TWO PIGEONS

I had two pigeons bright and gay, They flew from me the other day.

What was the reason they did go?

I cannot tell, for I do not know.

A SURE TEST

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.

LOCK AND KEY

"I am a gold lock."

"I am a gold key."

"I am a silver lock."

"I am a silver key."

"I am a bra.s.s lock."

"I am a bra.s.s key."

"I am a lead lock."

"I am a lead key."

"I am a don lock."

"I am a don key!"

THE LION AND THE UNICORN

The Lion and the Unicorn were fighting for the crown, The Lion beat the Unicorn all around the town.

Some gave them white bread, and some gave them brown, Some gave them plum-cake, and sent them out of town.

THE MERCHANTS OF LONDON

Hey diddle d.i.n.kety poppety pet, The merchants of London they wear scarlet, Silk in the collar and gold in the hem, So merrily march the merchant men.

I HAD A LITTLE HUSBAND

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 handkerchief to wipe his little nose, And a pair of little garters to tie his little hose.

TO BABYLON

How many miles is it to Babylon?-- Threescore miles and ten.

Can I get there by candle-light?-- Yes, and back again.

If your heels are nimble and light, You may get there by candle-light.

I'LL TELL YOU A STORY

I'll tell you a story About Jack-a-Nory: And now my story's begun.

I'll tell you another About his brother: And now my story is done.

A STRANGE OLD WOMAN

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, And yet this old woman could never be quiet.

SLEEP, BABY, SLEEP

Sleep, baby, sleep, Our cottage vale is deep: The little lamb is on the green, With woolly fleece so soft and clean-- Sleep, baby, sleep.

Sleep, baby, sleep, Down where the woodbines creep; Be always like the lamb so mild, A kind, and sweet, and gentle child.

Sleep, baby, sleep.

CRY, BABY

Cry, baby, cry, Put your finger in your eye, And tell your mother it wasn't I.

BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP

Baa, baa, black sheep, Have you any wool?

Yes, marry, have I, Three bags full;

One for my master, One for my dame, But none for the little boy Who cries in the lane.

LITTLE FRED

When little Fred went to bed, He always said his prayers;

He kissed mamma, and then papa, And straightway went upstairs.

THE CAT AND THE FIDDLE

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 away with the spoon.

DOCTOR FELL

I do not like thee, Doctor Fell; The reason why I cannot tell; But this I know, and know full well, I do not like thee, Doctor Fell!

A COUNTING-OUT RHYME