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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-Sh.o.r.e.
ROLL on, roll on, you restless waves, That toss about and roar; Why do you all run back again When you have reached the sh.o.r.e?
Roll on, roll on, you noisy waves, Roll higher up the strand; How is it that you cannot pa.s.s That line of yellow sand?
"We may not dare," the waves reply: "That line of yellow sand Is laid along the sh.o.r.e 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 sh.o.r.e, And little boys at school."
[Ill.u.s.tration: "JENNY BLUSHED BEHIND HER FAN."]
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THE MARRIAGE OF c.o.c.k 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:
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"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 peac.o.c.k gay; So if you"ll have me, Jenny, Let us appoint the day."
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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."
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Robin rose up early, At the break of day; He flew to Jenny Wren"s house, To sing a roundelay.
He met the c.o.c.k and Hen, And bade the c.o.c.k declare, This was his wedding-day With Jenny Wren the fair.
The c.o.c.k then blew his horn, To let the neighbours know This was Robin"s wedding-day, And they might see the show.
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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 c.o.c.k 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 c.o.c.k 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 Tomt.i.t, 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."
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