The Home Book of Verse Volume I Part 12

This is the maiden all forlorn That milked the cow with the crumpled horn That tossed the dog That worried the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the man all tattered and torn That kissed the maiden That milked the cow with the crumpled horn That tossed the dog That worried the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the priest all shaven and shorn That married the man all tattered and torn That kissed the maiden all forlorn That milked the cow with the crumpled horn That tossed the dog That worried the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the c.o.c.k that crowed in the morn That waked the priest all shaven and shorn That married the man all tattered and torn That kissed the maiden all forlorn That milked the cow with the crumpled horn That tossed the dog That worried the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.

This is the farmer sowing his corn That kept the c.o.c.k that crowed in the morn That waked the priest all shaven and shorn That married the man all tattered and torn That kissed the maiden all forlorn That milked the cow with the crumpled horn That tossed the dog That worried the cat That killed the rat That ate the malt That lay in the house that Jack built.

OLD MOTHER HUBBARD

Old Mother Hubbard Went to the cupboard, To get her poor dog a bone: But when she got there The cupboard was bare, And so the poor dog had none.

She went to the baker's To buy him some bread, But when she came back The poor dog was dead.

She went to the joiner's To buy him a coffin, But when she came back The poor dog was laughing.

She took a clean dish To get him some tripe, But when she came back He was smoking a pipe.

She went to the fishmonger's To buy him some fish, But when she came back He was licking the dish.

She went to the tavern For white wine and red, But when she came back The dog stood on his head.

She went to the hatter's To buy him a hat, But when she came back He was feeding the cat.

She went to the barber's To buy him a wig, But when she came back He was dancing a jig.

She went to the fruiterer's To buy him some fruit, But when she came back He was playing the flute.

She went to the tailor's To buy him a coat, But when she came back He was riding a goat.

She went to the cobbler's To buy him some shoes, But when she came back He was reading the news.

She went to the seamstress To buy him some linen, But when she came back The dog was spinning.

She went to the hosier's To buy him some hose, But when she came back He was dressed in his clothes.

The dame made a curtesy, The dog made a bow, The dame said, "Your servant,"

The dog said, "Bow-wow."

This wonderful dog Was Dame Hubbard's delight; He could sing, he could dance, He could read, he could write.

She gave him rich dainties Whenever he fed, And built him a monument When he was dead.

THE DEATH AND BURIAL OF c.o.c.k ROBIN

Who killed c.o.c.k Robin?

"I," said the Sparrow, "With my bow and arrow, I killed c.o.c.k Robin."

Who saw him die?

"I'" said the Fly, "With my little eye, I saw him die."

Who caught his blood?

"I," said the Fish, "With my little dish, I caught his blood."

Who'll make his shroud?

"I," said the Beetle, "With my thread and needle, I'll make his shroud."

Who'll dig his grave?

"I," said the Owl, "With my spade and trowel, I'll dig his grave."

Who'll be the parson?

"I," said the Rook, "With my little book.

I'll be the parson."

Who'll be the clerk?

"I," said the Lark, "I'll say Amen in the dark; I'll be the clerk."

Who'll be chief mourner?

"I," said the Dove, "I mourn for my love; I'll be chief mourner."

Who'll bear the torch?

"I," said the Linnet, "I'll come in a minute, I'll bear the torch."

Who'll sing his dirge?

"I," said the thrush.

"As I sing in the bush I'll sing his dirge."

Who'll bear the pall?

"We," said the Wren, Both the c.o.c.k and the Hen; "We'll bear the pall."

Who'll carry his coffin?

"I," said the Kite, "If it be in the night, I'll carry his coffin."

Who'll toll the bell?

"I," said the Bull, "Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell."

All the birds of the air Fell to sighing and sobbing When they heard the bell toll For poor c.o.c.k Robin.