National Rhymes of the Nursery Part 12

_I have seen you, little mouse_

I have seen you, little mouse, Running all about the house, Through the hole, your little eye In the wainscot peeping sly, Hoping soon some crumbs to steal, To make quite a hearty meal.

Look before you venture out, See if p.u.s.s.y is about, If she's gone, you'll quickly run, To the larder for some fun, Round about the dishes creep, Taking into each a peep, To choose the daintiest that's there, Spoiling things you do not care.

_As soft as silk_

As soft as silk, as white as milk, As bitter as gall, a strong wall, And a green coat covers me all.

(_a walnut_)

_Barber barber_

Barber, barber, shave a pig, How many hairs will make a wig?

"Four and twenty, that's enough"

Give the barber a pinch of snuff.

_Bryan O'Lin_

Bryan O'Lin had no breeches to wear So he bought him a sheepskin and made him a pair.

With the skinny side out, and the woolly side in, "Ah ha, that is warm!" said Bryan O'Lin.

_Mary had a pretty bird_

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.

_The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain_

The girl in the lane, that couldn't speak plain, Cried, gobble, gobble, gobble: The man on the hill, that couldn't stand still, Went hobble, hobble, hobble.

"_We are three brethren out of Spain_"

"We are three brethren out of Spain, Come to court your daughter Jane."

"My daughter Jane she is too young, She has not learned her mother tongue."

"Be she young, or be she old, For her beauty she must be sold, So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll call again another day."

"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And rub thy spurs till they be bright."

"Of my spurs take you no thought, For in this land they were not bought.

"So fare you well, my lady gay, We'll call again another day."

"Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight; And take the fairest in your sight."

"The fairest maid that I can see, Is pretty Nancy, come to me."

"Here comes your daughter, safe and sound, Every pocket with a thousand pound, Every pocket with a gay gold ring, Please to take your daughter in."

_History of John Gilpin_

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 losing wife, O'erjoyed was he to find, That though on pleasure she was bent, She had a frugal mind.

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.