market and buy a little pig.” As she was coming home she came to a stile: the piggy would not go over the stile. She went a little farther, and she met a dog. So she said to the dog, “Dog! bite pig; piggy won’t go over the stile, and I shan’t get home to-night.” But the dog would not. She went a little farther, and she met a stick. So she said, “Stick! stick! beat dog; dog won't bite.pig; piggy won’t get over the stile, and I shan’t get home to-night.” -But the stick would not. She went a little farther, and she met a fire. So she said, “ Fire} fire! burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig,” (and so forth, always repeating the foregoing words.) But the fire would not. She went a little farther, and she met some water. So she > said, “Water! water! quench fire; fire won’t burn stick,” &c. But the water would not. She went a little farther, and she met an ox. So she said, “Ox! ox! drink water; water won’t quench fire,” &c. But the ox would not. She went a little farther, and she met a butcher. So she said, “Butcher! butcher! kill ox; ox won’t drink water,’ &c. But the butcher would not. She went a little farther, and she met a rope. So she said, “Rope! rope! hang butcher; butcher won’t kill ox,” &c. But the rope would not. BSI WALL 2 EPI Ki SS MG Sani RY, IZ 452 NURSERY RHYMES. So she went a little farther, and she meta rat. So she said, “Rat! rat! gnaw rope’ rope won’t hang butcher,” &c. But the rat would not. So she went a little farther, and she met acat. So she said, “Cat! cat! kill rat; rat won’t gnaw rope,” &c. But the cat said to her, “If you will go to yonder cow and fetch mea saucer of milk, I will kill the rat.” So away went the old woman to the cow. But the cow said to her, “If you will go to yonder haystack * and fetch me a handful of hay, I’ll give you the milk.” So away went the old woman to the haystack; and she brought the hay to the cow. As soon as the cow had eaten the hay she gave the old woman the milk, and away she went with it in a saucer to the cat. As soon as the cat had lapped up the milk, the cat began to kill the rat; the rat began to gnaw the rope; the rope began to hang the butcher; the butcher began to kill the ox; the ox began to drink the water; the water began to quench the fire; .the fire began to burn the stick; the stick began to beat the dog; the dog began to bite the pig; the little pig in a fright jumped over the stile; and so the old woman got home that night. * Or haymakers, proceeding thus in the stead of the rest of this paragraph: ‘‘And fetch me a wisp of hay, I’ll give you the milk.” So away the old woman went; but the haymakers said to her, ‘If you will go to yonder stream and fetch us a bucket of water, we'll give you the hay.” So away the old woman went, but when she got to the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, and then filled the bucket with water, and away she went back with it to the haymakers, and they gave her a wisp of hay. ~ ONG x EA f K oe ‘ A Sout jy) \) \ F \\ N \\ 454 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCLXXXII, Titty MOUusE and Tatty Mouse both lived in a house, Titty Mouse went a-leasing, and Tatty Mouse went a-leasing So they both went a-leasing. Titty Mouse leased an ear of corn, and Tatty Mouse leased an ear of corn, : So they both leased an ear of corn, ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. A55 Titty Mouse made a pudding, and Tatty Mouse made a pudding, So they both made a pudding. And Tatty Mouse put her pudding into the pot to boil, But when Titty went to put hers in the pot, it tumbled over and scalded her to death. Then Tatty sat down and wept. Then a three-legged stool said, “Tatty, why do you weep?” ‘“ Titty’s dead,” said Tatty, “and sol weep.” ‘Then said the stool, “I’li hop;” so the stool hopped. Then a besom in the corner of the room said, “ Stool, why do you hop?” “Oh!” said the stool, “Titty’s dead, and Tatty weeps, andsoI hop.” Then said the besom, “I'll sweep ;” so the besom began to sweep. Then said the door, “Besom, why do you sweep?” “Oh!” said the besom, “Titty’s dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and so I sweep.” Then said the door, “I’ll jar;” so the door jarred. Then said the window, “Door, why do you jar?” “Oh!” said the door, “Titty ’s dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, and so I jar.” Then said the window, “I'll creak ;” so the window creaked. Now, there was an old form outside the house, and when the window creaked, the form said, “Window, why do you creak?” “Oh!” said the window, “Titty’s dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars,and so I creak.” Then said the old form, “I’ll run round the house ;” then the old form ran round the house. Now, there was a fine large walnut-tree growing by the cottage, and the tree said to the form, “ Form, why do you 456 NURSERY RHYMES. run round the house?” “Oh!” said the form, “Titty ’s dead, and Tatty weeps, and the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, and so I run round the house.” Then said the walnut-tree, “I’ll shed my leaves ;” so the walnut- tree shed all its beautiful green leaves. Now, there was a little bird perched on one of the boughs of the tree, and when all the leaves fell, it said, “ Walnut-tree, why do you shed your leaves?” “Oh!” said the tree, “ Titty ’s dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, and so I shed my leaves.” ‘Then said the little bird, “I’ll moult all my feathers a so he moulted all his pretty feathers, Now, there was a little girl walking below, carrying a jug of milk for her brothers’ and sisters’ supper, and when she saw the poor little bird moult all its feathers, she said, “ Little bird, why do you moult all your feathers?” “Qh!” said the little bird, “Titty’s dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, the walnut-tree sheds its leaves, and so I moult all my feathers.” Then said the little girl, “1’ll spill the milk ;” so she dropped the pitcher and spilt the milk. N ow, there was an old man just by on the top of a ladder thatching a rick, and when he saw the little girl spill the milk, he said, “ Little girl, what do you mean by spilling the milk? Your little brothers and sisters must go without their supper.” Then said the little girl, “Titty’s dead, and Tatty weeps, the stool hops, and the besom sweeps, the door jars, and the window creaks, the old form runs round the house, the walnut-tree sheds all its leaves, the little bird moults ACCUMULATIVE STORIES. 457 all its feathers, and so I spilt the milk.” “Oh!” said the old man, “then I’ll tumble off the ladder and break my neck ;” so he tumbled off the ladder and broke his neck, And when the old man broke his neck, the great walnut-tree fell down with a crash, and upset the old form and house, and the house falling knocked the window out, and the window knocked the door down, and the door upset the besom, the besom upset the stool, and poor little Tatty Mouse was buried beneath the ruins, EM bya pe eine Mh x) ' = SSS S SS SSS SSS NINETEENTH CLASS. Aiveside Stories. DCCLX XXIII. THE STORY OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS. ONCE upon a time there was an old sow with three little pigs, and as she had not enough to keep them, she sent them out to seek their fortune. The first that went off met a man with a bundle of straw, and said to him, “Please, man, give me that straw to build me a house;” which the man did, and the little pig built a house with it. Presently came along a wolf, and knocked at the door and said, “Little pig, little pig, let me come in.” To which the pig answered, “No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin.” The wolf then answered to that, “Then I’ll huff, and 1’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in.” So he huffed, and he puffed, and he blew his house in, and ate up the little pig. The second little pig met a man with a bundle of furze, and said, “Please, man, give me that furze to build a house 3” which the man did, and the pig built his house. Then along came the wolf, and said, “ Little pig, little pig, let me come in.” “No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin.” “Then I’ll puff, and 1’ll huff, and I’ll blow your house in.” 30 he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and at last he blew the house down, and he ate up the little.pig, 460 NURSERY RHYMES. The third little pig met a man with a load of bricks, and said “Please, man, give me those bricks to build a house with;” so the man gave him the bricks, and he built his house with them. So the wolf came, as he did to the other little pigs, and said, “Little pig, little pig, let me come in.” “No, no, by the hair of my chiny chin chin.” “Then I'll huff, and I’ll puff, and I’ll blow your house in.” Well, he huffed, and he puffed, and he huffed, and he puffed, and he puffed, and he huffed ; but he could zof get the house down. When he found that he could not, with all his huffing and puffing, blow the house down, he said, “ Little pig, I know where there is a nice field of turnips.” ‘““Where ?” said the little pig. “Oh, in Mr. Smith’s home-field, and if you will be ready to-morrow morning I will call for you, and we will go together, and get some for dinner.” “Very well,” said the little pig, “I will be ready. What time do you mean to go?” “ Oh, at six o'clock.” Well, the little pig got up at five, and got the turnips before the wolf came—(which he did about six)—and who said, “ Little pig, are you ready ?” The little pig said, “Ready! I have been, and come back again, and got a nice pot-full for dinner.” The wolf felt very angry at this, but thought that he would be up to the little pig somehow or other, so he said, “ Little pig, I know where there is a nice apple-tree.” “Where ?” said the pig. = / Beye 7 1) Vp a b hee , SW = = = 2 z z 462 NURSERV RHYMES. oe “Down at Merry-garden,” replied the wolf, “and if you will not deceive me I will come for you, at five o’clock to-morrow, and we will go together and get some apples.” Well, the little pig bustled up the next morning at four o'clock, and went off for the apples, hoping to get back before the wolf came ; but he had farther to go, and had to climb the tree, so that just as he was coming down from it, he saw the wolf coming, which, as you may suppose, frightened him very much. When the wolf came up he said, “ Little pig, what! are you here before me? Are they nice apples?” “Yes, very,” said the little pig. “I will throw you down one; and he threw it so far, that, while the wolf was gone to pick it up, the little pig jumped down and ran home. The next day the wolf came again, and said to the little pig, “Little pig, there is a fair at Shanklin this afternoon, will you go?” “Oh, yes,” said the pig, “I will go; what time shall you be ready ?” “At three,” said the wolf. So the little pig went off before the time as usual, and got to the fair, and bought a butter-churn, which he was going home with, when he saw the wolf coming. Then he could not tell what todo. So he got into the churn to hide, and by so doing turned it round, and it rolled down the hill with the pig in it, which frightened the wolf so much, that he ran home without going to the fair. He went to the little pig’s house, and told him how frightened he had been by a great round thing which came down the hill past him. Then the little pig said, “Hah, I frightened aki BS Si Mory ZEN ie 464 NURSERY RHYMES. you, then? I had been tothe fair and bought a butter-churn, and when I saw you, I got into it, and rolled down the hill.” Then the wolf was very angry indeed, and declared he would eat up the little pig, and that he would get down the chimney after him. When the little pig saw what he was about, he hung on the pot full of water, and made up a blazing fire, and, just as the wolf was coming down, took off the cover, and in fell the wolf; so the little pig put on the cover again in an instant, boiled him up, and ate him for supper, and lived happy ever after. DCCLX XXIV. TEENY-TINY.* ONCE upon a time there was a teeny-tiny woman lived in a teeny-tiny house in a teeny-tiny village. Now, one day this teeny-tiny woman put on her teeny-tiny bonnet, and went out of her teeny-tiny house to take a teeny-tiny walk. And when this teeny-tiny woman had gone a teeny-tiny way, she came to a teeny-tiny gate ;"so the teeny-tiny woman opened the teeny-tiny gate, and went into a teeny-tiny churchyard. And when this teeny-tiny woman had got into the teeny-tiny churchyard, she saw a teeny-tiny bone on a teeny-tiny grave, and the teeny-tiny woman said to her teeny-tiny self, “This teeny-tiny bone will make me some teeny-tiny soup for my teeny-tiny supper.” So the teeny-tiny woman put the teeny-tiny bone into her teeny- tiny pocket, and went home to her teeny-tiny house. * This simple tale seldom fails to rivet the attention of children, especially if well told. The last two words should be said loudly with a start. It was obtained from oral tradition. fIRESIDE STORIES. 465 Now when the teeny-tiny woman got home to her teeny-tiny house, she was a teeny-tiny tired ; so she went up her teeny-tiny stairs to her teeny-tiny bed, and put the teeny-tiny bone into a teeny-tiny cupboard. And when this teeny-tiny woman had been to sleep a teeny-tiny time, she was awakened by a teeny-tiny voice from the teeny-tiny cupboard, which said, “Give me my bone!” And this teeny-tiny woman wasa teeny-tiny frightened, so she hid her teeny-tiny head under the teeny-tiny clothes, and went to sleep again. And when she had been to sleep again a teeny-tiny time, the teeny-tiny voice again cried out from the teeny-tiny cupboard a teeny-tiny louder, “Give me my bone!” This made the teeny-tiny woman a teeny-tiny more frightened, so she hid her teeny-tiny head a teeny-tiny farther under the teeny-tiny clothes. And when the teeny-tiny woman had been to sleep again a teeny-tiny time, the teeny-tiny voice from the teeny-tiny cupboard said again a teeny-tiny louder, “GIvE ME MY BONE!” And this the teeny-tiny woman was a teeny-tiny bit more frightened, but she put her teeny-tiny head out of the teeny- tiny clothes, and said in her loudest teeny-tiny voice, “TAKE IT!)” DCCLXXXV. THE STORY OF MR. VINEGAR.* Mr, and Mrs. Vinegar lived ina vinegar-bottle. Now one day, when Mr, Vinegar was from home, Mrs. Vinegar, who was a very good housewife, was busily sweeping her house, when an unlucky * This story was obtained from oral tradition in the West of England. It is undoubtedly a variation of the ‘Hans im Gliick” of Grimm, which is current in Germany. 90 466 NURSERY RHYMES. thump of the broom brought the whole house clitter-clatter, clit- ter-clatter, about her ears. In a paroxysm of grief she rushed forth to meet her husband, On seeing him she exclaimed, “Oh, Mr. Vinegar, Mr. Vinegar, we are ruined, we are ruined! I have knocked the house down, and it is all to pieces!” Mr. Vinegar then said, “ My dear, let us see what can be done. Here is the door ; I will take it on my back, and we will go forth to seek our fortune.” ; They walked all that day, and at nightfall entered a thick forest. They were both excessively tired, and Mr. Vinegar said, “My love, I will climb up into a tree, drag up the door, and you shall follow.’ He accordingly did so, and they both stretched their weary limbs upon the door, and fell fast asleep. In the middle of the night Mr. Vinegar was disturbed by the sound ot voices beneath, and to his great dismay perceived that a party of thieves were met to divide their booty. “Here, Jack,” said one, “here’s five pounds for you; here, Bill, here’s ten pounds for you; here, Bob, here’s three pounds for you.” Mr. Vinegar could listen no longer ; his terror was so intense that he trembled most violently, and shook down the door on their heads. Away scampered the thieves, but Mr. Vinegar dared not quit his retreat till broad daylight. He then scrambled out of the tree, and went to lift up the door. What did he behold but a number of golden guineas! “Come down, Mrs. Vinegar,” he cried, “come down, I say; our fortune’s made, our fortune’s made! come down, I say.” Mrs. Vinegar got down as fast as she could, and saw the money with equal delight. “Now, my dear,” said she, “I'll tell you what FIRESIDE STORIES, 467 you shall do. There is a fair at the neighbouring town; you shall take these forty guineas and buy a cow. I can make butter and cheese, which you shall sell at market, and we shall then be able to live very comfortably.” Mr. Vinegar joyfully assents, takes the money, and goes off to the fair. When he arrived, he walked up and down, and at length saw a beautiful red cow. It was an excellent milker, and perfect in every respect. Oh! thought Mr. Vinegar, if I had but that cow I should be the happiest man alive. So he offers the forty guineas for the cow, and the owner declaring that, as he was a friend, he’d oblige him, the bargain was made. Proud of his purchase, he drove the cow backwards and forwards to show it. By-and-bye he saw a man playing the bagpipes, tweedledum, tweedledee ; the children followed him about, and he appeared to be pocketing money on all sides. Well, thought Mr. Vinegar, if I had but that beautiful instrument I should be the happiest man alive—my fortune would be made. So he went up to the man. “ Friend,” says he, “what a beau- tiful instrument that is, and what a deal of money you must make.” “Why, yes,” said the man, “I make a great deal of money, to be sure, and it is a wonderful instrument.’ “Oh!” cried Mr. Vinegar, “how I should like to possess it!” “Well,” said the man, “as you are a friend, I don’t much mind parting with it; you shall have it for that red cow.” “Done,” said the delighted Mr. Vinegar; so the beautiful red cow was given for the bagpipes. He walked up and down with his purchase, but in vain he attempted to play a tune, and instead of pocketing pence, the boys followed him hooting, laughing, and pelting. 30—2 468 NURSERY RHYMES. Poor Mr. Vinegar, his fingers grew very cold, and, heartily ashamed and mortified, he was leaving the town, when he met a man with a fine thick pair of gloves. “Oh, my fingers are so very cold,” said Mr. Vinegar to himself; “if I had but those beautiful gloves I should be the happiest man alive.” He went up to the man, and said to him, “Friend, you seem to have a capital pair of gloves there.” “Yes, truly,” cried the man; “and my hands are as. warm as possible this cold November day.” “Well,” said Mr. Vinegar, “I should like to have them.” “What will you give?” said the man; “as you are a friend, I don’t much mind letting you have them for those bagpipes.” “Done,” cried Mr. Vinegar. He put on the gloves, and felt perfectly happy as he trudged homewards. At last he grew very tired, when he saw a man coming towards him with a good stout stick in his hand. “ Oh,” said Mr, Vin- egar, “that I had but that stick! I should then be the happiest man alive.’ He accosted the man—“ Friend, what a rare good stick you have got.” “Yes,” said the man, “T have used it for many a long mile, and a good friend it has been; but if you have a fancy for it, as you are a friend, I don’t mind giving it to you for that pair of gloves.” Mr. Vinegar’s hands were so warm, and his legs so tired, that he gladly exchanged. As he drew near to the wood where he had left his wife, he heard a parrot on a tree calling out his name—“ Mr. Vinegar, you foolish man, you blockhead, you simpleton! you went to the fair, and laid out all your money in buying a cow; not con- tent with that, you changed it for bagpipes, on which you could not play, and which were not worth one-tenth of the money. FIRESIDE STORIES. 469 You fool, you! You had no sooner got the bagpipes than you changed them for the gloves, which were not worth one-quarter of the money; and when you had got the gloves, you changed them for a poor miserable stick; and now for your forty guineas, cow, bagpipes, and gloves, you have nothing to show but that poor miserable stick, which you might have cut in any hedge.” On this the bird laughed immoderately, and Mr. Vinegar, falling into a violent rage, threw the stick at its head. The stick lodged in the tree, and he returned to his wife without money, cow, bag- pipes, gloves, or stick, and she instantly gave him such a sound cudgelling that she almost broke every bone in his skin. DCCLXXXVII. THE STORY OF CHICKEN-LICKEN.* AS Chicken-licken went one day to the wood, an acorn fell upon her poor bald pate, and she thought the sky had fallen. So she said she would go and tell the King the sky had fallen. So Chicken-licken turned back,and met Hen-len. “ Well, Hen- len, where are you going?” And Hen-len said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” And Chicken-licken said, “Oh! Hen-len, don’t go, for I was going, and the sky fell upon my poor bald pate, and I’m going to tell the King.” So Hen-len turned back with Chicken-licken, and met Cock-lock. “Oh! Cock-lock, where are you going?” And Cock-lock said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Hen-len said, “ Oh! Cock-lock, don’t go, for I was going, and I met Chicken-licken, and Chicken- * A shorter and very different version of this is given by Mr. Chambers, p. 211. 470 NURSERY RHVMES. licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Cock-lock turned back, and met Duck-luck. “Well, Duck- luck, where are you going?” And Duck-luck said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Cock-lock said, “Oh! Duck- luck, don’t go, for I was going, and 1 met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Duck-luck turned back, and met Drake-lake. « Well, Drake-lake, where are you going?” And Drake-lake said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Duck-luck said, “Oh! Drake-lake, don’t go, for I was going, and I met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Drake-lake turned back, and met Goose-loose. «“ Well, Goose-loose, where are you going?” And Goose-loose said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Drake-lake said, “Oh! Goose-loose, don’t go, for I was going, and I met Duck- luck, and Duck-luck met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met H en-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Goose-loose turned back, and met Gander-lander, “ Well, Gander-lander, where are you going?” And Gander-lander said, “I’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Goose-loose said, “Oh! Gander-lander, don’t go, for I was going, and I met FIRESIDE STORIES. 47% Drake-lake, and Drake-lake met Duck-luck, and Duck-luck met Cock-lock,and Cock-lock met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken- licken, and Chicken-licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Gander-lander turned back, and met Turkey-lurkey. “Well, turkey-lurkey, where are you going?” And Turkey-lurkey said, “T’m going to the wood for some meat.” Then Gander-lander said, “Oh! Turkey-lurkey, don’t go, for I was going, and I met Goose-loose, and Goose-loose met Drake-lake, and Drake-lake met Duck-luck, and Duck-luck met Cock-lock, and Cock-lock met Hen-len, and Hen-len met Chicken-licken, and Chicken- licken had been at the wood, and the sky had fallen on her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” So Turkey-lurkey turned back, and walked with Gander-lander, Goose-loose, Drake-lake, Duck-luck, Cock-lock, Hen-len, and Chicken-licken. And as they were going along, they met Fox- lox. And Fox-lox said, “Where are you going, my pretty maids?” And they said, “Chicken-licken went to the wood, and the sky fell upon her poor bald pate, and we are going to tell the King.” And Fox-lox said, “Come along with me, and I will show you the way.” But Fox-lox took them into the fox’s hole, and he and his young ones soon ate up poor Chicken-licken, Hen-len, Cock-lock, Duck-luck, Drake-lake, Goose-loose, Gander- lander, and Turkey-lurkey, and they never saw the King to tell him that the sky had fallen 472 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCLXXXVII. THE MISER AND HIS WIFE.* ONCE upon a time there was an old miser, who lived with his wife near a great town, and used to put by every bit of money he could lay his hands on. His wife was a simple woman, and they lived together without quarrelling, but she was obliged to put up with very hard fare. Now, sometimes, when there was a sixpence she thought might be spared for a comfortable dinner or supper, she used to ask the miser for it, but he would say, “No, wife, it must be put by for Good Fortune.” It was the same with every penny he could get hold of, and, notwithstanding all she could say, almost every coin that came into the house was “put by for Good Fortune.” The miser said this so often that some of his neighbours heard him, and one of them thought of a trick by which he might get the money. So the first day that the old chuff was away from home, he dressed himself like a wayfaring man, and knocked at the door. “Who are you?” said the wife. He answered, “Iam Good Fortune, and I am come for the money which your husband has laid by for me.” So this simple woman, not suspecting any trickery, readily gave it to him, and when her good man came home, told him very pleasantly that Good Fortune had called for the money which had been kept so long for him. * “Tet us cast away nothing,” says Mr. Gifford, ‘“‘for we know not what use we may have for it.”” So will every one admit whose reading has been sufficiently exten- sive to enable him to judge of the value of the simplest traditional tales. The present illustrates a passage in Ben Jonson in a very remarkable manner : —Say we are robbed, If any come to borrow a spoon or so ; f will not have Good Fortune or God’s Blessing Let in while I am busy. FIRESIDE STORIES. 473 ae alters Se arc ay rs Se eee oe DCCLXXXVIII. THE THREE QUESTIONS, THERE lived formerly in the county of Cumberland a noble- man who had three sons, two of whom were comely and clever youths, but the other was a natural fool, named Jack, who was generally dressed in a parti-coloured coat and a steeple-crowned hat with a tassel, as became his condition. Now, the King of the East Angles had a beautiful daughter, who was distinguished by her great ingenuity and wit, and he issued a decree that whoever should answer three questions put to him by the Princess should have her in marriage, and be heir to the crown at his decease. Shortly after this decree was published, news of it reached the ears of the nobleman’s sons, and the two clever ones determined to have a trial, but they were sadly at a loss to prevent their idiot brother from going with them. They could not by any means get rid of him, and were compelled at length to let Jack accompany them. They had not gone far before Jack shrieked with laughter, saying, “I have found an egg.” “Put it in your pocket,” said the brothers. A little while afterwards he burst out into another fit of laughter on finding a crooked hazel stick, which he also put in his pocket; and a third time he again laughed extravagantly because he found a nut. That also was put with his other treasures. When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately admitted on mentioning the nature of their business, and were ushered into a room where the Princess and her suite were sitting. Jack, who never stood on ceremony, bawled out, 474. NURSERY RHYMES. “What a troop of fair ladies we’ve got here!” “Yes,” said the Princess, “we are fair ladies, for we carry fire in our bosoms,” “Do you?” said Jack, “then roast me an egg,” pulling out the egg from his pocket. “How will you get it out again?” said the Princess. “With a crooked stick,” replied Jack, producing the hazel. “Where did that come from?” said the Princess, “From a nut,” answered Jack, pulling out the nut from his pocket. And thus the “fool of the family,” having been the first to answer the questions of the Princess, was married to her the next day, and ultimately succeeded to the throne DCCLXXXIX. THE CAT AND THE MOUSE.* THE cat and the mouse Played in the malt-house: The cat bit the mouse’s tail off. “Pray, puss, give me my tail.” “No,” says the cat, “I’ll not give you your tail, till you go to the cow, and fetch me some milk.” First she leapt, and then she ran, Till she came to the cow, and thus began,— “Pray, cow, give me milk, that I may give cat milk, that cat may give me my own tail again.” “No,” said the cow, “I will give you no milk, till you go to the farmer and get me some hay.” First she leapt, and then she ran, Till she came to the farmer, and thus began,— * This tale has been traced back fifty years, but it is probably considerably older. FIRESIDE STORIES. 475 “Pray, farmer, give me hay, that I may give cow hay, that cow may give me milk, that I may give cat milk, that cat may give me my own tail again.” “No,” says the farmer, “I’ll give you no hay, till you go to the butcher and fetch me some meat.” First she leapt, and then she ran, Till she came to the butcher, and thus began,.— “Pray, butcher, give me meat, that I may give farmer meat, that farmer may give me hay, that I may give cow hay, that cow may give me milk, that I may give cat milk, that cat may give me my own tail again.” “No,” says the butcher, “Ill give you no meat till you go to the baker and fetch me some bread.” First she leapt, and then she ran, Till she came to the baker, and thus began,— “Pray, baker, give me bread, that I may give butcher bread, that butcher may give me meat, that I may give farmer meat, that farmer may give me hay, that I may give cow hay, that cow may give me milk, that I may give cat milk, that cat may give me my own tail again.” “Yes,” says the baker “I’ll give you some bread, But if you eat my meal, I’ll cut off your head.” Then the baker gave mouse bread, and mouse gave butcher bread, and butcher gave mouse meat, and mouse gave farmer meat, and farmer gave mouse hay, and mouse gave cow hay, and cow gave mouse milk, and mouse gave cat milk, and cat gave mouse her own tail again! 476 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCLXC, THE PRINCESS OF CANTERBURY. In days of yore, when this country was governed by several sovereigns, amongst them was the King of Canterbury, who had an only daughter, wise, fair,and beautiful. She was unmarried, and according to a custom not unusual in those days, of assign- ing an arbitrary action for the present of a lady’s hand, the King issued a proclamation that whoever would watch one night with his daughter, and neither sleep nor doze, should have her the next day in marriage; but if he did either, he should lose his head. Many knights attempted to fulfil the condition, and having failed in the attempt, forfeited their lives. Now, it happened that a young shepherd, grazing his flock near the road, said to his master, “ Zur, * I zee many gentlemen ride to the Court at Canterbury, but I ne’er zee ’em return again.” “Oh, shepherd,” said his master, “I know not how you should, for they attempt to watch with the King’s daughter, according to the decree, and not performing it, they are en beheaded.” “Well,” said the shepherd, “Ill try: my vortun ; zo now vor a King’s daughter, or a headless shepherd!” And taking his bottle and bag, he trudged to the Court. In his way thither, he was obliged to cross a river, and pulling off his shoes and stockings, while he was passing over he observed several pretty fish bobbing against his feet ; so he caught some, and put them into his pocket. When he reached the palace, he knocked * The present Kentish dialect does not adopt this form, but anciently some of the peculiarities of what is now the western dialect of England extended all over the southern counties. FIRESIDE STORIES. 477 at the gate loudly with his crook, and having mentioned the object of his visit, he was immediately conducted to a hall where the King’s daughter sat ready prepared to receive her lovers. He was placed in a luxurious chair, and rich wines and spices were set before him, and all sorts of delicate meats. The shepherd, unused to such fare, ate and drank plentifully, so that he was nearly dozing before midnight. “Oh, shepherd,” said the lady, “I have caught you napping!” “Noa, sweet ally, I was busy a-feeshing.” “A-fishing!” said the Princess in the utmost astonishment: “nay, shepherd, there is no fish-pond in the hall.” “No matter vor that, I have been feeshing in my pocket, and have just caught one.” “Oh me!” said she, “let me see it.” The shepherd slily drew the fish out of his pocket, and pretend- ing to have caught it, showed it her, and she declared it was the finest she ever saw. About half an hour afterwards, she said, “Shepherd, do you think you could get me one more?” He replied, “ Mayhap I may, when I have baited my hook ;” and after a little while he brought out another, which was finer than the first, and the Princess was so delighted that she gave him leave to go to sleep, and promised to excuse him to her father. In the morning the Princess told the King, to his great astonish-. ment, that the shepherd must not be beheaded, for he had been fishing in the hall all night ; but when he heard how the shepherd had caught such beautiful fish out of his pocket, he asked him to catch one in his own. The shepherd readily undertook the task, and bidding the King lie down, he pretended to fish in his pocket, having another fish concealed ready in his hand, and giving him a sly prick with a needle, he held up the fish and 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. FIRESIDE STORIES. 479 old woman, “you should have carried it on your head.” “T’ll do so another time,” replied Jack. The following day Jack hired himself again to a farmer, who agreed to give him a cream cheese for his services. In the evening Jack took the cheese, and went home with it on his head. By the time he got home the cheese was completely spoilt, part of it being lost and part matted with his hair. “You stupid lout,” said his mother, “you should have carried it very carefully in your hands.” “I?ll do so another time,” replied Jack. The day after this Jack again went out, and hired himself to a baker, who would give him nothing for his work but a large tom cat. Jack took the cat, and began carrying it very carefully in his hands, but in a short time Pussy scratched him so much that he was compelled to let it go. When he got home his mother said to him, “You silly fellow, you should have tied it with a string and dragged it along after you.” “I’ll do so another time,” said Jack. The next day Jack hired himself to a butcher, who rewarded his labours with a handsome present of a shoulder of mutton. Jack took the mutton, tied it to a string, and trailed it along after him in the dirt, so that by the time he got home the meat was completely spoilt. His mother was this time quite out of patience with him, for the next day was Sunday, and she was obliged to content herself with cabbage for her dinner. “You ninnyhammer,” said she to her son, “you should have carried it on your shoulder.” “T’ll do so another time,” replied Jack. On the Monday Jack went once more, and hired himself to a 480 NURSERY RHYMES. cattle-keeper, who gave him a donkey for his trouble. Although Jack was very strong, he found some difficulty in hoisting the donkey on his shoulders, but at last he accomplished it, and began walking home with his prize. Now, it happened that in the course of his journey there lived a rich man with his only daughter, a beautiful girl, but unfortunately deaf and dumb: she had never laughed in her life, and the doctors said she would never recover till somebody made her laugh.* Many tried with- out success, and at last the father, in despair, offered her in marriage to the first man who could make her laugh. This young lady happened to be looking out of the window when Jack was passing with the donkey on his shoulders, the legs sticking up in the air, and the sight was so comical and strange, that she burst out into a great fit of laughter, and immediately recovered her speech and hearing. Her father was overjoyed, and fulfilled his promise by marrying her to Jack, who was thus made a rich gentleman. They lived in a large house, and Jack’s mother lived with them in great happiness until she died. DCCLXCII. THE THREE HEADS OF THE WELL.t LonG before Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table, there reigned in the eastern part of England a King who kept his Court at Colchester. He was witty, strong, and valiant, by which * An incident analogous to this occurs in Grimm, ‘‘ Di Goldene Gans.” See Edgar Taylor’s ‘‘Gammer Grethel,” 1839, p. 5. } This story is abridged from the old chap-book of the ‘* Three Kings of Colchester.” ‘rhe incident of the heads rising out of the well is very similar to one introduced in Peele’s ‘* Old Wives’ Tale,” 1595, and the verse is also of a similar character. FIRESIDE STORIES. 481 means he subdued his enemies abroad, and secured peace among his subjects at home. Nevertheless, in the midst of his glory, his Queen died, leaving behind her an only daughter, about fifteen years of age. This lady, from her courtly carriage, beauty, and affability, was the wonder of all who knew her; but, as covetousness is said to be the root of all evil, so it hap- pened in this instance. The King hearing of a lady who had likewise an only daughter, for the sake of her riches had a mind to marry: though she was old, ugly, hook-nosed, and hump- backed, yet all this could not deter him from marrying her. Her daughter, also, was a yellow dowdy, full of envy and ill nature ; and, in short, was much of the same mould as her mother. This signified nothing, for in a few weeks the King, attended by the nobility and gentry, brought his intended bride to his palace, where the marriage rites were performed. They had not been long in the Court before they set the King against his own beau. tiful daughter, which was done by false reports and accusations. The young Princess, having lost her father’s love, grew weary of the Court, and one day meeting with her father in the garden, she desired him, with tears in her eyes, to give her a small sub sistence, and she would go and seck her fortune; to which the King consented, and ordered her mother-in-law to make up a small sum according to her discretion. She went to the Queen, who gave her a canvas bag of brown bread and hard cheese, with a bottle of beer; though this was but a very pitiful dowry for a King’s auuehtce She took it, returned thanks, and pro- ceeded on her journey, passing through groves, woods, and valleys, till at length she saw an old man sitting on a stone at 31 482 NURSERY RHYMES. the mouth of a cave, who said,“Good morrow, fair maiden, whither away so fast?” “Aged father,” says she, “I’n1 going to seek my fortune.” “What has thou in thy bag and bottle?” “In my bag I have got bread and cheese, and in my bottle good small beer: will it please you to partake of either?” “Yes,” said he, “with all my heart.” With that the lady pulled out her provisions, and bid him eat and welcome. He did so, and gave her many thanks, say- ing thus: “There is a thick thorny hedge before you, which will appear impassable; but take this wand in your hand, strike three times, and say, ‘Pray, hedge, let me come through,’ and it will open immediately ; then, a little farther, you will find a well: sit down on the brink of it, and there will come up three golden heads, which will speak. Take no notice of any strange things you may see, but pray do whatever they require.” Promising she would follow his directions, she took her leave of him. Arriving at the hedge, and pursuing the old man’s directions, it divided, and gave her a passage; then, going to the well, she had no sooner sat down than a golden head came up singing, Wash me and comb me, And lay me down softly, And lay me on a bank to dry, That I may look pretty When somebody comes by. “Yes,” said she, and putting forth her hand, with a silver comb performed the office, placing it upon a primrose bank. Then came up a second and a third head, making the same peaest, which she complied with. (4, 4 a HH i (He i | i! ih Hin ChE i 483 31—2 484 NURSERY RHYMES. She then pulled out her provisions and ate her dinner. Then said the heads one to another, “What shall we do for this lady who hath used us so kindly?” The first said, “I will cause such addition to her beauty as shall charm the most powerful Prince in the world.” The second said, “I will endow her with such _ perfume, both in body and in breath, as shall far exceed the sweetest flowers.” The third said, “My gift shall be none of the least, for, as she is a King’s daughter, Ill make her so fortunate that she shall become Queen to the greatest Prince that reigns.” This done, at their request she let them down into the well again, and so proceeded on her journey. She had not travelled long before she saw a King hunting in the park with his nobles: she would have avoided him, but the King having caught a sight of her, approached, and what with her beauty and perfumed breath, was so powerfully smitten, that he was not able to subdue his passion, but commenced his courtship immediately, and was so successful that he gained her love, and conducting her to his palace, he caused her to be clothed in the most magnificent manner. This being ended, and the King finding that she was the King of Colchester’s daughter, ordered some chariots to be got ready, that he might pay the King a visit. The chariot in which the King and Queen rode was adorned with rich ornamental gems of gold. The King, her father, was at first astonished that his daughter had been so fortunate as she was, till the young King made him sensible of all that had happened. Great was the joy at Court amongst all, with the exception of the Queen and her club-footed daughter, who were ready to burst with malice, and FIRESIDE STORIES. 485 envied her happiness; and the greater was their madness be- cause she was now above them all. Great rejoicings, with feasting and dancing, continued many days. Then at length, with the dowry her father gave her, they returned home. The deformed daughter perceiving that her sister had been so happy in seeking her fortune, would needs do the same; so disclosing her mind to her mother, all preparations were made, and she was furnished not only with rich apparel, but sweetmeats, sugar, almonds, &c., in great quantities, and a large bottle of Malaga sack. Thus provided, she went the same road as her sister, and coming near the cave, the old man said, “ Young woman, whither so fast?” “What is that to you?” said she. Then said he, “What have you in your bag and bottle?” She answered, “Good things, which you shall not be troubled with.” “Won't you give me some?” said he. “No, not a bit nor a drop, unless it would choke you.” The old man frowned saying, ‘‘Evil fortune attend thee.” Going on, she came to the hedge, through which she espied a gap, and thought to pass through ; it but, going in, the hedge closed, and the thorns ran into her flesh, so that it was with great difficulty that she got out. Being now in a painful condition, she searched for water to wash herself, and, looking round, she saw the well: she sat down on the brink of it, and one of the heads came up, saying, “Wash me, comb me, and lay me down softly, &c.” But she banged it with her bottle, saying, “Take this for your washing.” So the second and third heads came up, and met with no better treat- ment than the first; whereupon the heads consulted among themselves what evils to plague her with for such usage. The 486 NURSERY RHYMES, first said, “Let her be struck with leprosy in her face.” The second, “Let an additional smell be added to her breath.” The third bestowed on her a husband, though but a poor country cobbler. This done, she goes on till she came to a town, and it being market day, the people looked at her, and seeing such an evil face, fled out of her sight, all but a poor cobbler (who not long before had mended the shoes of an old hermit, who, having no money, gave him a.box of ointment for the cure of the leprosy, and a bottle of spirits for a bad breath. Now, the cobbler having a mind to do an act of charity, was induced to go up to her and ask her who she was. “I am,” said she, “the King of Colchester’s daughter-in-law.” “ Well,” said the cobbler, “if I restore you to your natural complexion, and make a sound cure both in face and breath, will you in reward take me for a husband?” “Yes, friend,” replied she, “with all my heart.” With this the cobbler applied the remedies, and they worked the effect in a few weeks, and then they were married, and after a few days they set forward for the Court at Colchester. When the Queen understood she had married a poor cobbler, she fell into distraction, and hanged herself for vexation. The death of the Queen was not a source of sorrow to the King, who had only married her for her fortune, and bore her no affection ; and shortly afterwards he gave the cobbler a hundred pounds © take the daughter to a remote part of the kingdom, where he lived many years mending shoes, while his wife assisted the housekeeping by spinning, and selling the results of her labours at the country market. FIRESIDE STORIES. 487 DCCXCITI. THE MAIDEN AND THE FROG.* MANY years ago there lived on the brow of a mountain, in the north of England, an old woman and her daughter. They were very poor, and obliged to work very hard for their living, and the old woman’s temper was not very good, so that the maiden, who was very beautiful, led but an ill life with her. The girl, indeed, was compelled to do the hardest work, for her mother got their principal tneans of subsistence by travelling to places in the neigh- bourhood with small articles for sale, and when she came home in the afternoon she was not able to do much more work. Nearly the whole domestic labour of the cottage devolved, therefore, on the daughter, the most wearisome part of which consisted in the necessity of fetching all the water they required from a well on the other side of the hill, there being no river or spring near their own cottage. It happened one morning that the daughter had the misfortune, in going to the well, to break the only bottle they possessed, and * This tale of the frog lover is known in every part of Germany, and is alluded to by several old writers of that country. It is the tale ‘‘ Der Froschk6nig, oder der Eiserne Heinrich,” in Grimm. ‘‘ These enchanted frogs,” says Sir W. Scott, ‘‘have migrated from afar, and we suspect that they were originally crocodiles : we trace them in a tale forming part of a series of stories entitled the Relations of Saidi Kur, extant amongst the Calmuck Tartars.”” Mr. Chambers has given a Scotch version of the tale, under the title of ‘‘The well o’ the warld’s end,” in his Popular Rhymes, p. 236. The rhymes in the copy given above were obtained from the north of England, without, however, any reference to the story to which they evidently belong. The application, however, is so obvious to any one acquainted with the German and Scotch tales, that the framework we have ventured to give them cannot be considered incongruous ; although it need not be added how very desirable it would be to procure the traditional tale as related by the English peasantry. Perhaps some of our readers may be enabled to supply it, 488 NURSERY RHYMES. ee having no other utensil she could use for the purpose, she was obliged to go home without bringing any water. When her mother returned, she was unfortunately troubled with excessive thirst, and the girl, though trembling for the consequences of her misfortune, told her exactly the circumstance that had occurred. The old woman was furiously angry, and so far from making any allowances for her daughter, pointed to a sieve which happened to be on the table, and told her to go at once to the well and bring her some water in that, or never venture to appear again in her sight. The young maiden, frightened almost out of her wits by her mother’s fury, speedily took the sieve, and though she considered the task a hopeless one to accomplish, almost unconsciously hastened to the well. When she arrived there, beginning to reflect on the painful situation in which she was placed, and the utter impossibility of her obtaining a living by herself, she threw herself down on the brink of the well in an agony of despair. Whilst she was in this condition, a large frog came up to the top of the water, and asked her what she was crying for so bitterly. She was somewhat sur- prised at this, but not being the least frightened, told him the whole story, and that she was crying because she could not carry away water in the sieve. “Is that all?” said the frog; “cheer up, my hinny! tor if you will only let me sleep with you for two nights, and then chop off my head, I will tell you how to do it.” The maiden thought the frog could not be in earnest, but she was too impatient to consider much about it, and at once made the required promise. The frog then instructed her in the follow- ing words: s 490 NURSERY RHYMES. Stop with fog (moss), And daub with clay; And that will carry The water away. Having said this, he dived immediately under the water, and the girl, having followed his advice, got the sieve full of water, and returned home with it, not thinking much of her promise to the frog. By the time she reached home the old woman’s wrath was appeased ; but as they sat eating their frugal supper very quietly, what should they hear but the splashing and croaking of a frog near the door, and shortly afterwards the daughter recognized the voice of the frog of the well saying, Open the door, my hinny, my heart, Open the door, my own darling ; Remember the words you spoke to me In the meadow by the well-spring. She was now dreadfully frightened, and hurriedly explained the matter to her mother, who was also so much alarmed at the cir- cumstance that she dared not refuse admittance to the frog, who, when the door was opened, leapt into the room, exclaiming, Go wi’ me to bed, my hinny, my heart, Go wi’ me to bed, my own darling; Remember the words you spoke to me In the meadow by the well-spring. This command was also obeyed, although, as may be readily supposed, she did not much relish such a bedfellow. The next FIRESIDE STORIES. 491 day the frog was very quiet, and evidently enjoyed the fare they placed before him—+the purest milk and the finest bread they could procure. In fact, neither the old woman nor her daughter spared any pains to render the frog comfortable. That night, immediately supper was finished, the frog again exclaimed, -Go wi’ me to bed, my hinny, my heart, Go wi’ me to bed, my own darling ; Remember the words you spoke to me In the meadow by the well-spring. She again allowed the frog to share her couch, and in the morn- ing, as soon as she was dressed, he jumped towards her, saying, Chop off my head, my hinny, my heart, Chop off my head, my own darling ; _ Remember the words you spoke to me In the meadow by the well-spring. The maiden had no sooner accomplished this last request than in the stead of the frog there stood by her side the handsomest Prince in the world, who had long been transformed by a magi- cian, and who could never have recovered his natural shape until a beautiful virgin had consented of her own accord to make him her bedfellow for two nights. The joy of all parties was com- plete; the girl and the Prince were shortly afterwards married, and lived for many years in the enjoyment of every happiness. 492 NURSERY RHYMES. DCCXCIV. THE STORY OF MR. FOX.* ONCE upon a time there was a young lady called Lady Mary, who had two brothers. One summer they all three went toa country seat of theirs which they had not before visited. Among the other gentry in the neighbourhood who came to see them was a Mr. Fox, a bachelor, with whom they, particularly the young lady, were much pleased. He used often to dine with them, and frequently invited Lady Mary to come and see his house. One day, when her brothers were absent elsewhere, and she had nothing better to do, she determined to go thither, and accordingly set out unattended. When she arrived at the house and knocked at the door, no one answered. At length she opened it and went in, and over the portal of the door was written : Be bold, be bold, but not too bold. She advanced, and found the same inscription over the staircase ; again at the entrance of a gallery; and lastly at the door of a chamber, with the addition of a line: Be bold, be bold, but not too bold, Lest that your heart’s blood should run cold! She opened it, and what was her terror and astonishment to find the floor covered with bones and blood! She retreated in haste, and coming downstairs, she saw from a window Mr. Fox * A simple but very curious tale, of considerable antiquity. It is alluded to by Shakspeare, and was contributed to the Variorum edition by Blakeway. Part of this story will recall to the reader’s memory the enchanted chamber of Britomart. FIRESIDE STORIES. 493 advancing towards the house with a drawn sword in one hand, while with the other he dragged a young lady by the hair of her head. Lady Mary had just time to slip down and hide herself under the stairs before Mr. Fox and his victim arrived at the foot of them. As he pulled the young lady upstairs, she caught hold of one of the banisters with her hand, upon which was a rich bracelet. Mr. Fox cut it off with his sword, and the hand and bracelet fell into Lady Mary’s lap, who then contrived to escape unobserved, and got safe home to her brothers’ house. A few days afterwards, Mr. Fox came to dine with them as usual. After dinner the guests began to amuse each other with extraordinary anecdotes, and Lady Mary said she would relate to them a remarkable dream she had lately had. “I dreamt,” said she, “that as you, Mr. Fox, had often invited me to your house, I would go there one morning. When I came to the house I knocked at the door, but no one answered. When I opened the door, over the hall I saw written, ‘Be bold, be bold, but not too bold.’ But,” said she, turning to Mr. Fox and smiling, “ it is not so, nor it was not so.” Then she pursued the rest of the story, concluding at every turn with, “It is not so, nor it was not so,’ till she came to the discovery of the room full of bones, when Mr. Fox took up the burden of the tale, and said, It is not so, nor it was not so, And God forbid it should be so! which he continued to repeat at every subsequent turn of the dreadful story, till she came to the circumstance of his cutting off the young lady’s hand, when, upon his saying as usual, 494 NURSERY RHYMES. It is not so, nor it was not so, And God forbid it should be so! Lady Mary retorts by saying. But it is so, and it was so, And here the hand I have tc show! at the same moment producing the hand and bracelei from her lap, whereupon the guests drew their swords, and instantly cut Mr. Fox into a thousand pieces. DCCXCV. THE OXFORD STUDENT.* MANY years ago there lived at the University of Oxford a young student, who determined to commit the heinous crime of murdering a poor girl who knew a secret of his which he feared she might tell. With this view he made an appointment to meet her one evening in a secluded field. She was at the ren- dezvous considerably before the time agreed upon for their meeting, and hid herself ina tree. The student arrived on the spot shortly afterwards, but what was the astonishment of the girl to observe that he commenced digging a grave. Her fears and suspicions were aroused, and she did not leave her place a_ concealment till the student, despairing of her arrival, returned to his college. The next day, when she was at the door of he * Obtained in Oxfordshire from tradition, FIRESIDE STORIES. 495 father’s house, he passed and saluted her as usual. She returned his greeting by repeating the following lines: One moonshiny night, as I sat high, Waiting for one to come by, The boughs did bend; my heart did ache To see what hole the fox did make. Astounded by her unexpected knowledge of his base design, in a moment of fury he stabbed her to the heart. This murder occasioned a violent conflict between the tradespeople and the students, the latter taking part with the murderer, and so fierce was the skirmish that Brewer’s Lane, it is said, ran red with blood. The place of appointment was adjoining the Divinity Walk, which was in time past far more secluded than at the present day, and she is said to have been buried in the grave made for her by her enemy. [According to another version of the tale, the name of the student was Fox, anda fellow-student went with him to assist in digging the grave. The verses in this account differ somewhat from the above.] As I went out in a moonlight night, I set my back against the moon, I looked for one, and saw two come: The boughs did bend, the leaves did shake, I saw the hole the Fox did make. 496 NURSERV RHYMES. DCCXCVI. JACK HORNBY.* IN the reign of King Arthur there lived, near the Land’s End in Cornwall, a wealthy farmer who had an only son, commonly called Jack Hornby. He was of a brisk and ready wit, and was never known to be outwitted in any transaction. One day, when he was no more than seven years of age, his father sent him into the field to look after his oxen. While he was attending to them, the lord of the manor came across the field, and as Jack was known to bea clever boy, he began asking him questions. His first was, “ How many commandments are there?” Jack told him there were nine. The lord corrected him, saying there were ten. “Nay,” quoth Jack, “you are wrong there: it is true there were ten, but you broke one of them when you stole my father’s cow for your rent.” The lord of the manor was so struck by this answer, that he promised to return the poor man’s cow. “Now,” quoth Jack, “it is my turn to ask a question. Can you tell me how many sticks go to build a crow’s nest ?” “Yes,” said he, “there are as many go as are sufficient for the size of the nest.” “Oh!” quoth Jack, “you are out again: there are none go, for they are all carried!” Jack Hornby was never more troubled with questions by the lord of the manor. * This little tale was most likely copied from the commencement of the original edition of ‘‘Jack the Giant Killer,’’ where similar incidents are related of that re- nowned hero. FIRESIDE STORIES. 497 DCCXCVII. MALLY DIXON AND KNURRE-MURRE. STORIES of fairies appearing in the shape of cats are common in the north of England. Mr. Longstaffe relates that a farmer of Staindrop, in Durham, was one night crossing a bridge, when a cat jumped out, stood before him, and looking him full in the face, said : Johnny Reed! Johnny Reed! Tell Madam Momfort That Mally Dixon’s dead. The farmer returned home, and in mickle wonder recited this awfu’ stanza to his wife, when up started their black cat, saying, “Is she?” and disappeared for ever. It was supposed she was a fairy in disguise, who thus went to attend a sister’s funeral, for in the north fairies do die, and green shady spots are pointed out by the country folks as the cemeteries of the tiny people. An analogous story is found in the people-literature of Denmark. Near a town called Lyng is the hill of Brondhoé, inhabited by the trold-folk, or imps. Amongst these trolds was an old sickly devil, peevish and ill tempered because he was married to a young wife. This unhappy trold often set the rest by the ears, so they nicknamed him Knurre-Murre, or Rumble-Grumble. Now, it came to pass that Knurre-Murre discovered his young wife was not behaving well; and the object of his jealousy, to avoid his vengeance, was compelled to fly for his life from the cavern, and take refuge, in the shape of a tortoise-shell cat, in the house of Goodman Platt, who harboured him with much hospi- 32 498 NURSERY RHYMES. tality, let him lie on the great wicker chair, and fed him twice a day with bread and milk out of a red earthenware pipkin. One evening the goodman came home, at a late hour, full of wonder- ment. “Goody,” exclaimed he to his wife, ‘(as I was passing by by Brondhoé, there came out a trold, who spake to me, saying, Hor du Plat, Siig til din cat At Knurre-Murre er déd. Hear thou, Platt, Say to thy cat That Knurre-Murre is dead. The tortoise-shell cat was lying on the great wicker chair, and eating his supper of bread and milk out of the red earthenware pipkin, when the goodman came in; but as soon as ever the message was delivered, he jumped bolt upright upon his two hind legs, for all the world like a Christian, and kicking the red earthenware pipkin and the rest of the bread and milk before him, he whisked through the cottage door, mewing, “What! is Knurre-Murre dead? then I may go home again!” DCCXCVIII. THE BULL OF NORROWAY.* To wilder measures next they turn: The black black bull of Norroway! Sudden the tapers cease to burn, The minstrels cease to play! * This is a modern version, taken down from recitation, of the very old tale of the FIRESIDE STORIES. 499 Once upon a time there lived a King who had three daughters ; the two eldest were proud and ugly, but the youngest was the gentlest and most beautiful creature ever seen, and the pride not only of her father and mother, but of all in the land. As it fell out, the three Princesses were talking one night of whom they would marry. “I will have no one lower than a King,” said the eldest Princess; the second would take a Prince, or a great Duke even. “ Pho, pho!” said the youngest, laughing, “ you are both so proud; now, J would be content with the Red Bull o’ Norroway.” Well, they thought no more of the matter till the next morning, when, as they sat at breakfast, they heard the most dreadful oellowing at the door, and what should it be but the Red Bull come for his bride. You may be sure they were all terribly frightened at this, for the Red Bull was one of the most horrible creatures ever seen in the world. And the King and Queen did not know how to save their daughter. At last they determined to send him off with the old henwife. So they put her on his back, and away he went with her till he came to a great black forest, when, throwing her down, he returned, roaring louder and more frightfully than ever. They then sent, one by one, all the servants, then the two eldest Princesses; but not one of them met with any better treatment than the old henwife, and at last they were forced to send their youngest and favourite child. On travelled the lady and the bull through many dreadful forests and lonely wastes, till they came at last to a noble castle, “Black Bull of Narroway,” mentioned in the ‘‘ Complaynt of Scotland,” 1548. It is taken from the ‘* Popular Rhymes of Scotland,” by Mr. Robert Chambers, the most delightful book of the kind ever published. 382—2 §00 NURSERY RHYMES. where a large company was assembled. The lord of the castle pressed them to stay, though much he wondered at the lovely Princess and her strange companion. When they went in among the company, the Princess espied a pin sticking in the bull’s hide, which she pulled out, and, to the surprise of all, there appeared not a frightful wild beast, but one of the most beautiful Princes ever beheld. You may believe how delighted the Princess was to see him fall at her feet, and thank her for breaking his cruel enchantment. ‘There were great rejoicings in the castle at this; but, alas! at that moment he suddenly disappeared, and though every place was sought, he was nowhere to be found. The Prin- cess, however, determined to seek through all the world for him, and many weary ways she went, but nothing could she hear of her lover. Travelling once through a dark wood, she lost her way, and as night was coming on, she thought she must now certainly die of cold and hunger ; but seeing a light through the trees, she went on till she came to a little hut, where an old woman lived, who took her in, and gave her both food and shelter. In the morning, the old wife gave her three nuts, that she was not to break till her heart was “like to break, and owre again like to break ;” so, showing her the way, she bade God speed her, and the Princess once more set out on her wearisome journey. She had not gone far till a company of lords and ladies rode past her, all talking merrily of the fine doings they expected at the Duke o’ Norroway’s wedding. Then she came up to a number of people carrying all sorts of fine things, and they, too, were going to the Duke’s wedding. At last she came to a castle, where nothing was to be seen but cooks and bakers, some running one FIRESIDE STORIES. 50L way, and some another, and all so busy that they did not know what to do first. Whilst she was looking at all this, she heard a noise of hunters behind her, and some one cried out, “ Make way for the Duke o’ Norroway!” and who should ride past but the Prince and a beautiful lady! You may be sure her heart was now “like to break, and owre again like to break,” at this sad sight ; so she broke one of the nuts, and out came a wee wifie carding. The Princess then went into the castle, and asked to see the lady, who no sooner saw the wee wifie so hard at work, than she offered the Princess anything in her castle for the nut. “T will give it to you,” said she, “only on condition that you put off for one day your marriage with the Duke o’ Norroway, and that I may go into his room alone to-night.” So anxious was the lady for the nut, that she consented. And when dark night was come, and the Duke fast asleep, the Princess was put alone into his chamber. Sitting down by his bedside, she began singing : Far hae I sought ye, near am I brought to ye; Dear Duke o’ Norroway, will ye no turn and speak to me? Though she sang this over and over again, the Duke never wakened, and in the morning the Princess had to leave him, with- out his knowing she had ever been there. She then broke the second nut, and out came a wee wifie spinning, which so delighted the lady, that she readily agreed to put off her marriage another day for it; but the Princess came no better speed the second night than the first, and, almost in despair, she broke the last nut, which contained a wee wifie reeling ; and on the same condition as before the lady got possession of it. When the Duke was 502 NURSERY RHYMES. dressing in the morning, his man asked him what the strange singing and moaning that had been heard in his room for two nights meant. “I heard nothing,” said the Duke; “it could only have been your fancy.” “Take no sleeping-draught to-night, and be sure to lay aside your pillow of heaviness,” said the man; “and you also will hear what for two nights has kept me awake.” The Duke did so, and the Princess coming in, sat down sighing at his bedside, thinking this the last time she might ever see him. The Duke started up when he heard the voice of his dearly-loved Princess, and, with many endearing expressions of surprise and joy, explained to her that he had long been in the power of an enchantress, whose spells over him were now happily ended by their again meeting. The Princess, happy to be the instrument of his second deliverance, consented to marry him, and the en- chantress, who fled that country, afraid of the Duke’s anger, has never since been heard of. All was hurry and preparation in the castle, and the marriage which now took place at once ended the adventures of the Red Bull o Norroway and the wanderings of the King’s daughter. DCCXCIX. PUSS IN BOOTS.* THERE was a miller, who left no more estate to his three sons than his mill, his ass, and his cat. The partition was soon made, * One of the tales of M. Perrault, 1697. The plot was taken from the first novel of the eleventh night of Straparola. Its moral is that talents are equivalent to fortune. We have inserted this in our collection, although generally remembered, as a specimen of the simple tales founded by Perrault on oider stories, and which soon became popu- lar in this country. The others, as Blue Beard and Little Riding Hood, are vanishing fon the nursery, ’ 1t are so universally ‘> >wn that reprints of them would be super- uous, FIRESIDE STORIES. 503 neither scrivener nor attorney being sent for. They would soon have eaten up all the patrimony. The eldest had the mill, the second the ass, and the youngest nothing but the cat. 504 NURSERY RHYMES. The poor young fellow was quite downcast at‘so poor a lot. “My brothers,” said he, “may get their living handsomely enough by joining their stocks together; but for my part, when I have eaten up my cat, and made me a muff of his skin, I must die with hunger.” The cat, who heard ali this, yet made as if he did not, said to him, with a grave and serious air, “Do not thus afflict yourself, my good master. You have no- thing else to do but give me a bag, and get a pair of boots made for me, that I may scamper through the dirt and the brambles, —and you shall see that you have not so bad a portion as you imagine.” Though he did not build very much upon what the cat said, he had however often seen him play a great many cunning tricks to catch rats and mice—as when he used to hang by the heels, or hide himself in the meal, and make as if he were dead; so that he did not altogether despair of his affording him some help. When the cat had what he asked for, he booted himself very gallantly ; and putting the bag about his neck, held the strings of it in his two fore paws, and went into a warren where there was a great abundance of rabbits. He put bran and sow-thistles into the bag, and stretching himself out at length, as if he had been dead, he waited for some young rabbits net yet acquainted with the deceits of the world, to come and rummage his bag for what he had put into it, Scarce was he laid down, but he had what he wanted; a rash and foolish young rabbit jumped into his bag, and Monsieur Puss, immediately drawing the strings close, took and killed him with- FIRESIDE STORIES, 505 fl SS ea = =e, \S ee fa SS 2 yy p 7 S RIAN Ve Vie out pity. Proud of his prey, he went with it into the palace, and asked to speak with His Majesty. He was shown upstairs into the King’s apartment, and, making a low reverence, said to him, 506 NURSERY RHYMES. “T have brought you, Sire, a rabbit of the warren, which my noble lord, the Marquis of Carabas (for that was the title which Puss was pleased to give his master) has commanded me to pre- sent to your Majesty from him.” FIRESIDE STORIES. 507 “Tell thy master,” said the King, “that I thank him, and he does me a great deal of pleasure.” Another time he went and hid himself amongst some standing corn, holding his bag open; and when a brace of partridges ran into it, he drew the strings, and so caught them both. He went and made a present of these to the King, as he had done before of the rabbit. The King received the partridges with great plea- sure, and ordered him some money for drink. The cat continued for two or three months to carry game to His Majesty. @ne day in particular, when he knew that the King was to take the air along the river-side, with his daughter, the most beautiful Princess in the world, he said to his master, “Tf you will follow my advice, your fortune is made ; you have nothing else to do but go and wash yourself in the river, in that part I shall show you, and leave the rest to me.” The Marquis of Carabas did what the cat advised, without knowing why or wherefore. While he was washing, the King passed by, and the Cat began to cry out, as loud as he could, “Help, help! my Lord Marquis of Carabas is going to be drowned!” At this noise the King put his head out of the coach window, and finding it was the cat who had so often brought him such good game, he commanded the guards to run immediately to the assistance of his lordship the Marquis of Carabas. While they were drawing the poor Marquis out of the river, the cat came up to the coach and told the King that, while his master was washing, there came by some rogues who went off with his clothes, though he had cried out “Thieves! thieves!” NURSERY RHYMES. 508 hs opi tio several times, as loud as he could. This cunning cat had hidden them under a great stone. The King immediately commanded the officers of his wardrobe to run and fetch one of his best suits for the Lord Marquis of Carabas, FIRESIDE STORIES. 509 The King caressed him after a very extraordinary manner, and as the fine clothes he had given him extremely set off his good mien—for he was well made and very handsome in his person— §10 NURSERY RH\ MES. the King’s daughter took a secret inclination to him, and the Marquis of Carabas had no sooner cast two or three respectful and tender glances, but she fell in love with him to distraction ; and the King would have him come into his coach. The cat, overjoyed to see his project begin to succeed, marched on before, and meeting with some countrymen who were mowing a meadow, he said to them, “Good people, if you do not tell the King that the meadow you mow belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot.” The King did not fail to ask the mowers to whom the meadow they were mowing belonged. “To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,” answered they all together —for the cat’s threats had made them terribly afraid. “You see, sir,” said the Marquis, “this is a meadow that never fails to yield a plentiful harvest every year.” The cat, who still went on before, met with some reapers, and said to them, “Good people, you who are reaping, if you do not tell the King that all this corn belongs to the Marquis of Carabas, you shall be chopped as small as herbs for the pot.” The King, who passed by a moment after, would needs know to whom all that corn did belong. “To my Lord Marquis of Carabas,” replied the reapers ; and the King was very well pleased with it, as well as the Marquis, whom he congratulated thereupon. The master cat went always before, saying the same words to all he met; and the King was astonished at the vast estates of my Lord Marquis of Carabas. Monsieur Puss came at last to a stately castle, the master of which was an ogre, the richest that FIRESTIDE STORIES. 51r ae ae A f ta Ae eae Ay had ever been known ; for all the lands the King had then gone over belonged to him. The cat, having taken care to inform him- self who this ogre was, and what he could do, asked to speak to 512 NURSERY RHYMES. him, saying, “ He could not pass so near his castle, without having the honour of paying his respects to him.” The ogre received him as civilly as an ogre could do, and made him sit down. “T have been assured,” said the cat, “that you have the gift of being able to change yourself into all sorts of creatures you have a mind to. You can, for example, transform yourself into a lion or elephant, and the like?” “This is true,’ answered the ogre, very briskly ; ‘“‘and to con- vince you, you shall see me now become a lion.” Puss was so sadly terrified at the sight of a lion so near him, that he immediately got into the gutter, not without great trouble and danger because of his boots, which were of no use at all to him in walking upon the tiles. A little while after, when Puss saw that the ogre had resumed his natural form, he came down, and owned that he had been very much frightened. “T have been moreover informed,” said the cat, “but I know not how to believe it, that you have also the power to take upon you the smallest animals—for example, to change yourself into a rat or a mouse; but I must own to you I take this to be im- possible.” “Impossible!” cried the ogre: “you shall see that presently,” —and at the same time changed himself into a mouse, and began to run about the floor. Puss no sooner perceived this, but he fell upon and ate him up. Meanwhile the King, who saw as he passed this fine castle of the ogre’s, had a mind to go into it. Puss, who heard the noise of His Majesty’s coach running over the drawbridge, ran out, and FIRESIDE STORIES. 513 said to the King, “Your Majesty is welcome to this castle of the Lord Marquis of Carabas.” “What! my Lord Marquis,” cried the King, “and does this castle also belong to you?) There can be nothing finer than this court, and all the stately buildings which surround it. Let us go into it, if you please.” The King went up first, the Marquis following, handing the Princess. They passed into a spacious hall, where they found a magnificent collation the ogre had prepared for his friends, who dared not enter, knowing the King was there. His Majesty was perfectly charmed with the good qualities of the Marquis, and his daughter was violently in love with him. The King, after having drunk five or six glasses, said to him,“ My Lord Marquis, you only will be to blame if you are not my son-in-law.” The Marquis, making several low bows, accepted the honour His Majesty conferred upon him, and forthwith the very same day married the Princess. Puss became a great lord, and never ran after mice any more but only for his diversion. DCCC, JACK AND THE GIANT. [The present copy of this tale is taken, with a few necessary alterations, from tne original editions, which differ very considerably from the modern versions ; and it is worthy of preservation in its antique costume, for the story is undoubtedly of Teutonic origin. ‘‘ Jack, commonly called the ‘Giant Killer,’” says Sir W. Scott, ‘‘and Thomas Thumb landed in England from the very same keels and war-ships which con- veyed Hengist and Horsa, and Ebba the Saxon.” One incident in the romance exactly corresponds to a device played by the Giant Skrimner, when he and Thor travelled to Utgard Castle, related in the Edda of Snorro. Skrimner placed an im- mense rock on the leafy couch where Thor supposed he was sleeping ; and when the 33 514 NURSERY RHYMES. latter, desiring to rid himself of his companion, heard the giant snore, he struck the rock with his tremendous hammer, thinking it was the monster’s head. ‘‘ Hath a leaf fallen down upon me from the tree?” exclaimed the awakened giant. He went to sleep again, and snoring louder than ever, Thor gave a blow which he thought must have cracked his skull. ‘‘ What is the matter?” quoth Skrimner, ‘‘hath an acorn fallen on my head?” A third time the snore was heard, and a third time the hammer fell with redoubled force, insomuch that Thor weened the iron had buried itself in Skrimner’s temples. ‘‘ Methinks,” quoth the giant, rubbing his cheek, ‘‘ some moss hath fallen on my face!” Jack’s invisible coat, his magic sword, and his shoes of swiftness, are also undoubtedly borrowed from Northern romance.* An incident very similar to the blows with the rat’s tail occurs in the story of the Brave Little Tailor, in Grimm, who outwits a giant in several ingenious ways, one of which may be described. On one occasion the giant wished to try the strength of the tailor, by challenging him to carry a tree. The latter said, ‘‘ Very well, you carry the butt-end, while I will carry all the branches—by far the heaviest part of the tree.” So the giant lifted the tree up on his shoulders, and the tailor very coolly sat on the branches while the giant carried the tree. At length he was so tired with his load, he was obliged to drop it; and the tailor, nimbly jumping off, made belief as if he had been carrying the branches all the time, and said, ‘* A pretty fellow you are, that you can’t carry a tree!” The edition of ‘‘Jack the Giant Killer” here used was printed at Newcastle-on-Tyne in 1711. The earliest in the British Museum is dated 1809 ; nor does the Bodleian, we believe, contain a copy of a more ancient type. ‘*Jack and the Bean-stalk” may be added to the series of English nursery tales de- rived from the Teutonic. The Bean-stalk is a descendant of the wonderful ash in the Edda, ‘‘The distich put into the mouth of the giant, Snouk but, snouk ben, I find the smell of earthly men, is,” says Scott, ‘‘scarcely inferior to the keen-scented anthropophaginian in ‘Jack the Giant Killer.’’’] In the reign of King Arthur, and in the county of Cornwall, near to the Land’s End of England, there lived a wealthy farmer, who had an only son named Jack. He was brisk and of a lively ready wit, so that whatever he could not perform by force and strength, he accomplished by ingenious wit and policy. Never was any person heard of that could worst him, and he very often even baffled the learned by his sharp and ready inventions. In those days the Mount of Cornwall was kept by a huge and * The last is also found in the second relation of Saidi Kur, a Calmuck romance. FIRESIDE STORIES. 515 monstrous giant, of eighteen feet in height and about three yards in compass, of a fierce and grim countenance, the terror of all the neighbouring towns and villages. He inhabited a cave in the middle of the mount, and he was such a selfish monster that he would not suffer any one to live near him. He fed on other men’s cattle, which often became his prey; for whensoever he wanted food, he would wade over to the mainland, where he would furnish himself with whatever came in his way. The in- habitants, at his approach, forsook their habitations, while he seized on their cattle, making nothing of carrying half a dozen oxen on his back at a time; and as for their sheep and hogs, he would tie them round his waist like a bunch of bandoleers.* This course he had followed for many years, so that a great part of the county was impoverished by his depredations. This was the state of affairs, when Jack, happening one day to be present at the town hall when the authorities were consulting about the giant, had the curiosity to ask what reward would be given to the person who destroyed him. The giant’s treasure was declared the recompense, and Jack at once undertook the task. In order to accomplish his purpose, he furnished himself with a horn, shovel, and pickaxe, and went over to the Mount in the beginning of a dark winter’s evening, when he fell to work, and before morning had dug a pit twenty-two feet deep, and nearly as broad, covering it over with long sticks and straw. Then strewing a little mould upon it, it appeared like plain ground. This accomplished, Jack placed himself on the side of the pit * Bandoleers were little wooden cases covered with leather, each of them contain- ing the charge of powder for a musket, and fastened toa broad band of leather, which the person who was to use them put round his neck, 33—2 516 NURSERY RHYMES. which was farthest from the giant’s lodging, and, just at the break of day, he put the horn to his mouth, and blew with all his might. Although Jack was a little fellow, and the powers’ of his voice are not described as being very great, he managed to make noise enough to arouse the giant, and excite his indignation. The monster accordingly rushed from his cave, exclaiming, “ You incorrigible villain! are you come here to disturb my rest? you shall pay dearly for this. Satisfaction I will have, for I will take you whole and broil you for breakfast.” He had no sooner uttered this cruel threat, than tumbling into the pit, he made the very foundations of the Mount ring again. “Oh, giant,” said Jack, “where are you now? Oh, faith, you are gotten now into Lob’s Pound,* where I will surely plague you for your threatenings. What do you think now of broiling me for your breakfast ? will no other diet serve you but poor Jack?” Thus did little Jack tantalize the big giant, as a cat does a mouse when she knows it cannot escape; and when he had tired of that amusement he gave him a heavy blow with his pickaxe on the very crown of his head, which “tumbled him down,” and killed him on the spot. When Jack saw he was dead, he filled up the pit with earth, and went to search the cave, which he found contained much treasure. The magistrates, in the exuberance of their joy, did not add to Jack’s gains from their own, but, after the best and cheapest mode of payment, made a declaration he should henceforth be termed “Jack the Giant Killer,” and presented him with a sword and embroidered belt, on the latter of which were inscribed these words in letters of gold: * An old jocular term for a prison, or any place of confinement. FIRESIDE STORIES. 5 ms NI Here’s the right valiant Cornishman, Who slew the Giant Cormelian. The news of Jack’s victory, as might be expected, soon spread over all the west of England; so that another giant, named Thunderbore, hearing of it and entertaining a partiality for his race, vowed to be revenged on the little hero, if ever it was his fortune to light on him. This giant was the lord of an enchanted castle situated in the midst of a lonely wood. Now, Jack, about four months after his last exploit, walking near this castle in his journey towards Wales, being weary, seated himself near a pleasant fountain in the wood, “o’ercanopied with lush woodbine,” and presently fell asleep. While he was en- joying his repose, the giant, coming to the fountain for water, of course discovered him, and recognized the hated individual by the lines written on the belt. He immediately took Jack on his shoulders, and carried him towards his enchanted castle. Now, as they passed through a thicket, the rustling of the boughs awakened Jack, who was uncomfortably surprised to find himself in the clutches of the giant. His terror was not di- minished when, on entering the castle, he saw the courtyard strewed with human bones, the giant maliciously telling him his own would ere long increase the hateful pile. After this assurance, the cannibal locked poor Jack in an upper chamber, leaving him there while he went to fetch another giant living in the same wood, to keep him company in the anticipated de- struction of their enemy. While he was gone, dreadful shrieks and lamentations affrighted Jack, especially a voice which con- tinually cried, 518 NURSERY RHYMES. Do what you can to get away, Or you’ll become the giant’s prey; He’s gone to fetch his brother, who Will kill and likewise torture you. This warning, and the hideous tone in which it was delivered, almost distracted poor Jack, who, going to the window and opening a casement, beheld afar off the two giants approaching towards the castle. “Now,” quoth Jack to himself, “my death or my deliverance is at hand.” The event proved that his anticipations were well founded, for the giants of those days, however powerful, were at best very stupid fellows, and readily conquered by stratagem, were it of the humblest kind. There happened to be strong cords in the room in which Jack was confined, two of which he took, and made a strong noose at the end of each; and while the giant was unlocking the iron gate of the castle, he threw the ropes over each of their heads, and then, before the giants knew what he was about, he drew the other ends across a beam, and, pulling with all his might, throttled them till they were black in the face. Then, sliding down the rope, he came to their heads, and as they could not defend themselves, easily dispatched them with his sword. This business so adroitly accomplished, Jack released the fair prisoners in the castle, delivered the keys to them, and, like a true knight-errant, continued his journey without condescending to improve the condition of his purse. This plan, however honourable, was not without its disadvan- tages, and owitrg to his slender stock of money, he was obliged to make the best of his way by travelling as hard as he could, FIRESIDE STORIES, 519 At length, losing his road, he was belated, and could not get to any place of entertainment until, coming to a lonesome valley, he found a large house, and by reason of his present necessity, took courage to knock at the gate. But what was his astonishment when there came forth a monstrous giant with two heads! yet he did not appear so fiery as the others were, for he was a Welsh giant, and what he did was by private and secret malice under the false show of friendship. Jack having unfolded his condition to the giant, was shown into a bed-room, where, in the dead of night, he heard his host in another apartment uttering these for- midable words: Though here you lodge with me this night, You shall not see the morning light: My club shall dash your brains out quite! “ Say’st thou so?” quoth Jack; “that is like one of your Welsh tricks, yet I hope to be cunning enough for you.” He immediately got out of bed, and feeling about in the dark, found a thick billet of wood, which he laid in the bed in his stead, and hid himself in a dark corner of the room. Shortly after he had done So, in came the Welsh giant, who thoroughly pummelled the billet with his club, thinking, naturally enough, he had broken every bone in Jack’s skin. The next morning, however, to the inexpressible surprise of the giant, Jack came downstairs as if nothing had happened, and gave him thanks for his night’s lodging. “How have you rested?” quoth the giant ; “did you not feel anything in the night?” Jack provokingly replied, “No, nothing but a rat which gave me two or three flaps with her tail.” 520 NURSERY RHYMES. This reply was totally incomprehensible to the giant, who, of course, saw anything but a joke in it. However, concealing his amazement as well as he could, he took Jack in to breakfast, assigning to each a bowl containing four gallons of hasty pudding. One would have thought that the greater portion of so extrava- gant an allowance would have been declined by our hero, but he was unwilling the giant should imagine his incapahility to eat it, and accordingly placed a large leather bag under his loose coat in sucha position that he could convey the pudding into it with- out the deception being perceived. Breakfast at length being finished, Jack excited the giant’s curiosity by offering to show him an extraordinary sleight of hand ; so taking a knife, he ripped the leather bag, and out, of course, descended on the ground all the hasty pudding. The giant had not the slightest suspicion of the trick, veritably believing the pudding came from its natural receptacle, and having the same antipathy to being beaten, ex- claimed in true Welsh, “Odds splutters! hur can do that trick hurself.” The sequel may be readily guessed. The monster took the knife, and thinking to follow Jack’s example with impunity, killed himself on the spot.* King Arthur’s only son requested his father to furnish him witn a large sum of money, in order that he might go and seek his fortune in the principality of Wales, where lived a beautiful lady possessed with seven evil spirits. ‘The King tried all he could do to persuade him to alter his determination, but it was all in * The foregoing portion of this wonderful history is that most generally known; but the incidents now become more complicated, and aéter the introduction of Arthur’s son upon the scene, we arrive at particulars which have long been banished from the nursery library. 521 FIRESIDE STORIES. and the Prince set out » vain; so at last he granted his request with two horses, one loaded with money, the other for himself to Now, after several days’ travel, he came to a market ride upon. 522 NURSERY RHYMES. town in Wales, where he beheld a vast concourse of people gathered together. The Prince demanded the reason of it, and was told that they had arrested a corpse for several large sums of money which the deceased owed when he died. The Prince replied that it was a pity creditors should be so cruel, and said, “Go, bury the dead, and let his creditors come to my lodging, and there their debts shall be discharged.” They accordingly came, but in such great numbers that before night he had almost left himself penniless. Now, Jack the Giant Killer happened to be in the town while these transactions took place, and he was so pleased with the generosity exhibited by the Prince that he offered to become his servant—an offer which was immediately accepted. The next morning they set forward on their journey, when, as they were just leaving the town, an old woman called after the Prince, say- ing, “ He has owed me twopence these seven years ; pray pay me as well as the rest.” So reasonable and urgent a demand could not be resisted, and the Prince immediately discharged the debt, but it took the last penny he had to accomplish it. This event, though generally ridiculed by heroes, was one by no means over- looked by the Prince, who required all Jack’s assuring eloquence to console him. Jack himself, indeed, had a very poor exchequer, and after their day’s refreshments, they were entirely without money. When night drew on, the Prince was anxious to secure a lodging; but as they had no means to hire one, Jack said, “Never, mind, master, we shall do well enough, for I have an uncle living within two miles of this place: he is a huge and monstrous giant with three heads; he’ll fight five hundred men FIRESIDE STORIES. 523 Se a a RAN SI al Se in armour, and make them flee before him.” “Alas!” quoth the Prince, “what shall we do there? He'll certainly chop us up at a mouthful. Nay, we are scarce enough to fill his hollow tooth! ” “It is no matter for that,” quoth Jack; “I myself will go before and prepare the way for you; therefore, tarry and wait till I return.” Jack then rides off full speed, and coming to the gate of the castle, he knocked so loud that the neighbouring hills resounded like thunder. The giant, terribly vexed with the liberty taken by Jack, roared out, “Who’s there?” He was answered, “None but your poor cousin Jack.” Quothhe, “What news with my poor cousin Jack?” He replied, “Dear uncle, heavy news.” “God wot!” quoth the giant, “ prithee, what heavy news can come to me? I am a giant with three heads; and, besides, thou knowest I can fight five hundred men in armour, and make them fly like chaff before the wind.” “Oh, but,” quoth Jack, “here ’s the Prince a-coming with a thousand men in armour to kill you, and destroy all that you have.” “Oh, cousin Jack,” said the giant, “this is heavy news indeed¢ I will immediately run and hide myself, and thou shalt lock, bolt, and bar me in, and keep the keys till the Prince is gone.” Jack joyfully complied with the giant’s request, and fetching his master, they feasted and made themselves merry whilst the poor giant lay trembling in a vault underground. In the morning Jack furnished the Prince with a fresh supply of gold and silver, and then sent him three miles forward on his journey, concluding, according to the story-book, “he was then pretty well out of the smell of the giant.” Jack afterwards re- turned and liberated the giant from the vault, who asked what 524 NURSERY RHYMES. he should give him for preserving the castle from destruction. “Why,” quoth Jack, “I desire nothing but the old coat and cap, together with the old rusty sword and slippers, which are at your bed’s head.” Quoth the giant, “Thou shalt have them, and pray keep them for my sake, for they are things of excellent use: the coat will keep you invisible, the cap will furnish you with know- ledge, the sword cuts asunder whatever you strike, and the shoes are of extraordinary swiftness. These may be serviceable to you ; therefore take them with all my heart.” Jack was delighted with these useful presents, and having over- taken his master, they quickly arrived at the lady’s house, who, finding the Prince to be a suitor, prepared a splendid banquet for him. After the repast was concluded, she wiped his mouth with a handkerchief, and then concealed it in her dress, saying, “You must show me that handkerchief to-morrow morning, or else you will lose your head.” The Prince went to bed in great sorrow at this hard condition, but fortunately Jack’s cap of know- ledge instructed him how it was to be fulfilled. In the middle of the night she called upon her familiar* to carry her to the evil spirit. Jack immediately put on his coat of darkness and his shoes of swiftness, and was there before her, his coat rendering him invisible. When she entered the lower regions, she gave the handkerchief to the spirit, who laid it upon a shelf, whence Jack took it, and brought it to his master, who showed it to the lady the next day, and so saved his life. The next evening at supper she saluted the Prince, telling him he must show her the lips to- morrow morning that she kissed last this night, or lose his head. * An attendant spirit, 525 FIRESIDE STORIES. “ That is neither is your portion |” IT will” d iss none but mine He replied, “If youk , death At midnight she went below as before, and was angry with the there,” said she ; “if you do not here nor 526 NURSERY RHYMES. spirit for letting the handkerchief go. “But now,” quoth she, “T will be too hard for the Prince, for I will kiss thee, and he is to show me thy lips.” She did so, and Jack, who was standing by, cut off the spirit’s head, and brought it under his invisible coat to his master, who produced it triumphantly the next morn- ing before the lady. This feat destroyed the enchantment, the evil spirits immediately forsook her, and she appeared still more sweet and lovely, beautiful as she was before. They were married the next morning, and shortly afterwards went to the Court of King Arthur, where Jack, for his eminent services, was created one of the Knights of the Round Table. Our hero, having been successful in all his undertakings, and re- solving not to remain idle, but to perform what services he could for the honour of his country, humbly besought His Majesty to fit him out with a:‘horse and money, to enable him to travel in search of new adventures ; “for,” said he, “there are many giants yet living in the remoter parts of Wales, to the unspeakable damage of your Majesty’s subjects ; wherefore, may it please you to encourage me, I do not doubt but in a short time to cut them off root and branch, and so rid all the realm of those giants and monsters in human shape.” We need scarcely say that Jack’s generous offer was at once accepted. The King furnished him with the necessary accoutrements, and Jack set out with his magical cap, sword, and shoes, the better to perform the dange- rous enterprises which now lay before him. After travelling over several hills and mountains—the country through which he passed offering many impediments to travel- lers—on the third day he arrived at a very large wood, which he FIRESIDE STORIES. 527 had no sooner entered than his ears were assailed with piercing shrieks. Advancing softly towards the place where the cries appeared to proceed from, he was horror-struck at perceiving a huge giant dragging along a fair lady, and a knight her hus- band, by the hair of their heads, “ with as much ease,” says the original narrative, “as if they had been a pair of gloves.” Jack shed tears of pity on the fate of this hapless couple; but not suffering his feelings to render him neglectful of action, he put on his invisible coat, and taking with him his infallible sword, succeeded, after considerable trouble and many cuts, to dispatch the monster, whose dying groans were so terrible that they made the whole wood ring again. The courteous knight and his fair lady were overpowered with gratitude, and, after re- turning Jack their best thanks, they invited him to their resi- dence, there to recruit his strength after the frightful encounter, and receive more substantial demonstrations of their obligations to him. Jack, however, declared that he would not rest until he had found out the giant’s habitation. The knight, on hear- ing this determination, was very sorrowful, and replied, “Noble stranger, it is too much to run a second hazard: this monster lived in a den under yonder mountain, with a brother more fierce and cruel than himself. Therefore, if you should go thither, and perish in the attempt, it would be a heart-breaking to me and my lady: let me persuade you to go with us and desist: from any further pursuit.” The knight’s reasoning had the very opposite effect that was intended, for Jack, hearing of another giant, eagerly embraced the opportunity of displaying his skill, Promising, however, to return to the knight when he had accomplished his second labour. 528 NURSERV RHYMES. He had not ridden more than a mile and a half when the cave mentioned by the knight appeared in view, near the entrance of which he beheld the giant, sitting upon a block of timber, with a knotted iron club by his side, waiting, as he supposed, for his brother’s return with his barbarous prey. This giant is described as having “goggle eyes like flames of fire, 2 countenance grim and ugly, cheeks like a couple of large flitches of bacon, the bristles of his beard resembling rods of iron wire, and locks that hung down upon his brawny shoulders like curled snakes or hissing adders.” Jack alighted from his horse, and putting on the invisible coat, approached near the giant, and said softly, “Oh! are you there? it will not be long ere I shall take you fast by the beard.” The giant all this while could not see him, on account of his invisible coat, so that Jack, coming up close to the monster, struck a blow with his sword at his head, but unfortunately missing his aim, he cut off the nose instead. The giant, as we may suppose, “roared like claps of thunder,” and began to lay about him in all directions with his iron club so desperately, that even Jack.was frightened, but exercising his usual ingenuity, he soon dispatched him. After this, Jack cut off the giant’s head, and sent it, together with that of his bro- ther, to King Arthur, by a waggoner he hired for that purpose, who gave an account of all his wonderful proceedings. The redoubtable Jack next proceeded to search the giant’s cave in search of his treasure, and passing along through a great many winding passages, he came at length to a large room paved with freestone, at the upper end of which was a boiling cauldron, and on the right hand a large table, at which the giants usually dined. FIRESIDE STORIES. 529 After passing this dining-room, he came to a large and well- secured den filled with human captives, who were fattened and taken at intervals for food, as we do poultry. Jack set the poor prisoners at liberty, and, to compensate them for their sufferings and dreadful anticipations, shared the giant’s treasure equally amongst them, and sent them to their homes overjoyed at their unexpected deliverance. It was about sunrise when Jack, after the conclusion of this adventure, having had a good night’s rest, mounted his horse to proceed on his journey, and, by the help of directions, reached the knight’s house about noon. He was received with the most extraordinary demonstrations of joy, and his kind host, out of respect to Jack, prepared a feast which lasted many days, all the nobility and gentry in the neighbourhood being invited to it. The knight related the hero’s adventures to his assembled guests, and presented him with a beautiful ring, on which was engraved a representation of the giant dragging the distressed knight and his lady, with this motto: We were in sad distress, you see, Under the giant’s fierce command, But gained our lives and liberty By valiant Jack’s victorious hand. But earthly happiness is not generally of long duration, and so in some respects it proved on the present occasion, for in the midst of the festivities arrived a messenger with the dismal in- telligence that one Thunderdell, a giant with two heads, having heard of the death of his two kinsmen, came from the north to 3a 530 - NURSERY RHYMES. be revenged on Jack, and was already within a mile of the knight’s house, the country people flying before him in all directions. The intelligence had no effect on the dauntless Jack, who immediately said, “ Let him come! I have a tool to pick his teeth ;” and with this elegant assertion, he invited the guests to witness his per- formance from a high terrace in the garden of the castle. It is now necessary to inform the reader that the knight’s house or castle was situated in an island encompassed with a moat thirty feet deep and twenty feet wide, passable by a drawbridge. Now Jack, intending to accomplish his purpose by a clever little stratagem, employed men to cut through this drawbridge on both sides nearly to the middle; and then, dressing himself in his invisible coat, he marched against the giant with his well-tried sword. As he approached his adversary, although invisible, the giant, being, as it appears, an epicure in such matters, was aware of his approach, and exclaimed, in a fearful tone of voice, Fi, fee, fo, fum! * I smell the blood of an Englishman : Be he alive or be he dead, I’ll grind his bones to make me bread! “Say you so?” said Jack; “then you are a monstrous miller indeed.” The giant, deeply incensed, replied, “Art thou that villain who killed my kinsman? then I will tear thee with my teeth, and grind thy bones to powder.” “But,” says Jack, still provoking him, “you must catch me first, if you please.” So putting aside his invisible coat, so that the giant might see him, * These lines are quoted by Edgar in the tragedy of ‘‘ King Lear,” FIRESIDE STORIES. 531 and putting on his wonderful shoes, he enticed him into a chase by just approaching near enough to give him an apparent chance of capture. The giant, we are told, “followed like a walking castle, so that the very foundations of the earth seemed to shake at every step.” Jack led him a gocd distance, in order that the wondering guests at the castle might see him to advantage; but at last, to end the matter, he ran over the drawbridge, the giant pursuing him with his club; but coming to the place where the bridge was cut, the giant’s great weight burst it asunder, and he was pre- cipitated into the moat, where he rolled about, says the author, “like a vast whale.” While the monster was in this condition Jack bantered him about the boast he had made of grinding his bones to powder; but at length, having teased him sufficiently a cart-rope was cast over the two heads of the giant, and he was drawn ashore by a team of horses, where Jack served him as he had done his relatives, cut off his heads, and sent them to King Arthur. it would seem that the Kiant Giller rested a short time after this adventure, but he was soon tired of inactivity ; and again went in search of another giant, the last whose head he was destined to chop off. After passing a long distance, he came at length to a large mountain, at the foot of which wasa very lonely house. Knocking at the door, it was opened by “an ancient* man, with a head as white as snow,” who received Jack very courteously, and at once consented to his request for a lodging. Whilst they were at * An old man. 34—2 532 NURSERY RHYMES. supper, the old man, who appears to have known more than was suspected, thus addressed the hero: “ Son, Iam sensible you are a conqueror of giants, and I therefore inform you that on the top of this mountain is an enchanted castle, maintained by a giant named Galligantus, who, by the help of a conjuror, gets many knights into his castle, where they are transformed into sundry shapes and forms; but, above all, I especially lament a Duke’s daughter, whom they took from her father’s garden, bringing her through the air in a chariot drawn by fiery dragons, and, securing her within the castle walls, transformed her into the shape of a hind. Now, though a great many knights have endeavoured to break the enchantment and work her deliverance, yet no one has been able to accomplish it, on account of two fiery griffins which are placed at the gate, and which destroyed them at their ap- proach; but you, my son, being furnished with an invisible coat, may pass by them undiscovered, and on the gates of the castle you will find engraven in large characters by what means the enchantment may be broken.” The undaunted Jack at once accepted the commission, and pledged his faith to the old man to proceed early in the morning on this new adventure. In the morning, as soon as it was daylight, Jack put on his invisible coat, and prepared himself for the enterprise. When he had reached the top of the mountain, he discovered the two fiery griffins, but, being invisible, he passed them without the slightest danger. When he had reached the gate of the castle, he noticed a golden trumpet attached to it, under which were written in large characters the following lines: FIRESIDE STORIES, — 533 nc er Whoever doth this trumpet blow,* Shall soon the giant overthrow, And break the black enchantment straight - So all shall be in happy state. Jack at once accepted the challenge, and putting the trumpet to his mouth, gave a blast that made the hills re-echo. The castle trembled to its foundations, and the giant and the conjuror were overstricken with fear, knowing that the reign of their enchantments was at an end. The former was speedily slain by Jack ; but the conjuror, mounting up into the air, was carried away in a whirlwind, and never heard of more. The enchant- ments were immediately broken, and all the lords and ladies, who had so long been cruelly transformed, were standing on the native earth in their natural shapes, the castle having vanished with the conjuror. The only relic of the giant which was left was the head, which Jack cut off in the first instance, and which we must suppose rolled away from the influence of the enchanted castle, or it would have “vanished into thin air” with the body. It was for- tunate that it did so, for it proved an inestimable trophy at the Court of King Arthur, where Jack the Giant Killer was shortly afterwards united to the Duke’s daughter, whom he had freed from enchantment, “not only to the joy of the Court, but of all the kingdom.” To complete his happiness, he was endowed with a noble house and estates; and his enchant for giant-killing having subsided—or, what is more probable, no more monsters ” * Variations of this incident are found in romances of all nations, 534 NURSERY RHYMES. appearing to interrupt his tranquillity--he accomplished the usual conclusion to these romantic narratives, by passing the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of every domestic felicity. [We have alluded to the quotation from this primitive romance made by Shakspeare in ‘King Lear ;” but if the story of Rowland, published by Mr. Jamieson, is to be trusted, it would seem that the great dramatist was indebted to a ballad of the time. This position would, however, compel us to adopt the belief that the words of the giant are also taken from the ballad—a supposition to which we are most unwilling to assent. In fact, we believe that Edgar quotes from two different compositions—the first line from a ballad on Rowland, the second from Jack and the Giants. ‘‘ And Rowland into the castle came,” is a line in the second ballad of ‘‘ Rosmer Hafmand,” or the ‘‘ Merman Rosmer,” in the Danish ‘‘ Kcempe Viser,” p. 165. The story alluded to above may be briefly given as follows :] The sons of King Arthur were playing at ball in the merry town of Carlisle, and their sister, “ Burd* Ellen,’ was in the midst of them. Now it happened that Child Rowland gave the ball such a powerful kick with his foot that “o’er the kirk he gard it flee.” Burd Ellen went round about in search of the ball, put what was the consternation of her brothers when they found that she did not return, although “they bade lang and ay langer.” They sought her east, they sought her west, They sought her up and down ; And wae were the hearts in merry Carlisle, For she was nae gait found. At last her eldest brother went to the Warlock or Wizard Merlin, and asked him if he knew where his sister, the fair Burd Ellen, was? “The fair Burd Ellen,” said the Warlock Merlin, “is carried away by the fairies, and is now in the castle of the King of Elfland ; and it were too bold an undertaking for the * * It is almost unnecessary to observe that ‘‘burd” was an ancient term for “lady.” FIRESIDE STORIES. 535 Bo Ren Oa lee EERE ESE RAMON SOMES, ee OD stoutest knight in Christendom to bring her back.” The brother, however, insisted upon undertaking the enterprise ; and, after receiving proper instructions from Merlin, which he failed in observing, he set out on his perilous expedition, and was never more seen, The other brothers took the same course, and shared a similar fate, till it came to the turn of Child Rowland, who with great difficulty obtained the consent of his mother, for Queen Guinever began to be afraid of losing all her children. Rowland, having received her blessing, girt on his father’s celebrated sword Ex- caliber, that never struck in vain, and repaired to Merlin’s cave. The wizard gave him all necessary instructions for his journey and conduct, the most important of which were that he should kill every person he met with after entering the land of Faérie, and should neither eat nor drink of what was offered him in that country, whatever his hunger or thirst might be; for if he tasted or touched in Elfland, he must remain in the power of the elves, and never see middle-earth again. Child Rowland faithfully promised to observe the instructions of Merlin, and he accordingly went to Elfland, where he found, as the wizard had foretold, the King’s horseherd feeding his horses. “Canst thou tell me,” said Rowland, “ where the castle of the King of Elfland is?” “TI cannot,” replied the horseherd; “but go a little farther, and thou wilt come to a cowherd, and perhaps he will know.” When he had made this answer, Rowland, remembering his instructions, took his good sword and cut off the head of the horseherd. He then went a little farther, and met with a cowherd, to whom he repeated the same question, 536 NURSERY RHYMES. and obtained the same answer. Child Rowland then cut off the cowherd’s head, and having pursued exactly the same course with a shepherd, goatherd, and swineherd, he is referred by the last to a henwife, who, in reply to his question, said, “Go on yet a little farther till you come to a round green hill surrounded with terraces from the bottom to the top: go round it three times widershins,* and every time say, ‘Open door, open door, and let me come in!’ and the third time the door will open, and you may go in.” Child Rowland immediately cut off the hen- wite’s head in return for her intelligence, and following her directions, a door in the hill opened, and he went in. As soon as he entered, the door closed behind him, and he traversed a long passage, which was dimly but pleasantly lighted by crys- tallized rock, till he came to two wide and lofty folding doors, which stood ajar. He opened them, and entered an immense hall, which seemed nearly as big as the hill itself. It was the most magnificent apartment in all the land of Faérie, for the pillars were of gold and silver, and the keystones ornamented _ with clusters of diamonds. A gold chain hung from the middle of the roof, supporting an enormous lamp composed of one hollowed transparent pearl, in the midst of which was a large magical carbuncle that beautifully illumined the whole hall. At the upper end of the hall, seated on a splendid sofa, under a tich canopy, was his sister the Burd Ellen, “kembing her yellow hair wi’ a silver kemb,” who, immediately perceiving him, was sorrow-struck at the anticipation of his being destroyed by the King of Elfland. ji * The contrary way to the course of the sun. x FIRESIDE STORIES. 537 And hear ye this, my youngest brither: Why bade na ye not at hame? Had ye a hunder and thousand lives, Ye canna brook ane o’ them. And she informs him that he will certainly lose his life if the King finds him in the hall. A conversation then took place, and Rowland tells her all his adventures, concluding his narrative with the observation that, after his long journey, he is very hungry. On this the Burd Ellen shook her head, and looked sorrowfully at him ; but, impelled by her enchantment, she rose up and pro- cured him a golden bowl of bread and milk. It was then that Child Rowland remembered the instructions of the Warlock Mer- lin, and he passionately exclaimed, “ Burd Ellen, I will neither eat nor drink till I set thee free!” Immediately this speech was uttered, the folding-doors of the hall burst open with tremendous violence, and in came the King of Elfland, with Fe, fi, fo, fum! I smell the blood of a Christian man! Be he dead, be he living, wi’ my brand I'll clash his harns frae his harn-pan! * as Strike, then, Bogle, if thou darest,” exclaimed the undaunted Child Rowland, and a furious combat ensued ; but Rowland, by the help of his good sword, conquered the Elf-King, sparing his life on condition that he would restore to him his two brothers and sister. The King joyfully consented, and having disen- chanted them by the anointment of a bright red liquor, they all four returned in triumph to merry Carlisle. * Literally, ‘I will dash his brains from his skull with my sword,” i } WN » | RY i : i Tt i ee Ain = eae aA a i == ae ae \ “nz < uy f = : i a ey ———S— —= AGEL eg | Aaa = Sy LD ip ff fhetborace ae en ape enter RELIANT EUAN TEUNAnnn reer unrest Ze WAREE ESTES aS unanea sy | ip: y SF QE FIRESIDE STORIES. 539 DDCCCI. TOM HICKATHRIFT. [Tom Hickathrift belongs to the same series as Jack the Giant Killer, one of the popular corruptions of old Northern romances. It seems to allude to some of the in- surrections in the Isle of Ely, such as that of Hereward, described in Wright’s Essays, ii. 91. Spelman, however, describes a tradition, which he says was credited by the inhabitants of Tylney, in which Hickifric appears as the asserter of the rights of their ancestors, and the means he employed on the occasion correspond with incidents in the following tale. The entire passage is worth transcription. ‘‘In Marslandia site sunt Walsoka, Waltona, et Walpola. In viciniis jacent Terrington et St. Maries—adjacet Tylney veteris utique Tylneiorum familiz radix. Hic se expandit insignis area que a planicie nuncupatur Zy/ney Smeeth, pinguis adeo et luxurians ut Paduana pascua vide- atur superasse. Tuentur eam indigenze velut aras et focos, fabellamque recitant longa petitam vetustate de Hickifrico (nescio quo) Haii illius instar in Scotorum Chronicis qui civium suorum dedignatus fuga, aratrum quod agebat solvit ; arreptoque temone furibundus insiliit in hostes victoriamque ademit exultantibus. Sic cum de agri istius possessione acriter olim dimicatum esset, inter fundi dominum et villarum incolas, nec valerent hi adversus eum consistere, reduntibus occurrit Hickifrickus, axemyue execu- tiens a curru quem agebat, eo vice gladii usus ; rota, clypet ; invasores repulit ad ipsos quibus nunc funguntur terminos. Ostendunt in ccemeterio Tilniensi sepulchrum sui pugilis, axem cum rota insculptum exhibens.”—Icenia, Descriptio Norfolciz, p. 138. Hearne mentions this gravestone, and perhaps some Norfolk topographer will tell us if it now exists. The author of the renowned History of Tom Hickathrift prefaces his narrative with the following consolatory exordium : And if thou dost buy this book, Be sure that you do on it look, And read it o’er; then thou wilt say Thy money is not thrown away.] IN the reign before William the Conqueror, I have read in ancient history that there dwelt a man in the parish of the Isle of Ely, in the county of Cambridge, named Thomas Hickathrift, a poor labouring man, but so strong that he was able to do in one day the ordinary work of two. He had an only son, whom he christened Thomas, after his own name. The old man put his son “to good learning,” but he would take none, for he was, as we call them in this age, none of the wisest, but something soft, and had no docility at all in him. God calling this good 540 NURSERY RHYMES. man, the father, to his rest, his mother, being tender of him, maintained him by her hard labour as well as she could; but this was no easy matter, for Tom would sit all day in the chimney-corner, instead of doing anything to assist her, and although at the period we are speaking of he was only ten years old, he would eat more than four or five ordinary men, and was five feet and a half in height, and two feet and a half broad. His hand was more like a shoulder of mutton than a boy’s hand, and he was altogether like a little monster, “ but yet his great strength was not known.” Tom’s strength came to be known inthis manner: His mother, it appears, as well as himself, for they lived in the primitive days of merry old England, slept upon straw. This was in character with the wretched mud hovels then occupied by the labouring population, not half so good as many pig-styes nowadays. Now, being a tidy old creature, she must every now and then replenish her homely couch, and one day, having been promised a “ bottle” of straw by a neighbouring farmer, after considerable entreaty, she prevailed on her son to fetch it. Tom, however, made her borrow a cart-rope first, before he would budge a step, without condescending to enter into any explanation respecting the use he intended it for; and the poor woman, too glad to obtain his assistance upon any terms, readily complied with his singular request. Tom, swinging the rope round his shoulders, went to the farmer’s, and found him with two men threshing in a barn. Having mentioned the object of his visit, the farmer somewhat inconsiderately told him he might take as much straw as he could carry. Tom immediately took him at his word, and, placing the FIRESIDE STORIES. . BAI rope in a right position, rapidly made up a bundle containing at least a cartload, the men jeering him on the absurdity of raising a pile they imagined no man cculd carry, and maliciously asking him if his rope was long enough. Their merriment, however, was not of long duration, for Tom flung the enormous bundle over his shoulders, and walked away with it without any apparent exertion, much to the astonishment and dismay of the master and his men. After this exploit, Tom was no longer suffered to enjoy his idle humours. Every one was endeavouring to secure his services, and we are told many remarkable tales of his extraordinary strength, still more wonderful than the one just related. On one occasion, having been offered as great a bundle of firewood as he could carry, he marched off with one of the largest trees in the forest. Tom was also extremely fond of attending fairs; and in cudgelling, wrestling, or throwing the hammer, there was no one who could compete with him. He thought nothing of flinging a huge hammer into the middle of a river a mile off, and, in fact, performed such extraordinary feats, that it was currently reported throughout the country he had dealings with the Evil One. Tom Hickathrift, too, was a very care-for-nothing fellow, and there were very few persons in all the Isle of Ely who dared to give him an ill word. ‘Those who did paid very dearly for their impertinence, and Tom was, in fact, paramount over his com- panions. His great strength, however, caused him to be much sought after by those who were in want of efficient labour, and at length a brewer at Lynn, who required a strong lusty fellow to carry his beer to the Marsh and to Wisbeach, after much per- 542 NURSERY RHYMES. suasion, and promising him a new suit of clothes and as much as he liked to eat and drink, secured Tom for this purpose. The distance he daily: travelled with the beer was upwards of twenty miles, for although there was a shorter cut through, the Marsh, no one durst go that way for fear of a monstrous giant, who was lord of a portion of the district, and who killed or made slaves of every one he could lay his hands upon. Now, in the course of time, Tom wa s thoroughly tired of going such a roundabout way, and without communicating his purpose to any one, he was resolved to pass through the giant’s domain, or lose his life in the attempt. This was a bold undertaking, but good living had so increased Tom’s strength and courage, that, venturesome as he was before, his hardiness so much increased that he would have faced a still greater danger. He accordingly drove his cart in the forbidden direction, flinging the gates wide open, as if for the purpose of making his daring more conspicuous. At length he was espied by the giant, who was indignant at his boldness, but consoled himself with the reflection that Tom and the beer would soon become his prey. “Sirrah,” said the monster, ‘who gave you permission to come this way? Do you not know how I make all stand in fear of me? and you, like an impudent rogue, must come and fling my gates open at your pleasure! How dare you presume to do so? Are you careless of your life? Do not you care what you do? But I will make you an example for all rogues under the sun! Dost thou not see how many thousand heads hang upon yonder tree—heads of those who have offended against my laws? But thy head shall hang higher than all the rest for an example!” But Tom made him FIRESIDE STORIES. 543 this impudent answer: “A dishclout in your teeth for your news, for you shall not find me to be one of them.” “No!” said the giant, in astonishment and indignation; “and what a fool you must be if you come to fight with such a one as Iam, and bring never a weapon to defend yourself!” Quoth Tom, “I have a weapon here that will make you know you are a traitorly rogue.” This impertinent speech highly incensed the giant, who imme- diately ran to his cave for his club, intending to dash out Tom’s brains at one blow. Tom was now much distressed for a weapon, that necessary accoutrement in his expedition having by some means escaped his memory, and he began to reflect how very little his whip would avail him against a monster twelve feet in height and six feet round the waist—-small dimensions certainly for a giant, but sufficient to be formidable. But while the giant was gone for his club, Tom bethought himself, and turning his cart upside down, adroitly takes out the axletree, which would serve him for a staff, and removing a wheel, adapts it to his arm in lieu of a shield—very good weapons indeed in time of trouble, and worthy of Tom’s ingenuity. When the monster returned with his club,he was amazed to see the weapons with which Tom had armed himself; but, uttering a word of defiance, he bore down upon the poor fellow with such heavy strokes that it was as muchas Tom could do to defend himself with his wheel. Tom, however, at length managed to give the giant* a heavy blow with the axletree on the side of his head, that he nearly reeled over. “What!” said Tom, “are you tipsy with my strong beer * In the original it is /ent the giant, the term /ext being old English or Saxon for gave. The expression sufficiently proves the antiquity of the version. 544. - NURSERY RHYMES. already?” This inquiry did not, as we may suppose, mollify the giant, who laid on his blows so sharply and heavily that Tom was obliged to act on the defensive. By-and-bye, not making any impression on the wheel, he got almost tired out, and was obliged to ask Tom if he would let him drink a little, and then he would fight again. “No,” said Tom, “my mother did not teach me that wit: who would be fool then?” The sequel may readily be imagined, and Tom having beaten the giant, and, disregarding his supplications for mercy, cut off his head, entered the cave, which he found completely filled with gold and silver. The news of this celebrated victory rapidly spread throughout the country, for the giant had been a common enemy to the inhabitants. They made bonfires for joy, and testified their respect to Tom by every means in their power. A few days afterwards Tom took possession of the cave and all the giant’s treasure. He pulled down the former, and built a magnificent house on the spot ; but with respect to the land forcibly obtained by the giant, part of it he gave to the poor for their common, merely reserving enough to maintain himself and his good old mother, Jane Hickathrift. His treasure, we may suppose, not- withstanding this great liberality, enabled him to maintain a noble establishment, for he is represented as having numbers of servants and a magnificent park of deer. He also built a famous church, which was called St. James’s, because it was on that saint’s day that he had killed the giant. And what was as good and better than all this, he was no longer called Tom Hickathrift by the _ people, but “Mr. Hickathrift,’ a title then implying a greater advancement in social position than can now scarcely be imagined. FIRESIDE STORIES. 545 Like many other persons who have become suddenly possessed of great wealth, Tom was sadly at a loss to know what to do with his money ; nor does this sage history condescend to inform us in what manner he expended it. He seems, however, to have amused himself rarely, attending every sport he could hear of for miles round, cracking skulls at cudgel-playing, bear-baiting, and all the gentlemanly recreations current in those days. At football he could scarcely have been a welcome addition to the company, for one kick from his foot, if he caught it in the middle, was sure to send the ball so great a distance over hedges and trees that it was never seen again. Tom was, also, one evening attacked by four robbers; but they sadly mistook the person they had to deal with, for he quickly killed two of them, made the others sue for mercy, and carried off their booty, which amounted to the large sum of two hundred pounds. One would have thought the Hickathrifts were wealthy enough before, but this addition to their store was, somehow or other, a source of great delight and merriment to Tom’s aged mother. Tom was along time before he found any one that could match him ; but, one day, going through his woods, he met with a lusty tinker, who had a great staff on his shoulder, and a large dog to carry his bag and tools. Tom was not particularly courteous: it may readily be supposed that his unvarying successes had made him rather overbearing; and he somewhat rudely asked the tinker what was his business there. But the tinker was no man to suc- cumb, and as rudely answered, “What’s that to you? Fools must needs be meddling!” A quarrel was soon raised, and the two laid on in good earnest, blow for blow, till the wood re-echoed 365 546 NURSERY RHYMES. with their strokes. The issue of the contest was long doubtful, but the tinker was so persevering, that Tom confessed he was fairly vanquished ; and they then went home together, and were sworn brothers in arms ever afterwards. It happened, from the events that followed, to be a fortunate occurrence. In and about the Isle of Ely, many disaffected persons, to the number of ten thousand and upwards, drew themselves up in a body, presuming to contend for their ancient rights and liberties, insomuch that the gentry and civil magistrates of the county were in great danger. The danger was so great, that the sheriff was obliged to come to Tom Hickathrift, under cover of the night, for shelter and protection, and gave him a full account of the rebellion. The tinker and Tom immediately promised their as- sistance, and they went out as soon as it was day, armed with their clubs, the sheriff conducting them to the rendezvous of the rebels. When they arrived there, Tom and the tinker marched up to the leaders of the multitude, and asked them the reason of their disturbing the Government. To this they answered loudly, “Our will is our law, and by that alone will we be governed.” “Nay,” quoth Tom, “if it be so, these trusty clubs are our weapons, and by them alone you shall be chastised.” These words were no sooner uttered, than they madly rushed on the immense multitude, bearing all before them, and laying twenty or thirty sprawling with every blow. It is also related, as something rather remarkable, that the tinker struck a tall man on the nape of the neck with such immense force that his head flew off, and was carried forty feet from the body with such violence that it knocked down one of the chief ringleaders, killing him on the spot. The FIRESIDE STORIES. 547 feats of Tom were no less wonderful; for, after having slain hundreds, and at length broke his club, he seized upon “a lusty rawboned miller” as a substitute, and made use of him as a weapon, till he had quite cleared the field. The King, of course, received intelligence of these extraordi- nary exploits, and sent for the two heroes to his palace, where a royal banquet was prepared for their honour and entertain- ment, most of the nobility being present. Now, after the banquet was over, the King made a speech, neither too short nor too long, but having the extraordinary merit of being very much to the purpose. We cannot omit so remarkable a specimen of royal eloquence. “These my guests,” said the King, “are my trusty and well-beloved subjects, men of approved courage and valour; they are the men that overcame and conquered ten thousand rebels who were combined for the purpose of disturbing the peace of my realm. According to the character I have received of Thomas Hickathrift and Henry Nonsuch, my two worthy guests here present, they cannot be matched in any other king- dom in the world. Were it possible to have an army of twenty thousand such as these, I dare venture to assert I would act the part of Alexander the Great over again. In the meanwhile, as a proof of my royal favour, kneel down, Thomas Hickathrift, and receive the ancient order of knighthood. And with respect to Henry Nonsuch, I will settle upon him, as a reward for his great services, the sum of forty shillings a year for life.’ After the delivery of this excellent address the King retired, and Tom and Henry shortly afterwards took their departure, attended for many miles by a portion of the Court. 35—2 548 NURSERY RHYMES. $s When Sir Thomas Hickathrift returned home, he found, to his great sorrow, that his mother had died during his stay at the Court. It can scarcely be said that he was inconsolable for her loss, but, being “left alone in a large and spacious house, he found himself strange and uncouth.” He therefore began to think whether it would not be advisable to seek out for a wife, and hearing of a wealthy young widow not far from Cambridge, he went and paid his addresses to her. At his first coming she appeared to favour his suit ; but before he paid her a second visit, her fancy had been attracted by a more elegant wooer, and Sir Thomas actually found him at her feet. The young spark, rely- ing on the Jady’s favour, was vehemently abusive to the knight, calling him a great lubberly whelp, a brewer’s servant, and a per- son altogether unfitted to make love to a lady. Sir Thomas was not a likely man to allow such an affront to go unpunished, so going out in the courtyard with the dandy to settle the matter, he gave him a kick which sent him over the tops of the houses into a pond some distance off, where he would have been drowned, had not a poor shepherd, passing by, pulled him out with his crook. The gallant studied every means of being revenged upon the knight, and for this purpose engaged two troopers to lie in ambush for him. Tom, however, according to the story, “crushed them like cucumbers.” ** Even when he was going to church with his bride to be married, he was set upon by one-and-twenty ruffians in armour ; but, borrowing a back-sword from one of the * The author is not very particular in his similes, but this appears not to be quite peculiar to this history. FIRESIDE STORIES. 549 company, he laid about him with such dexterity, that, purposely desiring not to kill any one, at every blow he chopped off a leg or an arm, the ground being strewed with the relics, “as it is with tiles from the tops of the houses after a dreadful storm.” His intended and friends were mightily amused at all this, and the fair one jokingly observed, “What a splendid lot of cripples he has made in the twinkling of an eye!” Sir Thomas only received a slight scratch, and he consoled himself for the trifling misfor- tune by the conviction that he had only lost a drop of blood for every limb he had chopped off. The marriage ceremony then took place without any further adventure, and Sir Thomas gave a great feast on the occasion, to which all the poor widows for miles round were invited in honour of his deceased mother, and it lasted for four days, in memory of the four last victories he had obtained. The only occurrence at this feast worth mentioning was the theft of a silver cup, which was traced to the-possession of an old woman of the name of Stumbelup,* and the others were so disgusted at her ingratitude to their kind host, that she would have been hanged on the spot, had not Sir Thomas interfered, and under- took the appointment of the punishment. Nor was it otherwise than comical, for she was condemned to be drawn through ali the streets and lanes of Cambridge on a wheelbarrow, holding a placard in her hands, which informed the public, I am the naughty Stumbelup, Who tried to steal the silver cup. * This incident has been slightly altered, the original narrative being of a nature that will not bear an exact transcription. 550 NURSERY RHYMES. The news of Tom’s wedding soon reached the Court, and the King, remembering his eminent services, immediately invited him and his lady, who visited their sovereign immediately, and were received by him most affectionately. While they were on this visit, intelligence arrived that an extraordinary invasion had taken place in the county of Kent. A huge giant riding ona dragon, and accompanied with a large number of bears and lions, had landed on the coast of that unfortunate county, and was ravaging it in all directions. The King, says the history, was “a little startled,” and well he might be at such a visitation ; but, taking advantage of the opportune presence of Tom Hicka- thrift, he solved the difficulty by creating him Governor of the Isle of Thanet,* and thus making him responsible for the pro- tection of the inhabitants from this terrible monster. There was a castle in the island, from which the country was visible for miles round, and this was the Governor's abode. He had not been there long before he caught a view of the giant, who is described as “mounted upon a dreadful dragon, with an iron club upon his shoulder, having but one eye, the which was placed in his forehead: this eye was larger in compass than a barber’s basin, and appeared like a flame of fire ; his visage was dreadful to behold, grim and tawny ; the hair of his head hung down his back and shoulders like snakes of an enormous length ; and the bristles of his beard were like rusty wire!” It is difficult to imagine a being more terrible than this, but Tom was only surprised, not frightened, when he saw one day the giant making *Jn the heading of the chapter in the original it is Last Angles, now called the Iste of Thanet, an error which favours the supposition of the story having been adapted, from a much older original. FIRESIDE STORIES. 551 his way to the castle on his formidable dragon. After he had well viewed the edifice with his glaring eye, he tied the dragon up to a tree, and went up to the castle as if he had intended to thrust it down with his shoulder. But somehow or other he managed to slip down, so that he could not extricate himself, and Tom, advancing with his two-handed sword, cut off the giant’s head at one blow, and the dragon’s at four, and sent them up in a “waggon” to the Court of his sovereign. The news of Tom’s victories reached the ears of his old com- panion, the tinker, who became desirous of sharing in his glory, and accordingly joined him at his castle. After mutual congratulations, Tom informed him of his wish to destroy, without delay, the beasts of prey that infested the island. They started for this purpose in company—Tom armed with his two-handed sword, and the tinker with his long pike- staff. After they had travelled about four or five hours, it was their fortune to meet with the whole knot of wild beasts together, being in number fourteen—six bears and eight lions. The two heroes waited for them with their backs against a tree, and when- ever they came “ within cutting distance,” they cut their heads off, and in this manner killed all but one lion, who, unfortunately, by an inconsiderate movement on the part of Tom, crushed the poor tinker to death. The animal was, however, ultimately slain by Sir Thomas. Sir Thomas Hickathrift had killed the giants, dragon, and lions, and he had conquered the rebels, but his happiness was by no means completed, for he was inconsolate for the loss of his friend. He, however, returned home to his lady, and made a 552 NURSERY RHVMES. grand feast in commemoration of his important victories, The history terminates with the following brilliant metrical speech he made on this festive occasion: My friends, while I have strength to stand, Most manfully I will pursue All dangers, till I clear this land Of lions, bears, and tigers too. This you'll find true, or I’m to blame, Let it remain upon record— Tom Hickathrift’s most glorious fame, Who never yet has broke his word! DCCCIL. TOM THUMB. {Thumb stories are common in German and Danish, and the English tale comprises much that is found in the Northern versions. A writer in the “ Quarterly Review,” xxi. 100, enters into some speculations respecting the mythological origin of Tom Thumb, and records his pursuasion, in which we agree, that several of our common nursery tales are remnants of ancient pvdo. Sir W. Scott menticns the Danish popular history of Svend Tomling, analysed by Nierup—‘‘a man no bigger than a thumb, who would be married to a woman three ells and three-quarters long.” This personage is probably commemorated in the nursery rhyme— Thad a little husband No bigger than my thumb: I put him in a pint pot, And there I bid him drum. According to popular tradition, Tom Thumb died at Lincoln, and a little blue flag- Stone in the pavement of the cathedral used to be pointed out as his monument. ] IN the merry days of good King Arthur, there lived in one of the counties of England a ploughman and his wife. They were poor, but as the husband was a strong workman, and his partner an able assistant in all matters pertaining to the farmhouse, the 553 §54 NURSERY RAYVMES. ~~ dairy, and poultry, they managed to make a very good living, and would have been contented and happy, had Nature blessed them with any offspring. But although they had been married several years, no olive-branch had yet appeared, and the worthy couple sadly lamented their hard lot. There lived at this period, at the Court of Arthur, a celebrated conjuror and magician, whose name was Merlin—the astonish- ment of the whole world ; for he knew the past, present, and future, and nothing appeared impossible to him. Persons of all classes solicited his assistance and advice, and he was perfectly accessible to the humblest applicant. Aware of this, the plough- man, after a long consultation with his “better half,” determined to consult him; and, for this purpose, travelled to the Court, and, with tears in his eyes, beseeched Merlin that he might have a child, “even though it should be no bigger than his thumb.” Now, Merlin had a strange knack of taking people exactly at their words, and without waiting for any more explicit declara- tion of the ploughman’s wishes, at once granted his request. What was the poor countryman’s astonishment to find when he reached home that his wife had given birth to a gentleman so diminutive that it required a strong exercise of the vision to see him. His growth was equally wonderful, for In four minutes he grew so fast, That he became as tall As was the ploughman’s thumb in length, And so she did him call. The christening of this little fellow was a matter of much FIRESIDE STORIES. 555 ceremony, for the Fairy Queen, attended by all her company of elves, was present at the rite, and he formally received the name of Tom Thumb. Her Majesty and attendants attired him with their choicest weeds, and his costume is wortha brief notice. His hat was made of a beautiful oak-leaf; his shirt was composed of a fine spider's web, and his hose and doublet of thistle-down ; his stockings were made with the rind of a delicate green apple, and the garters were two of the finest little hairs one can imagine, plucked from his mother’s eyebrows ; shoes made of the skin of a little mouse, “and tanned most curiously,’ completed his fairy- like accoutrement. It may easily be imagined that Tom was an object of astonish- ment and ridicule amongst the other children of the village ; but they soon discovered that, notwithstanding his diminutive size, he was more than a match for them. It was a matter of very little consequence to Tom whether he lost or won, for if he found his stock of counters or cherrystones run low, he soon crept into the pockets of his companions, and replenished his store. It happened, on one occasion, that he was detected, and the aggrieved party punished Tom by shutting him up in a pin-box. The fairy boy was sadly annoyed at his imprisonment, but the next day he amply revenged himself; for, hanging a row of glasses on a sunbeam, his companions thought they would follow his example, and, not possessing Tom’s fairy gifts, broke the glasses, and were severely whipped—whilst the little imp was overjoyed at their misfortune, standing by and laughing till the tears ran down his face. The boys were so irritated with the trick that had been played 556 NURSERY RHYMES. upon them that Tom’s mother was afraid to trust him any longer in theircompany. She accordingly kept him at home, and made him assist her in any light work suitable for so small a child. One day, while she was making a batter pudding, Tom stood on the edge of the bowl, with a lighted candle in his hand, so that she might see it was properly made. Unfortunately, however, when her back was turned, Tom accidentally fell in the bowl, and his mother not missing him, stirred him up in the pudding “ instead of minced fat,” and put the pudding in the kettle with Tom in it! The poor woman paid dearly for her mistake, for Tom had no sooner felt the warm water, than he danced about like mad, and the pudding jumped about till she was nearly frightened out of her wits, and was glad to give it to a tinker who happened to be passing that way. He was thankful for a present so acceptable, and anticipated the pleasure of eating a better dinner than he had enjoyed for many a long day. But his joy was of short duration, for as he was getting over a stile, he happened to sneeze very hard, and Tom, who had hitherto remained silent, cried out, “ Hollo, Pickens!” which so terrified the tinker, that he threw the pudding into the field, and scampered away as fast as ever he could go, The pudding tumbled to pieces with the fall, and Tom, creeping out, went home to his mother, who had been in great affliction on account-of his absence. A few days after this adventure, Tom accompanied his mother when she went into the fields to milk the cows, and for fear he should be blown away by the wind, she tied him to a thistle with a small piece of thread. While in this position a cow came by, and swallowed him up! FIRESIDE STORIES. 557 But, beine missed, his mother went, Calling him everywhere: Where art thou, Tom? where art thou, Tom? Quoth he, Here, mother, here ! Within the red cow’s stomach, here Your son is swallowed up! All which within her fearful heart Much woful dolour put. The cow, however, was soon tired of her subject, for Tom kicked and scratched till the poor animal was nearly mad, and at length tumbled him out of her mouth, when he was caught by his mother, and carried safely home. A succession of untoward accidents followed. One day Toms’ father took him to the fields a-ploughing, and gave him a “whip made of a barley straw” to drive the oxen with, but the dwarf was soon lost in a furrow. While he was there, a great raven came and carried him an immense distance to the top of a giant’s castle. The giant soon swallowed him up, but he made such a disturbance when he got inside, that the monster was soon glad to get rid of him, and threw the mischievous little imp full three miles into the sea. But he was not drowned, for he had scarcely reached the water before le was swallowed by a huge fish, which was shortly after captured, and sent to King Arthur by the fisherman for a new-year’s gift. Tom was now discovered, and at once adopted by the King as his dwarf; Long time he lived in jollity, Beloved of the Court, 658 NURSERY RHYMES. And none like Tom was so esteemed Amongst the better sort. The Queen was delighted with the little dwarf, and made him . dance a galliard on her left hand. His performance was so satis- factory, that King Arthur gave him a ring, which he wore about his middle like a girdle; and he literally “crept up the royal sleeve,” requesting leave to visit his parents, and take them as much money as he could carry. And so away goes lusty Tom With threepence at his back,— A heavy burthen, which did make His very bones to crack. Tom remained three days with the old couple, and feasted upon a hazel-nut so extravagantly that he grew ill. His indis- position was not of long continuance, and Arthur was so anxious for the return of his dwarf, that his mother took a birding-trunk and blew him to’the Court. He was received by the King with every demonstration of affection and delight, and tournaments were immediately proclaimed. Thus he at tilt and tournament Was entertained so, That all the rest of Arthur’s knights Did him much pleasure show. And good Sir Launcelot du Lake, Sir Tristram and Sir Guy, Yet none compared to brave Tom Thumb In acts of chivalry. FIRESIDE STORIES. 559 Tom, however, paid dearly for his victories, for the exertions he made upon this celebrated occasion threw him into an illness, which ultimately occasioned hisdeath. But the hero was carried away by his godmother, the Fairy Queen, into the land of Faérie, and after the lapse of two centuries he was suffered to return to earth, and again amuse men by his comical adventures. On one occasion, after his return from Fairyland, he jumped down a miller’s throat, and played all manner of pranks on the poor fellow, telling him of all his misdeeds; for millers in former days were the greatest rogues, as everybody knows, that ever lived. A short time afterwards, Tom a second time is swallowed by a fish, which is caught, and set for sale at the town of Rye, where a steward hagegles for it. Amongst the rest the steward came, Who would the salmon buy, And other fish that he did name; But he would not comply. The steward said, ‘You are so stout, If so, I’ll not buy any.” So then bespoke Tom Thumb aloud, “Sir, give the other penny!” At this they began to stare, To hear this sudden joke: Nay, some were frighted to the heart, And thought the dead fish spoke. So the steward made no more ado, But bid a penny more ; “Because,” he said, “I never heard A fish to speak before.” 560 NURSERY RHYMES. [The remainder of the history, which details Tom’s adventures with the Queen, his coach drawn by six beautiful white mice, his escaping on the back of a butterfly, and his death in a spider’s web, is undoubtedly a later addition to the original, and may therefore be omitted in this analysis. It is, in fact, a very poor imitation of the first part of the tale.] gost 10. Il. 12. 13. 14. 32. 33- 34. 35- 36. 37- 38. 39- 40. 41. 52. 53- 54 55- 56. 57- 58. 59. 60. 6x. 62. D vewon My dear, do you know . FIRST CLASS.— Ry (stotical Old King Cole oo... 5 When good King Arthur rj nd When Arthur first in Court began ...... Robin Hood, Robin Hood ............4..... I nee a little nut-tree, nothing would it ear NEN reac, seertentes seer The King of France went up the hill ... The King of France, with twenty thou- sand men The King of France, with forty thousand men.. At the siege of Belleisle We make no spare......... The rose is red, the grass is green Good Queen Bess was a glorious dame Ho! Master Teague, what is your story? Page ae I 15. 16. 17. 18, 19. 20. 2I. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Please to remember .., See saw, sack-a-day .... 9 As I was going by Charing Cross,. 9 High diddle ding .........s...... eo High ding a ding, and ho dingading... 9 Hector Protector was dressed all in Io There was a monkey climbed pa ree 31 The twenty-ninth of May ... SECOND CLASS.— J@citeral, One, two, three A, B, C, tumble-down D F for fig, J for jig ............ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5! I caught a hare alive One’sinonesss).0..k.0..s At reck’ning let’s play... Twenty, nineteen, eighteen FASO Bs Grande pee Hickery, dickery, 6 and 7 ... re Apple-pie, pudding, and pancake......... THIRD CLASS. Solomon Grundy There was a fat man of Bombay There was a crooked man .., Punch and Judy eee: Robin the Bobbin, the big-headed Ben Simple Simon met a pieman 2 There was a little man Little Tommy Tittlemouse ae There was a man, and he had nought 15 15 16 16 17 17 17 18 18 18 Some 561 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. EX% I2 Little General Monk ...... 12 Eighty-eight wor Kirby feight .. 12 What is the rhyme for foringer?........ 12 William and Mary, George and Anne... 13 Doctor Sacheverel.......... 13 As I walked by myself . 13 Jim and George were two gr seen: Over the water, and over the lea,........ 14 Miss One, Two, and Three.., 19 Who is that I heard call? 19 One, two, buckle my shoe ... 20 Pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker’s man ! 22 A was an archer, and shot at a frog...... 23 Great A, little a...., 24 A was an angler,, 25 A for the ape we saw at the fair 30 A was an apple-pie ........... eS Come hither, little puppy dog . 33 Wales, Old Mother Goose .........00..66 eee 143) Tommy kept a chandler’s shop . nena When I was a little girl, about seven syearsioldinsctccces 44 I'll tell you a story .. 45 Three wise men of Go’ eee Bed Robin and Richard were two pretty men 45 There was an old woman who rode ona broomiprtenstcn earan i oe nee ae 46 There was a King, and he had thre daughter coe 47, Pemmy was a pretty girl,, 48 562 INDEX. Tales—continued. Page Tales—continued. Moss was a little man, and a little mare 72. Taffy was a Welshman, Taffy wasa thief 49 84. 73. The man in the moon .,.......::ceseeeeeee 50 Gid DUY ..sceeccccccceceeseepeeeeeesereeeseees 74. Little Jack Horner sat in the corner ... 50 85. Little King Boggen he built a fine hall 75. My Lady Wind, my Lady Wind......... 52 86. Tom, Tom, the piper’s son.........,.-055 76. Old Abram Brown is dead and gone 52 87. Have you ever heard of Billy Pringle’s 77. Two little dogs a ¥S3 pig? .. 78. Little Tom Twig bought a fine bow and 88. A dog an arrow - 53 89. There was a jolly miller. 79. Little Jack Jelf . 53 go. Little Tom Tittlemouse .... 80. The lion and the unicorn 54 or. Little Blue Betty lived ina 81. Our saucy boy Dick........ 54 g2. The Queen of Hearts, she made some 82. When little Fred went to bed . mmesS 83. Little Willie Winkie runs through the 93 tOWN ,areeeeeee v.56 FOURTH CLASS.— roberbs. 14. St. Swithin’s Day, if thou dost rain. 63 xrs. For every evil under the sun............... 35. To make your candles last for aye . 63 116. He that goes to see his wheat in May... g6.. If wishes were horses ... 64 117. In July ° 97. Nature requires five... 64 118. The mackerel’s cry . 98. Three straws on a staff 65 119. He that would thrive . gg. See a pin and pick it up .. 65 x20. When the sand doth fee 100. Go to bed first, a golden purse... 65 za. A guinea it would sink zox. Shoe the horse, and shoe the mare . 66 122, The art of good driving is a paradox zoz. When the wind is in the east....... 66 quite Nie 103. Bounce Buckram, velvet’s dear . 66 123. Lazy Lawrence, let me go 104. A man of words and not of deeds. 67 124. Tit for tat........cccesseseseees 10s, A man of words and not of deeds. 68 125. March will search, April will try 106. A swarm of bees in May.. 68 126. Sow in the sop .. zo7. A pullet in the pen 69 | 127. A cat may look a rc8, If you sneeze on 328. He that hath it and will no for danger we 69 zzg. Gray’s Inn for walks .......esceeeeeseeeee zog. They that wash on Monday . 69 130. In time of prosperity friends will be 110. Needles and pins, needles and pins 7o plenty. 11x. Yeow mussent sing a’ Sunday . jo | 131. Trimtram .. 112. Asunshiny shower . 70 132. Beer a bumble .... 113. As the days grow long jo 133. Friday night’s dream ... 114. As the days lengthen Jo 134. The fair maid who, the first of May FIFTH CLass.—S cholastic, 135. A diller, a dollar 77 | 146. Come when you’re called .............025 136. Speak when you’re spoken to.. a7 147. I love my love with an A because he’s 137. Tell tale, tit !.., 78 Agreeable 138. In fir tar is ...... 78 | 148. If “ifs” and “ands” ... 139. At Dover Dwells George Brown 78 149. Doctor Faustus was a good man . Pe 140. Birch and green holly, boys . 78 150. When I was a little boy I had but little 141. Multiplication is vexation . 79 wit os 142. Thirty days hath September . 80 x51. Legomoten . 143. When V and I together meet. 8x 152. Mistress Mary, quite contrary . 144. The rose is red .. 8x 153. My story’s ended re 145. Cross-patch... 8x 154. Father Iohnson Nicholas Iohnson’s So SIXTH CLASS.— Songs. 1gs. Oh, where are you ZOing ......eeeeeenes 85 163. Says t’ auld man tit oak-tree.............. 7 156. Where are you going, my. pretty maid 86 164. My maid Mary she minds her dairy ... 157. You shall have an apple . ns CY 165. A pretty little girl in a round-eared cap 158. Polly, put the kettle on . 88 166, Jeanie come ti€ MY .........cceeeesseeeneeee 159, The fox and his wife they 167. The white dove sat on the castle wall... strife 89 168. When I was a little boy .. 160. Up at Piccadilly oh! . go 169. Old Father of the Pye.. 161. One misty moisty morning. gt 170. Sing a song of sixpence .. 162. Little Tom Dogget gL 171. Lend me thy mare to ride a mile? ...... oe Page 56 56 57 58 58 59 59 60 61 62 INDEX. 563 Songs—continued. Page Songs—continued, age 172. About the bush, Willy.........c0....66 +. I00 196, Sing song! merry go round ...... . 118 173. Little Bo-peep has lost his sheep .. « 102 197. There was a frog lived in a well . 119 174. Some up and some down.............. -- 103 198. A carrion crow sat on an oak, . 12 175. Trip upon trenchers, and dance upon 199. Hic hoc, the carrion crow . . 122 i . 104 | 200, Tom he was a piper’s son .... . 123 176. As I was going along, : susesee, 104 | 201, Where are you going, my pretty maid? 124 177. My father he died, but I can’t tell you 202. There were two birds sat ona stone ... 126 OWeesarascusaectassans soonerane en oeit ee 105 178. As I was walking o'er Little Moorfields ros «. 127 179. Three blind mice, see how they run! ... 106 . 128 180. Johnny shall have a new bonnet ., 106 I31r 181. The north wind doth blow ........... +. 107 132 x82. If [’d as much money as I could spend 108 183. London Bridge is broken down .. . 108 133 184. OF all the gay birds that e’er I did 110 . Oh, who is so merry, so merry, heigh ho! 134 185. Hot-cross Buns! ........c.cccecesesssccceeces rmx | 209. There was a man in our toone, in our 186, I love sixpence, pretty little sixpence... 112 toone, in our toone,. ; 187. Elsie Marley is grown so fine .., . 113 | 210. I will sing you a song .. 137 188. Wooley Foster has gone ‘to sea . 113 | 21x. How does my lady’s garden grow? 138 189. Buz, quoth the blue fly ......... . 114 212, Pancakes and fritters ............. 138 1go. Jacky, come give me the fiddle . 1x4 | 213. Dame, get up and bake your pies, 139 x91. John Cook had a little grey mare mrp | 214. I’ll sing you a song ace 140 192. There was a jolly miller , . 115 | 215. Whistle, daughter, whistle; whistle, 193. As I was going up the hill . . 116 daughter dear .......c.cccccecsssccenseeee I4 194. My father left me three acr vee 116 216. The miller he grinds his corn, his corn 142 195. I have been to market, my lady, my lady 117 217. I saw three ships come sailing by......... 142 SEVENTH CLASS.— 8} idbles. 218. Riddle-me, riddle-me, riddle-me-ree ... 144 252. Three words I know to be true. . 155 219. ‘There was a girl in our towne . 144 253. Banks full, braes full .......... 155 220. I went to the wood and got it . 145 254. The calf, the goose, the bee , 156 221. I’m in every one’s way .... . 145 255. In marble walls as white as milk ......... 156 222. ‘The cuckoo and the gowk . . 146 256. I’ve seen you where you never was... 157 223. Hoddy-doddy.........0...... . 146 257. Make three-fourths of a cross ..., . 157 224. The fiddler and his wife . - 146 | 258. There was a King met a King . 157 225. Riddle me, riddle me, what is that . 147 259. Flour of England, fruit of Spain . 158 226. There was a little green house - 147 260. A house full, a yard full... 158 227. A flock of white sheep............ . 147 | 261. As I was going o’er yon moo +. 158 228. As I was going o’er London Bridge...... 147 262. Black’m, saut’m, rough’m, glower’m, 229. Lives in winter .., . 148 SAW) a2 vsovsusneseeemnetases ss cfuessngs sees eeuees 230. Old father Greybe e . 148 263. As I was going o'er London Bridge. 231. When I went up sandy hill, . 148 264. Which weighs heavier ................ 232. As I was going o’er London Bridge...... 148 | 265. Lillylow, lillylow, set up on anend ..... 159 233. I have a little sister, they call her peep, 266. At the end of my yard there isa vat ... 159 DEED ose sae vince Nee corre Memon roan 149 267. There a man went over the Wash . 160 234. What shoemaker makes shoes without 268. I am become of flesh and blood 160 leather aren cee . 149 269. Into my house came neighbour Jo 160 235. Hick-a-more, Hick-a-more..,. - 149 | 270. Jackatawad ran over the moor .. 236. Old Mother Twitchett had b ye 149 | 271. Link lank ona bank,.......0..... 237. I went into my grandmother’s garden... 150 272. Two legs sat upon three legs.. 238. Made in London ..........000...... 150 273. As straight as a maypole... 239. Purple, yellow, red, and green, I5r 274. Over the water 2.00000... a 240. Higgeldy piggeldy ................ +. 15t | 275. Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess ... 241. As I looked out of my chamber window 151 276. Every land in this land ...... 242. Humpty Dumpty sat ona wall..., . 152 277. Long legs, crooked thighs 243. Black we are, but much admired . 153 | 278. There were three sisters in a ee 244. Thomas a Tattamus took two Ts . 3153 | 279. Congealed water and Cain’s brothe! 245. When 1 was taken from the fair body... 153 | 280. Thirty white horses upon a red hill. 246. Twelve pears hanging high ......... SenlS3 281. Black within and red without ............ 164 247. Arthur O’Bower has broken his band... 154 | 282. There was a man rode through our town 164 248. What God hever sees .. wee 154 283. Pease-porridge hot, pease-porridge cold 164 249. The land was white ,., 154. 284. The moon nine days old vA 250. As high as a castle 154 285. A riddle, a riddle, as I suppose.. 251. As white as milk . . 155 286. As round as an apple, as deep as 36- 2 564 INDEX. Riddles—continued. Page Riddles—continued, ceed 287. As I went through the garden gap ...... 165 300. See, see! what shall I see? ..... 170 288. Little Nancy Etticoat ............ccccceeeeeee 165 3or. There is a bird a great renown 170 289. As I was going o’er Westminster Bridge 166 302. As I went over Hottery Tottery ......... 170 290. There was a man who had no eyes....., 166 303. As I went through my houter touter .., 171 291. As I went over Lincoln Bridge.... 166 | 304. I have four sisters beyond the sea ...... 17 292. Formed long ago, yet made to-day ...... 166 305. Highty,.tighty, paradighty clothed in 293. Higher than a house, higher than a tree 167 . 172 294. Two legs sat upon three legs.. 168 306. 173 295. 2096. 297- 298. 299. gir. 312. 313- 314. 315. 316. 317. 318. 326. 327- 328. 329. 330. 331. 332: 333. 334. 335+ 336. 337: 348. 349. 350. 351. 352. 353- 354. 355: 356. 357: 358. 359: 360. 36r. 362. 363. 364. 366. 367. 368. 369. 270. As I was going to St. Ives... Hitty Pitty within the wall.. The first letter of our fore-fadyr . I saw a fight the other day..... A water there is I must pass .. . 169 168 307. 168 308. 169 309. 169 310. As I was going o’er Tipple Tine .. Ten and ten and twice eleven .. As soft as silk, as white as milk Humpty Dumpty lay in a beck tS 174 . 174 174 EIGHTH CLASs.—@I harms. I went to the toad... Cushy cow bonny, le Come, butter, come When a Twister a-twisting.. Swan swam over the sea.. Three crooked cripples ere If you love me, pop and fly .... + 175 NINTH CLaASs.— @ afters There was an old woman ., Old Mother Hubbard ..... There was an old woman . 18r 338. 182 | 339. mresere) 340. There was an old woman had three sons 190 | 341. OldtBettysBluckerecsscoetees ete 190 342. There was an oldman wholivedinawood x9 343. A little old man and [ fell out. - 194 | 344. There was an old woman 194 345. Old Mother Niddity Nod 194 There was an old woman., Dame Trot and her cat . There was an old man who lived in MiddletRowiiwercssessscisiteces assteriee 196 TENTH CLASS.— Come, my children, come away . One-ery, two-ery ..........0006 204 372. Dance, Thumbkin, dance 204 | 373. One to make ready ........... 205 374. Awake, arise, pull out your eyes. 205 375- Gay go up and gay go down.. Take this! What’s this? .......... Buff says Buff to all his men Here goes my lord Highty lock, O! See-saw, jack a daw! 210 | 379. 2Ir 381. 211 382. Queen Anne, Queen Anne . 212 383. Margery Mutton-pie and Johnny Bopeep 212 384. ‘f Sieve iny lady’s oatmeal .............0..000 213 385. Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross Trip and go, heave and hoe !......... 213 387. . Now we dance looby, looby, looby 213 388. Here we go round the bramble-bus I’ve a glove in my hand Intery, mintery, cutery-corn. To Beccles! to Beccles !.... My hand burns hot, hot, hot. + 215 | 389. . 218 391. . 218 392. » 175 319. 176 320. 176 321. 177 | 322. 1 ue 323- 324. Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round 5 325. 194 | 346. z 195 | 347- 202 371. +» 206 376. Nettles grow in an angry bush.. Who goes round my house this night ? 2 208 377- » 209 378. . 217 390. This is the way-the ladies » 219 393: My grandmother sent me a three-corner- ed handkerchief A thatcher of Thatchwood Peter Piper picked a peck My father he left me ...... Hickup, hickup, go away ! 179 Hickup, snicup + 179 Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John ...... 180 : 178 178 179 and &ammers, There was an old woman of Leeds ..... . 196 There was an old man of Tobago......... 196 Oh, dear, what can the matter be?...... 196 There was an old woman of Norwich... 197 A little old man of Derby ... There was an old man . Father Short came down the lane .. There was an old woman called Nothing- atvall fessrcees us ceitetcerasteotcnre ereass 198 ‘There was an old woman in Surrey...... 199 There was an old woman tossed up ina ibasketerssee mectestnecrenseaeeminenttctest es 199 & ames, There’s a good card for thee w. 219 Cuckoo, cherry-tree .. 220 “How many miles to pavey: bridge?” 220 A duck and a drake.. . 22 Titty cum tawtay ...... . 222 ane » 223 223 See-saw, Margery Daw ... Tip, top, tower ......... Pease-pudding hot 224 air 380. There were two blackbirds. 224 I went up one pair of stairs oe 224 Iam a gold lock ‘There was a man, and his name was Dob 226 May my geese fly over your barn?”,., 226 To market ride the gentlemen . 226 213 386. Ride a cock-horse to Coventry Cross ... 227 Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross .., 228 Here come I .... 228 There is a girl of 229 229 230 231 . 232 One old Oxford ox opening oysters . This is the key of the kingdom.. Good horses, bad horses INDEX. 565 Games—continued. Page Games—continued. Page 394. Here we all stand round the ring......... 232 424. This broke the barn ........ sen 250 395. Who is going round my sheepfold?...... 233 425. This pig went to market. 396. Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross ... 234 426. Eggs, butter, bread .. 397- Number number nine, this hoop’s mine 235 427. Flowers, flowers, high. 4 398. Green cheese, yellow laces... sseseesees 235 428. See-saw, Margery Daw .. 399. We are three “brethren out of Spain,..... 235 429. Fox a fox, a brummalary . 4oo. Here we come a-piping ............cc0c00008 237 430. My father was a Frenchman, 4or. Hot boiled beans and very good butter 238 431. I went to the sea a 402, Weave the diaper tick-a-tick tick......... 238 432. It’s time, I believe, for us to get leave 253 403. Hitty-titty indoors 239 433. Put your finger in Foxy’ Suholefe.cercrsces 254 404. Ring me (z), ring me(2), ring me rary G) 239 434. Jack’s alive, and in very good health 405. Two broken tradesmen... . 240 | 435. This pig went to market .. 254 406. Whoop, whoop, and hollo . 225 430. Let us go to the wood, sai 255 407. One-ery, two-ery, hickary, hum » 24X 437. Shoe the colt, shoe! ............ccscsecesseeees 250 « 242 438. Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn eee . 242 439. This pig went to the barn .. 410. Clap hands, clap hands!.... . 242 440. Heetum peetum penny pie.. an 41x. Clap hands, clap hands .... 243 441. Here comes a woman from Babyland wes 257 412. Twelve huntsmen with hornsand hounds 243 442. I can make diet bread........ 413. Draw a pail of water 00.00.0000... . 244 | 443. The first day of Christmas .. 414. I charge my daughters every one. . 245 444. Here’s a poor soldier come to tow 415. Trip trap over the grass ......... . 246 445. My lady’s lost her diamond ring . 416, Bat, bat, come under my hat. . 247 446. The dog of the kill.............. 417. See-saw sacradown . . 247 447. Handy-dandy riddledy ro .. 418. Here stands a post .. . 247 448. What’s there ?—Cheese and bread 419. Here sits the Lord Mayor . . 248 449. Enclosure game... 420. Bo peeper, nose dreeper. . 249 450. Game of the cat... 421. Ring the bell ................ . 249 451. The old game of honey-pots . 422. Eye winker, Tom Tinker . . 250 452. The fox gives warning........ 423. Thumb bold, thibity thold ... . 250 453. My mother and your mother... 408. Tom Brown’s two little Indian boys.. 409. How many miles is it to Babylon? 266 266 268 269 270 272 . 272 ELEVENTH CLASS.— © aradoxes. ere. 464. Tobacco wick ! tobacco wick! . + 273 465. I sawa peacock with a fiery tail | «274 466. There was an old woman, and what do . 274 yOulthink 2a wesc erevedccwerccustcssseees 280 . 275 467. There was an old woman had nothing... 280 459. Up stairs, down stairs, upon my ‘Ta y's 468. Barney Bodkin broke his nose ... we. 282 window ... 276 469. Ifa man who turnips cries we. 282 460. I would if I cou’d .. . 276 470. The man in the wilderness asked me .,, 281 461. There was a man of Newington - 277 471. There was a man and he was mad ...... 282 462. If all the world was apple pie . 277 472. My true love lives far from me. 282 463. There was a little Guinea-pig ... - 277 473. Heream I ,,,, 454. Peter White will ne’er go right... 455. O that I was where I would be. 450. Ina cottage in Fife .. 457. I saw a ship a-sailing .. 458. Three children sliding o: + 279 TWELFTH CLASS.— J@cullabies, Rock-a-bye, baby, thy cradle is green 284 | 487. Bye, baby bumpkin tee Ride, baby, ride » 285 488. Hush, hush, hush, hush! 476. Bye, baby bunting .. . 285 fees Rabbit, rabbit, rabbit pie! 477. Give me a blow, and . 285 490. Young ‘lambs to sell! ........ 478. My dear cockadoodle, my jewel . 285 491. Hush-a-bye, lie still and sleep . 479. Bye, O my baby!........ . 286 492. Dance, little baby, dance up hig 293 480. Hush thee, my babby . 286 493. To market, to market . 293 481. Hey, my kitten, my kitten. . 287 494. Hushy baby, my doll, I pray don’t ary. +» 294 482. Tom shall have a new bonnet . . 288 495. Danty baby diddy . 294 483. Dance to your daddy ....... . 288 496. To market, to market 294 484. I won’t be my farther’s Jack. . 288 497- Rock well my cradle 295 485. Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tre . 289 498. Where was a sugar and 295 486. Hush-a-bye, aba lamb ou... eee 2go | 499. I’ll buy you a tartan bonnet . 295 . 290 290 290 291 292 THIRTEENTH CLASS.— Jingles, goo. Hey ding a ding, what shall I sing? ... 296 502. See-saw, Jack ina hedge .. sox. Tiddle liddle lightum ..........ccceseeeeeee 296 503. Cock a doodle doo!... .. 296 e207, 566 a INDEX. Jingles—continued, Page 504. Little Tee Wee .. 298 505. Ding, dong bell... 299 506. Sing jigmijole, the pudding-bowl......... 300 507. Deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son John 300 508. Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.... ses 300 509. Sing, sing, what shall l sing? . 510. Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy . 51x. Dibbity, dibbity, dibbity doe. 512. Hyder iddle diddle dell 513. ey uy Jattey tases 514. Hey diddle dinketty, poppe et. 515. Huba dub dub........ Pee a 516. High, ding, cockatoo-moody.. 517. Feedum, fiddledum fee ..... 518. Pussicat, wussicat, with a white foot 519. Hickety, dickety, dock 520. Fiddle-de-dee, fiddle-de-dee .. 521. A cat came fiddling out of a barn. 522. Little Jack a Dandy... 523. Is John Smith within ?... 306 524. Doodledy, doodledy, doodledy, dan ... 308 301 302 393 303 393 303 304 304} 304° 304 j Jingles—continued. Page 525. Hey, dorolot, dorolot !............00 526. ‘T'weedle-dum and Tweedle-dee 527. Ding, dong, darrow +. 308 528. To market, to market, to buy a fat pig 309 529. There was an old woman lived in a shoe 310 530. Come, dance a jig...... ++ 310 531. Little Dicky Dilver . . 310 532. Old woman, old wom a-shearing ? 310 533. Little Polly Flinders. cEagLE 534. Doodle doodle doo ..... . 312 535. Round about, round about.. +. 312 536. There was an old woman sat spinning 312 537- Hey ! diddle diddle «313 538. Rompty iddity, row, row, row .. +. 314 539. There was an old woman, her name it was Peg.. + 314 540. Old Dame Wi + 315 541. There was an old soldier of Bister +. 315 542. “Wire ! fire!” said the town-crier......... 315 543. Hey ! diddle (the Quaker’s version)....., 315 FOURTEENTH CLASS.— Watural Tapigtory. 544. The cuckoo’s a fine bird ., 545. The cuckoo’s a vine bird.. 546. Cuckoo, cuckoo... 547. Curr dhoo, curr dh 548. I’llaway yhame . 549. Jack Sprat ......... + 317 318 318 319 319 320 550. Pretty John Watts ... «2 320. 551. How d’’e, dogs, how ? whose dog art thou? vee 322 552. See-saw, Margery Daw .. 321 553. Barnaby Bright he was a sharp cur. 322 554. Little boy blue, come blow your horn... 322 555. Hurly burly, trumpet trase..............064. 324 556. On Christmas Eve I turned the spit ... 324 557. Hussy, hussy, where’s your horse?...... 324 558. Pussy-cat sits by the fire, 324 559. Bow, wow, says the dog 326 560. Leg over leg ............ 327 561. Rowsty dowt, my fire’s all out.. 327 562. The sow came in with the saddle. 327 563. Goosey, goosey, gander 328 564. Goosey, goosey, gander .. 328 565. ‘‘ What do they call you?’ 330 566. Snail, snail, shoot out your 330 507. Eat, birds, eat, and make no waste...... 330 568. The cat sat asleep by the side of the fire 330 569. A long-tailed pig, or a short-tailed pig 331 570. Why is pussy in bed, pray? eneeuies +. 332 57x. Catch him, crow! carry him, kite! . 333 572. Riddle me, riddle me, ree 333 573. Chere was an old crow...... ++ 334 574. 1 had a little hobby-horse + 334 horns.. 575. Ladybird, ladybird, fly away home...... 334 576. Bah, bah, black sheep................cc0c0008 334 577- 1 had a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell 336 578. Lock the dairy door. «+ 336 579. Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree 337 580. Little Cock Robin peeped out of his cabing Heiss oe enn atte 338 58x. I like little pussy, her coat is so warm 338 582. The pettitoes are little feet... +» 339 583. The dove says coo, coo, what ? 339 584. I had a little pony, ++ 339 585. Come hither, sweet Robin - 342 586. Pit, pat, well-a-day !..,... 341 587. Little Robin Redbreast .., +. 341 588. Dame, what makes your ducks to die? 342 589. Bow, wow, wow. . 342 590. Pitty Patty Polt. 342 591. There was an owl lived in an oak.. 343 592. Willywite, Willywite 344 593. Little Poll Parrot ....... 344 594. Snail, snail, come out of your hole 344 595. Sneel, snaul........ « 344 596. Robin-a-Robbin .. - 346 597. Robin-a-Bobbin bent his bow sees 546 598. There was a little boy went into a barn 346 599. Snail, snail, put out your horns - 346 600. A little cock sparrow sat on a green 346 6or. Burnie bee, burnie bee + 347 602. The robin and the wren , 348 603. Little Bob Robin ......... «. 348 604. I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen 348 605. Cock-a-doodle-do0............eeccceceeessesees 348 606. Higglepy piggleby, my black hen 349 607. The cock doth crow ............006.. «340 608. Hickety, pickety, my black hen «349 609. Cock crows in the morn ... « 350 610. Pussy-cat ate the dumpling. - 350 611. Betty Pringle had a little pig. . 350 612. I had a little cow: to save her ... . 352 613. I had two pigeons bright and gay - 352 614. Jack Sprat’s pig... ccc ceeeeee + 352 615. There was a little one-eyed gunner...... 352 616. A-milking, a-milking, my maid 352 617. Charley Warley had a cow. 352 618. As I went to Bonner, . 352 61g. Pussy-cat mole ....... . 353 620. Once I saw a little bird .... eee 53 621. Lady-cow, lady-cow, fly thy way home 354 622. There was a piper, he’d a cow ............ 354 INDEX. | 567 Natural History—continued. Page | Natural History—continued. Page 623. Thad a little COW ........cceeseecceceeseeeeeees 354 639. "I was the twenty-ninth of May ......... 362 624. There was an old woman had three cows 356 | 640. Cock Robin got up early. . 362 625. As titty mouse sat in the witty to spin 356 641. Pussy-cat, pussy-cat.. . 362 626. Shoe the colt . 356 | 642. "T was once upon a tim . 363 627. Little Robin Redbreast . . 356 | 643. There was a glossy blackbir 364 628. Mary had a pretty bird ... « 357 644. Little Jenny Wren fell sick upon a time 365 629. Bless you, bless you, bonny bee + 358 645. Who killed Cock Robin?......... pecem SOT, 630. Dickery, dickery, dare.............. .. 358 646. ‘‘ Robert Barnes, fellow fine” . 379 631. Some little mice sat in a barn to spin... 358 647. I had a little dog, and they called him 632. Johnny Armstrong killed a calf............ 358 Butt) ere eee seetsere «+ 370 633. Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a 648. As I went over the water . . 370 snail ... - 359 | 649. In the month of February . . 371 634. Pussy sat b: i .. 360 650. Croak! said the Toad, I’m . 372 635. Hie, hie, says Anthony . .. 360 | 651. The winds they did blow................008. 372 636. A pye sate ona pear-tree . . 360 | 652. A farmer went trotting upon his grey 637. When the snow is on the ground mare £24393 638. All of a row 653. Gray goose and gander . .» 374 654. 655. 656. 657. 658. 659. 660. 661. 662. 663. 664. 665. 666. 667. 668. 669. 670. 671. 672. 673. 674. 675. 676, 677. 678. 706. 797. 708. 709 710. Il. 712. 713. 714. 722. 723. 724. 725. FIFTEENTH CLASS.— B} elics. The girl in the lane that couldn’t scale 679. ‘The quaker’s wife got up to bake plain, - 375 | 680. Who comes here?—A grenadier Hink, min 376 68x. Go to bed Tom !................ What are little boys made of, made of ? Be6 682. As I went over the water . Baby and I . 376 683. High diddle doubt, my candle out Rain, rain, go away. . 377 684. Little Mary Ester........ What’s the news of the day . 377 685. Little Tommy Tacket .. Charley Wag .............eccceeee . 378 686. Peg, Peg, with a wooden leg.... Hannah Bantry in the pantry . 378 687. Parson Darby wore a black gown Girls and boys, come out to play . 378 688. When Jacky’s a very good boy Hark, hark! ..... 689. Little Tom Tucker .. 386 . 386 « 386 . 386 . 386 » 387 . 388 388 . 388 . 388 » 389 Willy boy, where 690. Little Miss, pretty Miss , + 390 Shake a leg, wag a leg 691. Little Miss Muffet.......... » 390 To market, to market, a gallop, a trot 380 692. My little old man and I fell out. + 391 We’re all in the dumps .... 53 693. Blow, wind, blow! and go, mill, go! ... 392 Thad a little moppet .... The children of Holland . If all the seas were one sea... The barber shaved the mason Come, let’s to bed.. 694. Wash, hands, wash ................sseeeeeeees 391 695. How many days has my baby to play? 391 696. Daffy-down-dilly has come up to town 392 697. The man in the moon drinks claret ...... 392 698. A good child, a good child. 392 Little’ girl, where h: 699. Blenky my nutty-cock.. 392 Darby and Joan were dressed in joo. Around the green gravel.. 393 Barbar, barber, shave a pig ............... zor. As I was going to sell my eggs. 303 Cut them on Monday, you cut them for zo2. Old Sir Simon the King ....... 393 health 703. To market to buy a plum cake ., 304 Monday’s child is fair in face : qo4. St. Thomas’s Day is past and gone 304 Blue is true . 385 705. How do you do, neighbour? ..............4 304 SIXTEENTH CLASS.—J@:ocal. w.. 395 | 715. Little lad, little lad, where wast thou . 396 (DORM? cycccecessesveceescecceccenese ses 399 « 397 716. Lincoln was, and Londonis . 400 - 397 717. I loss my mare in Lincoln Lane . 406 . 397 | 718. Cripple Dick upon a stick ....... 400 . 397 | 719. Driddlety drum, driddlety drum . . 400 . 398 q2o. Little boy, pretty boy, where were you « 398 DOL e.ceseccrrecs eee re ccess eta +» 400 . 398 | 72x. All the bairns unborn will rue the . 401 There was a little nobby colt King’s Sutton is a pretty town The little priest of Felton . The tailor of Bicester ....... Dick and Tom, Will and John At Brill-on-the-Hill ............... A man went a-hunting at Reigate. A little bit of powdered beef My father and mother .... SEVENTEENTH CLass.—T@obe and Gh) atrimany, As I was going up Pippen Hill............ 726. What care I how black I be?... see 4O4 It’s once I courted as pretty a lass 727. Sylvia, sweet as morning air . wee 405 Brave news is come to town 728. ‘‘Where have you been all the day” . 406 Willy, Willy Wilkin ...........ccc0088 72g. A cow and a Calf o......eccesssscccceesenes sees 407 568 INDEX. Love and Matrimony—continued. Page Love and Matrimony—continued. Page 730. There was a little boy and a little girl... 408 754. If you with me will go, my love: ......... 420 73t. As Tommy Snooks and Bessy Brooks... 408 755. Young Roger came tapping at Dolly's 732. There was a little man .. 408 WING OW ite. ceccstccrcacnesseccaestec serene 733. Little Jack Jingle...... +. 410 756. Thomas and Annis met in the dark .; 734. When shall we be married ... ++ 410 757. 1 had a little husband .... 735. O the little rusty, dusty, rusty miller! 411 758. I married my wife by th 730. Up hill and down dale « 4IZ grslolo) Ta eAnr sncobacncosdaaiacbenabesscnccanccon 737. Tommy Trot, a man of law + 412 759. Can you make me a cambric shirt 738. We’re all dry drinking on’t .. 412 760. Saw ye aught of-my love... 739. Jack in the pulpit, out and in., we 412 76x. Up street and down street . 428 740. Did you see my wife. .. 412 | 762. Oh! mother, I shall be married to Mr. 741. Rosemary green... ws 412 Punchinellowre cee - sc 1os ste eset 428 742. Lam a pretty wench. « 413 763. ‘Madam, I am come to court you” 429 743. ‘‘ Little maid, pretty maid” .. we 414 764. Bessy Bell and Mary Gray 430 744. Birds of a feather flock together . 414 765. Little John Jiggy Jag .... 430 745. Hemp-seed I set ...........-4. Sivesvoe webee 4I4 766. Bonny lass, canny lass... 432 746. Little Jack Dandy-prat was my first 767. Jack and Jill went up the 433 suitor 768. Little Tom Dandy............... 434 747. Jack Sprat could eat no fat .. 769. There was a little pretty lad ... 434 748. Oh, madam, I will give you the keys of 770. Rowley Powley, pudding and pie.. 435 % Canterbury .... « 4I5 771. Love your own, kiss your own .. 749. Master I have, and : 417 772. Margaret wrote a letter ...... 750. I doubt, I doubt my fire is out .. . 417 773. Here comes a lusty wooer 751. On Saturday night 417 774. O rare Harry Parry. 752. Madam, I willgive youafinesilken gown 419 775. Blue eye beauty .... 753. Where have you been to-day, Billy...... 420 ' 776. Curly locks! wilt thou be mine? ., EIGHTEENTH CLAss.— fA ccumulatise Stories. 777. Lsell you the key of the King’s garden 439 780. A kid, a kid, my father bought.. 1 445 778. John Ball shot them all ........,....:-200+ 439 78x. ‘The old woman and her pig .. «+ 450 779. This is the house that Jack built ......... 441 782. Titty Mouse and Tatty Mouse.. 1 454 NINETEENTH CLASS.— iiresive S tories. 783. The story of the three little pigs ......... 458 | 793. The Maidenand the Frog... 487 784. Teeny-tiny ..........0:00 464 794. The story of Mr. Fox + 492 785. ‘Lhe story of Mr. Vinegar .. 465 | 795. The Oxford Student. . 494 786. The story of Chicken-licken 469 796. Jack Hornby .. 496° 787. The Miser and his Wife .. 472 797- Mally Dixon an 497 788. The Three Questions ... 473 798. The Bull of Norroway... +. 498 789. The Cat and the Mouse .. 474 799. Puss in Boots.......... «» 502 790. The Princess of Canterbury 476 800. Jack and the Giant , +0 513) or. Lazy Jack’ .......ccsssuereeees 478 | 80x. Tom Hickathrift . . 539 792. The Three Heads of the Well . 480 802. Tom Thumb .,.......;. BILLING AND SONS, PRINTERS, GUILDFORD, o WS \ 3 WAG SS WS WE x ~ A WAN RRQ 8 ° 8 G | Ae hy ® Bo acy @ e4 Bae © @ ea Os aS. o a @ e e @ oY oF ae D9) a BeSeoosoceaeasosoncaseg