note: project gutenberg also has an html version of this file which includes the original remarkable illustrations. see -h.htm or -h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h/ -h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h.zip) a apple pie by kate greenaway london. frederick warne & co. ltd. & new york printed in great britain by w & j mackay limited, chatham from original woodblock designs engraved in publisher's note kate greenaway used an early version of the rhyme to illustrate a apple pie which was first published in and it will be noticed that there is no rhyme for the letter i. the rhyme of a apple pie is very ancient and reference is made to it as early as in one of the writings of john eachard. in these early versions the letters i and j were not differentiated. the letter j as we know it to-day was the curved initial form of the letter i and was always used before a vowel. [illustration] a apple pie [illustration] b bit it [illustration] c cut it [illustration] d dealt it [illustration] e eat it [illustration] f fought for it [illustration] g got it [illustration] h had it [illustration] j jumped for it [illustration] k knelt for it [illustration] l longed for it [illustration] m mourned for it [illustration] n nodded for it [illustration] o opened it [illustration] p peeped in it [illustration] q quartered it [illustration] r ran for it [illustration] s sang for it [illustration] t took it [illustration] u v w x y z all had a large slice and went off to bed [illustration] [illustration: crest] [illustration: cover] ·walter·crane's· ·picture·books· ·the· ·absurd· a·b·c ·john·lane· ·the·bodley·head· ·london·&·new· ·york· the absurd abc originally published . [illustration: abcd] a for the apple or alphabet pie, which all get a slice of. come taste it & try. b is the baby who gave mr bunting full many a long day's rabbit skin hunting. c for the cat that played on the fiddle, when cows jumped higher than 'heigh diddle diddle!' d for the dame with her pig at the stile, 'tis said they got over, but not yet a while. [illustration: efg] e for the englishman, ready to make fast the giant who wanted to have him for breakfast. f for the frog in the story you know, begun with a wooing but ending in woe. g for goosey gander who wandered upstairs, and met the old man who objected to prayers. [illustration: hij] h for poor humpty who after his fall, felt obliged to resign his seat on the wall. i for the inn where they wouldn't give beer, to one with too much and no money, i fear. j does for poor jack and also for jill, who had so disastrous a tumble down hill. [illustration: klmnop] k for calm kitty, at dinner who sat, while all the good folks watched the dog & the cat. l for little man, gun and bullets complete, who shot the poor duck, and was proud of the feat. m for miss muffet, with that horrid spider, just dropped into tea and a chat beside her. n for the numerous children they who were often too much for their mother in shoe. o the old person that cobwebs did spy, and went up to sweep 'em oh ever so high! p for the pie made of blackbirds to sing, a song fit for supper a dish for a king. [illustration: qrs] q for queen anne who sat in the sun till she, more than the lily resembled the bun r stands for richard & robert, those men who didn't get up one fine morning till ten! s for the snail that showed wonderful fight, putting no less than twenty-four tailors to flight! [illustration: tuv] t stands for tom, the son of the piper, may his principles change as his years grow riper. u for the unicorn, keeping his eye on the coveted crown, and 'ts counsel the lion. v for the victuals, including the drink, the old woman lived on surprising to think! [illustration: wxyz] w for the woman who not over nice, made very short work of the three blind mice. x is the x that is found upon buns, which, daughters not liking, may come in for sons. y for yankee doodle of ancient renown, both he & his pony that took him to town. z for the zany who looked like a fool, for when he was young he neglected his school. [illustration: a-m] [illustration: n-z] a hunting alphabet by grace clarke newton +------------------------------+ | | | works by | | grace clarke newton | | | | a small girl's stories | | | | a book of rhyme | | | | poems in passing | | first series | | | | poems in passing | | a second gleaning | | (in preparation) | | | | a hunting alphabet | | illustrated | | | +------------------------------+ the a b c of drag hunting by grace clarke newton e·p·dutton·&·company. ·fifth·avenue new·york. established· copyright, e. p. dutton & company redfield-kendrick-odell co., inc. new york the illustrations are from some paintings by richard newton, jr. [illustration: mrs. e. t. cockcroft--and "danger"] a a is ambition which leads you to buy a qualified hunter, the picture of pride, of whom it is said, "he takes off in his stride." this means he jumps you off with hounds in full cry. b b is the beauty who's learning to "go," who comes to the club on the morn of the meet, and says to the master, "now if you'll be sweet and let me ride near you, i'll finish i know!" [illustration: benjamin nicoll, esq.--essex hunt (on cocktail)] c c is the casualty frequently met when a ditch next a creeper-clad fence lies concealed; also the comments of most of the field, "for the man who lays drags with a butterfly net!" d d is the overworked letter so dear to the heart of the sportsman who's riding a skate, who thinks there is no one to open the gate and fails to observe that the vicar stands near. [illustration: john r. townsend, esq., m. f. h.--orange co. hunt (on greek dollar)] e e is your epitaph, writ by a wag, which reached you by post on your first hunting morn; "hic jacet! he hoped to be pride of the quorn but died of sheer fright ere he rode in one drag." f f is the fence "made of stout posts and rails five feet"! you "_sailed_ over it riding the grey"; but do not dine out on it often, i pray, for at each repetition the interest pales. [illustration: j. e. davis, esq., m. f. h.--meadowbrook hunt] g g is the gathering gloom of her grace, the great one, invited to open our ball, when she heard that the master had had a bad fall and the honorable whip is to fill in his place. h h is the horn of the huntsman that sounds rather wheezy and thin to irreverent ears; but ah! 'tis a music melodic, which cheers the hearts of the nailers who follow hounds. i i is the impulse by which you are curst; to prove you have courage when fox hounds are "cast," "i'll jam in my spurs and be after them fast," it seems that the master prefers to go first. [illustration: drawn blank] j j is the jackrabbit, running so free, and the jar to the master who sees that his pack have tacitly told him they cannot come back 'til the last of their fat furry friend they can see. k k is the kennels where foxhounds are kept, a visit to these is a part of the game; 'tis a wise m. f. h. knows each couple by name, but when _they_ know _him_ they say strong men have wept. l l is for "larking" to try out a colt; how lightly he leaps from the paddock or pen, but, once on his back it's a question of when he will lie down or roll on you, buck, jump or bolt. [illustration: a few of the right sort] m m is the merriment seen on each face, at the rumor some hunting man offers to sell "the _pick_ of the stable, because he can't tell if he's going abroad for a season to race." n n is the nag, "nervy nat," who was lent for your use by a friend when your own horse broke down, and the news, that was sent to your dear ones in town, "some bones have been broken and some are just bent." o o is the opportune offer you made to carry a flask in case of a spill; then you learn that it's equally good for a chill and most of the field of a chill are afraid. [illustration: a hunting morn] p p is for "pink," to its pomp we aspire when riding in "mufti"; but how do we feel when bound for the meet, quite the modern john peel, if village boys shout, "oh, i say, where's the fire?" q q is the quagmire where you get stuck and the quizzical questions of those on the bank, who, as they help you to rescue your horse on a plank, "were you hunting a fox or just chasing a duck?" r r is the road that the faint-hearted choose when the line crosses country where going is risky: and the rot that they talk, as they sip their scotch whiskey. to prove it's not they, but their mounts that refuse. [illustration: major w. austin wadsworth, m. f. h.--geneseo hounds] s s is the scent, none too pleasant to those who ride not to hounds; but at swift hunting pace, when the right sort detect it, how madly they race; they find it more sweet than the breath of a rose. t t is for thousands, the cost of our fun, also for the thrusters and they are not few who send in a "ten" when the season is through it pays for the timber they broke in one run. u u is for us when united we fight that the skirt called "divided" be worn by the fair; if you've seen a dear girl with her boots in the air as she lands in a furrow, you'll say i am right. [illustration: the grey hunt team--suffolk hounds] v v is the viewpoint of those who are vexed, by the master's great promptness when they ride up late; "confounded old martinet, couldn't he wait? cast hounds by alarm clock, that's what he'll do next." w w stands for the week-end so wet we spent with our friend of a neighboring hunt, you could keep up with hounds if you went in a "punt" but i need not tell you how far we _did_ get. x x is for crossroads and sign posts galore; you shout the bumpkin who's raking his hay, "which way went the pack?" and his "well, i can't say; ain't seen any peddlers!" is rather a bore. [illustration: oakleigh thorne esq., m. f. h.--millbrook harriers] y y stands for you who have stood for these rhymes, who discern amid chaff shining kernels of truth; so the spirit of chivalry, valor and youth are found in the pleasures and sports of our times. z z is for zero--our surplus, my dear, when, after good sport with all damages paid, we sit by the fire and say, "i'm afraid there'll be no more runs till the spring of the year." and here ends this volume of a hunting alphabet, by grace clarke newton, of which copies only have been printed by redfield-kendrick-odell co., inc., new york, and the type distributed, in this year of our lord one thousand nine hundred and seventeen. footsteps on the road to learning; or the alphabet in rhyme. footsteps on the road to learning; or the alphabet in rhyme. [illustration] i've got a new book, full of fine pictures, too! and now i will try to read it all through; thus showing mamma how good i can be, and how well i remember my a, b, c, d. [illustration: ass--boy--cot--dame] the alphabet in rhyme. [illustration: ape. boy.] aa bb _aa_ bb _bb_ a is for ass, for ape, and for ark, as well as for ant and for ann; b is for boy, for bat, and for bark, for bag, and for bed, and for bran. * * * * * [illustration: cow. dog.] cc _cc_ dd _dd_ c is for cow, for calf, and for cart, for cot, and for cat, and for cake; d is for dog, for dame, and for dart, and also for duck and for drake. [illustration: ear--fire--girl--hat.] [illustration: elk. frog.] ee _ee_ ff _ff_ e is for eye, for ear and for east, for elk, and for eel, and for end; f is for fire, for fan, and for feast, for fox, and for frank, and for friend. * * * * * [illustration: girl. horse.] gg _gg_ hh _hh_ g is for girl, for grate, and for gull; for go, and for gun, and for gate, h is for hen, for hop, and for hull, for hat, and for hut, and for hate. [illustration: ill--john--kite--lads] [illustration: ibex. jackal.] ii _ii_ jj _jj_ i is for ink, for idler, for inn, for ibex, for ice, and for ll; j is for jug, for john, and for jim, for jig, and for jack, and for jill. * * * * * [illustration: kite. lamb.] kk _kk_ ll _ll_ k is for kite, for kid, and for key, for kiss, and for keg, and for keep; l is for lamb, for lad, and for lee, for lip, and for leg, and for leap. [illustration: mask--nose--old--play] [illustration: man. nest.] mm _mm_ nn _nn_ m is for mask, for mary, and mail, for man, and for map, and for moon; n is for nose, for net, and for nail, for nut, and for nest, and for noon. * * * * * [illustration: ox. plow.] oo _oo_ pp _pp_ o is for old, for owl, and for out, for ox, and for oar, and for oak; p is for play, for pin, and for pout, and also for pen, pig, and pork. [illustration: quiet--rabbit--see--tree.] [illustration: quince. rose.] qq _qq_ rr _rr_ q is for quiet, for quiver, and quill, for quick, and for queen, and for quack; r is for rabbit, for rat, and for rill, for rose, and for ring, and for rack. * * * * * [illustration: snake. tub.] ss _ss_ tt _tt_ s is for see, for ship, and for shop, for sister, for star and for sun; t is for tree, for ten, and for top, for tub, and for toad, and for tun. [illustration: urchins--vend--wagon.] [illustration: urus. vine.] uu _uu_ vv _vv_ u is for urchin, for urus, for urn, for use, and for up, and for us; v is for vend, for visit, and vein, for vine, and for vat, and for vice. * * * * * [illustration: whale. xerxes.] ww _ww_ xx _xx_ w is for wagon, for wig, and for wing, for whale, and for wine, and for wrist, x is for xerxes, a famous old king, but for words not a very long list. [illustration: youth--young--zephyr.] [illustration: yoke. zebra.] yy _yy_ zz _zz_ y is for yoke, for you and for yell, for youth, and for year, and for yeast; z is for zebra, for zany, and zeal, for zephyr, for zone, and for zest. * * * * * & and _& and_ & is a character often times used, in place of the word a-n-d, and though not a letter 'tis never refused a place in the a-b-c. * * * * * the twenty-six letters have now all been named, and i hope you will learn them at once; indeed, if you don't you will need be ashamed to be known for a very great dunce. [illustration] babcock's no. toy books, new series, moral, instructive, and entertaining, all beautifully embellished with superior engravings. edited by thomas teller. * * * * * children's books of every description constantly publishing. [transcriber's note: the original text, including any apostrophes, is unchanged.] uncle franks' series funny alphabet. [illustration] mcloughlin bro's publishers beekman the funny alphabet. [illustration: a] [illustration: b] a was an actor, 'tis clear to your view: b was three boys, forming letters for you. [illustration: c] [illustration: d] c was a clown, who clever was found. d was a dunce, and harlequin bound, e was soon formed with the aid of a child, f in a frolic appear'd to be wild. [illustration: e] [illustration: f] [illustration: g] [illustration: h] g was george godfrey, a truant i fear, h hand in hand, like two pillars appear. i was an indian figure for thee: j was jemima mermaid, only see. [illustration: i] [illustration: j] [illustration: k] [illustration: l] k was kail knowledge, to kew he was bound, l was luke lazy, he's now on the ground. m master merryman, mark what i say, n neddy noodle the vicar of bray. [illustration: m] [illustration: n] [illustration: o] [illustration: p] o obadiah a letter quite round, p paul plaintive, in pleasure was found, q quit was, in shape much like o, r robin roughead, i'd have you to know. [illustration: q] [illustration: r] [illustration: s] [illustration: t] s simon sobersides, serious and soft, t timothy touchstone, tomboy and torch, u uniform, union, and unicorn trot, v very vexatious his letters forgot. [illustration: u] [illustration: v] [illustration: w] w walter and william were vex'd, x in the alphabet, is sure to stand next. [illustration: x] [illustration: y] [illustration: z] y was a youngster, he'd play with his betters; z was a zany, for not knowing his letters. [illustration] [illustration] mcloughlin brothers, beekman street, new york. manufacturers of toy books, primers, games for children, a b c cards, blocks, &c. amusement for children. paper dolls, and paper furniture. mcloughlin bro. have recently issued, under the above title, twelve kinds of paper dolls, with a variety of beautiful dresses, bonnets, &c. +the bride+, a handsome doll, both sides of the dress colored. +american lady+, a very large doll, beautifully colored. +emma+, and her twin sister, +etty+. just out, +grace lee+, a splendid doll, both sides of the dress colored. +susan lee+, a beautiful doll, both sides dress colored.-- cts each. the following is a list of small dolls.--price cents each. dolly, baby, little lady, lizzie, charley, fanny, and willy and his pony. we have also published seven new sets of paper furniture. no. , +bed-room set,+ contains a french bedstead, bureau, wash-stand, table, two ottomans, and four chairs. no. , +parlor set,+ contains a sofa, centre table, six gothic chairs, two rocking chairs, and two ottomans. no. , +drawing-room set,+ contains piano forte, sofa, table, six chairs, two ottomans, and two rocking chairs. no. , +drawing-room set, brocatel,+ contains a handsome imitation rosewood piano, two rocking chairs, two tete-a-tete's, six chairs, and two ottomans.--price cents each. no. , +double set,+ contains the bed-room, and the drawing-room set.--price cents each. no. . +bed-room set, small.+ no. . +parlor set,+ " --price cents each. also, paper soldiers for boys, contains soldiers and officers to be cut out and pasted on stands. new ones issued every month. a moral alphabet. * * * * * by the same authors. more beasts (for worse children). demy to. s. d. the modern traveller. fcap. to. s. d. edward arnold, london. * * * * * a moral alphabet by h. b. with illustrations by b. b. authors of "the bad child's book of beasts" "more beasts for worse children" "the modern traveller" etc. london edward arnold bedford street _dedication._ to the gentleman on page . a stands for [illustration] archibald who told no lies, and got this lovely volume for a prize. [illustration] the upper school had combed and oiled their hair, and all the parents of the boys were there. in words that ring like thunder through the hall, draw tears from some and loud applause from all,-- the pedagogue, with pardonable joy, bestows the gift upon the radiant boy:-- [illustration] "accept the noblest work produced as yet" (says he) "upon the english alphabet; "next term i shall examine you, to find "if you have read it thoroughly. so mind!" and while the boys and parents cheered so loud, that out of doors [illustration] a large and anxious crowd had gathered and was blocking up the street, the admirable child resumed his seat. moral. learn from this justly irritating youth, to brush your hair and teeth and tell the truth. b stands for bear. [illustration] when bears are seen approaching in the distance, make up your mind at once between retreat and armed resistance. [illustration] a gentleman remained to fight-- with what result for him? the bear, with ill-concealed delight, devoured him, limb by limb. [illustration] another person turned and ran; he ran extremely hard: the bear was faster than the man, and beat him by a yard. moral. decisive action in the hour of need denotes the hero, but does not succeed. c stands for cobra; when the cobra [illustration] bites an indian judge, the judge spends restless nights. moral. this creature, though disgusting and appalling, conveys no kind of moral worth recalling. d the dreadful [illustration] dinotherium he will have to do his best for d. the early world observed with awe his back, indented like a saw. his look was gay, his voice was strong; his tail was neither short nor long; his trunk, or elongated nose, was not so large as some suppose; his teeth, as all the world allows, were graminivorous, like a cow's. he therefore should have wished to pass long peaceful nights upon the grass, but being mad the brute preferred to roost in branches, like a bird.[a] a creature heavier than a whale, you see at once, could hardly fail to suffer badly when he slid and tumbled [illustration] (as he always did). his fossil, therefore, comes to light all broken up: and serve him right. moral. if you were born to walk the ground, remain there; do not fool around. [a] we have good reason to suppose he did so, from his claw-like toes. e stands for [illustration] egg. moral. the moral of this verse is applicable to the young. be terse. f for a [illustration] family taking a walk in arcadia terrace, no doubt: the parents indulge in intelligent talk, while the children they gambol about. at a quarter-past six they return to their tea, of a kind that would hardly be tempting to me, though my appetite passes belief. there is jam, ginger beer, buttered toast, marmalade, with a cold leg of mutton and warm lemonade, and a large pigeon pie very skilfully made to consist almost wholly of beef. moral. a respectable family taking the air is a subject on which i could dwell; it contains all the morals that ever there were, and it sets an example as well. g stands for gnu, whose weapons of defence are long, sharp, curling horns, and common-sense. to these he adds a name so short and strong, [illustration] that even hardy boers pronounce it wrong. how often on a bright autumnal day the pious people of pretoria say, "come, let us hunt the----" then no more is heard but sounds of strong men struggling with a word. meanwhile, the distant gnu with grateful eyes observes his opportunity, and flies. moral. child, if you have a rummy kind of name, remember to be thankful for the same. h was a [illustration] horseman who rode to the meet, and talked of the pads of the fox as his "feet"-- an error which furnished subscribers with grounds for refusing to make him a master of hounds. he gave way thereupon to so fearful a rage, that he sold up his stable and went on the stage, and had all the success that a man could desire in creating the part of [illustration] "the old english squire." moral. in the learned professions, a person should know the advantage of having two strings to his bow. i the poor indian, justly called "the poor," [illustration] he has to eat his dinner off the floor. moral. the moral these delightful lines afford is: "living cheaply is its own reward." j stands for james, who thought it immaterial to pay his taxes, local or imperial. in vain the mother wept, the wife implored, james only yawned as though a trifle bored. [illustration] the tax collector called again, but he was met with persiflage and repartee. when james was hauled before the learned judge, who lectured him, he loudly whispered, "fudge!" the judge was startled from his usual calm, he [illustration] struck the desk before him with his palm, and roared in tones to make the boldest quail, "_j stands for james_, it also stands for jail." and therefore, on a dark and dreadful day, policemen came and took him all away. moral. the fate of james is typical, and shows how little mercy people can expect who will not pay their taxes; (saving those to which they conscientiously object.) k for the klondyke, a country of gold, where the winters are often excessively cold; where the lawn every morning is covered with rime, and skating continues for years at a time. do you think that a climate can conquer the grit of the sons of the west? not a bit! not a bit! when the weather looks nippy, the bold pioneers put on two pairs of stockings and cover their ears, and roam through the drear hyperborean dales with a vast apparatus of buckets and pails; [illustration] or wander through wild hyperborean glades with hoes, hammers, pickaxes, matlocks and spades. there are some who give rise to exuberant mirth by turning up nothing but bushels of earth, while those who have little cause excellent fun by attempting to pilfer from those who have none. at times the reward they will get for their pains is to strike very tempting auriferous veins; or, a shaft being sunk for some miles in the ground, not infrequently nuggets of value are found. they bring us the gold when their labours are ended, and we--after thanking them prettily--spend it. moral. just you work for humanity, never you mind if humanity seems to have left you behind. l was a lady, advancing in age, who drove in her carriage and six, with a couple of footmen a coachman and page, who were all of them regular bricks. [illustration] if the coach ran away, or was smashed by a dray, or got into collisions and blocks, the page, with a courtesy rare for his years, would leap to the ground with inspiriting cheers, while the footman allayed her legitimate fears, and the coachman sat tight on his box. at night as they met round an excellent meal, they would take it in turn to observe: "what a lady indeed! . . . what a presence to feel! . . ." "what a woman to worship and serve! . . ." [illustration] but, perhaps, the most poignant of all their delights was to stand in a rapturous dream when she spoke to them kindly on saturday nights, and said "they deserved her esteem." moral. now observe the reward of these dutiful lives: at the end of their loyal career they each had a lodge at the end of the drives, and she left them a hundred a year. remember from this to be properly vexed when the newspaper editors say, that "the type of society shown in the text "is rapidly passing away." m was a millionaire who sat at table, and ate like this-- [illustration] as long as he was able; at half-past twelve the waiters turned him out: he lived impoverished and died of gout. moral. disgusting exhibition! have a care when, later on, you are a millionaire, to rise from table feeling you could still take something more, and not be really ill. n stands for ned, maria's younger brother, [illustration] who, walking one way, chose to gaze the other. in blandford square--a crowded part of town-- two people on a tandem knocked him down; whereat [illustration] a motor car, with warning shout, ran right on top and turned him inside out: the damages that he obtained from these maintained him all his life in cultured ease. moral. the law protects you. go your gentle way: the other man has always got to pay. o stands for oxford. hail! salubrious seat of learning! academical retreat! home of my middle age! malarial spot which people call medeeval (though it's not). the marshes in the neighbourhood can vie with cambridge, but the town itself is dry, and serves to make a kind of fold or pen [illustration] wherein to herd a lot of learned men. were i to write but half of what they know, it would exhaust the space reserved for "o"; and, as my book must not be over big, i turn at once to "p," which stands for pig. moral. be taught by this to speak with moderation of places where, with decent application, one gets a good, sound, middle-class education. p stands for pig, as i remarked before, a second cousin to the huge wild boar. but pigs are civilized, while huge wild boars [illustration] live savagely, at random, out of doors, and, in their coarse contempt for dainty foods, subsist on truffles, which they find in woods. not so the cultivated pig, who feels the need of several courses at his meals, but wrongly thinks it does not matter whether he takes them one by one [illustration] or all together. hence, pigs devour, from lack of self-respect, what epicures would certainly reject. moral. learn from the pig to take whatever fate or elder persons heap upon your plate. q for quinine, which children take [illustration] with jam and little bits of cake. moral. how idiotic! can quinine replace cold baths and sound hygiene? r the reviewer, [illustration] reviewing my book, at which he had barely intended to look; but the very first lines upon "a" were enough to convince him the _verses_ were excellent stuff. so he wrote, without stopping, for several days in terms of extreme, but well-merited praise. to quote but one passage: "no person" (says he), "will be really content without purchasing three, "while a parent will send for a dozen or more, "and strew them about on the nursery floor. "the versification might call for some strictures "were it not for its singular wit; while the pictures, "tho' the handling of line is a little defective, "make up amply in _verve_ what they lack in perspective." moral. the habit of constantly telling the truth will lend an additional lustre to youth. s stands for snail, who, though he be the least, is not an uninstructive hornèd beast. [illustration] his eyes are on his horns, and when you shout or tickle them, the horns go in and out. had providence seen proper to endow the furious unicorn or sober cow with such a gift the one would never now appear so commonplace on coats of arms. and what a fortune for our failing farms if circus managers, with wealth untold, would take the cows for half their weight in gold! moral. learn from the snail to take reproof with patience, and not put out your horns on all occasions. t [illustration] for the genial tourist, who resides in peckham, where he writes italian guides. moral. learn from this information not to cavil at slight mistakes in books on foreign travel. u for the upas tree, [illustration] that casts a blight on those that pull their sisters' hair, and fight. [illustration] but oh! the good! they wander undismayed, and (as the subtle artist has portrayed) dispend the golden hours at play beneath its shade.[b] moral. dear reader, if you chance to catch a sight of upas trees, betake yourself to flight. [b] a friend of mine, a botanist, believes that good can even browse upon its leaves. i doubt it.... v for [illustration] the unobtrusive volunteer, who fills the armies of the world with fear. moral. seek with the volunteer to put aside the empty pomp of military pride. w my little victim, let me trouble you to fix your active mind on w. [illustration] the waterbeetle here shall teach a sermon far beyond your reach: he flabbergasts the human race by gliding on the water's face with ease, celerity, and grace; _but if he ever stopped to think of how he did it, he would sink._ moral. don't ask questions! x [illustration] no reasonable little child expects a grown-up man to make a rhyme on x. moral. these verses teach a clever child to find excuse for doing all that he's inclined. y [illustration] stands for youth (it would have stood for yak, but that i wrote about him two years back). youth is the pleasant springtime of our days, as dante so mellifluously says (who always speaks of youth with proper praise). you have not got to youth, but when you do you'll find what he and i have said is true. moral. youth's excellence should teach the modern wit first to be young, and then to boast of it. z [illustration] for this zébu, who (like all zebús)[c] is held divine by scrupulous hindoos. [c] von kettner writes it "_zé_bu"; wurst "ze_bu_": i split the difference and use the two. moral. idolatry, as you are well aware, is highly reprehensible. but there, we needn't bother,--when we get to z our interest in the alphabet is dead. illustrated humorous books _published by mr. edward arnold._ really and truly! or, the century for babes. written by ernest ames, and illustrated by mrs. ernest ames, authors of "an a b c for baby patriots." fully and brilliantly coloured. price s. d. ruthless rhymes for heartless homes. the verses by colonel d. streamer; the pictures by g---- h----. crown to. s. d. tails with a twist. an animal picture-book by e. t. reed, author of "pre-historic peeps," &c. with verses by "a belgian hare." oblong demy to. s. d. the frank lockwood sketch-book. being a selection of sketches by the late sir frank lockwood, q.c., m.p. third edition. oblong royal to. s. d. more beasts (for worse children). verses by h. b. pictures by b. b. demy to. s. d. the modern traveller. by h. b. and b. b. fcap. to. s. d. a moral alphabet. by h. b. and b. b. fcap. to. s. d. edward arnold, , bedford street, london. * * * * * transcriber's note: page , "o" changed to "to" (i to write) [illustration] mother goose's nursery rhymes a collection of _alphabets, rhymes, tales, and jingles_ with illustrations by sir john gilbert, r.a., john tenniel, harrison weir, walter crane, w. mcconnell, j. b. zwecker and others [illustration] london george routledge and sons the broadway, ludgate new york: broome street [illustration] contents. _page_ a apple pie a b c, tumble down d a carrion crow sat on an oak a diller, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar a farmer went trotting upon his grey mare a little boy went into a barn a little cock sparrow sat on a tree a man of words and not of deeds a man went hunting at reigate a-milking, a-milking, my maid apple-pie, pudding, and pancake as i was going along, long, long as i was going up pippin hill as i was going up primrose hill as i was going to st. ives as i went to bonner as tommy snooks and bessy brooks at the siege of belleisle i was there all the while away, birds, away! baa, baa, black sheep (_music_) barber, barber, shave a pig bat, bat, come under my hat bessy bell and mary gray bless you, bless you, bonny bee blow, wind, blow, and go, mill, go bow-wow-wow boys and girls, come out to play brow, brow, brinkie bye, baby bunting charley, charley, stole the barley come, let's to bed, says sleepy-head cross-patch, draw the latch cry, baby, cry curly-locks, curly-locks, wilt thou be mine? daffy-down-dilly has come up to town dame duck's lessons to her ducklings dance a baby diddit dance to your daddy death and burial of poor cock robin deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son john dickery, dickery, dock (_music_) dickery, dickery, dare ding, dong, bell ding, dong, darrow doctor foster went to glo'ster early to bed and early to rise eggs, butter, cheese, bread elizabeth, elspeth, betsy, and bess for every evil under the sun four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail freddie in the cherry-tree frog he would a-wooing go frog's (the) chorus georgie porgie (_music_) good dobbin good king arthur goosey, goosey, gander (_music_) go to bed first, a golden purse great a, little a handy, spandy, jack-a-dandy hark, hark, the dogs do bark here am i, little jumping joan here we go up, up, up he that would thrive hey, diddle, diddle hey, my kitten, my kitten hickety, pickety, my black hen high diddle ding high diddle doubt, my candle's out hot cross buns humpty dumpty sat on a wall (_music_) hush-a-bye, baby hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy hush baby, my doll, i pray you don't cry if all the world were water if wishes were horses, beggars would ride if you are to be a gentleman i had a little dog, they called him buff i had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen i had a little hobby-horse i had a little husband no bigger than my thumb i had a little pony i have a little sister they call her peep, peep i'll tell you a story i love sixpence i love little pussy i saw a ship a-sailing is john smith within? jack and jill went up the hill (_music_) jack be nimble jack sprat could eat no fat jack sprat had a cat jack sprat's pig jacky, come give me thy fiddle jenny shall have a new bonnet john cook he had a little grey mare john gilpin ladybird, ladybird leg over leg "let us go to the woods," says this pig little betty blue little blue betty lived in a lane little bo-peep (_music_) little boy blue little boy, pretty boy, where were you born? little girl, little girl, where have you been? little jack horner (_music_) little miss muffett little nancy etticote little polly flinders little robin redbreast sat upon a rail little tommy tittlemouse little tom tucker (_music_) margery mutton-pie and johnny bo-peep marriage of cock robin and jenny wren mary had a pretty bird mary, mary, quite contrary molly, my sister, and i fell out mr. isbister and betsy his sister multiplication is vexation my lady wind, my lady wind my little old man and i fell out needles and pins, needles and pins nievie, nievie, nicknack nursery rhyme alphabet oh, mother, i'm to be married to mr. punchinello oh, the rusty, dusty, rusty miller old father grey beard old king cole old mother goose old mother hubbard old mother widdle-waddle old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing? one misty, moisty morning one, two, buckle my shoe one, two, three one, two, three, four, five pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man pease pudding hot peter white will ne'er go right pit, pat, well-a-day! pitty patty polt please to remember the fifth of november poor dog bright poor old robinson crusoe pussy cat ate the dumplings pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? pussy sits beside the fire queen anne, queen anne, she sits in the sun rain, rain, go away rain, rain, go to spain ride a cock-horse robin and richard were two pretty men see a pin and pick it up see-saw, margery daw see, see, what shall i see? simple simon (_music_) sing a song of sixpence (_music_) snail, snail, come out of your hole snail, snail, come put out your horn solomon grundy some little mice sat in a barn swan, swan, over the sea taffy was a welshman the barber shaved the mason the cat sat asleep by the side of the fire the cock doth crow the cuckoo's a bonny bird the fox and the farmer the great brown owl the house that jack built the king of france went up the hill the lion and the unicorn were fighting for the crown the man in the moon the north wind doth blow the old woman and her pig the old woman must stand at the tub, tub, tub the queen of hearts there was a crooked man there was a fat man of bombay there was a jolly miller there was a little man and he had a little gun there was a monkey climbed up a tree there was an old crow there was an old man of tobago there was an old woman, and what do you think? there was an old woman as i've heard tell there was an old woman called nothing-at-all there was an old woman lived under a hill there was an old woman tossed up in a basket there was an old woman who lived in a shoe there was an owl lived in an oak there was a rat, for want of stairs there were three crows sat ona stone the robin redbreasts the rose is red, the violet's blue the turtle dove's nest the waves on the sea-shore the wonderful derby ram the young linnets this is the way the ladies go thomas a tattamus took two t's three children sliding on the ice three straws on a staff three wise men of gotham to make your candles last for aye to market, to market, a gallop, a trot to market, to market, to buy a fat pig tommy kept a chandler's shop tom thumb's alphabet tom, tom, the piper's son (_music_) twinkle, twinkle, little star two legs sat upon three legs up hill and down dale up hill, spare me valentine, oh, valentine walrus (the) and the carpenter we are all in the dumps we'll go a-shooting what's the news of the day? when i was a bachelor, i lived by myself when little fred went to bed when the wind is in the east where are you going to, my pretty maid? who stole the bird's nest? willy boy, willy boy, where are you going? young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell you shall have an apple mother goose's nursery rhymes. old mother goose. old mother goose, when she wanted to wander, would ride through the air on a very fine gander. mother goose had a house, 'twas built in a wood, where an owl at the door 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, a live goose he bought, "here, mother," says he, "it will not go for nought." jack's goose and her gander grew very fond, they'd both eat together, or swim in one pond. [illustration: "she sent him to market, a live goose he bought."] jack found one fine morning as i have been told, his goose had laid him an egg of pure gold. jack rode to his mother, the news for to tell, she called him a good boy and said it was well. jack sold his gold egg to a rogue of a jew, who cheated him out of the half of his due. then jack went a-courting a lady so gay, as fair as the lily, and sweet as the may. the jew and the squire came behind his back, and began to belabour the sides of poor jack. and then the gold egg was thrown into the sea, [illustration] when jack he jumped in, and got it back presently. the jew got the goose, which he vowed he would kill, resolving at once his pockets to fill. [illustration] jack's mother came in, and caught the goose soon, and mounting its back, flew up to the moon. [illustration] boys and girls, come out to play, the moon does shine as bright as day, leave your supper, and leave your sleep, and meet your playfellows in the street; come with a whoop, and come with a call, and come with a good will, or not at all. up the ladder and down the wall, a halfpenny loaf will serve us all. you find milk and i'll find flour, and we'll have a pudding in half an hour. [illustration: tom thumb's alphabet] [illustration: a was an archer, who shot at a frog.] [illustration: b was a butcher, who had a great dog.] [illustration: c was a captain, all covered with lace.] [illustration: d was a drummer, who played with a grace.] [illustration: e was an esquire with pride on his brow.] [illustration: f was a farmer, who followed the plough.] [illustration: g was a gamester, who had but ill-luck.] [illustration: h was a hunter, who hunted a buck.] [illustration: i was an italian, who had a white mouse.] [illustration: j was a joiner, who built up a house.] [illustration: k was a king, so mighty and grand.] [illustration: l was a lady, who had a white hand.] [illustration: m was a miser, who hoarded up gold.] [illustration: n was a nobleman, gallant and bold.] [illustration: o was an organ-boy, who played for his bread.] [illustration: p a policeman, of bad boys the dread.] [illustration: q was a quaker, who would not bow down.] [illustration: r was a robber, who prowled about town.] [illustration: s was a sailor, who spent all he got.] [illustration: t was a tinker, who mended a pot.] [illustration: u was an usher, with dunces severe.] [illustration: v was a veteran, who never knew fear.] [illustration: w was a waiter, with dinners in store.] [illustration: x was expensive, and so became poor.] [illustration: y was a youth, who did not like school.] [illustration: z was a zany, who looked a great fool.] the walrus and the carpenter.[a] the sun was shining on the sea, shining with all his might: he did his very best to make the billows smooth and bright-- and this was odd, because it was the middle of the night. the moon was shining sulkily, because she thought the sun had got no business to be there after the day was done-- "it's very rude of him," she said, "to come and spoil the fun!" the sea was wet as wet could be, the sands were dry as dry. you could not see a cloud, because no cloud was in the sky: no birds were flying overhead-- there were no birds to fly. the walrus and the carpenter were walking close at hand; they wept like anything to see such quantities of sand: "if this were only cleared away," they said, "it _would_ be grand!" "if seven maids with seven mops swept it for half a year, do you suppose," the walrus said, "that they could get it clear?" "i doubt it," said the carpenter, and shed a bitter tear. [illustration] "o oysters, come and walk with us!" the walrus did beseech. "a pleasant walk, a pleasant talk, along the briny beach: we cannot do with more than four, to give a hand to each." the eldest oyster looked at him, but never a word he said: the eldest oyster winked his eye, and shook his heavy head-- meaning to say he did not choose to leave the oyster-bed. but four young oysters hurried up, all eager for the treat: their coats were brushed, their faces washed, their shoes were clean and neat-- and this was odd, because, you know, they hadn't any feet. four other oysters followed them, and yet another four; and thick and fast they came at last, and more, and more, and more-- all hopping through the frothy waves, and scrambling to the shore. the walrus and the carpenter walked on a mile or so, and then they rested on a rock conveniently low: and all the little oysters stood and waited in a row. "the time has come," the walrus said, "to talk of many things: of shoes--and ships--and sealing-wax-- of cabbages--and kings-- and why the sea is boiling hot-- and whether pigs have wings." "but wait a bit," the oysters cried, "before we have our chat; for some of us are out of breath, and all of us are fat!" "no hurry!" said the carpenter. they thanked him much for that. [illustration] "a loaf of bread," the walrus said, "is what we chiefly need: pepper and vinegar besides are very good indeed-- now if you're ready, oysters dear, we can begin to feed." "but not on us!" the oysters cried, turning a little blue. "after such kindness, that would be a dismal thing to do!" "the night is fine," the walrus said. "do you admire the view? "it was so kind of you to come! and you are very nice!" the carpenter said nothing but "cut us another slice: i wish you were not quite so deaf-- i've had to ask you twice!" "it seems a shame," the walrus said, "to play them such a trick, after we've brought them out so far, and made them trot so quick!" the carpenter said nothing but "the butter's spread too thick!" [illustration] "i weep for you," the walrus said: "i deeply sympathize." with sobs and tears he sorted out those of the largest size, holding his pocket-handkerchief before his streaming eyes. "o oysters," said the carpenter, "you've had a pleasant run! shall we be trotting home again?" but answer there came none-- and this was scarcely odd, because they'd eaten every one. --lewis carroll. [a] by permission of the author. [illustration: a man went hunting at reigate.] a man went hunting at reigate, and wished to jump over a high gate; says the owner, "go round, with your horse and your hound, for you never shall leap over my gate." [illustration: humpty-dumpty.] [illustration: humpty-dumpty.] [music: humpty dumpty sat on a wall, humpty dumpty had a great fall; all the king's horses, and all the king's men, couldn't set humpty dumpty up again.] [illustration: "there was an owl lived in an oak."] there was an owl lived in an oak, whiskey, whaskey, weedle; and all the words he ever spoke were fiddle, faddle, feedle. a sportsman chanced to come that way, whiskey, whaskey, weedle; says he, "i'll shoot you, silly bird, so fiddle, faddle, feedle!" [illustration] good king arthur. when good king arthur ruled this land, he was a goodly king; he bought 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. [illustration] to market, to market, to buy a fat pig, home again, home again, jiggety jig. to market, to market, to buy a fat hog, home again, home again, jiggety jog. [illustration] hot cross buns, hot cross buns, one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns. if your daughters don't like them, give them to your sons, one a penny, two a penny, hot cross buns. [illustration] who stole the bird's-nest? to-whit! to-whit! to-whee! will you listen to me? who stole four eggs i laid, and the nice nest i made? [illustration] not i, said the cow, moo-oo! such a thing i'd never do. i gave you a wisp of hay, but did not take your nest away; not i, said the cow, moo-oo! such a thing i'd never do. [illustration] bob-o-link! bob-o-link! now, what do you think? who stole a nest away from the plum-tree to-day? [illustration] not i, said the dog, bow-wow! i wouldn't be so mean, i vow. i gave some hairs the nest to make, but the nest i did not take; not i, said the dog, bow-wow! i would not be so mean, i vow. [illustration] coo-coo! coo-coo! coo-coo! let me speak a word or two: who stole that pretty nest from little robin redbreast? [illustration] not i, said the sheep; oh, no, i would not treat a poor bird so; i gave the wool the nest to line, but the nest was none of mine. baa! baa! said the sheep; oh, no! i wouldn't treat a poor bird so. [illustration] caw! caw! cried the crow, i should like to know what thief took away a bird's-nest to-day. [illustration] chuck! chuck! said the hen, don't ask me again; why, i haven't a chick would do such a trick. we all gave her a feather, and she wove them together. i'd scorn to intrude on her and her brood. chuck! chuck! said the hen, don't ask me again. [illustration] chirr-a-whirr! chirr-a-whirr! we will make a great stir. let us find out his name, and all cry--for shame! [illustration] a little boy hung down his head, and went and hid behind the bed; for he stole that pretty nest from little robin redbreast; and he felt so full of shame he did not like to tell his name. [illustration: "there was a jolly miller."] there was a jolly miller lived on the river dee: he worked and sang from morn till night, no lark so blithe as he. and this the burden of his song for ever used to be-- i care for nobody--no! not i, since nobody cares for me. [illustration] [illustration: "dickery, dickery, dare."] dickery, dickery, dare, the pig flew up in the air; the man in brown soon brought him down, dickery, dickery, dare. molly, my sister, and i fell out, and what do you think it was about? she loved coffee, and i loved tea, and that was the reason we couldn't agree. solomon grundy, born on a monday, christened on tuesday, married on wednesday, very ill on thursday, worse on friday, died on saturday, buried on sunday. this is the end of solomon grundy. [illustration] jack sprat could eat no fat, his wife could eat no lean; and so betwixt them both, you see, they licked the platter clean. [illustration] as i went to bonner, i met a pig without a wig, upon my word and honour. [illustration] hush, baby, my doll, i pray you don't cry, and i'll give you some bread, and some milk by-and-by; or perhaps you like custard, or, maybe, a tart, then to either you are welcome, with all my heart. pitty patty polt, shoe the wild colt; here a nail, and there a nail, pitty patty polt. brow, brow, brinkie, eye, eye, winkie, mouth, mouth, merry, cheek, cheek, cherry, chin chopper, chin chopper, &c. if you are to be a gentleman, as i suppose you'll be, you'll neither laugh nor smile for a tickling of the knee. [illustration] "where are you going to, my pretty maid?" "i am going a-milking, sir," she said. "may i go with you, my pretty maid?" "you're kindly welcome, sir," she said. "what is your father, my pretty maid?" "my father's a farmer, sir," she said. "what is your fortune, my pretty maid?" "my face is my fortune, sir," she said. "then i won't marry you, my pretty maid." "nobody asked you, sir," she said. [illustration] the barber shaved the mason, and as i suppose cut off his nose, and popped it in the basin. [illustration: "old mother hubbard went to the cupboard."] [illustration] old mother hubbard and her dog. old mother hubbard went to the cupboard, to get her poor dog a bone; but when she came there the cupboard was bare, and so the poor dog had none. [illustration] she went to the baker's to buy him some bread, but when she came back the poor dog was dead. [illustration] she went to the joiner's to buy him a coffin, but when she came back the poor dog was laughing, [illustration] she took a clean dish to get him some tripe, but when she came back he was smoking a pipe. [illustration] she went to the alehouse to get him some beer, but when she came back the dog sat in a chair. [illustration] she went to the tavern for white wine and red, but when she came back the dog stood on his head. [illustration] she went to the hatter's to buy him a hat, but when she came back he was feeding the cat. [illustration] she went to the barber's to buy him a wig, but when she came back he was dancing a jig. [illustration] she went to the fruiterer's to buy him some fruit, but when she came back he was playing the flute. [illustration] she went to the tailor's to buy him a coat, but when she came back he was riding a goat. [illustration] she went to the cobbler's to buy him some shoes, but when she came back he was reading the news. [illustration] she went to the sempstress to buy him some linen, but when she came back the dog was a-spinning. [illustration] she went to the hosier's to buy him some hose, but when she came back he was dressed in his clothes. [illustration: "the dame made a curtsey, the dog made a bow."] the dame made a curtsey, the dog made a bow; the dame said, "your servant," the dog said, "bow wow." this wonderful dog was dame hubbard's delight; he could sing, he could dance, he could read, he could write. she gave him rich dainties whenever he fed, and erected a monument when he was dead. [illustration] [illustration: little jack horner.] [illustration] little jack horner. [illustration: music: _allegretto._ little jack horner sat in a corner, eating a christmas pie; he put in his thumb, and he took out a plum, and said, "what a good boy am i!"] [illustration] 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 ate two, she had ate a couple. there was a horse going to the mill; when he went on, he didn't stand still. there was a butcher cut his thumb. when it did bleed, then blood it did run. there was a jockey ran a race; when he ran fast, he ran apace. there was a cobbler, clouting shoon; when they were mended, then they were done. there was a navy went into spain; when it returned, it came back again. the waves on the sea-shore. roll on, roll on, you restless waves, that toss about and roar; why do you all run back again when you have reached the shore? roll on, roll on, you noisy waves, roll higher up the strand; how is it that you cannot pass that line of yellow sand? "we may not dare," the waves reply: "that line of yellow sand is laid along the shore to bound the waters and the land. "and all should keep to time and place, and all should keep to rule, both waves upon the sandy shore, and little boys at school." [illustration: "jenny blushed behind her fan."] [illustration] the marriage of cock robin and jenny wren. it was on a merry time, when jenny wren was young, so neatly as she danced, and so sweetly as she sung,-- robin redbreast lost his heart: he was a gallant bird; he doffed his hat to jenny, and thus to her he said: [illustration] "my dearest jenny wren, if you will but be mine, you shall dine on cherry-pie, and drink nice currant-wine. "i'll dress you like a goldfinch, or like a peacock gay; so if you'll have me, jenny, let us appoint the day." [illustration] jenny blushed behind her fan, and thus declared her mind: "then let it be to-morrow, bob,-- i take your offer kind; "cherry-pie is very good, so is currant-wine; but i'll wear my russet gown, and never dress too fine." [illustration] robin rose up early, at the break of day; he flew to jenny wren's house, to sing a roundelay. he met the cock and hen, and bade the cock declare, this was his wedding-day with jenny wren the fair. the cock then blew his horn, to let the neighbours know this was robin's wedding-day, and they might see the show. [illustration] at first came parson rook, with his spectacles and band; and one of mother hubbard's books he held within his hand. then followed him the lark, for he could sweetly sing, and he was to be the clerk at cock robin's wedding. he sang of robin's love for little jenny wren; and when he came unto the end, then he began again. the goldfinch came on next, to give away the bride; the linnet, being bridesmaid, walked by jenny's side; and as she was a-walking, said, "upon my word, i think that your cock robin is a very pretty bird." the blackbird and the thrush, and charming nightingale, whose sweet "jug" sweetly echoes through every grove and dale; the sparrow and tomtit, and many more, were there; all came to see the wedding of jenny wren the fair. the bullfinch walked by robin, and thus to him did say, "pray mark, friend robin redbreast, that goldfinch dressed so gay: "what though her gay apparel becomes her very well, yet jenny's modest dress and look must bear away the bell." [illustration] then came the bride and bridegroom; quite plainly was she dressed, and blushed so much, her cheeks were as red as robin's breast. but robin cheered her up; "my pretty jen," said he, "we're going to be married, and happy we shall be." "oh, then," says parson rook, "who gives this maid away?" "i do," says the goldfinch, "and her fortune i will pay: "here's a bag of grain of many sorts, and other things beside: now happy be the bridegroom, and happy be the bride!" "and will you have her, robin, to be your wedded wife?" "yes, i will," says robin, "and love her all my life!" "and you will have him, jenny, your husband now to be?" "yes, i will," says jenny, "and love him heartily!" then on her finger fair cock robin put the ring; "you're married now," says parson rook, while the lark aloud did sing: "happy be the bridegroom, and happy be the bride! and may not man, nor bird, nor beast, this happy pair divide!" [illustration] the birds were asked to dine, not jenny's friends alone, but every pretty songster that had cock robin known. they had a cherry-pie, besides some currant-wine, and every guest brought something, that sumptuous they might dine. now they all sat or stood, to eat and to drink; and every one said what he happened to think. [illustration] they each took a bumper, and drank to the pair, cock robin the bridegroom, and jenny the fair. the dinner-things removed, they all began to sing; and soon they made the place near a mile round to ring. the concert it was fine; and every bird tried who best should sing for robin, and jenny wren the bride. [illustration] when in came the cuckoo, and made a great rout; he caught hold of jenny, and pulled her about. cock robin was angry, and so was the sparrow, who fetched in a hurry his bow and his arrow. his aim then he took, but he took it not right; his skill was not good, or he shot in a fright; for the cuckoo he missed, but cock robin he killed!-- and all the birds mourned that his blood was so spilled. [illustration: _alas! poor cock robin!_] [illustration] the death and burial of poor cock robin. who killed cock robin? i, said the sparrow, with my bow and arrow, i killed cock robin. this is the sparrow, with his bow and arrow. [illustration] who saw him die? i, said the fly, with my little eye, i saw him die. this is the little fly who saw cock robin die. [illustration] who caught his blood? i, said the fish, with my little dish, i caught his blood. this is the fish, that held the dish. [illustration] who'll make his shroud? i, said the beetle, with my thread and needle, i'll make his shroud. this is the beetle, with his thread and needle. [illustration] who'll dig his grave? i, said the owl, with my spade and show'l, i'll dig his grave. this is the owl, with his spade and show'l. [illustration] who'll be the parson? i, said the rook, with my little book, i'll be the parson. this is the rook, reading his book. [illustration] who'll be the clerk? i, said the lark, if it's not in the dark, i'll be the clerk. this is the lark, saying "amen" like a clerk. [illustration] who'll carry him to the grave? i, said the kite, if it's not in the night, i'll carry him to the grave. this is the kite, about to take flight. [illustration] who'll carry the link? i, said the linnet, i'll fetch it in a minute, i'll carry the link. this is the linnet, and a link with fire in it. [illustration] who'll be chief mourner? i, said the dove, for i mourn for my love, i'll be chief mourner. this is the dove, who cock robin did love. [illustration] who'll sing a psalm? i, said the thrush, as she sat in a bush, i'll sing a psalm. this is the thrush, singing psalms from a bush. [illustration] who'll toll the bell? i, said the bull, because i can pull; so, cock robin, farewell! this is the bull who the bell-rope did pull. [illustration: poor cock robin] all the birds of the air fell a-sighing and sobbing, when they heard the bell toll for poor cock robin. [illustration] freddie and the cherry-tree. [illustration] freddie saw some fine ripe cherries hanging on a cherry-tree, and he said, "you pretty cherries, will you not come down to me?" "thank you kindly," said a cherry, "we would rather stay up here; if we ventured down this morning, you would eat us up, i fear." one, the finest of the cherries, dangled from a slender twig; "you are beautiful," said freddie, "red and ripe, and oh, how big!" "catch me," said the cherry, "catch me, little master, if you can." "i would catch you soon," said freddie, "if i were a grown-up man." freddie jumped, and tried to reach it, standing high upon his toes; but the cherry bobbed about, and laughed, and tickled freddie's nose. simple simon. [illustration: music: simple simon met a pieman, going to the fair; says simple simon to the pieman, "let me taste your ware." says the pieman to simple simon, "show me first your penny." says simple simon to the pieman, "indeed i have not any."] he went to catch a dickey-bird, and thought he could not fail, because he'd got a little salt to put upon his tail. [illustration] he went to take a bird's nest, was built upon a bough: a branch gave way, and simon fell into a dirty slough. [illustration] he went to shoot a wild duck, but wild duck flew away; says simon, "i can't hit him, because he will not stay." simple simon went a-hunting, for to catch a hare, he rode an ass about the streets, but couldn't find one there. simple simon went a-fishing for to catch a whale; all the water he had got was in his mother's pail. he went for to eat honey out of the mustard-pot, he bit his tongue until he cried, that was all the good he got. he went to ride a spotted cow, that had a little calf, she threw him down upon the ground, which made the people laugh. once simon made a great snowball, and brought it in to roast; he laid it down before the fire, and soon the ball was lost. he went to slide upon the ice, before the ice would bear; then he plunged in above his knees, which made poor simon stare. [illustration] he washed himself with blacking-ball, because he had no soap; then said unto his mother, "i'm a beauty now, i hope." simple simon went to look if plums grew on a thistle; he pricked his fingers very much, which made poor simon whistle. [illustration] he went for water in a sieve, but soon it all ran through; and now poor simple simon bids you all adieu. [illustration] [illustration] willy boy, willy boy, where are you going? i will go with you, if i may. i am going to the meadows, to see them mowing, i am going to see them make the hay. [illustration] 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 then there will be an end of you. [illustration] i had a little dog, 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. the cock doth crow to let you know, if you be wise, 't is time to rise. jack sprat had a cat, it had but one ear, it went to buy butter, when butter was dear. 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. [illustration: "a carrion crow."] [illustration] a carrion crow sat on an oak, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, watching a tailor shape his coat; sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do! wife, bring me my old bent bow, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, that i may shoot yon carrion crow; sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do! the tailor shot, and he missed his mark, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, and shot the miller's sow right through the heart; sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do! wife! oh wife! bring brandy in a spoon, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, for the old miller's sow is in a swoon; sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow, fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do! mary had a pretty bird, feathers bright and yellow, slender legs--upon my word, he was a pretty fellow. the sweetest notes he always sung, which much delighted mary, and near the cage she'd ever sit, to hear her own canary. [illustration] little blue betty lived in a lane, she sold good ale to gentlemen: gentlemen came every day, and little blue betty hopped away; she hopped upstairs to make her bed, and she tumbled down, and broke her head. [illustration] [a candle.] little nancy etticote, in a white petticoat, with a red nose; the longer she stands, the shorter she grows. [illustration: "a frog he would a-wooing go."] a frog he would a-wooing go. a frog he would a-wooing go, heigho, says rowley, whether his mother would let him or no. with a rowley powley, gammon and spinach, heigho, says anthony rowley! 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. [illustration] "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. "indeed, mrs. mouse," replied the frog, heigho, says rowley, "a cold has made me as hoarse as a hog." with a rowley powley, &c. "since you have caught cold, mr. frog," mousey said, heigho, says rowley, "i'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. [illustration] 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! i saw a ship a-sailing. i saw a ship a-sailing, a-sailing on the sea; and, oh! it was all laden with pretty things for thee! 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!" [illustration: "as soon as he play'd they began for to dance."] tom, tom, the piper's son. [illustration: music: tom, tom, was a pi per's son, he learn'd to play when he was young; but the only tune that he could play, was "over the hills and far away." tom with his pipe made such a noise, that he pleased both the girls and boys; they'd dance and skip while he did play, "over the hills and far away."] [illustration: music: tom with his pipe did play with such skill, that those who heard him could never keep still; as soon as he play'd they began for to dance, even pigs on their hind-legs would after him prance. he met old dame trot with a basket of eggs-- he used his pipe and she used her legs; she danc'd about till her eggs were all broke, she began for to fret, but he laugh'd at the joke. and as dolly was milking her cow one day,] [illustration: music: tom took out his pipe and began for to play; so doll and the cow they danc'd a lilt, till the pail fell down and the milk was all spilt. tom saw a cross fellow was beating an ass, heavy laden with pots, pans, dishes, and glass; he took out his pipe and he play'd them a tune, and the poor donkey's load was lighten'd full soon.] [illustration] there was an old woman, as i've heard tell, 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. when the little old woman first did wake, she began to shiver and she began to shake; she began to wonder, and she began to cry, "lauk a mercy on me, this can't be i! but if it be i, as i hope it be, i've a little dog at home, and he'll know me; if it be i, he'll wag his little tail, and 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, "lauk a mercy on me, this is none of i!" _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. [illustration] three wise men of gotham went to sea in a bowl; if the bowl had been stronger my story had been longer. [illustration: little boy blue.] little boy blue, come, blow me your horn; the sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. where's the little boy that looks after the sheep? he's under the haycock, fast asleep. [illustration] [illustration] the robin redbreasts. two robin redbreasts built their nests within a hollow tree; the hen sat quietly at home, the cock sang merrily; and all the little young ones said, "wee, wee, wee, wee, wee, wee." one day (the sun was warm and bright, and shining in the sky), cock robin said, "my little dears, 't is time you learn to fly;" and all the little young ones said, "i'll try, i'll try, i'll try." i know a child, and _who she is_ i'll tell you by-and-by, when mamma says, "do this," or "that," she says, "what for?" and "why?" she'd be a better child by far if she would say "i'll try." there was an old woman lived under a hill, and if she's not gone, she lives there still. [illustration] we are 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. as i was going along, long, long, a-singing a comical song, song, song, the lane that i went was so long, long, long, and the song that i sung was so long, long, long, and so i went singing along. [illustration] a-milking, a-milking, my maid, "cow, take care of your heels," she said; "and you shall have some nice new hay, if you'll quietly let me milk away." [illustration] old father grey beard, without tooth or tongue, if you'll give me your finger, i'll give you my thumb. [illustration] dance a baby diddit, what can his mother do with it, but sit in a lap, and give him some pap? dance a baby diddit. snail, snail, come out of your hole, or else i'll beat you as black as a coal. at the siege of belleisle i was there all the while, all the while, all the while, at the siege of belleisle. bye, baby bunting, father's gone a-hunting, mother's gone a-milking, sister's gone a-silking, brother's gone to buy a skin to wrap the baby bunting in. [illustration: young lambs to sell.] young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell; if i had as much money as i could tell i never would cry young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell, young lambs to sell, i never would cry, young lambs to sell. [illustration] [illustration] come, let's to bed, says sleepy-head; tarry a while, says slow; put on the pan, says greedy nan, let's sup before we go. [illustration] to make your candles last for aye, you wives and maids give ear-o! to put them out's the only way, says honest john boldero. the great brown owl the brown owl sits in the ivy-bush, and she looketh wondrous wise, with a horny beak beneath her cowl, and a pair of large round eyes. she sat all day on the selfsame spray, from sunrise till sunset; and the dim grey light, it was all too bright for the owl to see in yet. "jenny owlet, jenny owlet," said a merry little bird, "they say you're wondrous wise; but i don't think you see, though you're looking at me with your large, round, shining eyes." but night came soon, and the pale white moon rolled high up in the skies; and the great brown owl flew away in her cowl, with her large, round, shining eyes. [illustration: little tom tucker.] little tom tucker. [illustration: music: little tom tucker sings for his supper: what shall he eat? white bread and butter. how shall he cut it without e'er a knife? how can he marry without e'er a wife?] [illustration] four and twenty tailors went to kill a snail, the best man amongst them durst not touch her tail. she put out her horns, like a little kyloe cow, run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all just now. [illustration] doctor foster went to glo'ster, in a shower of rain; he stepped in a puddle, up to the middle, and never went there again. mary, mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? silver bells and cockle-shells, and pretty maids all in a row. [illustration] the man in the moon came tumbling down, and asked the way to norwich; he went by the south, and burnt his mouth with eating cold pease porridge. little robin redbreast sat upon a rail, niddle, naddle, went his head, wiggle, waddle, went his tail; little robin redbreast sat upon a bridle, with a pair of speckle legs, and a green girdle. pit, pat, well-a-day! little robin flew away; where can little robin be, but up in yon cherry-tree? ding, dong, darrow, the cat and the sparrow; the little dog has burnt his tail, and he shall be whipped to-morrow. [illustration] dame duck's lessons to her ducklings. old mother duck has hatched a brood of ducklings, small and callow: their little wings are short, their down is mottled grey and yellow. there is a quiet little stream, that runs into the moat, where tall green sedges spread their leaves, and water-lilies float. close by the margin of the brook the old duck made her nest, of straw, and leaves, and withered grass, and down from her own breast. and there she sat for four long weeks, in rainy days and fine, until the ducklings all came out-- four, five, six, seven, eight, nine. one peeped out from beneath her wing, one scrambled on her back: "that's very rude," said old dame duck, "get off! quack, quack, quack, quack!" "'t is close," said dame duck, shoving out the egg-shells with her bill, "besides, it never suits young ducks to keep them sitting still." so, rising from her nest, she said, "now, children, look at me: a well-bred duck should waddle so, from side to side--d'ye see?" "yes," said the little ones, and then she went on to explain: "a well-bred duck turns in its toes as i do--try again." "yes," said the ducklings, waddling on. "that's better," said their mother; "but well-bred ducks walk in a row, straight--one behind another." "yes," said the little ducks again, all waddling in a row: "now to the pond," said old dame duck-- splash, splash! and in they go. "let me swim first," said old dame duck, "to this side, now to that; there, snap at those great brown-winged flies, they make young ducklings fat. "now when you reach the poultry-yard, the hen-wife, molly head, will feed you, with the other fowls, on bran and mashed-up bread; "the hens will peck and fight, but mind, i hope that all of you will gobble up the food as fast as well-bred ducks should do. "you'd better get into the dish, unless it is too small; in that case, i should use my foot, and overturn it all." the ducklings did as they were bid, and found the plan so good, that, from that day, the other fowls got hardly any food. [illustration] is john smith within? yes, that he is. can he set a shoe? ay, marry, two. here a nail, there a nail, tick, tack, too. john cook he had a little grey mare, hee, haw, hum; her legs were long and her back was bare, hee, haw, hum. john cook was riding up shooter's bank, hee, haw, hum; the mare she began to kick and to prank, hee, haw, hum. john cook was riding up shooter's hill, hee, haw, hum; his mare fell down and made her will, hee, haw, hum. the bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf, hee, haw, hum; if you want any more, you may sing it yourself, hee, haw, hum. [illustration: old king cole.] old king cole was a merry old soul, and a merry old soul was he; and he called for his pipe and he called for his glass, and he called for his fiddlers three! [illustration] a apple pie. b bit it. c cut it. d dealt it. [illustration] e eat it. f fought for it. g got it. h hid it. [illustration] j jumped for it. k kept it. l longed for it. m mourned for it. [illustration] n nodded at it. o opened it. p peeped at it. q quartered it. [illustration] r ran for it. s stole it. t tried for it. v viewed it. [illustration] x y z & amperse-and, all wished for a piece in hand. [illustration] [illustration] pussy sits beside the fire. how can she be fair? in walks a little doggy,--pussy, are you there? oh, the rusty, dusty, rusty miller, i'll not change my wife for gold or siller. [illustration] there was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile, and 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. [illustration] high diddle doubt, my candle's out, my little maid is not at home; saddle my hog and bridle my dog, and fetch my little maid home. [illustration: baa, baa, black sheep] baa, baa, black sheep. [illustration: music: baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full: one for my master, one for my dame, and one for the little boy that lives in our lane. baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool? yes, sir, yes, sir, three bags full.] [illustration] [illustration] barber, barber, shave a pig. how many hairs will make a wig? four and twenty; that's enough. give the poor barber a pinch of snuff. 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, some gave them brown, some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town. thomas a tattamus took two t's to tie two tups to two tall trees, to frighten the terrible thomas a tattamus. tell me how many t's there are in all that. [illustration] bessy bell and mary gray, they were two bonny lasses, they built a house upon the lea, and covered it o'er with rashes. bessy kept the garden gate, and mary kept the pantry; bessy always had to wait, while mary lived in plenty. little boy, pretty boy, where were you born? in lincolnshire, master; come, blow the cow's horn. [illustration: hey, diddle, diddle.] hey, diddle, diddle, the cat and the fiddle the cow jumped over the moon; the little dog laughed to see such sport, and the dish ran after the spoon. [illustration] [illustration] the young linnets. did you ever see the nest of chaffinch or of linnet, when the little downy birds are lying snugly in it, gaping wide their yellow mouths for something nice to eat? caterpillar, worm, and grub, they reckon dainty meat. when the mother-bird returns, and finds them still and good, she will give them each, by turns, a proper share of food. she has hopped from spray to spray, and peeped with knowing eye into all the folded leaves where caterpillars lie. she has searched among the grass, and flown from tree to tree, catching gnats and flies, to feed her little family. i have seen the linnets chirp, and shake their downy wings: they are pleased to see her come, and pleased with what she brings. but i never saw them look impatient for their food: _somebody_, at dinner-time, is seldom quite so good. [illustration: see-saw, margery daw.] see-saw, margery daw, jenny shall have a new master; she shall have but a penny a day, because she can't work any faster. [illustration] 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. queen anne, queen anne, she sits in the sun, as fair as the lily, as white as the swan: i send you three letters, so pray you read one. i cannot read one unless i read all; so pray, master teddy, deliver the ball. 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. [illustration] [illustration] there was an old woman tossed up in a basket, ninety times as high as the moon; and where she was going, i couldn't but ask it, for in her hand she carried a broom. old woman, old woman, old woman, quoth i, o whither, o whither, o whither so high? to sweep the cobwebs off the sky! shall i go with you? ay, by-and-by. [illustration] when i was a bachelor, i lived by myself, and all the meat i got i put upon a shelf; the rats and the mice did lead me such a life, that i went to london, to get myself a wife. the streets were so broad, and the lanes were so narrow, i could not get my wife home without a wheelbarrow, the wheelbarrow broke, my wife got a fall, down tumbled wheelbarrow, little wife, and all. robin and richard were two pretty men, they lay in bed till the clock struck ten; then up starts robin and looks in the sky, "oh, brother richard, the sun's very high! you go on with bottle and bag, and i'll come after with jolly jack nag." blow, wind, blow, and go, mill, go, that the miller may grind his corn; that the baker may take it, and into rolls make it, and bring us some hot in the morn. [illustration] jack be nimble, jack be quick, and jack jump over the candlestick. [illustration: ride a cock-horse.] ride a cock-horse to banbury cross, to see a fine lady upon a white horse. rings on her fingers, bells on her toes, she shall have music wherever she goes. [illustration] [illustration] the fox and the farmer. a fox jumped up on a moonlight night, the stars were shining, and all things bright; "oh, ho!" said the fox, "it's a very fine night for me to go through the town, heigho!" the fox when he came to yonder stile, he lifted his ears, and he listened awhile; "oh, ho!" said the fox, "it's but a short mile from this unto yonder town, heigho!" the fox when he came to the farmer's gate, whom should he see but the farmer's drake; "i love you well for your master's sake, and long to be picking your bones, heigho!" the grey goose ran right round the haystack. "oh, ho!" said the fox, "you are very fat; you'll do very well to ride on my back, from this into yonder town, heigho!" the farmer's wife she jumped out of bed, and out of the window she popped her head; "oh, husband! oh, husband! the geese are all dead, for the fox has been through the town, heigho!" the farmer he loaded his pistol with lead, and shot the old rogue of a fox through the head; "ah, ha!" said the farmer, "i think you're quite dead, and no more you'll trouble the town, heigho!" [illustration] [illustration] 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. curly-locks, curly-locks, wilt thou be mine? thou shalt not wash the dishes, nor yet feed the swine; but sit on a cushion, and sew a fine seam, and feed upon strawberries, sugar, and cream. margery mutton-pie, and johnny bo-peep, they met together in gracechurch street; in and out, in and out, over the way, oh! says johnny, 'tis chop-nose day. there was a rat, for want of stairs, went down a rope to say his prayers. [illustration] snail, snail, come put out your horn, to-morrow is the day to shear the corn. if wishes were horses, beggars would ride, if turnips were watches, i would wear one by my side. [illustration: hark, hark, the dogs do bark.] hark, hark, the dogs do bark, the beggars are coming to town; some in jags, some in rags, and some in velvet gown. 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; eleven, twelve, dig and delve; thirteen, fourteen, maids a-courting; fifteen, sixteen, maids in the kitchen; seventeen, eighteen, maids in waiting; nineteen, twenty, my plate is empty. [illustration] i had a little husband, no bigger than my thumb; i put him in a pint pot, and there i bid him drum. i bought a little horse that galloped up and down; i saddled him, and bridled him, and sent him out of town. i gave him some garters, to garter up his hose, and a little pocket-handkerchief to wipe his pretty nose. i have a little sister; they call her peep, peep, she wades the water, deep, deep, deep; she climbs the mountains, high, high, high. poor little thing! she has but one eye. [illustration: music: goosey, goosey, gander, whither shall i wander, up stairs, and down stairs, and in my lady's chamber. there i met an old man, who would not say his prayers, i took him by his left leg, and threw him down the stairs.] [illustration] handy spandy, jack-a-dandy, loves plum-cake and sugarcandy; he brought some at a grocer's shop, and out he came, hop-hop-hop. if all the world were water, and all the water were ink, what should we do for bread and cheese? what should we do for drink? hey, my kitten, my kitten, hey, my kitten, my deary; such a sweet pet as this was neither far nor neary. here we go up, up, up, here we go down, down, down; here we go backwards and forwards, and here we go round, round, round. [illustration] i had a little pony; they called him dapple-grey. i lent him to a lady, to ride a mile away. 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. see, see. what shall i see? a horse's head where his tail should be. pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been? i've been to london to look at the queen. pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you do there? i frightened a little mouse under the chair. [illustration] little tommy tittlemouse lived in a little house; he caught fishes in other men's ditches. [illustration: "this is the house that jack built."] the house that jack built. this is the malt that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the rat that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the dog, that worried the cat, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] 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. [illustration] 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. [illustration] 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, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the priest all shaven and shorn, that married 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, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the cock that crowed in the morn, that waked the priest all shaven and shorn, that married 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, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] this is the farmer who sowed the corn, that kept the cock that crowed in the morn, that waked the priest all shaven and shorn, that married 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, that killed the rat, that ate the malt, that lay in the house that jack built. [illustration] old mother widdle waddle jumped out of bed, and out of the casement she popped her head, crying, "the house is on fire, the grey goose is dead, and the fox has come to the town, oh!" [illustration] 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 one leg back. [illustration] a little boy went into a barn, and lay down on some hay; an owl came out and flew about, and the little boy ran away. [illustration] as i was going up primrose hill, primrose hill was dirty; there i met a pretty miss, and she dropped me a curtsey. little miss, pretty miss, blessings light upon you; if i had half-a-crown a day, i'd spend it all upon you. [illustration] i had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen, she washed me the dishes and kept the house clean; she went to the mill to fetch me some flour, she brought it home in less than an hour; she baked me my bread, she brewed me my ale, she sat by the fire and told many a fine tale. [illustration] there was a little man, and he had a little gun, and his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead; he shot johnny king through the middle of his wig, and knocked it right off his head, head, head. three straws on a staff, would make a baby cry and laugh. [illustration] multiplication is vexation, division is as bad; the rule of three perplexes me, and practice drives me mad. daffy-down-dilly has come up to town, in a yellow petticoat and a green gown. [illustration: the queen of hearts.] the queen of hearts she made some tarts all on a summer's day; the knave of hearts he stole those tarts, and took them clean away. the king of hearts called for the tarts, and beat the knave full sore; the knave of hearts brought back the tarts, and vowed he'd steal no more. there were three crows sat on a stone, fal la, la la lal de, two flew away, and then there was one, fal la, la la lal de, the other crow finding himself alone, fal la, la la lal de, he flew away, and then there was none, fal la, la la lal de. [illustration: "jack and jill went up the hill."] [illustration: music: jack and jill. . 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. . up jack got, and home did trot, as fast as he could caper; dame jill had the job to plaister his knob, with vinegar and brown paper. . jill came in and she did grin to see his paper plaister, mother vex'd did whip her next, for causing jack's disaster.] [illustration] 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' mouth; when the wind is in the west, then 'tis at the very best. cry, baby, cry, put your finger in your eye, and tell your mother it wasn't i. [illustration: the turtle-dove's nest.] very high in the pine-tree, the little turtle-dove made a pretty little nursery, to please her little love. she was gentle, she was soft, and her large dark eye often turned to her mate, who was sitting close by. "coo," said the turtle-dove, "coo," said she; "oh, i love thee," said the turtle-dove. "and i love thee." in the long shady branches of the dark pine-tree, how happy were the doves in their little nursery! the young turtle-doves never quarrelled in the nest; for they dearly loved each other, though they loved their mother best. "coo," said the little doves. "coo," said she. and they played together kindly in the dark pine-tree. in this nursery of yours, little sister, little brother, like the turtle-dove's nest-- do you love one another? are you kind, are you gentle, as children ought to be? then the happiest of nests is your own nursery. peter white will ne'er go right, would you know the reason why? he follows his nose wherever he goes, and that stands all awry. [illustration] 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. [illustration] hush-a-bye, baby, daddy is near; mamma is a lady, and that's very clear. [illustration: "there was an old woman who lived in a shoe."] there was an old woman who lived in a shoe, she had so many children she didn't know what to do she gave them some broth, without any bread, she whipped them all round, and sent them to bed. [illustration] one, two, three, i love coffee, and billy loves tea, how good you be. one, two, three, i love coffee, and billy loves tea. [illustration] there was an old woman called nothing-at-all, who lived in a dwelling exceedingly small; a man stretched his mouth to its utmost extent, and down at one gulp house and old woman went. [illustration] 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. eggs, butter, cheese, bread, stick, stock, stone, dead, stick him up, stick him down, stick him in the old man's crown. the frog's chorus. "yaup, yaup, yaup!" said the croaking voice of a frog: "a rainy day in the month of may, and plenty of room in the bog." "yaup, yaup, yaup!" said the frog as it hopped away: "the insects feed on the floating weed, and i'm hungry for dinner to-day." "yaup, yaup, yaup!" said the frog, as it splashed about: "good neighbours all, when you hear me call, it is odd that you do not come out." "yaup, yaup, yaup!" said the frogs; "it is charming weather; we'll come and sup, when the moon is up, and we'll all of us croak together." what's the news of the day, good neighbour, i pray? they say the balloon is gone up to the moon. [illustration] cross-patch, draw the latch, sit by the fire and spin; take a cup, and drink it up, and call your neighbours in. there was an old crow sat upon a clod. there's an end of my song, that's very odd. [illustration] [illustration: "ding, dong, bell."] ding, dong, bell, pussy's in the well. who put her in? little tommy green. who pulled her out? little tommy trout. what a naughty boy was that, thus to drown poor pussy cat. [illustration] nursery rhyme alphabet. a was the archer who shot at a frog. b was bo-peep, with her crook and her dog. c was the cow that jumped over the moon. d was the dish that ran off with the spoon. e was elizabeth, betsey, and bess. f was the forest where stood the bird's-nest. g gaffer longlegs; downstairs he'd a fall. h humpty dumpty that sat on the wall. i was that "_i_" who was going to st. ives. j jacky horner, on plum-pie he thrives. k was king cole with his fiddlers three. l little gold-hair, peeping, you see. m mother hubbard who thought her dog dead. n little netticoat, with a red head. o the old woman "upon market day;" p was the "pedlar" who passed by that way. q was the queen of hearts, tartlets she makes. r was red riding hood carrying the cakes. s simple simon, the pieman beside. t tommy tucker, for supper who cried. u was the unicorn, "beat round the town;" v was victoria--she fought for her crown. w whittington, who turned again, over great london as lord mayor to reign. x is a letter that here we can spare. y "yankee doodle," that went to the fair; z is the zany who laughed at him there. [illustration] swan, swan, over the sea; swim, swan, swim. swan, swan, back again; well, swan, swam. [illustration] one misty moisty morning, when cloudy was the weather, i met a little old man, clothed all in leather, clothed all in leather, with a strap below his chin. how do you do? and how do you do? and how do you do again? [illustration] deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son john, he went to bed with his stockings on; one shoe off, and one shoe on, deedle, deedle, dumpling, my son john. [illustration] the old woman must stand at the tub, tub, tub, the dirty clothes to rub, rub, rub; but when they are clean, and fit to be seen, i'll dress like a lady, and dance on the green. [illustration: "hickety, pickety, my black hen."] hickety, pickety, my black hen, she lays eggs for gentlemen; gentlemen come every day to see what my black hen doth lay. [illustration] i'll tell you a story, about john-a-nory: and now my story's begun. i'll tell you another, about jack and his brother: and now my story's done. i love sixpence. 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; i 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. [illustration] 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. [illustration: "when the pie was opened, the birds began to sing."] [illustration: music: sing a song of sixpence. sing a song of sixpence, a bag full of rye; four and twenty blackbirds; baked in a pie; when the pie was open'd, the birds began to sing, was not that a dainty dish to set before the king?] [illustration] the king was in his counting-house, counting out his money; [illustration] the queen was in the parlour, eating bread and honey; [illustration] the maid was in the garden, hanging out the clothes; by came a little bird, and snapt off her nose. [illustration] little polly flinders sate among the cinders warming her pretty little toes! her mother came and caught her, and whipped her little daughter, for spoiling her nice new clothes. great a, little a, bouncing b, the cat's in the cupboard, and she can't see. [illustration] poor old robinson crusoe! poor old robinson crusoe! they made him a coat of an old nanny goat, i wonder how they could do so! with a ring-a-ting-tang, and a ring-a-ting-tang, poor old robinson crusoe! [illustration] bat, bat, 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. [illustration] the north wind doth blow, and we shall have snow, and what will poor robin do then? poor thing! he will hop to a barn, and to keep himself warm, will hide his head under his wing, poor thing! [illustration: the old woman buying her pig at market.] [illustration] the old woman and her pig. 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, dog, bite pig; piggy won't get 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; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." but the fire would not. she went a little farther, and she met some water. so she said-- [illustration: "fire, fire, burn stick."] "water, water, quench fire; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." 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; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." 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; water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick; [illustration: "butcher, butcher, kill ox."] stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." 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; ox won't drink water; water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." but the rope would not. she went a little farther, and she met a rat. so she said-- "rat, rat, gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher; butcher won't kill ox; ox won't drink water; [illustration: "rat, rat, gnaw rope."] water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." but the rat would not. she went a little farther, and she met a cat. so she said-- "cat, cat, kill rat; rat won't gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher; butcher won't kill ox; ox won't drink water; water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." but the cat said to her, "if you will go to yonder cow, and fetch me a saucer of milk, i will kill the rat." so away went the old woman to the cow, and said-- [illustration: "cow, cow, give me a saucer of milk."] "cow, cow, give me a saucer of milk; cat won't kill rat; rat won't gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher; butcher won't kill ox; ox won't drink water; water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." but the cow said to her, "if you will go to yonder haymakers, and fetch me a wisp of hay, i'll give you the milk." so away the old woman went to the haymakers, and said-- "haymakers, give me a wisp of hay; cow won't give me milk; cat won't kill rat; rat won't gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher; butcher won't kill ox; ox won't drink water; water won't quench fire; [illustration: "haymakers, give me a wisp of hay."] fire won't burn stick; stick won't beat dog; dog won't bite pig; piggy won't get over the stile; and i shan't get home to-night." 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. 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; [illustration: "the cat began to kill the rat."] the little pig in a fright jumped over the stile; and so the old woman got home that night. [illustration: music dickery, dickery, dock. dickery, dickery, dock! the mouse ran up the clock; the clock struck one, and down the mouse ran, dickery, dickery, dock!] [illustration] a diller, a dollar, a ten o'clock scholar, what makes you come so soon? you used to come at ten o'clock, but now you come at noon. jacky, come give me thy 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. [illustration: "tommy kept a chandler's shop."] tommy kept a chandler's shop, richard went to buy a mop, tommy gave him such a whop, that sent him out of his chandler's shop. [illustration] 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. [illustration] please to remember the fifth of november, the gunpowder treason plot; i see no reason why gunpowder treason, should ever be forgot. a stick and a stake for victoria's sake, hollo, boys! hollo, boys! god save the queen. leg over leg, as the dog went to dover, when he came to a stile, jump he went over. [illustration] ladybird, ladybird, fly away home, your house is on fire, your children will burn. , , , , , i caught a hare alive; , , , , , i let her go again. this is the way the ladies go-- nim, nim, nim. this is the way the gentlemen go-- trot, trot, trot. this is the way the hunters go-- gallop, gallop, gallop. [illustration: "there was an old man of tobago."] there was an old man of tobago, who lived on rice, gruel, and sago; till, much to his bliss, [illustration] his physician said this-- "to a leg, sir, of mutton you may go." little miss muffett she sat on a tuffett, eating of curds and whey; there came a little spider, who sat down beside her, and frightened miss muffett away. [illustration] as tommy snooks and bessy brooks, were walking out one sunday, says tommy snooks to bessy brooks, wilt marry me on monday? [illustration] 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. here am i, little jumping joan, when nobody's with me, i'm always alone. [illustration] good dobbin. oh! thank you, good dobbin, you've been a long track, and have carried papa all the way on your back; you shall have some nice oats, faithful dobbin, indeed, for you've brought papa home to his darling with speed. the howling wind blew, and the pelting rain beat, and the thick mud has covered his legs and his feet, but yet on he galloped in spite of the rain, and has brought papa home to his darling again. the sun it was setting a long while ago, and papa could not see the road where he should go, but dobbin kept on through the desolate wild, and has brought papa home again safe to his child. now go to the stable, the night is so raw, go, dobbin, and rest your old bones on the straw; don't stand any longer out here in the rain, for you've brought papa home to his darling again. [illustration: "away went gilpin, and away went postboy at his heels."] the diverting history of john gilpin. showing how he went farther than he intended, and came safe home again. john gilpin was a citizen of credit and renown, a train-band captain eke was he, of famous london town. john gilpin's spouse said to her dear, "though wedded we have been these twice ten tedious years, yet we no holiday have seen. "to-morrow is our wedding-day, and we will then repair unto the "bell" at edmonton, all in a chaise and pair. "my sister, and my sister's child, myself, and children three, will fill the chaise; so you must ride on horseback after we." he soon replied, "i do admire of womankind but one, and you are she, my dearest dear, therefore it shall be done. "i am a linendraper bold, as all the world doth know, and my good friend the calender will lend his horse to go." quoth mrs. gilpin, "that's well said; and for that wine is dear, we will be furnished with our own, which is both bright and clear." john gilpin kissed his loving wife; o'erjoyed was he to find, that though on pleasure she was bent, she had a frugal mind. [illustration] the morning came, the chaise was brought, but yet was not allowed to drive up to the door, lest all should say that she was proud. so three doors off the chaise was stayed, where they did all get in; six precious souls, and all agog to dash through thick and thin. smack went the whip, round went the wheels, were never folks so glad! the stones did rattle underneath, as if cheapside were mad. john gilpin at his horse's side seized fast the flowing mane, and up he got, in haste to ride, but soon came down again. for saddletree scarce reached had he, his journey to begin, when, turning round his head, he saw three customers come in. so down he came; for loss of time, although it grieved him sore, yet loss of pence, full well he knew, would trouble him much more. 'twas long before the customers were suited to their mind, when betty screaming came downstairs, "the wine is left behind!" "good lack!" quoth he, "yet bring it me, my leathern belt likewise, in which i bear my trusty sword when i do exercise." now mistress gilpin (careful soul!) had two stone bottles found, to hold the liquor that she loved, and keep it safe and sound. each bottle had a curling ear, through which the belt he drew, and hung a bottle on each side, to make his balance true. then over all, that he might be equipped from top to toe, his long red cloak, well brushed and neat, he manfully did throw. now see him mounted once again upon his nimble steed, full slowly pacing o'er the stones, with caution and good heed. but finding soon a smoother road beneath his well-shod feet, the snorting beast began to trot, which galled him in his seat. "so, fair and softly!" john he cried, but john he cried in vain; that trot became a gallop soon, in spite of curb and rein. so stooping down, as needs he must who cannot sit upright, he grasped the mane with both his hands, and eke with all his might. his horse, who never in that sort had handled been before, what thing upon his back had got, did wonder more and more. away went gilpin, neck or nought; away went hat and wig; [illustration] he little dreamt, when he set out, of running such a rig. the wind did blow, the cloak did fly like streamer long and gay, till, loop and button failing both, at last it flew away. then might all people well discern the bottles he had slung; a bottle swinging at each side, as hath been said or sung. the dogs did bark, the children screamed, up flew the windows all; and every soul cried out, "well done!" as loud as he could bawl. away went gilpin--who but he? his fame soon spread around: "he carries weight! he rides a race! 'tis for a thousand pound!" and still as fast as he drew near, 'twas wonderful to view how in a trice the turnpike-men their gates wide open threw. and now, as he went bowing down his reeking head full low, the bottles twain behind his back were shattered at a blow. down ran the wine into the road, most piteous to be seen, which made the horses flanks to smoke as they had basted been. but still he seemed to carry weight, with leathern girdle braced; for all might see the bottle-necks still dangling at his waist. thus all through merry islington these gambols he did play, until he came unto the wash of edmonton so gay; and there he threw the wash about on both sides of the way, just like unto a trundling mop, or a wild goose at play. at edmonton his loving wife from the balcony spied her tender husband, wondering much to see how he did ride. "stop, stop, john gilpin!--here's the house!" they all at once did cry; "the dinner waits, and we are tired;" said gilpin--"so am i!" but yet his horse was not a whit inclined to tarry there; for why?--his owner had a house full ten miles off, at ware. so like an arrow swift he flew, shot by an archer strong; so did he fly--which brings me to the middle of my song. away went gilpin out of breath and sore against his will, till at his friend the calender's, his horse at last stood still. the calender, amazed to see his neighbour in such trim, laid down his pipe, flew to the gate, and thus accosted him: [illustration] "what news? what news? your tidings tell; tell me you must and shall-- say why bareheaded you are come, or why you come at all?" now gilpin had a pleasant wit, and loved a timely joke; and thus unto the calender in merry guise he spoke: "i came because your horse would come: and, if i well forebode, my hat and wig will soon be here, they are upon the road." the calender, right glad to find his friend in merry pin, returned him not a single word, but to the house went in; whence straight he came with hat and wig, a wig that flowed behind, a hat not much the worse for wear, each comely in its kind. he held them up, and in his turn thus showed his ready wit, "my head is twice as big as yours, they therefore needs must fit. "but let me scrape the dirt away, that hangs upon your face; [illustration] and stop and eat, for well you may be in a hungry case." said john, "it is my wedding-day, and all the world would stare if wife should dine at edmonton, and i should dine at ware." so turning to his horse, he said, "i am in haste to dine; 'twas for your pleasure you came here, you shall go back for mine." ah! luckless speech, and bootless boast! for which he paid full dear; for while he spake, a braying ass did sing most loud and clear; whereat his horse did snort, as he had heard a lion roar, and galloped off with all his might, as he had done before. away went gilpin, and away went gilpin's hat and wig: he lost them sooner than at first, for why--they were too big. now mistress gilpin, when she saw her husband posting down into the country far away, she pulled out half-a-crown; [illustration] and thus unto the youth she said that drove them to the "bell," "this shall be yours when you bring back my husband safe and well." the youth did ride, and soon did meet john coming back amain; whom in a trice he tried to stop, by catching at his rein; but not performing what he meant, and gladly would have done, the frighted steed he frighted more, and made him faster run. away went gilpin, and away went postboy at his heels, the postboy's horse right glad to miss the lumbering of the wheels. six gentlemen upon the road, thus seeing gilpin fly, with postboy scampering in the rear, they raised the hue and cry. "stop thief! stop thief! a highwayman!" not one of them was mute; and all and each that passed that way did join in the pursuit. and now the turnpike-gates again flew open in short space; [illustration] the toll-men thinking, as before, that gilpin rode a race. and so he did, and won it too, for he got first to town; nor stopped till where he had got up, he did again get down. now let us sing, long live the king, and gilpin, long live he; and when he next doth ride abroad, may i be there to see. [illustration] twinkle, twinkle, little star, how i wonder what you are! up above the world so high. like a diamond in the sky. when the blazing sun is gone, when he nothing shines upon, then you show your little light, twinkle, twinkle, all the night. then the traveller in the dark thanks you for your tiny spark: how could he see where to go, if you did not twinkle so? in the dark blue sky you keep, often through my curtains peep, for you never shut your eye, till the sun is in the sky. as your bright and tiny spark lights the traveller in the dark, though i know not what you are, twinkle, twinkle, little star. charley, charley, stole the barley out of the baker's shop; the baker came out, and gave him a clout, and made poor charley hop. [illustration] a, b, c, tumble down d, the cat's in the cupboard and can't see me. [illustration] 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; they all took one, and left four in. [illustration] up hill and down dale, butter is made in every vale; and if nancy cook is a good girl, she shall have a spouse, and make butter anon, before her old grandmother grows a young man. [illustration] to market, to market, a gallop, a trot, to buy some meat to put in the pot; threepence a quarter, fourpence a side, if it hadn't been killed it must have died. apple-pie, pudding, and pancake, all begins with a. my little old man and i fell out; i'll tell you what 'twas all about,-- i had money and he had none, and that's the way the noise begun. [illustration] [illustration: music: georgie porgie. georgie porgie, pudding and pie, kiss'd the girls and made them cry. when the girls came out to play, georgie porgie ran away.] i love little pussy, her coat is so warm, and if i don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm. i'll sit by the fire, and give her some food, and pussy will love me, because i am good. [illustration] [illustration] taffy was a welshman, taffy was a thief, taffy came to my house, and stole a leg of beef. i went to taffy's house, taffy was not at home; taffy came to my house and stole a marrow-bone. i went to taffy's house, taffy was in bed; i took the marrow-bone, and broke taffy's head. [illustration: "a farmer went trotting upon his grey mare."] 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! [illustration] the mischievous raven flew laughing away, bumpety, bumpety, bump! and vowed he would serve them the same the next day, lumpety, lumpety, lump! [illustration] little betty blue lost her holiday shoe, what can little betty do? give her another to match the other, and then she may walk in two. hush-a-bye, baby, lie still with thy daddy, thy mammy is gone to the mill, to get some meal to bake a cake, so pray, my dear baby, lie still. you shall have an apple, you shall have a plum, you shall have a rattle-basket, when papa comes home. a man of words and not of deeds. 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; 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. [illustration] [illustration] poor dog bright, ran off with all his might, because the cat was after him, poor dog bright. poor cat fright, ran off with all her might, because the dog was after her, poor cat fright. [illustration] as i was going up pippin hill, pippin hill was dirty, there i met a pretty miss, and she dropped me a curtsey. [illustration] early to bed, and early to rise, is the way to be healthy, wealthy, and wise. [illustration] old woman, old woman, shall we go a-shearing? speak a little louder, sir, i am very thick o' hearing. old woman, old woman, shall i kiss you dearly? thank you, kind sir, i hear very clearly. the cuckoo's a bonny bird, she sings as she flies, she brings us good tidings, and tells us no lies. she sucks little birds' eggs, to make her voice clear, and never cries "cuckoo!" till spring-time of the year. [illustration] pat-a-cake, pat-a-cake, baker's man, bake me a cake as fast as you can; prick it and pat it, and mark it with g; and put it in the oven for teddy and me. pussy-cat ate the dumplings, the dumplings; pussy-cat ate the dumplings. mamma stood by, and cried, "oh, fie! why did you eat the dumplings?" [illustration] needles and pins, needles and pins, when a man marries his trouble begins. [illustration] for 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. [illustration] three children sliding on the ice, all on a summer's day, 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, too, that have none, if you would have them safe abroad, pray keep them safe at home. the wonderful derby ram. as i was going to derby all on a market day, i 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. 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. [illustration] my lady wind, my lady wind, went round about the house, to find a chink to get her foot in; she tried the keyhole 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 your tongue, remember what old nurse has sung of busy lady wind. [illustration] bow-wow-wow! whose dog art thou? little tom tucker's dog. bow-wow-wow! [illustration] let us go to the woods, says this pig. what to do there? says this pig. to seek mamma, says this pig. what to do with her? says this pig. to kiss her, to kiss her, says this pig. jenny shall have a new bonnet. jenny shall have a new bonnet, and jenny shall go to the fair, and jenny shall have a blue ribbon to tie up her bonny brown hair. and why may not i love jenny? and why may not jenny love me? and why may not i love jenny, as well as another body? and here's a leg for a stocking, and here is a leg for a shoe, and she has a kiss for her daddy, and two for her mammy, i trow. and why may not i love jenny? and why may not jenny love me? and why may not i love jenny, as well as another body? [illustration] nievie, nievie, nicknack, which hand will ye tak'? tak' the right, or tak' the wrang, i'll beguile ye, if i can. [illustration] oh, mother, i'm to be married to mr. punchinello; to mr. pun, to mr. chin, to mr. nel, to mr. lo, mr. pun, mr. chin, mr. nel, mr. lo, to mr. punchinello. [illustration] rain, rain, go to spain, and never come back again. [illustration] up hill spare me, down hill 'ware me, on level ground spare me not, and in the stable forget me not. [illustration] when little fred went to bed, he always said his prayers; he kissed mamma, and then papa, and straightway went upstairs. bless you, bless you, bonny bee: say, when will your wedding be? if it be to-morrow day, take your wings and fly away. [illustration] jack sprat's pig, he was not very little, nor yet very big; he was not very lean, he was not very fat, he'll do well for a grunt, says little jack sprat. [illustration] rain, rain, go away, come again april day; little johnny wants to play. a little cock sparrow sat on a tree, looking as happy as happy could be, till a boy came by with his bow and arrow, says he, i will shoot the little cock sparrow. his body will make me a nice little stew, and his giblets will make me a little pie, too. says the little cock sparrow, i'll be shot if i stay, so he clapped his wings, and flew away. [illustration] [illustration] the rose is red, the violet's blue; the pink is sweet, and so are you. [illustration] "we'll go a-shooting," says robin to bobbin, "we'll go a-shooting," says richard to john; "we'll go a-shooting," says john, all alone; "we'll go a-shooting," says every one. [illustration] valentine, oh, valentine, curl your locks as i do mine; two before and two behind; good morrow to you, valentine. mr. isbister, and betsy his sister, resolve upon giving a treat; so letters they write, their friends to invite to their house in great camomile street. [illustration: "little bo-peep has lost her sheep, and can't tell where to find them."] [illustration: music: little bo-peep. little bo-peep has lost her sheep, and cannot tell where to find them; leave them alone, and they'll come home, and bring their tails behind them.] [illustration] little bo-peep fell fast asleep, and dreamt she heard them bleating; but when she awoke she found it a joke, for still they all were fleeting. [illustration] then up she took her little crook, determined for to find them; she found 'em indeed, but it made her heart bleed, for they'd left their tails behind 'em. [illustration] it happened one day, as bo-peep did stray unto a meadow hard by, there she espied their tails, side by side, all hung on a tree to dry. [illustration] then she heaved a sigh, and wiped her eye, and ran o'er hill and dale-o, and tried what she could, as a shepherdess should, to tack to each sheep its tail-o. [illustration] 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? go to bed first, a golden purse; go to bed second, a golden pheasant; go to bed third, a golden bird. [illustration] 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, yet the plaguey old woman would never be quiet. she went to the baker's to buy some bread; and when she came home her husband was dead. she went to the clerk, to toll the great bell; and when she came back, her husband was well. [illustration] some little mice sat in a barn to spin, pussy came by, and she popped her head in. "shall i come in and cut your threads off?" "oh, no, kind sir, you will snap our heads off." [illustration] * * * * * transcriber's notes: there seemed to be no rhyme nor reason to which poems began with smallcaps, (represented in this text version as allcaps), and which did not. without a clear pattern to follow, this was retained as printed. page , word "a" added to text. original read (there was jockey) now reads (there was a jockey) page , "he" changed to "she" (she fought for her) provided by the internet archive the lulu alphabet by anonymous new york: howe & ferry . [illustration: ] [illustration: ] [illustration: ] |a a stands for alice, so graceful and fair. [illustration: ] |b b for her bridal, and we were all there. [illustration: ] |c c for us children, as gay as e'er seen. [illustration: ] |d d the fine dance we had on the green. [illustration: ] |e e for eliza, who joined us at that. [illustration: ] |f f the gay feather she wore in her hat. [illustration: ] |g g for the grapes, much better than wine. [illustration: ] |h h for the harp alice played on 'lang syne.' [illustration: ] |i i for the image that stood in the hall. [illustration: ] |j j is young james, who played with us all. [illustration: ] |k k for the kite, with colors so gay. [illustration: ] |l l for the lady in costly array. [illustration: ] |m m for the melon, brought in by a friend. [illustration: ] |n n the bright nosegay the bridegroom did send. [illustration: ] |o o for the oranges, delicious and sweet. [illustration: ] |p p for young patty, so cheerful and neat. [illustration: ] |q q for the quinces, all set in a row, [illustration: ] |r r the large raspberries; o! what a show! [illustration: ] |s s for the slipper, one held in her hand. [illustration: ] |t t the great trumpet, that sounded so grand. [illustration: ] |u u for my uncle, who blew the loud blast. [illustration: ] |v v the grand villa, in which this all passed. [illustration: ] |w w the watch, that dear alice wore. [illustration: ] |x x for king xerxes, who now lives no more. [illustration: ] |y y for our yeoman, and with him did come, [illustration: ] |z z the good zebra to bring us all home. university of florida note: project gutenberg also has an html version of this file which includes the original illustrations. see -h.htm or -h.zip: (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h/ -h.htm) or (http://www.gutenberg.net/dirs/ / / / / / -h.zip) images of the original pages are available through the florida board of education, division of colleges and universities, palmm project, . (preservation and access for american and british children's literature, - .) see http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/dl/uf .jpg or http://purl.fcla.edu/fcla/dl/uf .pdf the ladder to learning by miss lovechild marks' edition albany published by r. h. pease broadway [illustration: the ladder to learning, by miss lovechild.] [illustration: a] a _a_ stands for ape, for arthur, and air. [illustration: b] b _b_ stands for bullock, for bird, and for bear. [illustration: c] c _c_ stands for cat, for charles, and for cry. [illustration: d] d _d_ stands for dog, for daniel, and dry. [illustration: e] e _e_ stands for eagle, for edward, and eel. [illustration: f] f _f_ stands for fish, for francis, and feel. [illustration: g] g _g_ stands for goat, for great, and for good. [illustration: h] h _h_ stands for hog, for harry, and hood. [illustration: j] j _j_ stands for judge, for jack, and for jill. [illustration: k] k _k_ stands for king, for kate, and for kill. [illustration: l] l _l_ stands for lion, for lawyer, and land. [illustration: m] m _m_ stands for magpie, for martha, and mend. [illustration: n] n _n_ stands for nag, for nanny, and notes. [illustration: o] o _o_ stands for owl, for orchard, and oats. [illustration: p] p _p_ stands for peacock, for prince, and for pay. [illustration: q] q _q_ stands for queen, for quick, and for quay. [illustration: r] r _r_ stands for robbin, for reason, and rhyme. [illustration: s] s _s_ stands for squirrel, for sweet, and sublime. [illustration: t] t _t_ stands for top, for tea, and for towel. [illustration: v] v _v_ stands for vine, for virtue, and vowel. [illustration: w] w _w_ stands for whale, for waggon, and wing. [illustration: x] x _x_ stands for xerxes, the great persian king. [illustration: y] y _y_ stands for yew tree, for youth, and for yellow. [illustration: z] z _z_ stands for zany, a foolish young fellow. * * * * * r.h. pease, engraver on wood, and publisher of games and toy books * * * * * games. historical amusement, a game on the kings and distiguished individuals of england; the most instructive and entertaining game published. modern game of dominos, an amusing and instructive game. chinese checkers. christmas circles. a new game of the distinguished men of the united states nearly ready; and several other new games will be published soon. alphabets, in a variety of styles, put on strong cards, and wood blocks, to serve as playthings and means of instruction. for sale, wholesale and retail. the greatest possible variety of fancy goods, perfumery, fancy stationery, games, toys &c, &c. none