THE COCK, THE HEN, AND THE CHICKENS.THE COCK, THE HEN, AND THE CHICKENS.
There are many different kinds of fowls. The largest are the tall Cochin Chinas; the smallest the pert little Bantams. It is a great amusement for children to have a few fowls to feed, and take care of. Feeding them and finding their eggs is one of the country child's pleasures.
The hen sits on her eggs for three weeks; and when the chicks are hatched, she takes the greatest care of them, gathering them under her wings when danger is near or the weather is at all cold; and she is ready to fight a hawk or even a dog in defence of her little ones.
Fowls feed on barley or any kind of grain, and pick up worms, &c., in their run. Stinging-nettles are very good food for chickens.
This noblest of animals is believed to be a native of Arabia; but was in our islands before the Romans came here. The first money coined in Britain was stamped with the figure of a horse.
THE HORSE.THE HORSE.
The horse has a wonderful memory. He never forgets a place to which he has once been taken. He loves his master if well treated; and in battles he displays the greatest courage and joy. He also understands sounds, and loves music. Indeed, the horse may be called the friend of man, and deserves all the kindness we can show him.
The Arabs bring up their horses with their children in their own tents; and the steed thus reared is very sensible and gentle. An Arab will not sell his favourite horse for any sum, however large: it is as dear to him as his children.
The goat is a very useful animal. Its flesh is very good, though English people seldom eat it. Its milk is very good also, and of use to people in consumption. The most beautiful gloves are made from its skin.
GOATS.GOATS.
Goats abound on the Welsh mountains; it is, indeed, an animal that loves the great hills. The Welsh goats are white; they are very active, and walk on the brink of precipices, and take the most wonderful leaps. The scent of a goat is unpleasant, but it is thought to prevent infection amongst cattle.
Horses are very fond of goats. They are more common in France than with us. In that country one sees a goat with nearly every flock of sheep.
Goats' flesh is called “kid.” Do you remember how Jacob deceived his father with the skin and meat of a kid of the goats?
PIGS.PIGS.
LITTLE MISS MUFFET.LITTLE MISS MUFFET.
Little Miss MuffetShe sat on a tuffet,Eating of curds and whey.There came a great spider,Who sat down beside her,And frightened Miss Muffet away.
Little Miss MuffetShe sat on a tuffet,Eating of curds and whey.There came a great spider,Who sat down beside her,And frightened Miss Muffet away.
PAT-A-CAKE, PAT-A-CAKE.PAT-A-CAKE, PAT-A-CAKE.
Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, baker's man,Make me a cake as fast as you can;Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,And send it home for Tommy and me.
Pat-a-cake, Pat-a-cake, baker's man,Make me a cake as fast as you can;Pat it, and prick it, and mark it with T,And send it home for Tommy and me.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;All the king's horses and all the king's menCould not set Humpty Dumpty up again.
Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall,Humpty Dumpty had a great fall;All the king's horses and all the king's menCould not set Humpty Dumpty up again.
HUMPTY DUMPTY.HUMPTY DUMPTY.
YOUNG LAMBS TO SELL!YOUNG LAMBS TO SELL!
Young lambs to sell!—young lambs to sell!If I had as much money as I could tell,I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!Young lambs to sell!—young lambs to sell!I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!
Young lambs to sell!—young lambs to sell!If I had as much money as I could tell,I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!Young lambs to sell!—young lambs to sell!I never would cry, Young lambs to sell!
LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST SAT UPON A TREE.LITTLE ROBIN REDBREAST SAT UPON A TREE.
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,Up went Pussy-cat, and down went he;Down came Pussy-cat, and away Robin ran;Says little Robin Redbreast, “Catch me if you can.”Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,Pussy-cat jumped after him and almost got a fall;Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did Pussy say?Pussy-cat said “Mew,” and Robin jumped away.
Little Robin Redbreast sat upon a tree,Up went Pussy-cat, and down went he;Down came Pussy-cat, and away Robin ran;Says little Robin Redbreast, “Catch me if you can.”Little Robin Redbreast jumped upon a wall,Pussy-cat jumped after him and almost got a fall;Little Robin chirped and sang, and what did Pussy say?Pussy-cat said “Mew,” and Robin jumped away.
HANDY SPANDY, JACK-A-DANDY.HANDY SPANDY, JACK-A-DANDY.
Handy Spandy Jack-a-DandyLoved plumcake and sugar candy;He bought some at a grocer's shop,And out he came, hop, hop, hop.
Handy Spandy Jack-a-DandyLoved plumcake and sugar candy;He bought some at a grocer's shop,And out he came, hop, hop, hop.
LITTLE BOY BLUE.LITTLE BOY BLUE.
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 is under the hay-cock fast asleep.
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 is under the hay-cock fast asleep.
THIS LITTLE PIG WENT TO MARKET.THIS LITTLE PIG WENT TO MARKET.
This little pig went to market;This little pig stayed at home;This pig had a piece of bread-and-butter;This little pig had none;This little pig said, "Wee, wee, wee!I can't find my way home.”
This little pig went to market;This little pig stayed at home;This pig had a piece of bread-and-butter;This little pig had none;This little pig said, "Wee, wee, wee!I can't find my way home.”
LITTLE JACK HORNER.LITTLE JACK HORNER.
Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,Eating his Christmas Pie;He put in his thumb, and pulled out a plum,And said, “What a good boy am I!”
Little Jack Horner sat in a corner,Eating his Christmas Pie;He put in his thumb, and pulled out a plum,And said, “What a good boy am I!”
TO MARKET, TO MARKET.TO MARKET, TO MARKET.
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig;Home again, home again, jiggetty-jig.To market, to market, to buy a fat hog;Home again, home again, jiggetty-jog.
To market, to market, to buy a fat pig;Home again, home again, jiggetty-jig.To market, to market, to buy a fat hog;Home again, home again, jiggetty-jog.
Taffy was a Welshman,Taffy was a thief;Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a piece of beef.I went to Taffy's house,Taffy was from home;Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a marrow bone.
Taffy was a Welshman,Taffy was a thief;Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a piece of beef.I went to Taffy's house,Taffy was from home;Taffy came to my houseAnd stole a marrow bone.
TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN.TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN.
BAA, BAA, BLACK SHEEP.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 girlThat cries in the lane.
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 girlThat cries in the lane.
PRETTY MAID, PRETTY MAID.PRETTY MAID, PRETTY MAID.
Pretty maid, pretty maid, where have you been?Gathering a posie to give to the Queen.
Pretty maid, pretty maid, where have you been?Gathering a posie to give to the Queen.
MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY.MARY, MARY, QUITE CONTRARY.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,How does your garden grow?Silver bells and cockle-shells,And columbines all of a row.
Mary, Mary, quite contrary,How does your garden grow?Silver bells and cockle-shells,And columbines all of a row.
LITTLE BO-PEEP.LITTLE BO-PEEP.
Little Bo-Peep has lost his sheep,And cannot tell where to find themLeave them alone, and they'll come home,And bring their tails behind them.Little Bo-Peep fell fast asleep,And dreamt he heard them bleatingWhen he awoke, he found it a joke,For still they all were fleeting.Then up he took his little crook,Determined for to find them;He found them indeed, but it made his heart bleed,For they'd left their tails behind them.
Little Bo-Peep has lost his sheep,And cannot tell where to find themLeave them alone, and they'll come home,And bring their tails behind them.Little Bo-Peep fell fast asleep,And dreamt he heard them bleatingWhen he awoke, he found it a joke,For still they all were fleeting.Then up he took his little crook,Determined for to find them;He found them indeed, but it made his heart bleed,For they'd left their tails behind them.
HOT CROSS BUNS.HOT CROSS BUNS.
Hot Cross Buns!Hot Cross Buns!One a penny, two a penny, Hot Cross Buns.Hot Cross Buns!Hot Cross Buns!If you have no daughters, give them to your sons.
Hot Cross Buns!Hot Cross Buns!One a penny, two a penny, Hot Cross Buns.Hot Cross Buns!Hot Cross Buns!If you have no daughters, give them to your sons.
THE CAT AND FIDDLE.THE CAT AND FIDDLE.
Hey diddle diddle,The cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon,The little dog laughedTo see the sport,While the dish ran after the spoon.
Hey diddle diddle,The cat and the fiddle,The cow jumped over the moon,The little dog laughedTo see the sport,While the dish ran after the spoon.
THE QUEEN OF HEARTS.THE QUEEN OF HEARTS.
The Queen of Hearts,She made some tartsUpon a summer day;The Knave of Hearts,He stole those tarts,And took them quite away.The King of Hearts,He missed those tarts,And beat the knave full sore;The Knave of HeartsBrought back those tarts,And vowed he'd steal no more.
The Queen of Hearts,She made some tartsUpon a summer day;The Knave of Hearts,He stole those tarts,And took them quite away.The King of Hearts,He missed those tarts,And beat the knave full sore;The Knave of HeartsBrought back those tarts,And vowed he'd steal no more.
I HAD A LITTLE HUSBAND.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 horse,That galloped up and down;I bridled him and saddled him,And sent him out of town.I gave him some garters,To garter up his hose,And a little handkerchiefTo wipe his pretty nose.
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 horse,That galloped up and down;I bridled him and saddled him,And sent him out of town.I gave him some garters,To garter up his hose,And a little handkerchiefTo wipe his pretty nose.
GOOSEY, GOOSEY, GANDER.GOOSEY, GOOSEY, GANDER.
Goosey, Goosey Gander,Where shall I wander?Up stairs, down stairs,In my lady's chamber.There I met an old manThat would not say his prayers;I took him by the left leg,And threw him down stairs.
Goosey, Goosey Gander,Where shall I wander?Up stairs, down stairs,In my lady's chamber.There I met an old manThat would not say his prayers;I took him by the left leg,And threw him down stairs.
LITTLE POLLY FLINDERS.LITTLE POLLY FLINDERS.
Little Polly Flinders,Sat among the cinders,Warming her pretty little toes;Her mother came and caught her,And scolded her little daughter,For spoiling her nice new clothes.
Little Polly Flinders,Sat among the cinders,Warming her pretty little toes;Her mother came and caught her,And scolded her little daughter,For spoiling her nice new clothes.
DING DONG BELL.DING DONG BELL.
Ding Dong Bell,Pussy's in the well.Who put her in?Little Tommy Lin.Who pulled her out?Little Tommy Trout.What a naughty boy was that,To drown poor little Pussy cat,Who never did him any harm,But killed the mice in his father's barn.
Ding Dong Bell,Pussy's in the well.Who put her in?Little Tommy Lin.Who pulled her out?Little Tommy Trout.What a naughty boy was that,To drown poor little Pussy cat,Who never did him any harm,But killed the mice in his father's barn.
"MULTIPLICATION IS VEXATION.""MULTIPLICATION IS VEXATION."
Multiplication is vexation;Division is as bad;The Rule of Three doth puzzle me,And Practice drives me mad.
Multiplication is vexation;Division is as bad;The Rule of Three doth puzzle me,And Practice drives me mad.
THE DAPPLE-GREY PONY.THE DAPPLE-GREY PONY.
I had a little pony,His name was Dapple Grey,I lent him to a lady,To ride a mile away.She whipped him, she slashed him,She rode him through the mire;I would not lend my pony now,For all the lady's hire.
I had a little pony,His name was Dapple Grey,I lent him to a lady,To ride a mile away.She whipped him, she slashed him,She rode him through the mire;I would not lend my pony now,For all the lady's hire.
OLD WOMAN, OLD WOMAN, SAYS I.OLD WOMAN, OLD WOMAN, SAYS I.
Old woman, old woman, old woman say I,O whither, O whither, O whither so high?To sweep the cobwebs off the sky.Shall I go with you? Ay, by-and-by.
Old woman, old woman, old woman say I,O whither, O whither, O whither so high?To sweep the cobwebs off the sky.Shall I go with you? Ay, by-and-by.
DAME TROT AND HER CAT.DAME TROT AND HER CAT.
Dame Trot and her catLed a peaceable lifeWhen they were not troubledWith other folks' strife.When Dame had her dinnerPuss near her would wait,And was sure to receiveA nice piece from her plate.
Dame Trot and her catLed a peaceable lifeWhen they were not troubledWith other folks' strife.When Dame had her dinnerPuss near her would wait,And was sure to receiveA nice piece from her plate.
SIMPLE SIMON.SIMPLE SIMON.
Simple Simon met a piemanGoing to the fair;Says Simple Simon to the pieman,“Let me taste your ware.”Says the pieman to Simple Simon,“Show me first your penny.”Says Simple Simon to the pieman,“Indeed, I have not any.”Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale;All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail.
Simple Simon met a piemanGoing to the fair;Says Simple Simon to the pieman,“Let me taste your ware.”Says the pieman to Simple Simon,“Show me first your penny.”Says Simple Simon to the pieman,“Indeed, I have not any.”Simple Simon went a-fishingFor to catch a whale;All the water he had gotWas in his mother's pail.
MARY HAD A PRETTY BIRD.MARY HAD A PRETTY BIRD.
Mary had a pretty bird,With feathers bright and yellow,Slender legs—upon my word,He was a pretty fellow.The sweetest notes he always sang,Which much delighted Mary;And near the cage she'd ever sit,To hear her own Canary.
Mary had a pretty bird,With feathers bright and yellow,Slender legs—upon my word,He was a pretty fellow.The sweetest notes he always sang,Which much delighted Mary;And near the cage she'd ever sit,To hear her own Canary.
IS JOHN SMITH WITHIN?IS JOHN SMITH WITHIN?
Is John Smith within?Yes, that he is.Can he set a shoe?Ay, marry, two;Here a nail and there a nail,Tick, tack, too.
Is John Smith within?Yes, that he is.Can he set a shoe?Ay, marry, two;Here a nail and there a nail,Tick, tack, too.
GUY FAWKES.GUY FAWKES.
Please to rememberThe fifth of November,Gunpowder treason and plot.I know no reasonWhy gunpowder treasonShould ever be forgot.
Please to rememberThe fifth of November,Gunpowder treason and plot.I know no reasonWhy gunpowder treasonShould ever be forgot.
JACK AND JILL.JACK AND JILL.
Jack and Jill went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water.Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jill came tumbling after.
Jack and Jill went up the hillTo fetch a pail of water.Jack fell down and broke his crown,And Jill came tumbling after.
LITTLE FRED.LITTLE FRED.
When little Fred went to bed,He always said his prayers.He kissed mamma and then papa,And straightway went upstairs.
When little Fred went to bed,He always said his prayers.He kissed mamma and then papa,And straightway went upstairs.
LITTLE TOM TUCKER.LITTLE TOM TUCKER.
Little Tommy Tucker,Sings for his supper.What shall he eat?White bread and butter.How shall he cut itWithout e'er a knife?How will he be marriedWithout e'er a wife.
Little Tommy Tucker,Sings for his supper.What shall he eat?White bread and butter.How shall he cut itWithout e'er a knife?How will he be marriedWithout e'er a wife.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING, MY PRETTY MAID?WHERE ARE YOU GOING, MY PRETTY MAID?
Where are you going, my pretty maid?I'm going a milking, sir, she said.May I go with you, my pretty maid?You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.What is your fortune, my pretty maid?My face is my fortune, sir, she said.Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid.Nobody asked you, sir, she said.
Where are you going, my pretty maid?I'm going a milking, sir, she said.May I go with you, my pretty maid?You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.What is your fortune, my pretty maid?My face is my fortune, sir, she said.Then I won't marry you, my pretty maid.Nobody asked you, sir, she said.
RIDE A COCK-HORSE.RIDE A COCK-HORSE.
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,To see an old lady upon a white horse;Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,And so she makes music wherever she goes.
Ride a cock-horse to Banbury Cross,To see an old lady upon a white horse;Rings on her fingers and bells on her toes,And so she makes music wherever she goes.
SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE.SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE.
Sing a song of sixpence,A bag full of rye;Four-and-twenty blackbirdsBaked in a pie.When the pie was openedThe birds began to sing.Was not that a dainty dishTo set before the king?The king was in his countinghouse,Counting out his money;The queen was in the parlour,Eating bread and honey.The maid was in the garden,Hanging out the clothes;'Long came a blackbirdAnd snapt off her nose.
Sing a song of sixpence,A bag full of rye;Four-and-twenty blackbirdsBaked in a pie.When the pie was openedThe birds began to sing.Was not that a dainty dishTo set before the king?The king was in his countinghouse,Counting out his money;The queen was in the parlour,Eating bread and honey.The maid was in the garden,Hanging out the clothes;'Long came a blackbirdAnd snapt off her nose.
TOM, TOM, THE PIPER'S SON.TOM, TOM, THE PIPER'S SON.
Tom, Tom, the piper's son,Stole a pig and away he run!The pig was eat, and Tom was beat,And Tom went roaring down the street.
Tom, Tom, the piper's son,Stole a pig and away he run!The pig was eat, and Tom was beat,And Tom went roaring down the street.
OLD KING COLE.OLD KING COLE.
Old King ColeWas a merry old soul,And a merry old soul was he!He called for his pipe,And he called for his bowl,And he called for his fiddlers three.Every fiddler he had a fiddle,And a very fine fiddle had he!Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee went the fiddlers.Oh, there's none so rareAs can compareWith King Cole and his fiddlers three!
Old King ColeWas a merry old soul,And a merry old soul was he!He called for his pipe,And he called for his bowl,And he called for his fiddlers three.Every fiddler he had a fiddle,And a very fine fiddle had he!Twee tweedle dee, tweedle dee went the fiddlers.Oh, there's none so rareAs can compareWith King Cole and his fiddlers three!
FOUR-AND-TWENTY TAILORS WENT TO KILL A SNAIL.FOUR-AND-TWENTY TAILORS WENT TO KILL A SNAIL.
Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail;The best man among them durst not touch her tail.She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow.Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now.
Four-and-twenty tailors went to kill a snail;The best man among them durst not touch her tail.She put out her horns like a little Kyloe cow.Run, tailors, run, or she'll kill you all e'en now.
HUSH-A-BY BABY.HUSH-A-BY BABY.
Hush-a-by, baby, thy cradle is green;Father's a nobleman; mother's a queen;Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring,And Johnny's a drummer and drums for the king.
Hush-a-by, baby, thy cradle is green;Father's a nobleman; mother's a queen;Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring,And Johnny's a drummer and drums for the king.