Gammer Gurton's Garland.

by Joseph Ritson.

"GAMMER GURTON'S GARLAND, or the Nursery Parna.s.sus," was originally issued at Stockton, as a small twopenny _brochure_, in 32mo, without a date, "printed by and for R. Christopher." Sir Harris Nicholas says it appeared in the year 1783, "one of the most prolific of Ritson's pen."

Haslewood is of opinion that it appeared about the same period as "The Bishopric Garland, or Durham Minstrel," which was printed at Stockton for the same R. Christopher in 1784. "Gammer Gurton's Garland" was again printed, with additions, 1809, in 8vo. This little work, a great favourite with those for whose amus.e.m.e.nt it was compiled, has been more than once reprinted since. The present edition has been very carefully executed, and rendered complete by the addition of an index.

The impression has been limited to one hundred copies small paper, and twelve copies large paper.

GLASGOW, MDCCCLXVI.

PART I.

THE FROG AND MOUSE.

There was a frog liv'd in a well, Kitty alone, Kitty alone; There was a frog liv'd in a well, Kitty alone and I.

There was a frog liv'd in a well, And a farce[A] mouse in a mill.

c.o.c.k me cary, Kitty alone, Kitty alone and I.

This frog he would a wooing ride, Kitty alone, etc.

This frog he would a wooing ride, And on a snail he got astride.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse hall, Kitty alone, etc.

He rode till he came to my Lady Mouse hall, And there he did both knock and call.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm come to thee, Kitty alone, etc.

Quoth he, Miss Mouse, I'm come to thee, To see if thou can fancy me.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

Quoth she, Answer I'll give you none, Kitty alone, etc.

Quoth she, Answer I'll give you none, Until my uncle Rat come home.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

And when her uncle Rat came home, Kitty alone, etc.

And when her uncle Rat came home, Who's been here since I've been gone?

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

Sir, there's been a worthy gentleman, Kitty alone, etc.

Sir, there's been a worthy gentleman, That's been here since you've been gone.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

The frog he came whistling through the brook, Kitty alone, etc.

The frog he came whistling through the brook, And there he met with a dainty duck.

c.o.c.k me cary, etc.

This duck she swallow'd him up with a pluck, Kitty alone, Kitty alone, This duck she swallow'd him up with a pluck, So there's an end of my history book.

c.o.c.k me cary, Kitty alone, Kitty alone and I.

[A] Merry.

THE LADY AND THE SWINE.

There was a lady lov'd a swine, Honey, quoth she, Pig-hog, wilt thou be mine?

Hoogh, quoth he.

I'll build thee a silver stye, Honey, quoth she, And in it thou shalt lye; Hoogh, quoth he.

Pinn'd with a silver pin, Honey, quoth she, That thou may go out and in, Hoogh, quoth he.

Wilt thou now have me now, Honey? quoth she, Hoogh, hoogh, hoogh, quoth he, And went his way.

THE CAMBRICK SHIRT.

Can you make me a cambrick shirt, Parsley, sage, rosemary and thyme, Without any seam or needle work?

And you shall be a true lover of mine.

Can you wash it in yonder well, Parsley, etc.

Where never sprung water, nor rain ever fell?

And you, etc.

Can you dry it on yonder thorn, Parsley, etc.

Which never bore blossom since Adam was born?

And you, etc.

Now you have ask'd me questions three, Parsley, etc.

I hope you'll answer as many for me, And you, etc.

Can you find me an acre of land, Parsley, etc.

Between the salt water and the sea sand?

And you, etc.

Can you plow it with a ram's horn, Parsley, etc.

And sow it all over with one pepper corn?

And you, etc.