THERE was 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.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

THE dove says, "Coo, coo, what shall I do?

I can scarce maintain two."

"Pooh, pooh," says the wren; "I have got ten, And keep them all like gentlemen!"

[Ill.u.s.tration: Bow, wow, wow]

BOW, wow, wow, Whose dog art thou?

"Little Tom Tinker's dog, Bow, wow, wow."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

LEG over leg, As the dog went to Dover; When he came to a stile, Jump he went over.

[Ill.u.s.tration]

I LOVE little p.u.s.s.y, her coat is so warm; And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm.

So I'll not pull her tail nor drive her away, But p.u.s.s.y and I very gently will play.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

[_Imitated from a pigeon._]

CURR dhoo, curr dhoo, Love me, and I'll love you!

[Ill.u.s.tration: Lady bird, lady bird, fly away home]

LADY bird, lady bird, fly away home; Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone-- All but one, and her name is Ann, And she crept under the pudding-pan.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

p.u.s.s.y sits behind the fire-- How can she be fair?

In comes the little dog: "p.u.s.s.y, are you there?

"So, so, Mistress p.u.s.s.y, Pray how do you do?"

"Thank you, thank you, little dog, I'm very well just now."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

LITTLE Robin-Redbreast sat upon a tree; Up went p.u.s.s.y cat, and down went he; Down came p.u.s.s.y cat, and away Robin ran: Says little Robin-Redbreast, "Catch me if you can."

Little Robin-Redbreast jump'd upon a wall; p.u.s.s.y cat jump'd after him, and almost got a fall; Little Robin chirp'd and sang, and what did p.u.s.s.y say?

p.u.s.s.y cat said "Mew," and Robin jump'd away.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

MARY had a pretty bird With feathers bright and yellow-- Slender legs--upon my word-- He was a pretty fellow.

[Ill.u.s.tration: I had a little hen, the prettiest ever seen]

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 brew'd me my ale; She sat by the fire, and told many a fine tale.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Higgley Piggley]

HIGGLEY PIGGLEY, My black hen, She lays eggs For gentlemen; Sometimes nine, And sometimes ten.

Higgley Piggley, My black hen!

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

COME, take up your hats, and away let us haste To the b.u.t.terfly's ball, and the Gra.s.shopper's feast; The trumpeter, Gad-fly, has summoned the crew, And the revels are now only waiting for you.

On the smooth-shaven gra.s.s, by the side of a wood, Beneath a broad oak which for ages had stood, See the children of earth, and the tenants of air, To an evening's amus.e.m.e.nt together repair.

And there came the Beetle, so blind and so black, Who carried the Emmet, his friend, on his back; And there came the Gnat and the Dragon-fly too, With all their relations, green, orange, and blue.

And there came the Moth, with her plumage of down, And the Hornet with jacket of yellow and brown; And with him the Wasp, his companion, did bring; But they promised that evening to lay by their sting.

Then the sly little Dormouse peeped out of his hole, And led to the feast his blind cousin the Mole; And the Snail, with her horns peeping out of her sh.e.l.l, Came, fatigued with the distance, the length of an ell.

A mushroom the table, and on it was spread A water-dock leaf, which their table-cloth made.

The viands were various, to each of their taste, And the Bee brought the honey to sweeten the feast.

With steps most majestic the Snail did advance, And he promised the gazers a minuet to dance; But they all laughed so loud that he drew in his head, And went in his own little chamber to bed.

Then, as evening gave way to the shadows of night, Their watchman, the Glow-worm, come out with his light.

So home let us hasten, while yet we can see, For no watchman is waiting for you or for me.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

BAH, bah, black sheep, Have you any wool?

"Yes, marry, have I, Three bags full: One for my master, And one for my dame, But none for the little boy Who cries in the lane."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Little boy blue, come, blow up your horn]

Little boy blue, come, blow up 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 hay-c.o.c.k fast asleep."

"Will you wake him?" "No, not I; For if I do, he'll be sure to cry."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

G.o.d bless the master of this house, The mistress bless also, And all the little children That round the table go;

And all your kin and kinsmen, That dwell both far and near; I wish you a merry Christmas, And a happy New Year.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

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."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Goosey, goosey, gander]

GOOSEY, goosey, gander, Where shall I wander?