4 Of tf)E ^mbersttp of Jgorti) Carolina Cnbotoeb 6p ©fjc ©iale ctic ana ^ijilantfjropic g>ocietiejS JE t^otYter Goose The ^oy<^ Smith Mother loose JE 128099 Kother Zoose The Boyd Smith Mother Goose This BOOK may be kept out TWO WEEKS ONLY, and is subject to a fine of FIVE CENTS a day thereafter. It is DUE on the DAY indicated below: ®G 5 'S3 MAR 1 8 1974 V S S 1965 DEC 6 1966 FEB 2 i <96J? • Olfl 3 *** §PVi 7 b/i «rri 8 *** 1973 LWW 9 g 1974 "474 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2012 with funding from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hil http://archive.org/details/boydsmithmothergsmit " This is the man all tattered and torn, Who kissed the maiden all forlorn." THE BOYD SMITH MOTHER GOOSE WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS IN COLOR AND IN BLACK AND WHITE FROM ORIGINAL DRAWINGS BY E. BOYD SMITH THE TEXT CAREFULLY COLLATED AND VERIFIED BY - *. LAWRENCE ELMENDORF, M.A.^h.D. G. P, PUTNAM'S SONS NEW YORK AND LONDON XTbe Tftntcfterbocfter press 1920 Copyright, 1919 BY G. P. PUTNAM'S SONS Zbc Wntekcrbscfccr prcw, Hew B*rt J E Library, Univ. of Jforetoorb " No, no, my melodies will never die, While nurses sing and babies cry." WHEN the visitor goes to Boston, besides the Bunker Hill monument, Paul Revere's church, Faneuil Hall, the old State House, and Copp's Hill cemetery, there is the old Granary Burying-ground to be visited, where the bodies of some of the most noted residents of old colonial Boston are buried. Not least among these is the one especially pointed out by the caretaker, which lies under a modest limestone slab of about four feet high, surrounded and supported by a wooden frame to prevent it from crumb- ling entirely away, the grave of the namesake and friend for all times of every little child, the happy songstress of happy songstresses, the much beloved and discussed Mother Goose. According to old records now extant both in Suffolk County, England, as well as in Boston, the family original name was not Goose but Vergoose or Vertigoose. In those early days before the beginning of the eighteenth century, people were very careless both about keeping records and about the spelling of their names. Many did not know how to spell, while those who did know, generally did not care; as long as the spelling indicated the right person that was all that was necessary. So we find the family name spelled Vergoose, as from the Anglo-Saxon, or Vertigoose, from the Norman French, which means green goose, a goose under four months old. Also on both sides of the ocean, we find from the records as early as the first half of the seventeenth century, that the family was well-to-do, and lived on Newbury Street in Boston. In 1690, the wife of Isaac Vergoose died and left him with ten children. Within two years V vi FOREWORD he was married again to Elizabeth Foster, who, some writers tell us, was the future Mother Goose. Later Elizabeth Foster became the mother of six more children. Some authors aver that it was because of this fact that we are indebted for the rhyme of "There was an old woman who lived in a shoe, Who had so many children she didn't know what to do. " < In the historic town hall of Boston are many of the old city registers. In one of these is to be found the record of the wedding, performed by the celebrated Cotton Mather, of "Thomas Fleet of Shopshire, a suburb of London, now residing in Pudding Lane of this city" and Elizabeth Goose, daughter of Elizabeth Vergoose — widow of the deceased Isaac Vertigoose. The writer before referred to goes on to tell us that because of the constant chanting of rhymes to her grandchildren, the bustling old lady became very irritating to Thomas Fleet, who was a "man fond of quiet. " At first he endeavored to laugh her down, quizzing the melodies in order to put a quietus on the pester. As this had no effect, like others of our thrifty ancestors, the pensive man decided to coin money from a resource so near at hand, so he took down these verses as they were recited and in 1719 published a book called Songs for the Nursery, or Mother Goose. The songs were sold from the Pudding Lane shop for two coppers apiece. In 1833 "Reliable life of the Goose family, never before published" printed in Boston, reiterated that the first edition of Mother Goose's Melodies was published in 1719, by Thomas Fleet in Pudding Lane, Boston ; that the title was an ebullition of spite against his mother-in-law. This story was again renewed in i860 by Fleet's great-grandson, when he affirmed that a friend, Edward L. Crowninshield, had seen mutilated pieces of a copy of the 1719 edition in the Boston Library. A thorough search for this book has been made time and time again by the Boston Historical Society and by interested individuals, not only in all the Boston libraries, but in many other private collections ; they have failed to bring to light this supposed copy and no record of it appears on any catalogue. Upon searching the reprints made in 1890, of the Prefaces, Proverbs, and Poems as contained in Poor Richard's Almanac by Benjamin Franklin, we find nothing that suggests a single one of these melodies nor any of the char- acters therein. Yet surely Franklin would have had a copy if any one did, had the book been in print. Bibliomaniacs have explored every clue and have failed to find trace of even the mutilated copy. It is very doubtful whether in 1719 a book of trivial rhymes would have been allowed to be published. At that date the little children were given the Bible to read. What we do find on authentic authority is that in 1697, in Paris, Charles Perrault FOREWORD vii published Conies du Terns 1 Passe, on the frontispiece of which is an old woman spinning and telling tales to a man, a girl, a boy, and a cat. On a placard near by is written " Contes de ma Mere l'Oye." Later in 1729, in London, a man by the name of Robert Sambers edited a translation of this book issued by J. Rivington.* In 1795 the seventh edition of it was printed by J. Rivington, bookseller and stationer, No. 56 Pearl Street. The English version was printed on one side and the French on the opposite page. Copies of both of these books are in Lon- don Libraries to-day. This same Robert Sambers 3 is recorded in Allibone as having trans- lated a work of the same sort from the French in 17 19, but no copy of this volume exists. It may be, however, that this idea of the Fleet edition sprang from one of these copies, or still more likely from an edition of Daniel Henchman, the well known publisher and book- seller, which is now among the Hancock papers in the Library of the New England Historic Geneological Society. Among other items will be found "July 13, 1719, Thomas Fleet credited by printing one hundred primers — £250. " In 1 719 Henchman issued a pamphlet or sheet called Verses for Children. Fleet was engaged in printing the primer for Henchman. Some of these copies are extant. If Fleet had printed any copies for himself it is probable that they would still exist also, but none have been found. In fact, there is evidence that Fleet did not live on Pudding Street until 1 731. The French edition of 1697 was dedicated to Comtesse de Murat and the English of 1729 to the Right Honourable, the Lady Mary Montagu, daughter of John, Duke of Mon- tagu. The tales such as Little Red Riding-Hood, The Fairy (the sisters who dropped diamonds and toads from their mouths), Blue Beard, the Sleeping Beauty, Puss-in-Boots, Cinderilla 4 , Requet with the Tuft, and Little Thumb; eight in all — were in the 1697 edition. As to the Melodies, John Newbery, the famous publisher of St. Paul's Church Yard in London, whose life has been most interestingly told by Charles Welsh in London, 1885, was the first English printer to preface story books for children. We find that in 1 765 he pub- lished Little-Goody -Two-Shoes, a story generally ascribed to Oliver Goldsmith, who was a constant writer for Newbery. In Welsh's Life of Goldsmith, volume II, pp. 71. he writes that "Miss Hawkins says, ' I little thought that I should have to boast that Mr. Goldsmith taught me Jack and Jill by two bits of paper on his fingers.' " If one reads on a bit further in the same volume, he will find that on January 29, 1768, after the production of the Good Natured Man, Mr. Gold- smith went to dine with a friend. "To impress them more forcibly of his magnanimity, he sang lustily for them his favorite song about an old woman tossed in a blanket seventeen times as high as the moon, and was altogether very loud and noisy. " 1 Ancient spelling — was not spelled with a " p." » Not Rivingston. ■J Not Samders. « As spelled in the original. viii FOREWORD In 1842, James O'Halliwell, the great Shakespearian authority, made a careful study of the nursery rhymes of England, collected principally from oral tradition. He writes that, "these traditional nonsense scraps have come down in England to us in such numbers that in the short space of three years, he had collected considerably more than a thousand. " Now then, if Thomas Fleet did not collect and publish these rhymes in 1719, how did they come to America? Soon after the Revolution, in 1787, Isaiah Thomas who had married one of the grand-daughters of Fleet, took up the business of publishing children's books and copied many of the Newbery prints, as well as the Nursery Rhymes. A very beautiful copy is to be found in the Boston Library to-day. It is dated, Worcester, Mass- achusetts, 1787. This book is page for page a duplication from the Newbery edition. The cuts are reproduced, but are a good imitation of the original. Toward the end of the book they vary slightly as if the copier was tired of his work and wished to finish in the quickest manner possible. If there had been in existence a 17 19 edition at that time, undoubtedly Thomas would have copied his grandfather's book, or at least mentioned it, rather than the one from England, against which land such a strong feeling still existed. Upon comparing the two volumes, we find that Thomas slightly altered the publisher's notes also. So until more is known of the bibliography of the " 1719 edition, " I fear that we must accept the following as the facts: that Mother Goose originated in France between 1650 and 1697, was translated into English by Robert Sambers in 1729, and did not reach America until 1 785 when Isaiah Thomas gave us a reproduction of Newbery. As the differ- ent editions of Newbery have been added to and changed, so has the Thomas edition. Until to-day we have many different versions of the same, including some very modern rhymes that have absolutely nothing to do with the original American volume of Isaiah Thomas, which must be acceded to be the first American publication of Mother Goose. Lawrence Elmendorf. New York, June, 1919. Contents f i MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES As Collected by the Percy Society, to which are Added Certain Nursery Rhymes Usually Associated with Mother Goose PAGH Old Mother Hubbard ......... 3 Poor Old Robinson Crusoe 7 There Was an Old Woman Had Three Sons 8 -' The King of France 8 Pussycat, Pussycat 8 Over the Water, Over the Lee ....... 8 v When I Was a Batchelor ......... 9 . Little Jack Jingle 9 I Had a Little Dog 10 ix CONTENTS Four and Twenty Tailors v My Daddy Is Dead The Old Woman and Her Pig Little Miss Muffet . Little Miss Mopsey . Sing a Song of Sixpence . Come, All Ye Brisk Young Batchelors There Was a Crooked Man Little Blue Billy 6^-1 . The Man in the Moon Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son. I Had a Little Moppet Tom Married a Wife on Sunday Solomon Grundy. The Lion and the Unicorn Doctor Faustus Was a Good Man Lucy Locket Lost Her Pocket Bessy Bell and Mary Gray I'll Tell You a Story Says Aaron to Moses A Kid, a Kid The Fox and His Wife My Lady Wind . Little Jack Horner . CONTENTS XI I Had a Little Husband There Was a Jolly Miller Robin the Bobbin There Was a Lady Lov'd a Swine Tommy Trot, a Man of Law There Was an Old Woman as I've Heard Tell Dr. Foster Went to Gloucester Little Jenny Wren . The Wedding of Jenny Wren Simple Simon Met a Pieman Hub a Dub Dub Little Jack-a-Dandy . Ding Dong Bell. Robin Hood Fee, Fie, Fo, Fum "Where Are You Going, My Pretty Maid?" O Please to Remember There Were Two Cats of Kilkenny Jack Be Nimble ..... When Good King Arthur Ruled this Land There Was an Old Woman of Norwich . Egg, Cheese, Butter, Bread Little Bo-peep ...... tweedle-dum and tweedle-dee . Xll CONTENTS DlNGTY DlDDLEDY ...... v There Was an Old Woman who Lived in a Shoe Deedle, Deedle, Dumpling Hey Ding a Ding Formed Long Ago Cock a Doodle Doo . A Frog He Would A- Wooing Go v There Was a Frog Liv'd in a Well The Queen of Hearts What Are Little Girls Made of Ride to the Market to Buy a Fat Pig See, See, What Shall I See Zickety, Dickety, Dock Hickory, Dickory, Dock See a Pin .... St. Swithin's Day A Man of Words and not of Deeds A Swarm of Bees in May . Goosy, Goosy, Gander Purple, Yellow, Red, and Green Little Nancy Etticoat . . Long Legs ..... Two Legs Sat on Three Legs . Baa, Baa Black Sheep CONTENTS xm Thirty White Horses As I Went through Garden Gap Pease-Porridge Hot . Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess Come, Butter, Come . As I Was Going to St. Ives There Was an Old Woman Toss'd up Gay Go Up Boys and Girls, Come out to Play . Peter White . There Was an old Woman of Surrey Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John Georgie Porgie . Let Us Go to the Woods Sneil, Snail Anna Elise Ride a Cock Horse Old King Cole . Old King Coel . There Were Three Jovial Welshmen This Little Pig Went to Market I Had a Little Pony . As Tommy Snooks .... Liar, Liar xiv CONTENTS PAGE Tell-Tale, Tit 73 Multiplication Is Vexation 73 I Had a Little Sister ......... 73 All Hail to the Moon ........ 73 Hie! Diddle, Diddle . ... • . . . • • -74 Curly-Locks ........... 74 Barber, Barber, Shave a Pig ........ 74 As I Was Going Up Pippen Hill 74 There Was a Little Boy and a Little Girl 75 Thomas a Didymus . 75 What Care I how Black I be 75 Little Robin Redbreast 76 A Diller a Dollar .......... 76 Mistress Mary ........... 76 The Cat Sat Asleep 77 Bobby Shafto 77 Tom He Was a Piper's Son 78 I Had a Little Hobby-Horse -79 Dance, Little Baby 79 A Riddle, a Riddle 79 A Little Old Man and I Fell Out 80 Dickery, Dickery, Dare 80 The Rose Is Red 80 If All the Sea Were One Sea 81 ! CONTENTS xv PAGE '. V- Cross-Patch 81 Of All Gay Birds 81 ' There Was a Little Man .82 Seesaw, Margery Daw 83 How Many Miles Is it to Babylon ? 83 Rock-a-Bye Baby 83 House that Jack Built 84 Lady Bird, Lady Bird 86 One Misty, Moist y Morning 87 Lady Cow, Lady Cow 87- The Old Goose and Her Goslings ....... 88 humpty dumpty ........... 91 Cock Robin 92 The Five Pigs 95 Little Boy Blue .......... 97 t A Carrion Crow 98 Dogs in the Garden 98 Little Tommy Grace .......... 99 Little Tommy Tucker 99 There Was an old Couple 100 When I Was a Little Boy 101 Ride a Cock Horse 101 Hark, Hark 101 John Cook had a Gray Mare 102 xvi CONTENTS PAGE Two Little Dogs .......... 103 As Round as an Apple . . . . . . . . . 103 Naughty Willy Bell . . . . . . . . . .104 My Dear, Do You Know 105 A, Little Cock Sparrow . . . . . . . . .106 Old Woman, Shall We Go A-Shearing 106 When a Twister Twisting 107 Robert Rowley . 107 Peter Piper 107 Hot-Cross Buns 107 II ORIGINAL MOTHER GOOSE Preface . . . . no A Love Song 112 A Dirge . . . . . . . . . . . .114 Cross-Patch . . . .115 A Melancholy Song 115 Amphion's Song of Eurydice . . . . . . . .116 Three Wise Men . . . . . . . . . .117 There Was an Old Man . . . „ .... 117 There Was an Old Woman . 118 Plato's Song . . . . . . . „ . . . 119 Se Saw . . .119 CONTENTS xvn Little Tom Tucker . Great A, Little A Se Saw, Sacar A Down Is John Smith within ? Shoe the Colt . High Diddle Diddle . Ride a Cock Horse There Was an Old Man Cock a Doodle Doo . Round About Hush a by Baby Jack and Jill There Were Two Birds Little Jack Horner . Pease Porridge Hot . Jack Sprat . Who Comes Here ? What Care I how Black I Tell Tale Tit . Three Children Sliding One, Two, Three Patty Cake, Patty Cake When I Was a Little Boy O My Kitten a Kitten be xviii CONTENTS PAGE Alexander's Song . . . . . . . . . -131 This Pig Went to Market . . . . . . . .132 A Long Tail'd Pig 132 Bow, Wow, Wow 132 Bah, Bah, Black Sheep ......... 133 Robin and Richard . . * 133 The Sow Came in with the Saddle . . . . . . .134 There Was an Old Woman 134 We're Three Brethren ......... 134 There Were Two Blackbirds ........ 135 Here's A, B, C 135 DlCKERY, DlCKERY DOCK 1 36 Boys and Girls 136 Up the Ladder ........... 136 Piping Hot, Smoking Hot 136 A Logical Song .137 III The Pleasant History of Little Jack Horner . . . .139 IV The Famous History of Tom Thumb . . . . . . .159 Notes 217 Htsit of Coloured plates; "The man all tattered and torn, who kissed the maiden all forlorn". "And the Dog bit the Pig, and the Pig jumped over the stile " ..... "When the Pie was opened The Birds began to sing " " Tom, Tom, the Piper's Son " "The Lion beat the Unicorn All around the Town ' ' "The Gray Goose she ran round the Hay Stack " 1 ' He began to bark so she began to cry " . "Said the Pieman to Simple Simon, ' Show me first your penny. ' " "Fee,Fo,Fi,Fum" " The King and Queen did eat thereof " "She had so many children She didn't know what to do " ' So he took up his hat and he wished them good night " ' The Knave of hearts, he stole those tarts " Frontispiece 12 16 20 22 28 36 40 42 44 48 50 54 xix xx LIST OF COLOURED PLATES PAGE " The clock struck one and the mouse ran down" ..... 56 " Yes marry , Sir, three bags full " ........ 60 ' ' Tweedle dee, Tweedle dee Said the Fiddlers three" . 68 " The little dog laughed to see such sport " ...... 74 ' ' Old Dame Trot with her basket of eggs He used his pipe and she used her legs " . ...... 78 "And Fired at a Duck And shot him through the head, head, head " . . . . . 82 " Cows in the cornfield, run, boys, run" ....... 106 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES AS COLLECTED FOR THE PERCY SOCIETY BY JAMES O'HALLIWELL, LONDON, 1842; TO WHICH ARE ADDED CERTAIN FAMILIAR NURSERY RHYMES USUALLY ASSOCIATES WITH MOTHER GOOSE 0lh Jfflotfjer imbbarb 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. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES She went to the joiner's To buy him a coffin, But when she came back The poor dog was a loffin. She took a clean dish To get him some tripe, But when she came back He was smoking a pipe. She went to the ale-house To get him some beer, But when she came back The dog sat in a chair. 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 a cat. She went to the barber's To buy him a wig, But when she came back He was dancing a jig. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES She went to the fruitter'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 cobler's To buy him some shoes, But when she came back He was reading the news. She went to the sempstress To buy him some linen, But when she came back The dog was spinning. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 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 curtsey, The dog made a bow, The dame said, " Your servant," The dog said, " Bow-wow." MISTRESS MARY, quite contrary, How does your garden grow ? With cockle shells, and silver bells, And pretty maids all a row. (A rainbow) PURPLE, yellow, red, and green, The king cannot reach it nor the Queen; Nor did old Noll whose power's so great. Tell me this riddle while I count eight. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES $oor 0lh IXobmston Crusloe POOR old Robinson Crusoe! Poor old Robinson Crusoe! They made him a coat, Of an old nanny goat, I wonder how they could do so! With a ring a ting tang, And a ring a ting tang, Poor old Robinson Crusoe! MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES THERE was an old woman had three sons, Jerry, and James, and John; Jerry was hung, and James was drowned, John was lost and never found, And there was an end of her three sons, Jen-y, and James, and John. THE King of France went up the hill, With twenty thousand men; The King of France came down the hill, And never went up again. PUSSY cat, pussy cat, where have you been? I've been to London to see the Queen. Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you there? I frightened a little mouse under the chair. 1 OVER the water, over the lee, Over the water to Charley- Charley loves good cake and ale, Charley loves good brandy, Charley loves a little girl As sweet as sugar candy. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES iv-^mumm Whtn 3 Wa* a ^atcfjeior WHEN I was a batchelor, I liv'd by myself, And all the bread and cheese I laid upon the shelf, The rats and the mice they made such a strife, I was forced to go to London to buy me a wife; The roads were so bad and the lanes were so narrow, I was forced to bring my wife home in a wheelbarrow. The wheelbarrow broke, and my wife had a fall; Deuce take wheelbarrow, wife, and all. LITTLE Jack Jingle, He used to live single; But when he got tired of that kind of life, He left off being single, and liv'd with his wife. 10 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 3 gab a Utttle Bog 1HAD a little dog, and his name was Blue Bell, I gave him some work, and he did it very well; I sent him upstairs to pick up a pin, He stepped in the coal-scuttle up to his chin; I sent him to the garden to pick up some sage, He tumbled down and fell in a rage; I sent him to the cellar to draw a pot of beer, He came up again, and said there was none there. 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. THE rose is red, the grass is green, Serve Queen Bess our noble Queen! Kitty the spinner Will sit down to dinner, And eat the legs of a frog: All good people Look over the steeple, And see the cat play with the dog. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES u fflp ©atrbp 3te Beab MY daddy is dead, but I can't tell you how; But he left me six horses to follow the plow: With my whim wham waddle ho! Strim stram straddle ho! Bubble ho! pretty boy, Over the brow. I sold my six horses to buy me a cow, And wasn't that a pretty thing to follow the plow? With my, &c. I sold my cow to buy me a calf, For I never made a bargain, but I lost the best half. With my, &c. I sold my calf to buy me a cat, To sit by the fire to warm her little back. With my, &c. I sold my cat to buy me a mouse, But she took fire in her tail, so burnt up my house. With my, &c. 12 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES GTJje (Bit ^oman anb ^er $tg AN old woman was sweeping her house, and she found a little crooked sixpence. " What," said she, " shall I do with this little sixpence ? I will go the market, and buy a little pig." As she was coming home, she came to a stile : but piggy would not go over the stile. She went a little further, and she met a dog. So she said to the dog : " Dog ! bite pig ; piggy won't go over the stile, and I shan't get home to-night." But the dog would not. She went a little further, and met a stick. So she said : " Stick stick ! beat dog ; dog won't bite pig ; piggy won't go over the stile ; and I can't get home to-night." But the stick would not. She went a little further, and she met a fire. So she said, " Fire ! fire ! burn stick ; stick won't beat dog ; dog won't bite pig," etc. But the fire would not. " She went a little further, and she met some water. So she said, " Water ! water ! quench fire ; fire won't burn stick ; stick won't beat dog ; dog won't bite pig," etc. But the water would not. She went a little further, and she met an ox. So she said, "Ox! ox! drink water; water won't quench fire; fire won't burn stick," etc. But the ox would not. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 13 She went a little further, and she met a butcher. So she said, " Butcher ! butcher ! kill ox ; ox won't drink water ; water won't quench," etc. But the butcher would not. She went a little further, and she met a rope. So she said, " Rope ! rope ! hang butcher ; butcher won't kill ox," etc. But the rope would not. She went a little further, and she met a rat. So she said, "Rat! rat! gnaw rope; rope won't hang butcher," etc. But the rat would not. She went a little further, and she met a cat. So she said, " Cat ! cat! kill rat; rat won't gnaw rope," etc. But the cat said to her, If you will got to yonder cow, and fetch me a saucer of milk, I will kill the rat." So away went the old woman to the cow. But the cow said to her, " If you will go to yonder haymaker and ask him to give you a handful of hay, I will give you the milk." So the old woman went, but the haymaker said to her, " If you jwill go to yonder stream and fetch us a bucket of water, I will give you the hay." So away went the old woman, but when she got to the stream, she found the bucket was full of holes. So she covered the bottom with pebbles, and then filled the bucket with water and away she went with it back to the haymakers, who gave her the hay, and she brought it to the cow. As soon as the cow had eaten the hay she gave the old woman the milk ; and away she went with a saucer of milk to the cat. H MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES As soon as the cat had lapped the milk, the cat began to kill the rat ; the rat began to gnaw the rope ; the rope began to hang the butcher ; the butcher began to kill the ox ; the ox began to drink the water ; the water began to quench the fire ; the fire began to burn the stick ; the stick began to beat the dog ; the dog began to bite the pig ; the little pig in a fright jumped over the stile ; and so the old woman got home that night. Yes marry, sir, three bags full." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i5 JLittk Jfltsfc Mniittt LITTLE Miss Muffett, Sat on a tuffet, Eating her curds and whey. There came a great spider, And sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Muffett away! [This is an older version.] LITTLE Miss Mopsey, Sat in the shopsey, Eating curds and whey; There came a little spider, Who sat down beside her, And frightened Miss Mopsey away ! 16 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES g>mg a g>ong of £§>txpente SING a song of sixpence, A pocket full of rye; Four-and-twenty blackbirds Baked in a pie; When the pie was opened, The birds began to sing; Was not that a dainty dish To set before a king? The king was in the counting-house Counting out his money; The queen was in the parlour Eating bread and honey; The maid was in the garden Hanging out her clothes, Up comes a little bird, And snaps off her nose. When the pie was opened, The birds began to sing." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 17 Come, &U §t ^rtsffe Poung: Patcfcelor* COME, all ye brisk young batchelors, That wish to have good wives; I'd have you be precautious, How you spend your lives. For women are as various, As the fish are in the sea; They're ten times more precarious, Than a winter or summer's day! When you first begin to court them, They're as mild as any dove, And you will think them Full worthy of your love; But when you do get married, The case is altered then; For you will find, my friend, They can let loose their tongues! Now Aristotle chose A most commodious wife, As ever was in this land, Sir, A partner for his life; 18 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But soon he found out That 'twas all a hum. You must not stay to pick them, But take them as they come! Blank or prize 'tis all a chance, Shut your eyes and then advance! Which e'er you touch be pleased at once, For you must pay, let who will dance. There was a victim in a cart, One day for to be hung; And his reprieve was granted, And the cart was made to stand: "Come marry a wife and save your life!" The judge aloud did cry. "Oh why should I corrupt my life?" The victim did reply; " For here's a crowd of every sort, And why should I prevent the sport? The bargain's bad in every part— The wife's the worst; drive on the cart!" * MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 19 Cfjere Wax a Croofeeb Jlan THERE was a crooked man, and he went a crooked mile, He found a crooked sixpence against a crooked stile; He bought a crooked cat, which caught a crooked mouse, And they all liv'd together in a little crooked house. LITTLE blue Betty lived in a den, She sold good ale to gentlemen: Gentlemen came every day, And little blue Betty hopp'd away. She hopp'd upstairs to make her bed, And she tumbled down and broke her head 20 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES &om, Worn, tije leper's; i^on 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! Cfje Jflan in tfje Moon THE man in the moon, Came tumbling down, And ask'd his way to Norwich. He went by the south, And burnt his mouth, With supping hot pease porridge. 3 ?|ab a TLittk Jffloppet 1HAD a little moppet, I put it in my pocket, And fed it with corn and hay; Then came a proud beggar, And swore he would have her, And stole my moppet away. " 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." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 21 ^om Jlarrieb a Witt TOM married a wife on Sunday, Beat her well on Monday, Bad she was on Tuesday, Middling she was on Wednesday, Worse was she on Thursday, Dead she was on Friday; Glad was Tom on Saturday night To bury his wife on Sunday. SOLOMON GRUNDY, Born on Monday, Christened on Tuesday, Married on Wednesday, Took ill on Thursday, Worse on Friday, Died on Saturday, Buried on Sunday; This is the end Of Solomon Grundy. 22 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Cfje Item anb tfje Unicorn THE lion and the unicorn, Were fighting for the crown; The lion beat the unicorn, All around the town. Some gave him white bread, Some gave him brown, Some gave him plum cake, And sent him out of town. Boctov Jfausitug DOCTOR FAUSTUS was a good man, He whipt his children now and then; When he whipp'd them he made them dance, Out of Scotland into France, Out of France into Spain, And then he whipp'd them back again. Hucp Hocfeet LUCY LOCKET lost her pocket, Kitty Fisher found it; Nothing in it, nothing in it, But the binding round it. The lion and the unicorn Were fighting for the crown; The lion beat the unicorn, All around the town. Some gave him white bread, Some gave him brown, Some gave him plum cake, And sent him out of town." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 23 pes&|> $£ell anb Jfflarp #rap BESSY BELL and Mary Gray, They were two bonnie lasses; They built their house upon the lea, And covered it with rushes. Bessy kept the garden gate, And Mary kept the pantry; Bessy always had to wait, While Mary lived in plenty. 3PU GTeU gem a g>torp I'LL tell you a story About Jack and Nory; And now my story's begun: I'll tell you another About his brother, And now my story's done. g>apg &aron to ifflo&g SAYS Aaron to Moses, " Let's cut off our noses ; " Says Moses to Aaron, " Tis the fashion to wear them." 24 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES &\ 1%/; • {?^v A 9 Mb, a Itfb kid, a kid, my father bought For two pieces of money: A kid, a kid. Then came the cat and ate the kid That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. Then came the dog and bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. Then came the staff and beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 25 Then came the fire and burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. Then came the water and quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. Then came the ox and drank the water That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. 26 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Then came the butcher and slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. -ST. Then came the angel of death and killed the butcher, That slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 27 Then came the Holy One, blessed is He ! And killed the angel of death, That killed the butcher, That slew the ox, That drank the water, That quenched the fire, That burned the staff, That beat the dog, That bit the cat, That ate the kid, That my father bought For two pieces of money : A kid, a kid. a. p, c. AB,C , Tumble down D. Cat's in the cupboard And can't see me. 28 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES €fje Jf ox anb Ste Witt THE fox and his wife they had a great strife, They never ate mustard in all their whole life; They ate their meat without fork or knife, And lov'd to be picking a bone, e-oh! The fox, jumped up on a moonlight night; The stars they were shining, and all things bright ; "Oho!" said the fox, "it's a very fine night, For me to go through the town, e-oh!" The fox, when he came to yonder stile, He lifted his lugs and listened a while! " Oh, oh! " said the fox, "it's but a short mile From this unto yonder wee town, e-oh!" The fox, he came to the farmer's gate, Who should he see but the farmer's drake; " I love you well for your master's sake, And long to be picking your bones, e-oh!" The gray goose she ran round the haystack, "Oh, oh!" said the fox, "you are very fat; You'll grease my beard and ride on my back, From this unto yonder wee town, e-oh!" MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 29 The farmer's wife she jump'd out of bed, And out of the window she popped her head! "Oh, husband! oh, husband! the geese are all dead, For the fox has been through the town, e-oh!" The farmer he loaded his pistol with lead, And shot the old rogue of a fox through the head; "Ah, ah!" said the farmer, "I think you're quite dead; And no more you'll trouble the town, e-oh!" fflp Ha&p Wiub MY lady Wind, my lady Wind, Went round about the house to find A chink to get her foot in; She tried the keyhole in the door, She tried the crevice in the floor, And drove the chimney soot in. And then one night, when it was dark, She blew up such a tiny spark, That all the house was pothered; From it she raised up such a flame, As flamed away to belting lane, And White Cross folks were smothered. And thus when once, my little dears, A whisper reaches itching ears, The same will come, you'll find; Take my advice, restrain the tongue, Remember what old nurse has sung Of busy lady Wind. 3Q MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES little fack Corner LITTLE Jack Horner sat in a corner, Eating a Christmas pie ; He put in his thumb, and took out a plum, And said, "What a brave boy am I!" 1HAD a little husband, No bigger than my thumb; I put him in a pint pot, And then I bade him drum; I bridled him, and saddled him, And sent him out of town: I gave him a pair of garters To tie up his hose; And a little silk handkerchief, To wipe his little nose. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 3i 1 46f m I . .-. .. ; W lm acjere ^as a Jollp Jfliller THERE was a jolly miller Lived on the river Dee : He worked and sung from morn till night, No lark so blithe as he. And this the burden of his song Forever used to be, — " I jump me jerrime jee ! I care for nobody,— no! not I, Since nobody cares for me." Motrin tjje Potrtmt ROBIN the Bobbin, the big-bellied Ben, He eat more meat than fourscore men; He eat a cow, he eat a calf, He eat a butcher and a half, He eat a church, he eat a steeple, He eat a priest and all the people. 32 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES _/SL W 3 Habp Hob'b a g>toine THERE was a lady lov'd a swine, "Honey," quoth she, "Pig, Hog, wilt thou be mine?" "Hoogh," quoth he. "I'll build thee a silver sty, Honey," quoth she; "And in it thou shalt lie," "Hoogh," quoth he. "Pinn'd with a silver pin, Honey," quoth she; " That you may go out and in," "Hoogh," quoth he. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 1 Wilt thou have me now, Honey?" quoth she; 'Hoogh, hough, hough," quoth he, And went his way. 33 TOMMY TROT, a man of law, Sold his bed and lay upon straw; Sold the straw and slept on grass, To buy his wife a looking-glass. Wyctt plmb Mtt THREE blind mice, the three blind mice. They all ran after the farmer's wife, Who cut off their tails with the carving-knife. 34 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Wait? Wax a Wzl&bman TAFFY was a Welschman, Taffy was a thief, Taffy came to my house, and stole a piece of beef : I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not at home; Taffy came to my house, and stole a marrow-bone. I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was not in; Taffy came to my house, and stole a silver pin; I went to Taffy's house, Taffy was in bed ; I took up a poker and flung it at his head. &t. Bunatan ST. DUNSTAN, as the story goes, Once pulled the devil by his nose, With red-hot tongs, which made him roar, That could be heard ten miles or more. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 35 Jttarp ^ab a pretty Pttb MARY had a pretty bird, Feathers bright and yellow, Slenderlegs— upon my word He was a pretty fellow. The sweetest note he always sung, Which much delighted Mary; She often where the cage was hung, Sat to hear her canary. GDfjere Wa& an 01b ^oman THERE was an old woman sat spinning, And that's the first beginning ; And she had a calf, And that's half ; She took it by the tail, And threw it over the wall, And that's all ! ^>ome Utttle Mitt SOME little mice sat in a barn to spin; Pussy came by, and she popped her head in: "Shall I come in and cut your threads off?" "Oh! no, kind sir, you will snap our heads off ! :: 36 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Qtfjere Wa& an ®lb Woman THERE was an old woman, as I've heard tell, She went to market her eggs for to sell; She went to market all on a market day, And she fell asleep on the king's highway. There came by a peddler whose name was Stout, He cut out her petticoats all round about; He cut her petticoats up to the knees, Which made the old woman shiver and freeze. When this little old woman first did wake, She began to shiver and she began to shake, She began to wonder and she began to cry, "Lauk a mercy on me, this is none of I!" "But if it be I, as I hope it be, I've a little dog at home, and he'll know me; If it be I, he'll wag his tail, And if it be not I, he'll loudly bark and wail!" Home went the little woman all in the dark, Up got the little dog, and he began to bark ; He began to bark, so she began to cry, " Lauk a mercy on me, this can't be I. " " He began to bark, so she began to cry, ' Lauk a mercy on me, this can't be I.' " MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 37 ®r. $ oater DR. FOSTER went to Gloucester, In a shower of rain, He stepped in a puddle up to his middle, And never went there again. OLD Dr. Foster went to Gloster, To preach the word of God; When he came there, he sat in a chair, And gave all the people a nod. 38 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES little 5 ennp Wun LITTLE Jenny Wren fell sick upon a time, When in came Robin Redbreast, and brought her bread and wine; "Eat, Jenny, drink, Jenny, all shall be thine!" Then Jenny she got better, and she stood upon her feet, And says to little Robin, "I love thee not a bit!" Then Robin he was angry and flew upon a twig, "Hoot upon thee, fie upon thee, ungrateful chit!" MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 39 Wi)t l^eb&mg of 3tnuy Wxtn SAYS Robin to Jenny, "If you will be mine, We'll have cherry tart, and drink currant wine." So Jenny consented— the day was nam'd, The joyful news the cock proclaim'd. Together came the Rook and Lark, One was the parson, the other clerk: The Goldfinch gave the bride away, Who promised always to obey. The feathered tenants of the air, Towards the feast gave each a share; Some brought grain, and some brought meat, Some brought savours, some brought sweet; And as it was most pleasant weather, The jovial party dined together, And long did Robin and his mate, Live in the happy married state. Till, doleful to relate! one day A Hawk with Jenny flew away, And Robin, by the cruel sparrow, Was shot quite dead with bow and arrow. ( ill! lirrfr 2&* 40 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Simple &tmon SIMPLE SIMON met a pieman, Going to the fair : Says Simple Simon to the pieman, " Let me taste your ware." Says the pieman to Simple Simon, " Shew me first your penny " ; Says Simple Simon to the pieman, " I have not got any." Simple Simon went to town, To buy a piece of meat : He tied it to his horse's tail To keep it clean and sweet. Simple Simon went out fishing, For to catch a whale : All the water he had got Was in his mother's pail. Simple Simon went to look If plums grew on a thistle ; He pricked his finger very much, Which made poor Simon whistle. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 41 jfyub a JBnb Bui) HUB a dub dub, Three men in a tub ; The butcher, the baker, The candlestick-maker They all fell out of a rotten potato JLittit %atk=a=1Banbp LITTLE Jack-a-Dandy, Loved plum cake and sugar-candy, He bought some at a grocer's shop, And out he came, hop, hop, hop. Mm, Song, Pell DING, dong, bell, Puss 's in the well ! Who put her in, Little Tommy Lin : Who pulled her out, Dog with a long snout ; What a trick was that, To drown my granny's cat, Who never did any harm, But catch the mice in the barn. 42 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ROBIN Hood, Robin Hood, Is in the mickle wood ! Little John, Little John, He to the town is gone. Robin Hood, Robin Hood, Is telling his beads, All in the green wood, Among the green weeds. Little John, Little John, If he comes no more, Robin Hood, Robin Hood, He will fret full sore ! Jfee, Jfie, Jf o Jf urn FEE, Fie, Fo Fum, I smell the blood of an Englishman, Be he alive or be he dead, I'll grind his bones to make my bread. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 43 Wfytvt &re Son #oing, Mv $rettp Jlmti? 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 father, my pretty maid ?" "My father's a farmer, sir," she said. "What is your fortune, my pretty maid ?" "My face is my fortune, sir," she said. "Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid !" "Nobody asked you, sir," she said. <&i) ee, g>ee! SEE, see ! what shall I see ? A horse's head where its tail should be. Htcfeetp, l&itkzty, ®ock ZICKETY, dickety, dock, The mouse ran up the clock; The clock struck one, Down the mouse run, Zickety, dickety, dock. [The later and familiar version.] ICKORY, dickory, dock The mouse ran up the clock ; The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory, dickory, dock. &ee a $tn SEE a pin and pick it up, All the day you'll have good luck ; See a pin and let it lay, Bad luck you'll have all the day. At. &tottf»n'g ®ap ST. SWITHIN'S day if thou dost rain, For forty days it will remain : St. Swithin's day if thou be fair, For forty days 'twill rain na mair. \ 1 " Hickory, dickory, dock, The mouse ran up the clock, The clock struck one, The mouse ran down, Hickory, dickory, dock." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 57 9 jfflan of Wotlte A MAN of words and not of deeds Is like a garden full of weeds ; And when the weeds begin to grow, It's like a garden full of snow ; And when the snow begins to fall, It's like a bird upon the wall ; And when the bird away does fly, It's an eagle in the sky ; And when the sky begins to roar, It's like a lion at the door ; And when the door begins to crack, It's like a stick across your back ; And when your back begins to smart, It's like a penknife in your heart ; And when your heart begins to bleed, You're dead, and dead, and dead indeed. & £s>toarm of pees; A SWARM of bees in May, Is worth a load of hay ; A swarm of bees in June, Is worth a silver spoon ; A swarm of bees in July, Is not worth a fly. 58 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ! GOOSY goosy gander ! Where shall I wander? Upstairs and downstairs, And in my lady's chamber ; There I met an old man, That would not say his prayers. I took him by the left leg, And threw him down stairs. (A rainbow) PURPLE, yellow, red, and green, The king cannot reach it nor the queen ; Nor did old Noll whose power's so great. Tell me this riddle while I count eight. (A candle) LITTLE Nancy Etticoat, In a white petticoat ; The longer she stands, The shorter she grows. L (A tongs) ONG legs, crooked thighs, Little head and no eyes. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 5 9 Etoo £egs g>at on Wfyxtz Hega TWO legs sat on three legs, With one leg in his lap ; In comes four legs, And runs away with one leg, Up jumps two legs, Catches up three legs, Throws it after four legs And makes him bring one leg back. AS I was going to sell my eggs, I met a man with bandy legs, Bandy legs and crooked toes, I tripped up his heels and he fell on his nose. 6o MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 3Baa, $£aa, JUacfc Sfjeep BAA, baa, Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes, marry, sir, three bags full, One for my master, one for the dame, One for the little boy that lives in the lane. T (Teeth and gums) HIRTY white horses on a red hill Now they tramp, now they champ, now they stand still. (Cherry) AS I went through the garden gap, Who should I meet but Dick Red-cap ! A stick in his hand, a stone in his throat. If you'll tell me this riddle, I'll give you a groat. PEASE-PORRIDGE hot, pease-porridge cold, Pease-porridge in the pot, nine days old. Spell me that in four letters. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 61 eiitabtti), Ctepetf) ELIZABETH, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess, They all went together to seek a bird's nest. They found one with five eggs in, They each took one, and left four in. Come, putter, Come COME, butter, come, Come, butter, come ! Peter stands at the gate Waiting for a butter cake ; Come, butter, come. 9* 3 Wax #oms to 6t. 3toe* AS I was going to St. Ives, I met a man with seven wives, Every wife had seven sacks, Every sack had seven cats, Every cat had seven kits ; Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, How many were going to St. Ives ? 62 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES W$txt W$& an <&lb ^oman THERE was an old woman toss'd up in a blanket, Ninety-nine times as high as the moon : But where she was going no mortal could tell, For under her arm she carried a broom. " Old woman, old woman, old woman," said I, ''- Whither, ah ! whither, whither, whither so high ? " Oh ! I'm sweeping the cobwebs off the sky, And I'll be with you by and by." G MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 63 #ap #0 WLp anb <§ap <§o Boton AY go up and gay go down, To ring the bells of London Town. Bull's eyes and targets, Say the bells of St. Marg'ret's. Brickbats and tiles, Say the bells of St. Giles. Halfpence and farthin's, Say the bells of St. Martin's. Oranges and lemons, Say the bells at St. Clement's. Pancakes and fritters, Say the bells at St. Peter's. Two sticks and an apple, Say the bells at Whitechapel. Old Father Baldpate, Say the slow bells at Aldgate. You owe me ten shillings, Say the bells at St. Helen's. When will you pay me ? Say the bells at Old Bailey. 64 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES When I shall grow rich, Say the bells at Shoreditsh. Pray, when will that be ? Say the bells at Stepney. I am sure I don't know, Says the great bell at Bow.' 4 Jlopg anb <§irte BOYS and girls, come out to play, The moon does shine as bright as day ; Leave your supper and leave your sleep, And come with your play-fellows into the street. Come with a whistle, come with a call, Come with a good will or not at all. Up the ladder and down the wall, A halfpenny roll will serve us all. You find milk and I'll find flour, And we'll have pudding in half an hour. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 65 #eter Wt)itt PETER White will never go right, And would you know the reason why ? He follows his nose Wherever he goes, And that stands all awry. 66 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES tyfytxt Watt an #lb ^oman THERE was an old woman of Surrey, Who was morn, noon, and night in a hurry; Called her husband a fool, Drove the children to school, The worrying old woman of Surrey. Jfflattfjeto, Jfflarfe, Hufee MATTHEW, Mark, Luke, and John, Bless the bed that I lye on ! And blessed guardian-angel keep Me safe from danger whilst I sleep ! #eorgte iPorgte GEORGIE PORGIE, pudding and pie, Kissed the girls and made them cry; When the girls came out to play, Georgie Porgie ran away. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 67 TLtt Wis <§o to tfje Woob& LET us go to the woods," says this little pig ; " What to do there ? " says that pig ; " To look for my mother," says this pig ; " What to do with her ? " says that pig ; " Kiss her to death," says this pig. Ismail, Strati SNAIL, snail, Come out of your hole, Or else I will beat you As black as a coal. RIDE a cock horse to Banbury cross, To see an old lady upon a white horse, Rings on her fingers, bells on her toes, She will have music wherever she goes. &nna Clfee ANNA ELISE, she jumped with surprise, The surprise was so quick, it played her a trick. The trick was so rare, she jumped in a chair ; The chair was so frail, she jumped in a pail ; The pail was so wet, she jumped in a net ; The net was so small, she jumped on the ball ; The ball was so round, she jumped on the ground ; And ever since then, she's been turning around. 68 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES <&lb Hmg Cole OLD King Cole Was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he ; And he called for his pipe, And he called for his glass, And he called for his fiddlers three. And every fiddler, he had a fine fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he ; " Tweedledee, tweedledee," said the fiddlers. Oh there's none so rare, As can compare, With King Cole and his fiddlers three. <&lb Hing Coel [Older Version.) OLD King Coel Was a merry old soul, And a merry old soul was he ; Old King Coel He sat in his hole, And called for his fiddlers three. And every fiddler, he had a fine fiddle, And a very fine fiddle had he ; " Tweedledee, tweedledee," said the fiddlers three. " Old King Cole Was a merry old soul." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 69 The first, he was a miller ; The second, he was a weaver ; The third, he was a tailor ; And all were rogues together. The miller, he stole corn ; The weaver, he stole yarn ; The little tailor stole broadcloth, To keep the three rogues warm. The miller was drown'd in his dam ; The weaver was hung in his loom ; And the devil ran away with the little tailor, With the broadcloth under his arm. HUSH-a-bye, baby, on the tree top, When the wind blows, the cradle will rock ; When the bough bends, the cradle will fall, Down will come baby, bough, cradle, and all. BYE, baby bunting Daddy's gone a hunting, To get a little hare's skin, To wrap a baby bunting in. 7° MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES tEfjere ^ere W^xtt fobtal l^etefjmen THERE were three jovial Welshmen, As I have heard them say, And they would go a-hunting Upon St. David's day. All the day they hunted, And nothing could they find, But a ship a-sailing, A-sailing with the wind. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 71 One said it was a ship, The other he said, nay ; The third said it was a house, And the chimney blown away. And all the night they hunted, And nothing could they find, But the moon a-gliding, A-gliding with the wind. One said it was the moon, The other he said, nay ; The third said it was a cheese, And half o't cut away. THIS little Pig went to market; This little Pig staid at home ; This little Pig had a bit of bread and butter ; This little Pig had none ; This little Pig said, " Wee, wee, wee ! I can't find my way home." [Later and familiar version.] This little Pig went to Market, This little Pig staid Home, This little Pig had roast Beef, This little Pig had none, This little Pig cried wee, wee, wee, I can't find my way home. 72 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ea Wtvt 0nt &ea IF all the sea were one sea, What a great sea that would be ! And if all the trees were one tree, What a great tree that would be ! And if all the axes were one axe, What a great axe that would be ! And if all the men were one man, What a great man that would be ! And if the great man took the great axe, And cut down the great tree, And let it fall into the great sea, What a splish splash that would be ! ! ! €ro*g=$atcf) CROSS-PATCH, Draw the latch, Sit by the fire and spin ; Take a cup, And drink it up, And call your neighbors in. OF all the gay birds that e'er I did see, The owl is the fairest by far to me ; For all the day long she sits on a tree, And when night comes away flies she. 82 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ®fjere Wa* a little jfflan \ THERE was a little man, And he had a little gun, And his bullets were made of lead, lead, lead. He went to a brook, And fired at a duck, And shot him through the head, head, head. He carried it home, To his old wife Joan, And bid her a fire for to make, make, make. To roast the little duck He 'd shot in the brook, And he'd go fetch the drake, drake, drake. The drake was a swimming, With his curly tail; The little man made his mark, mark, mark. He let off his gun, But he fir'd too soon, And the drake flew away with a quack, quack, quack. S>eegato SEESAW, Margery Daw, ) Jackey shall have a new master ; He shall have but a penny a day, Because he can't work any faster. 7T "And fired at a duck, And shot him through the head, head, head. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 83 HOW many miles is it to Babylon ? Threescore 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. &ori*=a=bpe, Pabp ROCK-A-BYE, baby, the cradle is green; Father's a nobleman, mother's a queen ; And Betty's a lady, and wears a gold ring ; And Johnny's a drummer, and drums for the king. 8 4 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ?|ous(e Cfcat Jack putlt THIS is the house that Jack built. This is the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the cow with a crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 85 This is the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with a crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, That worried the cat, That kill'd the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. This is the man all tatter' d and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with a 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 tatter'd and torn, That kissed the maiden all forlorn, That milked the cow with a crumpled horn, That tossed the dog, ^ J That worried the cat, That killed the rat, That ate the malt, That lay in the house that Jack built. 86 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES This is the cock that crow'd 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 a 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 cock that crow'd in the morn, That wak'd 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 a 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. labp Pirb, labp iStrb LADY bird, lady bird, fly away home, Your house is on fire, your children all gone, All but one, and her name was Ann, And she crept under the pudding pan. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 87 <0ne M&V JWofetp Jfflormng; ONE misty moisty morning, When cloudy was the weather, There I met an old man Clothed all in leather ; Clothed all in leather, With cap under his chin. How do you do, and how do you do. And how do you do again ? EabjKofc), Habp=coto LADY-COW, lady-cow, fly thy way home, Thy house is on fire, thy children all gone, All but one that lies under a stone, Fly thee home, lady-cow, ere it be gone. 88 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES little Pop Plue LITTLE BOY BLUE come, blow your horn ! The sheep's in the meadow, the cow's in the corn. Where's the little boy that looks after the sheep ? Under the haystack fast asleep. Cfje <&lb &oo£e anb %tx Coaling* THE old Goose lay on her deathbed, And to her Goslings three she said : " Brick houses build with roofs of tile, If you would thwart the Fox's guile." The youngest gosling, Gliss by name, To build no house of brick would aim. But had recourse to pine- wood base, And boxed him up a dwelling place. The Fox came prowling from the wood, Quoth he, " I smell my evening food, No meat is half so sweet to me, As tender gosling meat," quoth he. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 89 Then from the wood-build house he tore, Its helpless inmate, and him bore Unto the callous rocks and stones, And there devoured him body and bones. Then Gloss, the second Gosling said : " Give me no paltry wooden shed, With brick I'll build for my defense, And thatch my house to save expense." He thatched his house and in it lay. The Fox came down at break of day, With burning torch of birch-tree sprays, And set the straw roof all a-blaze. M And as his victim in the smoke, Went flying over the glades of oak, He followed him until he fell, Then ate him up in a tangly dell. And the third Gosling sad was he, His only name was Number Three, To whom there came a friendly Drake With " Tile your house all safe to make." He tiled his house all safe to make, And from the window, wide awake, Mocked at the Fox's wily prayer, " Oh ! come with me unto the fair." go MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But when the Fox had sneaked away, Then Number Three took heart to play, And gaily to the fair went he, The beast and beastesses for to see. And there, behind a wood-ware stand, He saw the Elephant so grand, Among whose goods he took a turn, And of him bought a bass-wood churn. Then homeward hied he merrily, till He spied the red Fox under the hill, When straight into the churn he slipped, And past old Reynard rolled and skipped. Next morn the hounds were on their game, And, hot with haste, old Reynard came, " Oh, hide me somewhere, quick," cried he ; " Get into my churn," said Number Three. And in the churn when him he'd got, He filled it with water, piping hot, "Oh! now," said he, "his tricks I've spoil'd," And he sat on the lid till the Fox was boil'd. " Dogs in the garden, catch 'em, Towser; Cows in the cornfield, run, boys, run; Cats in the cream-pot, run, girls, run; Fire on the mountain, run, boys, run." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 9i 9 Little Cock g>parroto A LITTLE cock sparrow sat on a green tree, And he chirruped, he chirruped, so merry was he; And a naughty boy came with a wee bow and arrow, Determined to shoot this little cock sparrow. "This little cock sparrow shall make me a stew, And his giblets shall make me a little pie too." "Oh, no!" said the sparrow, "I won't make a stew," And he flapped his wings and away he flew! O' 0lh ^oman, ®lb l^oman t LD woman, old woman, shall we go a shearing ? " " Speak a little louder, sir, I am very thick of hearing," "Old woman, old woman, shall I love you dearly ? " "Thank you, kind sir, I hear you very clearly." 9 2 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ^oMlebCoefe&ofrm? WHO killed Cock Robin ? " I," said the Sparrow, " With my bow and arrow, I kill'd Cock 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." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 93 Who'll make his shroud ? " I," said the beetle, " With my thread and needle, I'll make his shroud." Who shall dig his grave ? "I," said the Owl, "With my spade and showl, And I'll dig his grave. Who '11 be the parson ? " I," said the Rook, " With my little book, I'll be the parson." Who'll be the clerk i " I," said the Lark, " If it's not in the dark, I'll be the clerk." Who'll be chief mourner? " I," said the Dove, " Because I mourn for my love, I'll be chief mourner." Who'll bear the pall ? " We," said the Wren, Both the Cock and the Hen, " We'll bear the pall" 94 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Who'll sing a Psalm ? " I," said the Thrush, As he sat in the bush, " I'll sing a Psalm." Who'll toll the bell? " I," said the Bull, " Because I can pull, I'll toll the bell." All the birds in the air Fell to sighing and sobbing When they heard the bell toll For poor Cock F.obin. While the cruel Cock Sparrow, The cause of their grief, Was hung on a gibbet, Next day, like a thief. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 95 Wbt Jfibe pg* THIS Pig the eldest of the five Who with their Mother dwelt, And he a donkey used to drive, That had a shaggy pelt. As to the town he wended slow All on a market day, The donkey would no further go, But sat him down to bray. So Piggy took the harness off That aggravating elf, Dismiss'd him with a withering scoff And drew the cart himself. The second Pig a varlet fat, Remained at home and took Delight in dressing up the cat To imitate the cook. And sometimes, when his Mother went Abroad to see her kin, The varlet would indulge his bent, By drinking up her gin. 96 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES In consequence he lay half-dead, One evening in October, When she cold water on his head Poured until he was sober. The third Pig always had roast beef On Sunday for his dinner. He never caused his Mother grief Like the last mentioned sinner. Brave as a lion, too, was he ; One day he soundly thrashed A Bully-Pig who brutally A small Pig's hat had smashed. And then the little Pig he led Away from that Pig vile, And purchased for his ill-used head A hat of recent style. The fourth Pig through his whole career No roast beef ever had. In books he would not persevere, Which made his Mother sad. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 97 All day about the streets went he, And scattered orange-peel, Upsetting old pigs frequently, Who on it set a heel. Until a Police- Pig, Number Two, Him into a prison cast, And so this flagrant Pig unto, A bad end came at last. And now my pen (my pig-pen?) Unto the fifth Pig comes, He on the banjo loved to play, And partial was to drums. A linguist excellent was he, Likewise, and when addressed, In French, would promptly say, " Wee ! wee With manners self-possessed. P EG, Peg, with a wooden leg, Her father was a miller; He tossed the dumpling at her head, And said he could not kill her. 9 8 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES A CARRION Crow sat on an Oak, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, Watching a tailor make his cloak ; Sing heigh, sing ho, the carrion crow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do. Wife, bring me my old bent bow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, That I may shoot yon carrion crow; Sing heigh, sing ho, the carrion crow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do. The tailor he shot, but he missed his mark, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do, And shot the old sow quite through the heart ; Sing heigh, sing ho, the carrion crow, Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, hi ding do. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 99 LITTLE Tommy Grace Had a pain in his face, So bad that he could not learn a letter; When in came Dicky Long, Singing such a funny song, That Tommy laughed, and found his face much better. Utttie 3Tommp Hutktv LITTLE TOMMY TUCKER, Sing for your supper. What shall I sing? White bread and butter. How shall he cut it Without e'er a knife? How shall he marry Without e'er a wife ; IOO MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES QHjere Wast an ®tii Couple THERE was an old couple and they were poor, Fa la, fa la la lee! They lived in a house that had but one door ; " O! what a poor couple were they. The old man once he went far from home, Fa la, fa la la lee! The old woman afraid was to stay all alone, O! what a weak woman was she. The old man he came home at last, Fa la, fa la la lee! And found the windows all fast, "O! what is the matter?" quoth he. "O! I've been sick since you have been gone, Fa la, fa la la lee! If you'd been in the garden you'd heard me groan." "Q! I'm sorry for that," quoth he. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 101 "I have a request to make unto thee, Fa la, fa la la lee! To pluck me an apple from yonder tree " ; "Ay, that will I, many," quoth he. The old man tried to get up in the tree, Fa la, fa la la lee! But the ladder it fell, and down tumbled he; "That's cleverly done!" said she. Wfan 3 Wte a kittle $oy WHEN I was a little boy my mammy kept me in, But now I am a great boy I'm fit to serve the king ; I can hand a musket, and I can smoke a pipe, And I can kiss a pretty girl at twelve o'clock at night. &tbe a Cock ^ors(e IDE a cock horse, To Banbury Cross, To see what Tommy can buy ; A white penny loaf, A white penny cake, And a two-penny apple pie. Hark, ftarfe ARK, hark, The dogs do bark, The beggars are coming to town; Some in rags, Some in jags, And some in velvet gowns. R H 102 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES ,WVM>. 3 oim Cook JOHN COOK had a gray mare ; He, haw, hum! Her back stood up and her bones were bare ; He, haw, hum ! John Cook was riding up Shuter's bank ; He, haw, hum ! And there his nag did kick and prank; He, haw, hum! John Cook was riding up Shuter's hill; He, haw, hum! His mare fell down, and she made her will; He, haw, hum! The bridle and saddle were laid on the shelf; He, haw, hum! If you want any more you may sing it yourself; He, haw, hum! " The cat began to kill the rat; the rat began to gnaw the rope; the rope began to hang the butcher; the butcher began to kill the ox; the ox began to drink the water; the water began to quench the fire : the fire began to burn the stick; the stick began to beat the dog; the dog began to bite the pig ; the little pig in a fright jumped over the stile ; and so the old woman got home that night." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 103 L't-sjUIilumung Itoo Little Bogs TWO little dogs were basking in the cinders; Two cats were playing in the windows; When two little mice popped out of a hole, And up to a fine piece of cheese they stole. The two little dogs cried, "Cheese is nice!" But the two little cats jumped down in a trice, And cracked the bones of the two little mice. A (A well) S round as an apple, as deep as a cup, And all the king's horses can't pull it up. 104 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES JSaugfrtp Will? Pell NAUGHTY Willy Bell Fell into the well, Though Mamma told him not to move its cover; For this stubborn little elf Only chose to please himself. Looking in, he turned giddy, and fell over. But the gardener heard him shout, And with assistance got him out; You never saw a boy in such a mess; In future he will find, Mamma he'd better mind, Nor again ever cause her such distress. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES io5 pabes tn tije Woabtt MY dear, do you know, How a long time ago, Two poor little children, Whose names I don't know, Were stolen away on a fine summer's day And left in a wood, as I've heard people say. And when it was night So sad was their plight, The sun it went down And the moon gave no light! They sobbed and they sighed, and they bitterly cried, And the poor little things, they lay down and died. And when they were dead, The Robins so red Brought strawberry leaves And over them spread; io6 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES And all the day long They sang them this song; "Poor babes in the woods! poor babes in the woods! And don't you remember the babes in the woods?" ®og£ in tfje #arben DOGS in the garden, catch 'em, Towser ; Cows in the cornfield, run, boys, run; Cats in the cream-pot, run, girls, run; Fire on the mountain, run, boys, run. Jmmptp ©umptp HUMPTY DUMPTY sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall, All the King's horses and all the King's men Couldn't put Humpty Dumpty together again. [The ancient wording of the same.] (An egg) HUMPTY DUMPTY sat on a wall, Humpty Dumpty had a great fall ; Threescore men, and threescore more, Cannot place Humpty Dumpty as he was before. " Says the pieman to Simple Simon, ' Show me first your penny.' " MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 107 Wi)tn a GEtoteter QEtotetmg WHEN a twister twisting would twist him a twist, For twisting a twist three twists he will twist ; But if one of the twists untwists from the twist, The twist untwisting untwist the twist. Robert &otolep ROBERT ROWLEY rolled a round roll round, A round roll Robert Rowley rolled round ; Where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round. $eter ipper PETER PIPER picked a peck of pickled peppers ; A peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked ; If Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers, Where is the peck of pickled peppers Peter Piper picked. i>ot=Cro£& puns; HOT-CROSS Buns! Old woman runs! One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross Buns. If you have no daughters, Give them to your sons. One a penny, two a penny, Hot-cross Buns. II THE ORIGINAL MOTHER GOOSE MELODY AS ISSUED BY JOHN NEWBERY OF LONDON CIRCA 1760 AND ISAIAH THOMAS OF WORCESTER, MASSACHUSETTS CIRCA 1785 I09 no MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES preface " By a very Great Writer of very Little Books." MUCH might be said in favour of this collection, but as we have no room for critical disquisition we shall only observe to our readers that the custom of singing these songs and lullabies to children is of great antiquity. It is even as old as the time of the ancient Druids. Charactacus, King of the Britons, was rocked in his cradle in the Isle of Mona, now called Anglesea, and tuned to sleep by some of these soporiferous sonnets. As the best things, however, may be made ill use of, so this kind of composition has been employed in a satirical manner of which we have a remarkable instance so far back as the reign of King Henry V. ; when the great monarch turned his arms against France, he composed the preceding march to lead his troops to battle, well knowing that music had often the power of inspiring courage, especially in the minds of good men. Of this his enemies took advantage, and as our happy nation, even at this time, was never without a faction, some of the malcontents adopted the following words to the King's own march, in order to ridicule his majesty, and to show the folly and impossibility of his undertaking: There was an old woman toss'd in a blanket Seventeen times as high as the moon ; But where she was going no mortal could tell, For under her arm she carry'd a broom. Old woman, old woman, old woman, said I, Whither, ah whither, ah whither so high ? To sweep the cobwebs from the sky, And I'll be with you by and by. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES in Here the King is represented as an old woman engaged in a pursuit the most absurd and extravagant imaginable, but when he routed the whole French army at the Battle of Agincourt, taking their king and the flower of their nobility prisoners, and with ten thousand men only, made himself master of their kingdom, the very men who had ridiculed him before began to think nothing too arduous for him to surmount ; they therefore cancelled the former sonnet, they were now ashamed of, and substituted this in its stead, which you will be pleased to observe goes with the same tune : So vast is the prowess of Harry the Great, He'll pluck a hair from the pale fac'd moon; Or a lion familiarly take by the tooth, And lead him about as you lead a baboon. All princes and potentates under the sun, Through fear into corners and holes away run ; While no danger nor dread his swift progress retards For he deals with kingdoms as we do our cards. When this was shown to his majesty he smilingly said that folly always dealt in extra- vagancies, and that knaves sometimes put on the garb of fools to promote in that disguise their own wicked designs. "The flattery in the last, " says he, "is more insulting than the impudence of the first, and to weak minds might do more mischief; but we have the old proverb in our favor: 'If we do not natter ourselves, the flattery of others will never hurt us.'" We cannot conclude without observing, the great probability is that the custom of making nonsense verses in our schools was borrowed from the practice among the old British nurses ; they have indeed always been the first preceptors of the youths of this kingdom, and from them the rudiments of taste and learning are naturally derived. Let none therefore speak irreverently of this ancient maternity as they may be considered the great grand- mothers of science and knowledge. Note: — This is the preface in the Newbery Edition of Mother Goose Melody, written in London in 1765, and as far as is known is the first preface written for children's books. 112 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 9 Hobe H>cmg THERE was a little man Who wooed a little maid ; And he said, Little Maid, will you Wed, wed, wed? I have little more to say So will you aye or nay ? For the least said is soonest men-ded, Ded, ded. Then replied the little maid, Little Sir, you've little said To induce a little maid to Wed, wed, wed. You must say a little more, And produce a little ore, E'er I make a little print in your Bed, Bed, Bed. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 113 Then the little man reply'd, If you'll be my little bride, I'll raise my Love Notes a little Higher, higher, higher; Tho' my offers are not meet, Yet my little heart is great, With the little God of Love all on Fire, Fire, Fire. Then the little maid reply'd, Should I be your little bride, Pray what must we have for to Eat, eat, eat. Will the flame that you're so rich in Light a fire in the kitchen, Or the little God of Love turn the Spit, Spit, Spit ? Then the little man he sigh'd, And some say, a little cry'd, For his little Heart was big with Sorrow, Sorrow, Sorrow. As I am your little slave, If the little that I have Be too little, little we will Borrow, borrow, borrow. H4 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Then the little man so gent, Made the little maid relent, And set her little heart think-king King, king. Tho' his offer were but small, She took his little All, She could have but the cat and her skin, Skin, skin. Moral. He who borrows is another man's slave, and pawns his honour, his liberty, and sometimes his nose for payment. Learn to live on little and be independent. Patch on Prudence. 9 Btrge LITTLE BETTY WINCKLE she had a pig, It was a little pig not very big ; When he was alive he liv'd in clover, But now he is dead and that's all over ; Johnny Winckle, He Sate down and cry'd, Betty Winckle, She Laid down and dy'd ; So there was an end of one, two, and three, Johnny Winckle, He, Betty Winckle, She, And Piggie Wiggie. / Moral. A Dirge is a song made for the dead, but whether this was made for Betty Winckle or her pig, is uncertain, no notice being taken of it by Cambders, or any of the famous antiquarians. Wall's System of Sense MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES u5 <^ CROSS PATCH, draw the latch, Sit by the Fire and spin ; Take a cup and drink it up Then call your Neighbors in. A common case this, to call in our neighbors to rejoice when all the good things are gone. 9 jHelancjjolp ^>ong TRIP upon Trenchers, And dance upon Dishes, My Mother sent me for some Bawn, some Bawn : She bid me tread lightly, And come again quickly, For fear the young men should do me some Harm. n6 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Yet didn't you see Yet didn't you see What naughty tricks they put upon me ? They broke my Pitcher, And spilt the water, And huffed my Mother, And chid her daughter, And kissed my Sister instead of me. What a Succession of misfortunes befel this poor girl! But the last Circumstance was most affecting, and might have proved fatal. Winslow's View of Bath. &mpfnon'£ g>ong of Curpbice 1 WON'T be my Father's Jack, I won't be my Father's Gill, I won't be the Fiddler's wife, And will have musick when I will. T'other little Tune T'other little Tune. Prithee, Love, play me T'other little Tune. M^SJM. Those arts are the most valuable which are of the greatest use. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 117 THREE wise Men of Gotham They went to Sea in a Bowl. And if the Bowl had been Stronger My Song had been longer. It is long enough. Never lament the Loss of what is not Worth having. THERE was an old Man And he had a Calf, And that's Half ; He took him out of the Stall And put him on the Wall, And that's all. Boyle. Maxim. Those who are given to tell all they know generally tell more than they know. Ii8 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES : =e>" T "^HERE was an old Woman Liv'd under the Hill. She put a mouse in a Bag, And sent it to the Mill : The Miller did swear By the point of his Knife, He never took Toll Of a Mouse in his Life. The only instance of a Miller refusing Toll, and for which the Cat has just Cause of Com- plaint against him. Cake upon Littledog. T ^HERE was an Old Woman Liv'd under the Hill. And if she isn't gone She Lives there still. This is a self-evident proposition which is the very essence of truth, "She lived under the Hill, and if she is not gone She lives there still. " Nobody would presume to contradict this. Cr.eusa — Plato's. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 119 s*~- DING dong, Bell, The Cat is in the Well. Who put her in ? Little Johnny Green. What a naughty boy was that, To drown Poor Pussy Cat Who never did any Harm, And kill'd the Mice in his Father's Barn. Maxim. He that injures one threatens an Hundred. SE saw, Margery Daw, Jacky shall have a new Master ; Jacky must have but a Penny a Day Because he can work no faster. It is a mean and scandalous Practise in Authors to put notes to things that deserve none. 120 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES LITTLE Tom Tucker Sings for his Supper : What shall he eat ? White bread and Butter : How will he cut it, Without e'er a Knife ? How will he be married Without e'er a wife ? To be married without a Wife is a terrible Thing, and to be married with a bad Wife is some- thing Worse; however a good Wife that sings well is the best musical instrument in the World. PUSSENDORFF, S. E. GREAT A, little a, Bouncing B ; The Cat's in the Cupboard, And she can't see. Yes, she can see that you are naughty, and don't mind your Book. S. E. SE saw, sacar a down. Which is the Way to Boston Town ? One Foot up, the other Foot down, That is the Way to Boston Town. Or to any other Town upon the Face of the Earth. WlCKLIFF. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 121 IS John Smith within ? Yes, that he is. Can he set a shoe ? Aye, marry two. Here a Nail, and there a Nail, Tick, Tack, too. Maxim. Knowledge is a Treasure, but practise is the Key to it. SHOE the Colt, Shoe the Colt, Shoe the Wild Mare ; Here a Nail There a Nail, Yet She goes bare. Ay, ay. Drive the Nail when it will go; That's the Way of the World, and is the Methcx? mrsued by all our Financiers, Politicians, and Necromancers. Vattel. HIGH diddle, diddle, The Cat and the Fiddle, The Cow jump'd over the Moon ; The little Dog laugh'd To see such Craft, And the Dish ran away with the Spoon. It must be a very little Dog that laugh'd, for a great Dog would be ashamed to laugh at such nonsense. 122 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES IDE a Cock Horse To Banbury Cross, To see what Tommy can buy ; A Penny White Loaf, A penny White Cake, And a Two Penny Apple Pye. There's a good Boy, eat up your Pye and hold your Tongue; for Silence is the sign of Wisdom. THERE was an old Man In a Velvet Coat, He kissed a Maid And gave her a Groat ; The Groat it was cracked, And would not go, Ah ! old Man, d'you serve me so ? If a Coat be ever so fine thae a Fool wears, it is still a Fool's Coat. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 123 c OCK a doodle doo, My Dame has lost her Shoe, ')/Jj| My Master's lost his Fiddle Stick And knows not what to do. The Cocks crows us up early in the Morning, that we may work for our Bread, and not live upon Charity, or upon Trust; for he who lives upon Charity shall be often affronted, and he that lives upon Trust shall pay double. ROUND about, round about, Magotty Pye : My Father loves good Ale And so do I. Maxim. Evil Company makes Good bad and Bad worse. HUSH a by Baby On the Tree Top, When the Wind blows The Cradle will rock. When the Bough breaks The Cradle will fall, Down tumbles baby Cradle and all. This may serve as a Warning to the Proud and Ambitious, who climb so high that they gener- U7 fall at last. Maxim. Content turns all it touches into Gold. 124 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES JACK and Gill, Went up the Hill, To fetch a Pail of Water ; Jack fell down And broke his Crown And Gill came tumbling after. Maxim. The more you think of dying the better you will live. Aristotle. THERE were two Birds sat on a Stone, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de. One flew away, and then there was one, Fa, la, la, la, lal, de. The other flew after, and then there was none, Fa, la, la, la, la, lal, de. And so the poor Stone was left all alone, x^. Fa, la, la, la, lal, de. This may serve as a Chapter of Consequences in the next new Book of Logick. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 125 LITTLE Jack Horner Sat in a Corner, Eating a Christmas Pye ; He Put in his Thumb, And pull'd out a Plumb, Crying, what a great Boy was I ? Tack was a Boy of excellent Taste as should appear by his pulling out a Plumb; it is therefore apposed that his Father apprentised him to a mince-Pye maker that he might improve his ftste from year to year. PEASE Porridge hot, Pease Porridge Cold, Pease Porridge in the Pot Nine Days old, Spell me that in four Letters ? I will. T-h-a-t. The poor are seldomer sick for Want of Food, than the Rich are by the excess of it. 126 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES JACK SPRAT could eat no Fat His Wife could eat no Lean; And so betwixt them both, They licked the Platter clean. Maxim. Better go to Bed supperless, than rise in Debt. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 127 Who Comes ^ete ? WHO comes here ? A Grenadier. What do you want ? A Pot of Beer. Where is your Money ? I've forgot. Get you gone You drunken Sot. Intemperance is attended with Disease, and Idleness with Poverty. w HAT Care I how black I be, Twenty pounds will marry me ; If Twenty won't, Forty shall, I am my Mother's bouncing Girl. If we don't flatter ourselves, the Flattery of others would have no effect. 128 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES TELL tale Tit, Your Tongue shall be slit, And all the Dogs in our Town Shall have a wee bit. Maxim. Point not at the Faults of others with a foul Finger. THREE Children sliding on the Ice Upon a Summer's Day As it fell out they all fell in, The rest they ran away. Oh ! had these Children been at School Or sliding on dry Ground, Ten Thousand Pounds to one Penny They had not then been drowned. Ye Parents who have Children dear, And eke ye that have none, If you would keep them safe abroad Pray keep them safe at home. There is something so Melancholy in this Song, that it has occasioned many People not to weep. It is almost in keeping with the Tune which John whistles to his Horses. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 129 PATTY Cake, Patty Cake, Baker's Man; That I will, Master, As fast as I can; Prick it and prick it, And mark it with T, And there will be enough For Jacky and me. Maxim. The surest Way to gain our Ends is to moderate our Desires. ONE, two, three Four and five, I caught a Hare alive; Six, seven, eight, Nine and ten, I let him go again. Maxim. We may be as good as we please, if we please to be good. 130 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES WHEN I was a little boy I liv'd by myself, And all the Bread And Cheese I got I laid upon the shelf : The Rats and the Mice They made such a Strofe, That I was forc'd to go to Town And buy me a Wife. The Streets were so broad, The Lanes were so narrow, I was forc'd to bring my Wife home In a Wheelbarrow ; The Wheelbarrow broke ; And my Wife had a Fall Farewell Wheelbarrow, Wife and all. Provide against the Worst, and Hope for the Best. Mother GOOSE'S melody. 49 50 Mother COOSE's Melody. p. PATTY Cake, Patty Cake, baker's Man ; That I will Mailer, As faft as I can ; Prick it and prick it, And mark it with a T, And there will be enough For Jfo-chy and mc. Maxim, The Cured Way to gain oui End» is to mod- crate our t)cfires. D WHEN WHEN I was a little Boy 1 had but liule Wit, 'Tis a long Time ago, And I have no more yet , Nor ever, ever fhall, Until thai I die, For the longer I live, The more Fool am I. Maxim. He that will be hit own Mater, haa often a WHEN fool for his Scholar. Mother GOOSE's Melody. 51 WHEN I was a little Boy I liv'd by myfclf, And all the Bread And Cheefe I got I laid upon the Shelf ; The Rats and the Mice They made fuch a Strife, That I was fore'd to go to Town And buy me a Wife. II. The Streets were fo broad, The Lanes were fo narrow, I was 52 Mother GOOSE's Melooy. I" was fore'd to bring my Wife home In a Wheelbarrow ; The Wheelbarrow broke ; And my Wife had a Fall. FareWel Wheelbarrow, Wife and all. Maxim. Provide agaimft the woift, and hope for the be*. tart Facsimile of Original Mother Goose o MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 131 MY Kitten a Kitten, And oh ! my Kitten, my Deary, Such a sweet puss as this There is not far nor neary ; There we go up, up, up, Here we go down, down, down, Here we go backwards and forwards, And here we go round, round, round. Maxim. Idleness hath no Advocate, but many Friends. &lexanber's ^>cmg THERE was a man of Thessaly And he was wondrous wise, He jump'd into a quick set Hedge, And scratch'd out both his eyes : And when he saw his eyes were out, With all his might and Main He jump'd into another Hedge, And scratched them in again. How happy it was for the Man to scratch his Eyes in again when they were scratched out ! But he was a Blockhead, or he would have kept himself out of the Hedge and not been scratched at all. " V " V|imiii 4 J P * 1 132 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES T ^HIS Pig went to Market ; That Pig staid at Home ; This Pig had roast Meat, That Pig had none ; This Pig went to the Barn door And cry'd week, week, for more. Maxim. If we do not govern our Passions, our Passions will govern us. ALONG tail'd Pig, or a short tail'd Pig, Or a Pig without any Tail. A Sow Pig, or a Boar Pig, Or a Pig with a curling Tail, Take hold of his Tail and eat off his Head ; And then you'll be sure the Pig Hog is dead. BOW, wow, wow, Whose Dog art thou ? Little Tom Tinker's Dog, Bow, wow, wow. Tom Tinker's Dog is a very good Dog; and an honester Dog than his Master. " The gray goose she ran round the haystack, ' Oh, oh! ' said the fox, ' you are very fat.' " Mother GOOSE'S Melody. 57 ALONG tail'd Pig, or a fhort tail'd Pig, Or a Pig without any Tail •, A Sow Pig, or a Boar Pig, Or a Pig with a curling Tail. Take hold of the Tail and eat off his Head ; And then you'll be fure the Pig hog is dead. CESAR'S 58 Mother COOSE's Melody, CiESAR'a SONC. BOW, wow, wow, Whofe Dog art thou ? Little Tom Tinker' ^Dogy JBow, wow, wow. Tm Tinkcr't Dog is a very good Dog, and an. hon titer Dog thali his*Mafter t BAH, Mother GOOSE'S Melody. 59 60 Mother GOOSE's Melody. BAH, bah, black Sheep, Have you any Wool ? Yes, marry have I, Three Bags full ; One for my matter, One for my Dame, But none for the little Boy Who cries in the Lane, Maxim, Bad Hsbira useafieT con^uored Toong, or tJje Conjuror's; IXeasion for Mot letting jHonep IWOU'D, if I Cou'd, If I cou'dn't how cou'd I ? I Cou'dn't, without I cou'd, cou'd I ? Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye ? Cou'dn't ye, cou'd ye ? Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye ? Note. This is a new way of handling an old Argument, said to be invented by a famous Senator; but it has something in it of Gothick Construction. Sanderson. Ill THE PLEASANT HISTORY OF LITTLE JACK HORNER CONTAINING HIS WITTY TRICKS AND PLEASANT PRANKS WHICH HE PLATED FROM HIS YOUTH TO HIS RIPER YEARS 139 140 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Stye fttatorp of little STatfe Corner [Of his birth, and education.] JACK HORNER was a pretty lad, near London did he dwell, His father's heart he made full glad, his mother loved him well. She often sat him on her lap, for fear of cold beneath, And fed him with sweet sugar-pap because he had no teeth. While little Jack was sweet and young, if he by chance did cry, His mother pretty sonnets sung, with lulla-baby-by. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 141 A pretty boy, a curious wit, all people spoke his praise, And in the corner he would sit on Christmas holidays. And said Jack Horner in the corner, eats good Christmas pye ; With his thumbs pulls out the plums, crying what a good boy was I. These pretty verses which he made upon his Christmas cheer. Did gain him love, as it is said, of all both far and near ; For lasses loved his company, each day above another ; For why ? they knew that he would be a man before his mother, He grew, I say, at any rate both proper, straight, and trim, So that young Nancy, Sue, and Kate, were all in love with him. Happy was she that could enjoy from him one kind embrace ; Though once he was a little bob, yet now he grew apace. 142 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES So few were like him far and near, and match for him was none ; As being thirteen inches high, a giant to Tom Thumb. Whene'er he took a sword in hand, he made his foes to bleed, As you shall come to understand, when you this history read. JACK FRIGHTS A TAYLER FOR CABBAGING CLOATH OUT OF HIS COAT Jack being twenty years of age, liv'd with a worthy knight, In manner of a pretty page, to yield him such delight. The knight right generous and free, did for a tayler send, For to make Jack a livery, so much he was his friend. Of half a yard of good broad cloth the coat was to be made, But the tayler he was loth to quit his thievish trade. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 143 The knavish tayler was to blame, (a crafty cunning wag,) He pinch'd as much out of the same as made a marble bag. His coat was spoil'd then being made, it came not to his knee : Jack in a raging passion said, I'll be revenged on thee. The knight he having kill'd a goat, . whose skin was full as black I do declare as any soot ; this project pleased Jack. He wrapt it round him like a gown at twelve o'clock at night, And then he rambled thro' the town, this tayler to affright. He through a window did advance, near to the tayler 's bed ; And round the room did skip and dance with horns upon his head. He growl'd and grumbled like a bear, and did such anticks play ; As made the tayler then to stare, and tremble where he lay. 144 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Seeing the horns hang o'er his head, his body short and thick, The tayler said, speak, who art thou ? quoth Jack, thy friend, old Nick : Thou hast obey'd my order well I find in each degree : And therefore in my gloomy cell, I have a place for thee. For you have been a friend indeed, I such a tayler lack : Therefore come away with speed, I'll bear thee on my back : Sweet Mr. Devil then he cry'd, O pardon me, I pray ; I can't, I won't, he then reply'd, make haste and come away. The tayler naked to the skin, his bed he did refrain, And down the town thro' thick and thin, he ran with might and main. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i 4 5 HOW HE SERVED THE COOK-MAID, WHO BROKE HIS HEAD WITH A LADLE FOR MAKING A SOP IN THE DRIPPING Another pleasant prank he play'd upon a holiday, Unto his master's servant maid, which was a bloody fray. Now she was lusty Jane by name, and was their constant cook : And when he to the kitchen came, she would him overlook. Upon a certain day young Jack a slice of bread did take, And threw it in the dripping-pan, that he a sop did make. So soon as she the same did see, it put her in a rage, And with the basting ladle she Jack Horner did engage. She gave him cracks upon the crown so hard and struck so fast, That he at length did tumble down, and gasping at the last. But though he did at first retreat, he soon returned again ; For standing fast upon his feet, he fought with might and main. i 4 6 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES He was but thirteen inches high, and she full six times more, Yet, by his ingenuity, he brought her to the floor. So cruel hard he made her roar, she cry'd, " Let me alone, And I will ne'er offend thee more, Jack, while my name is Joan." Why, then, said Jack, if it be so, that you'll not me offend, I will this minute let you go, and so the fray did end. AN OLD HERMIT GIVES JACK AN INVISIBLE COAT AND A PAIR OF ENCHANTED PIPES, WITH WHICH HE PLAYS MANY TRICKS Upon a pleasant holiday, Jack, going to the fair, And as he passed along the way, he saw a wonder there ; An aged man sat in a cave, that could not stand nor go, His head wore blossoms of the grave, and looked as white as snow. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 147 He call'd to Jack, and this did say, come hither lad to me, And if thou dost my will obey, rewarded thou shalt be. Bring me a fairing from the town, at thy own proper cost, A jug of snappy liquor brown, thy labour shan't be lost. Jack made the hermit this reply, who then sat in the cell, What's your request I'll not deny, and so old dad farewell. At night he being stout and strong this lad he did not fail, But at his back lugged along a swinging jug of ale. Which when the hermit he beheld, it pleas'd him to the heart, Out of the same a cup he fill'd, and said, before we part I have a pipe which I'll bestow upon you— never doubt, Whoever hears the same you blow, shall dance and skip about. 148 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES I have a coat for thee likewise, invisible I mean ; And it shall so bedim their eyes, that thou shalt not be seen : If thou should with an hundred meet when thus you pass along, Although upon the open street, not one of all the throng Shall ever see you in the least, but hear the music sound ; And wonder that both man and beast is forc'd to dance around. Jack took the coat and bag-pipes too, and thankfully did say, Old father I will call on you, whene'er I come this way. OF HIS MAKING SIX FIDDLERS DANCE OVER HEDGE AND DITCH TILL THEY BROKE ALL THEIR GLASSES AND CROWDS This coat and pipe he having got, he homewards trudg'd with speed ; At length it was his happy lot to cross a pleasant mead ; MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 149 Where he six fiddlers soon espy'd returning from the fair ; Under their coats crowds by their sides, with many others there. Jack presently his coat put on, that screen'd him from their sight, Saying I'll do the best I can to plague them all this night ; His pipes he straight began to play, the crowders they did dance ; The tradesmen too, as fast as they, did caper, skip and prance. Still he played up a merry strain on his pipes loud and shrill, So they danced and jump'd amain, tho sore against their will. Said they this is enchanted ground, for though no soul we see, Yet still the music's pleasant sound makes us dance veh'mently. i5o MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Jack Horner danc'd and piping went, straight down into the hollow, So all these dancers by consent, they after him did follow. He led them on thro' bogs and sloughs, nay, likewise ponds and ditches, And in the thorny briary boughs, poor rogues, they tore their breeches ! At last it being somewhat late, Jack did his piping leave, So ceas'd, seeing their wretched state which made them sigh and grieve, Sure this same is old Nick, I know, the author of this evil : And others cry'd if it be so, he is a merry devil. Jack Horner laugh'd and went away, and left them in despair : So ever since that very day, no crowders would come there. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i5i JACK'S KINDNESS TO THE INNKEEPER, WHO HE PUTS IN THE WAY TO PAY HIS DEBTS An honest man, an innkeeper a friend to honest Jack, Who was in his debt alas ! so far that he was like to crack ; Now this man had a handsome wife, sweet fair and beauteous too— A Quaker lov'd her as his life, And this Jack Horner knew. The Quaker was an esquire born, and did in wealth abound : Said he, I'll catch him in the corn, and put him in the pond. First to the innkeeper I'll go, and when I do him find, He soon shall understand and know that I'll be true and kind. He met him in a narrow lane, and said, my friend, good morrow. But the innkeeper reply'd again, my heart is full of sorrow. 1 52 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Two hundred pounds I am in debt, which I must pay next week, It makes me sigh, lament, and fret having the coin to seek. Quoth Jack, if you'll be rul'd by me I'll put you in the way, How you yourself from debt may free and all your money pay. Nay, this is joyful news he cry'd, thou art a friend indeed, Thy wit shall be my rule and guide for never more was need, Go tell thy loving wife said he thy joy and heart's delight, That thou must ride miles forty-three and shan't come to night. Then mind the counsel I shall give, and be no whit afraid ; For I can tell you as I live your debts will soon be paid. Mount thy bay nag, and take my cloak, likewise thy morning gown ; And lodge within a hollow oak a mile or two from town. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 153 Then you may sleep in sweet content the like ne'er seen before ; Which shall produce a sum of gold, nay, likewise silver store. Unto his house straightway he went, and told her he must go A journey, saying, be content, for why it must be so. She seemingly began to weep, and with sad sighs reply'd— You know, alas ! I cannot sleep without you by my side. Cries he, kind wife, do not repine, why should you sigh and grieve? I go out to a friend of mine some money to receive. When came the morn, he did return, and laughing kissed her twice. He said he had the great sum earn'd Which she tho't was quite nice. With it right soon, the debt was paid, they were happy ever more ; I thank you, Jack, was what he said, I'm happier than ever before. 1 54 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES JACK SLAYS A MONSTROUS GIANT, AND MARRIES A KNIGHT'S DAUGHTER Jack Horner a fierce giant kill'd, one galligantus stout, As large as ever man beheld in all the world throughout. This very giant could with ease, step fifteen yards in length : Up by the roots he pluck'd oak trees, so mighty was his strength. His lips did open like two gates, his beard hung down like wire, His eyes were like two pewter plates, he breathed smoke and fire. 'Tis said that he destroy'd as much as ten score men could eat ; So that the people did him grudge every bit of meet. His mess was still continually two bullocks in a dish ; Then he could drink whole rivers dry, and thus he starved the fish. He went to drink it seems one day by a deep river side, Whereat a lighter full of straw did then at anchor ride ; MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i55 Besides another full of hay ; a third with block and billet ; He cramm'd all these into his maw, and yet they did not fill it. He did annoy the nations then, by night and eke by day ; Whoever passed by his den, became his fatal pray, Hard by these liv'd a noble knight, who had one daughter dear ; For youth and splendid beauty bright but few could come her near. He preferr'd her to be the wife, of him that could destroy, - The bruitish cruel giant's life, who did them so annoy. At length Jack Horner being told, Whoever did him slay, Might have gold and silver eke, likewise a lady gay. Quoth Jack, now let me live or die, I'll fight this swinging boar ; Though I'm but thirteen inches high, and he ten yards and more. 1 56 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES A sword he got five inches long, a little cap of steel. A breastplate too both stout and strong, quoth Jack, I'll make him reel. Upon a badger's back he got, in order to proceed ; Thus being mounted cap-a-pie, away he rode full speed. With double courage stout and brave, he did his valour keep : Then coming to the giant's cave, he found him fast asleep. His mouth it was not open wide, but stood it seems half-cock, Jack down his throat with speed did ride, he never stood to knock. Jack cut and lash'd his swinging tripes, this grieved the giant sore ; Then did he play upon his pipes, which made him dance and roar. He cry'd, I dance, yet I'm not well, there's no man minds my moan : At length he died and down he fell, then gave a hideous groan. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES With that he soon with speed did run, and did in brief declare, What by his valour he had done, and gain'd his lady fair. He marr'd this fair beauty bright, her charms he did admire ; And since her father was a knight, young Jack became a squire. i5 7 IV THE FAMOUS HISTORY OF TOM THUMB WHEREIN IS DECLARED THE MERRY PRANKS HE PLAIED IN HIS CHILDHOOD AND HIS MARVEL- LOUS ACTS OF MANHOOD FULL OF WONDERFUL MERRIMENT Printed and sold in the Aldermary church-yard, London (About 1719) 159 160 MOTHER GOOES MELODISE %%t Jfirstf $art of tije Me of ®om Gflfmmti Of the Parentage, Birth, and Education of Tom Thumb; with the merry pranks he plated in his childhood. IN Arthur's court Tom Thumb did live A Man of mickle might, Who was the best of the table round And eke a worthy Knight. In nature but an inch in height, Or quarter of a span ; How think you that this valiant Knight Was proved a valiant man. His father was a ploughman plain, His mother milked the cow, And yet the way to get a son This couple knew not how. Until the time the good old man To learned Merlin goes, And there to him in deep distress, In secret manner shews, MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 161 How in his heart he'd wish'd to have A child in time to come, To be his heir, though it might be No bigger than his thumb. Of this old Merlin then foretold, How he his wish should have ; And so a son of stature small, This charmer to him gave. No blood nor bones in him should be, His shape it being such That he should hear him speak, but not His wandering shadow touch. But so unseen to overcome, Whereat it pleased him well, Merlin spoke, and in half an hour The boy 'riv'd fitt'd to his will. And in four minutes grew so fast, That he became so tall As was the plowman's thumb in length, And so he did him call Tom Thumb, the which the Fairy Queen Did give him to his name, Who with her train of goblins grim Unto the christening came. 1 62 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES When so they cloth'd him fine and gay, In garments rich and fair ; The which did serve him many years In seemly sort to wear. His cloak made of the oaken leaf, His shirt a spider's webb, Both light and soft for his fine limbs, Which were so smally bred. His hose and doublet thistle down, Together weav'd full fine, And stockings of the apple gren Made of the outer rhine. His garters were two little hairs Pluck'd from his mother's eyes ; His shoes made of a mouse's skin, And tann'd most curiously. Thus like a valiant gallant he Adventured forth to go With other children in the street His pretty pranks to show. Where for the counters, pins, and points And cherry stones did play, Till he among the gamestrees young Had lost his stock away. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 163 Yet he could soon the fame renew, When as most nimbly he Would dive into the cherry bags And there partaker be. Unseen, unfelt by any one, Until a scholar shut The nimble youth into a box Wherein his pins were put. Of whom to be reveng'd he took In mirth and pleasant game, Black pots and glasses, which he hung Upon a light sun beam. The other boys did do the same. In pieces tore him quite, For which they were severely whipt. At which he laugh'd outright. And so Tom Thumb restrained was From this his sport and play, And by his mother after that Compell'd at home to stay. Whereas about the Christmas time, His mother a hog had kill'd, And Tom would see the pudding made, For fear it should be spoild. 1 64 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES OF TOM'S FALLING INTO THE PUDDING BOWL AND OF HIS ESCAPE OUT OF THE TINKER'S BUDGET He sat the candle for to light Upon the pudding bowl, Of which there is unto this day A pretty story told. For Tom fell in, and could not be For sometime after found, For in the blood and batter he Was lost and almost drown'd. And she not knowing of the same, Directly after that, Into the pudding stir'd her son Instead of mincing fat. Now this pudding of the largest size, Into the kettle thrown, Made all the rest to jump about As with a whirlwind blown. But so it tumbled up and down Within the liquor there, As if the devil had been boil'd, Such was the mother's fear That she took up the pudding strait ; And gave it at the door Unto a Tinker, which from thence He in his budget bore. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i65 But as the Tinker clim'd the style, He chanc'd to let a crack, Now good old man, cry'd Tom Thumb, Still hanging on his back. At which the Tinker began to run And would no longer stay, But cast both and pudding too, Over the hedge away. From whence poor Tom got loose at last, At home return 'd again, And he from great danger long In safety did remain. Until such time his mother went A milking of her kine, Where Tom unto a thistle fast She linked with a line. TOM CARRIED AWAY BY A RAVEN AND SWALLOWED UP BY A GIANT WITH SEVERAL OTHER STRANGE ACCIDENTS THAT BEFEL HIM Now after this in sowing time His father would him have Into the field to drive the plow, And therewithal him gave. A whip made of a barley straw, For him to drive the cattle on ; There in the furrow' d land new sown, Poor Tom was lost and gone. 1 66 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Now by a raven of great strength, Away poor Tom was borne, And carried in the carrion's beak, Just like a grain of corn. Unto a giant's castle top, Wherein he let him fall. And soon the giant swallowed up His body, cloaths and all. But in his belly did Tom Thumb So great a rumbling make, That neither night nor day he could The smallest quiet take. Until the giant him had spew'd Full three miles in the sea ; There a large fish soon took him up And bore him hence away. The lusty fish was after caught And to King Arthur sent Where Tom was kept, being a dwarf, Until his time was spent. Long time he liv'd in jolity Beloved of the court, And none like Tom was so esteem'd Amongst the better sort. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 167 TOM THUMB BY THE COMMAND OF KING ARTHUR DANCED A GALLIARD UPON THE QUEEN'S LEFT HAND Among the deeds of courtship done, His Highness did command That he should dance the galliard brave Upon the Queen's left hand. All which he did and for the same Our King his signet gave, Which Tom about his middle wore Long time a girdle brave. Beheld it was a rich reward, And given by the King Which to his praise and worthiness Did lasting honour bring. For while he lived in the court, His pleasant pranks were seen, And he according to report, Was favour'd by the Queen. 168 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES HE RIDES A HUNTING WITH THE KING Now after that the King he would Abroad for pleasure go, Yet stil Tom Thumb must be with him Plac'd on his saddle bow. And on a time when as it rain'd, Tom Thumb most nimbly crept Into his button-hole, where he All in his bosom slept. And being near his Highness' heart Did crave a wealthy boon ; A noble gift the which the King Commanded should be done. For to relieve his father's wants, And mother's, Deing old ; It was as much of silver coin As well his arms could hold. And so away goes lucky Tom, With three pence on his back ; A heavy burden which did make His very bones to crack. So travelling two days and a night In labour and great pain, He came into the house whereat His parents did remain. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 169 Which was but half a mile in space, From good King Arthur's court, All this in sight. And forty hours He went in weary sort. But coming to his father's door, He there such entrance had, As made his parents both rejoice And he thereat was glad. So his mother in her apron put Her gentle son in haste, And by the fireside, within A walnut shell him plac'd. And then they feasted him three days Upon a hazel nut, On which he rioted for long And them to charges put. And thereupon grew wonderous sick In eating so much meat, That was sufficient for a month For this great man to eat. So when his business call'd him forth King Arthur's court to see, From which no longer it is said He could a stranger be. 170 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But for a few moist April drops That settled on the way ; His long and weary Journey Did hinder, and so stay'. Until his careful father took A birding trunk in sport, And with one blast blew this his son Into King Arthur's court. OF TOM'S RUNNING AT TILT, WITH OTHER EXERCISES PERFORMED BY HIM Thus he at tilt and tournaments Was entertained so, That all the rest of Arthur's knights Did him great pleasure show. And good Sir Lancelot du Lake, Sir Tristam and Sir Guy, Yet none compared to brave Tom Thumb In acts of cavalry. In honour of which noble day And for his Lady's sake, A challenge in King Arthur's court Tom Thumb did bravely make MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 171 'Gainst whom these noble knights did run, Sir Khion and the rest. But yet Tom Thumb with all his might Did bear away the best. At last Sir Lancelot du Lake In manly sort came in, And with this stout and hardy knight A battle did begin Which made the courtiers all aghast, For there this valiant man Thro' Lancelot's steed, before them all, In nimble manner ran ; Yea horse and all, with spear and shield, As hardly e'er was seen ; But only by King Arthur's self, And his beloved Queen. Who from her finger took a ring Thro' which Tom did make way, Not touching it in simple sort, As it had been in play. He also cleft the smallest hair From the fair Lady's head, From hurting her whose even hand Him lasting honours spread. 172 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Such were his deeds and noble acts In Arthur's court were shewn, The like in all the world beside Before was never seen. Thus at his sports Tom toiled himself, That he a sickness took, Thro' all which manly exercise His strength had him forsook. Where lying on his bed sore sick, King Arthur's Doctor took A fine perspective glass, thro' which They took a careful look Into his sickly body down, And therein saw that death Stood ready in his wasted guts To take away his breath. His arms and legs consum'd as small As was a spider web, Thro' which his dying hours grew, And all his limbs were dead. His face no bigger than an ant's, Which hardly could be seen ; The loss of this renouned knight Much grieved the King and Queen. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 173 And so with peace and quietness He left the earth below, And up into the Fairy Land His fading ghost did go ; Where the Fairy Queen received With heavy mournful cheer The body of her valiant knight, Whom she esteem' d so dear. For with her dying nymphs in green She took him from his bed, With music sweet and melody, as Soon as life was fled. For whom King Arthur and his knights Full forty days did morne; In the remembrance of his name, That strangly thus was born. He built a tomb of marble grey, And year by year did come To celebrate the mournful day And burial of Tom Thumb. Whose fame lives here in England stil Amongst the country sort, Of whom the wives and children dear, Tell pleasant tales of sport. 174 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES And here's a wonder come at last, Which some will scarce believe, And two hundred years were past He did new life receive. The Fairy Queen she loved him so, As you shall understand, That once again she let him go Down to the earthly land. The very time that he returned Unto the court again, It was as we are well inform'd, In good King Arthur's reign. Where in the presence of the King He many wonders wrought, Recited in the second part Which is now to be bought In Bow Church Yard, where is sold Diverting Histories many ; And pleasant tales as e'er was told For purchase of one penny. (End of Part the First) MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 175 tEtye g>econb $art of tfje iLife of &om Cfjumti Performed after His First Return from Fairy Land Of Tom's Return from Fairy Land, he falls into the firmity; and of the misfortunes that attend him. When good King Arthur he did reign With all his knights about him, Tom Thumb he then did entertain He could not be without him. Behold he made right pretty sport, Which pleased passing well ; And therefore in King Arthur's court He was allowed to dwell. His parents were of small account, And he was small of growth, Yet they on Fortune's wings did fly, She did befriend them both. For many long and pleasant years He was belov'd by all The royal court, both prince and peer, Did see his funeral. 176 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES The longest time will ended be, So was Tom's life at last; The mourning court did weep to see His breath was but a blast; So mounting to the Fairy Queen, Her love she did express, By giving him a robe of green, A sweet and comely dress. In the Elysian shades he reigned Two hundred years or more, And by the Queen it was ordain'd That he her sceptre bore : As King of all the Fairy Land And had continued still, But that as you may understand It was her gracious will To send him to the lower world In triumph once again, So with a puff or blast him hurled Down with a mighty pain ; With mighty force it happen'd he Did fall as some report Into a pan of firmity In good King Arthur's court. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 177 The cook that bore it then along, Was struck with a surprise, For with the fall the firmity Flew up into her eyes. The cook was running on full tilt When Tom fell from the air ; The pan of firmity was spilt; O what a fright was there. The cook was frightened to the heart, Tom Thumb he sprawling lay, No one was there to take his part Alack-and-a-well-a-day. His coat was greatly then besmear'd With firmity all over : Likewise another death he fear'd, His bones were sore all over. He got out of the Firmity As well as he was able, They dragged him immediately Before King Arthur's table, Where he in pomp at dinner sat, With wine and musick sweet ; For many noble knights were met To taste a royal treat. 178 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES With clubs and staves, forks and prongs, He guarded was unpitied, To answer for the mighty wrongs Which he had there committed. Now as they enter' d in the hall With Tom, that little sprite, O how the multitude did bawl To shew their hateful spite. Some said he was a fairy elf And therefore deserved to die. But crafty Tom secur'd himself, As you'll find by and by. For just as they began to vote What death he should endure, He jumped down a Miller's throat ; And there he lay secure. Not one of all the multitude Perceiv'd the way he went ; Thus though his death they then pursu'd, Tom did the same prevent : They look'd about, but could not find Tom Thumb in any place ; Wherefore like men perplex'd in mind, Each suffered sad disgrace. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 179 TOM TORMENTS THE MILLER WHILE HE LAYS IN HIS PAUNCH; AND OF OTHER WONDERFUL THINGS THAT HAPPENED Then did the multitude depart Like dogs that burnt their tails, Each being vexed to the heart, O how they gnaw'd their nails, To think they had their prisoner lost In presence of the King ; Never was man so strangly crost, It was a grievous thing. The Miller too above the rest, He scower'd like a ferrit ; Still crying out he was possest With some familiar spirit. Tom often punch'd him by the tripes And made the Miller roar, Alas ! alas ! ten thousand stripes Could not have vexed him more. Ah ! woe is me, that Miller cry'd Alack-and-a-well-a-day ! Some spiteful imp does in me bide, Which doth the antick play. For help he to the Doctor sought, Being distracted nigh, Alas ! the Miller little thought Tom Thumb was in his bellie. i8o MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES When he before the Doctor came And told him every thing Which he had suffered, Tom by name Did whistle, dance, and sing. The Doctor he was thunderstruck, To think what he should be ; I fear said he, some evil luck, Sure Satan speaks in thee. You lie, quoth Tom, and then he sung A short but pleasant song, Your Latin and your lying tongue Does many people wrong. I was a courtier, 'tis well known, Two hundred years ago, When good King Arthur had the throne, As thousands then did know ; And am I call'd a Devil now, Who ne'er did no harm know, I solemnly protest and vow I'll be reveng'd on you. The Doctor then affrighted was, Worse than he was before, And sent for twenty learned men The Miller to restore. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 181 And being come into the hall, Strait to their great surprise, Tom for a cup of sack did call, And musick too likewise — The Miller being fast asleep, And sitting in the chair, All people strait begun to weep, When they his voice did hear. With much ado they rouz'd him then So on his feet he stood, For they were understanding men Who came to do him good. By turns they still examined him, How he his life did square, For they were certain that a limb Of Lucifer was there. Says one, I am persuaded you Have often played the thief, In taking more than was your due Which causes all your grief. So then the Miller did confess What he had said was true, Yet all my friends, nevertheless My father did so too ; 1 82 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES And he my grandsire, who in mould Is sleeping now full low ; For he this very mill did hold One hundred years ago : If they did so, why may not I One bushel make of two ? Tom Thumb cry'd out immediately, A hopeful thievish crew. You must leave off, they all did cry, Steal not for time to come : A voice immediately reply'd, Why don't you hear Tom Thumb ? So said they all began to run In a distracted case, And left the Miller all alone Who in a little space — Ran to a mighty river side, To ease his body there, And turn'd Tom Thumb into the tide, Who swam I know not where. But as the ancient writers say, Near to the Northern Pole, Where many a lustful Salmon lay, One swallowed him up whole. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 183 BEING SWALLOWED BY A SALMON, IS CAUGHT BY A FISHERMAN, AND OF THE SPORT HE MADE IN THE FISH'S BELLY A Fisherman came out of Rye With nets and other geer, The Sea was rough, the Wind was high, Yet he his course did steer Midst foaming billows that did roar, Until he came at last, Where he had fished not long before, And there his net he cast, And drew it up with great success, At which the fisher laughed, Having as near as he could guess A dozen at a draught. Unto his net so fast they throng, Some of a smaller set, At length as I the truth may tell, He with that Salmon met Which had gotten poor Tom Thumb, And almost broke his net ; Says he, I never in my life Had such a one before ; I'll home to honest Joan my wife, And let her see my store. 1 84 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES So having stow'd them in his boat, He home began to steer, And sung a sweet and pleasant note For this his happy cheer, So near the pleasant town of Rye, His freight'd boat was blow'd, His Joan she came immediately And laugh'd to see the load. His fish up to the market place, They brought in state and pride ; But O the salmon was the best Of all the fish beside. The people flocked far and near To buy some fish of him ; Because he had, as did appear, As good as e'er did swim. Amongst the rest a Stewart came Who would the salmon buy, And other fish that he did name, But he would not comply. The Stewart said, Art thou so proud, If so, I'll not buy any : So then bespoke Tom Thumb aloud, Sir. give him the other penny. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES i85 At this they all began to stare To hear this sudden Joke, Nay some were frighted to the heart, And thought the dead fish spoke. It was a strange and sudden touch, So the fisherman and they Who heard him speak, wondered much And had no more to say. As they were standing in amaze At what they then had heard, Tom again his voice did raise, And spake with good regard ; Saying the like in all the land Before was never seen ; Present this salmon out of hand Unto the King and Queen. So the Stewart made no more adieu But bid a penny more ; Because he said he never knew A fish to speak before. So the Stewart's master by report Was made a noble Lord ; He sent the Salmon to the court In hopes of great reward. 1 86 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Having a worthy present sent To make this Lord amends, The King returns a compliment, And so this chapter ends ; Which fairly leads us to the next, The compliment was poor ; The noble Lord was sorely vexed To find he had no more. THE KING'S COOK STICKS A FORK IN TOM'S BREECH AND CARRIES HIM TO THE KING; AND OF HIS HAPPY DELIVERANCE Two noble knights a wager laid About I know not what ; Some say that they at fencing play'd And some assure us not. Some say it was a game at bowls One morning in the forest. Tho' both of them were honest men, The game was won and lost. The court was full of wages then, Some laid an hundred pound, Dukes, Lords and worthy Gentlemen, Much sport and pastime found, MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 187 The King it seems among the rest A noble diamond lost ; The Salmon then was to be drest, Which so much money cost. The cook was then to dress the same, And then by chance she saw The little man, Tom Thumb by name, Within the Salmon's maw. He stared strait, and said Alas ! How came this fellow here ? Strange things I find are brought to pass, He shall not now get clear. Because he vow'd to go thro' stitch, And him to justice bring, He stuck a fork into his breech, And bore him to the King, Who being then at council board, About some state affairs, He could not very well afford To lay aside his cares For such a slender cause as this, Wherefore, as many say, The busy cook he did dismiss Until another day. 1 88 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES The cook it seems did bear in mind His old supposed wrong, Therefore Tom Thumb must be confined Close in a prison strong. But ne'er a prison was secure, When others were asleep, This little Tom they might be sure, He'd thro' the keyhole creep. Therefore they bound him hand and foot, So cruel was his fate ; And in a mouse trap he was put, To peep between the grate. Alas ! he made lamentable moan And oft would sigh and say, Because that he was all alone, Alack-and-well-a-day. He labour'd but couldn't get loose By all that he could do, The mouse trap wires were so close, Poor Tom could not get thro'. When he had lain a week or more, Bathing in melting tears, Under a guard he came before The King and all his peers. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 189 Poor Tom was in a piteous trim, And seem'd to blush for shame. His shirt was cut out of the wings Of a fair butterfly, His breeches, coat and other things All pleasing to the eye : Upon his legs likewise he had Boots made of chicken leather, Like any jolly noble lad He wore his coat and feather. A taylor's needle was his sword, His headpiece was a thimble, And when he fought, upon my word, He made the Giants tremble. When now he was accosted thus, His Majesty reply'd, Tom, will you take a course with us ? We shall a hunting ride Together with the greatest part Of nobles of one court. Yes, yes, quoth Tom, with all my heart I ever lov'd such sport. The king with many noblemen Did gloriously appear ; For having put the courtiers then To chase the noble deer. 190 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But now poor Tom was at a loss, His limbs they were so small, For he was loath to ride a horse For fear that he should fall. A little mouse they did provide, And set him on the same ; O then he did in safety ride, As he pursu'd the game. The King and his Nobility, As they did ride with speed, They could not chuse but laugh to see Tom's little prancing steed. They rode like Nobles of renoun, Thro' many a park and plain, And just before the sun set down Each homeward turned again. But coming near a farmer's house, Close by a forest side, A cat jump'd out and caught the mouse Whereon Tom Thumb did ride. She took him up between her jaws, And scower'd up a tree, And as she scratch'd him with her claws, He cry'd out, Woe is me ! MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 191 He laid his hands upon his sword, And run her thro' and thro' ; And he for fear of falling roar'd, Puss likewise cry'd out mew. It was a sad and bloody fight Between the cat and he ; Puss valued not this worthy knight, But scratch'd him bitterly. The King and all his noble peers Were overcome with grief ; They heard his cries and saw his tears, But could not yield relief. , But at length she let him drop And they by mear good hap, As he did tumble from the top, Did catch him in a cap. His coat was tatter'd like a rag, And he look'd a moan ; They put him in a hawking bag, And so they brought him home. But Puss had claw'd and scratch'd him so, Making his veins to bleed, That he could neither stand nor go, But took his bed with speed. 1 92 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Where many dying groans he sent Up to the Fairy Queen, Alas ! his tears of discontent By her were fairly seen. She grieved to see him as he lay, And sent a Glorious train Of little Fairies to convoy Him to her court again. THE FAIRY QUEEN, FINDING HIS TROUBLES, SENDS FOR HIM TO COURT, WHERE HE NOW REMAINS Both far and near the tidings flew Of Tom's unhappy fate, And learn'd Doctors came to view His present dying state. Not one of them could do him good Nor keep him safe from death, For by their skill they understood He'd die for want of breath. Within a box of ivory They made a downy bed, The King and Nobles wept to see His life was almost fled. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 193 Young virgins watch'd to keep him warm For six or seven nights, At length appear'd a mighty swarm Of pretty Fairy sprites. With mourning garlands on their heads His bed they compast round, And folding down the coverlid, Sir Tom Thumb there they found. How he was bruis'd in every limb, Which wrought his life's decay ; And having all saluted him, Without the least delay They put him in the winding sheet More white than lilies fair, Then Fairies all with musick sweet Did mount the lofty air. And soon they vanish'd out of sight Up to the Fairy Queen, And from this time the mighty Knight Was never after seen. The virgins posted to the King, With tears of discontent, And having told him everything, The court in mourning went. i 9 4 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES And to his memory they built A monument of gold, Upon King Edgar's dagger hilt, Most glorious to behold. His worthy deeds recorded are That ages yet to come, May to their children young declare The deeds of brave Tom Thumb, And pass away cool winter's night, Close by a fire side, With tales of mirth and much delight At every Christmas tide. Altho' a second time he fled Unto the glorious shade ; Yet after that his life was shed He many a frolic play'd. Amongst the Nobles of the court Though in another age. Affording them delightful sport, And was King Thunston's page. As you may read in part the third Fancy to gratify ; For loving friends upon my word, Altho' he seem'd to die, MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Death's fatal arrow prov'd in vain, As you shall understand, For he was hurried back again Down from the Fairy Land. 195 (End of Part the Second) 196 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES W&t GTfnrb $art of tfje Hiit of &om Gtyumfc Performed after His Second Return from Fairy Land In what strange manner Tom Thumb came back a third time, and unfortunately fell into a greasy frying pan. In woeful manner Tom thus left The King and all his court, Of all their mirth they were bereft ; He yielded them such sport. Unto his memory was paid For all his actions past, Another monument was made That should forever last. Now in the Elysian fields he reigns King of the Fairy Land, Where he the love of all obtains, Ready at his command. He to the Fairy Queen relates His mighty acts belcw ; His wonderful adventures great, As Edgar's court did shew, MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 197 In joyful sort he reigned above, As he had done before, The Fairy Queen to shew her love He again her sceptre bore : Until such time it pleas'd her that She'd send him once again, And as all histories do agree, It was in Thunston's reign. She clothed him all o'er in green, And without more delay, But with her great majestic mein, She hurried him away. When he descended thro' the air, This poor unhappy man, By said mishap as you will hear, Fell in a sloppy pan. So all besmear'd in piteous wise, Poor Tom was almost drown'd ; For in the grease he could not rise, Or scarce be ever found. He then did cry, Ah ! woe is me, My misery don't decay ; Which caus'd the cook to flee, you see, 'Twas death, he would not stay. 198 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Then all the people thronged fast Such miracles to see, There was he 'most spent at last i For none durst set him free. But he at last deliver'd was, When thousands did resort, Brought into this woeful case Unto King Arthur's Court. TOM IS BROUGHT BEFORE THE KING, WITH AN ACCOUNT OF HIS ACTIONS In shameful sort Tom Thumb appear'd Before his Majesty, But grown so weak, could not be heard, Which caus'd his malady. All that beheld him stood amaz'd, And knew not what to say ; Some did endeavor him to seize 'Fore life did quite decay. The Doctor then with speed was call'd His vitals to restore, For in the greasy water maul'd, He did their help implore ; MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 199 That if his Majesty would grant — He would in humble sort Declare the cause of all their want Of knowledge in the court. At length the King resolved was For to grant him his request, And from his presence he should pass For to ease himself and rest. And that the Doctor should take care For to bring him on demand. So they Tom Thumb away did bear, For to wait the King's command. The Doctor thought to let him blood, But some did him oppose ; Others said it was not good, And thus dispute arose. 'Til one, a grave experienc'd man Did all they say disannul : For in his sleep, as they could scan, His pains were now annul'. At last upon a learn'd debate, It was resolved by all, How they should trust his life to fate, And wait his raise and fall. aoo MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But fortune proved yet his friend, As his life did shew before, Tho' she left him in the end, His miseries to deplore. , For at the last he rais'd his head In presence of them all, And cry'd, my life is not yet fled, My spirits I recall. That I may answer for the wrong Which now is done to me ; And clear myself e'er it be long Before his Majesty. His speech did cause a great surprise, They knew not what to say, For on a sudden Tom did rise, At which they fled away. But his poor guardian trembling stood Betwixt great hopes and fear ; But Tom cry'd in a merry mood, Unto the King we'll steer. His trial at the last drew near, Great preparations made, For the King and Nobles stood in fear, Yet seemed not dismay'd. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 201 For by his Majesty's command Poor Tom Thumb must appear, For to answer such questions as How he himself should clear. When to his presence he was brought, He did amaze the court, He paid obeysance where he thought Fit for to yield them sport. So the King ask'd him whence he came, The way he liv'd, and where, He also then requires his name, Who caus'd this pannick fear. Tom then relates his actions past, How he had liv'd before ; And then his being cast Down to the earth once more. All that of them he did emplore, To search the records past ; How sumptuously he was before, None might his memory blast. For deeds renouned I was fam'd, Now in oblivion lost, Sir Tom Thumb I then was named, Tho' same my life has cost. 202 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES The which the King no sooner heard But from his throne did rise, And said, Sir Tom Thumb, for thy fame None can equalize. Thy birth, thy parentage is known, Traditions do make clear ; All people do your great renown In joyful memory bear. So that from hence you need not fear, My favour you shall have ; To me your memory is dear, Henceforth you need not crave. For lodgings — now the King resolv'd A palace should be fram'd, The walls of this most stately place Were lovely to behold For workmanship, most wondrous taste, It look'd like beaten gold. The height thereof was but a span, And doors but one inch wide. The inward parts were all Japan, Which was in him great pride. The workmanship so fine appears, Nothing was more compleat. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 203 That Tom lives in a pleasant sort, Who was loved of all ; He yielded them much mirth and sport All waited on his call. The King did him admire so, The wonder of the age, His bounty farther to bestow, Thurston made him page. TOM GROWS IN FAVOUR WITH THE KING, WHO BUYS HIM A COACH DRAWN BY SIX MICE All troubles now are vanished, In peace Tom Thumb did live, No cares disturb his peace by night, No miseries survive. The great oft storms will have an end, When calm succeeds again, Fortune her bounty now did lend And eas'd him of all pain. All recreation thought could have, Or life could e'er afford, All earthly Joys that he could crave At his desire or word. 204 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES No mirth without him now might please, All to him did resort, So as he liv'd in splendid ease Beloved of all the court. So that the King so pleased was, As for his ease and sake, Thro' his dominions he might pass Or recreation take. Of smallest mice that could be found For to draw his coach appears, Such stately steeds his wish to crown, Long tails with chopped ears. So he enjoys his whole desire, Forgets his miseries past, Ambition makes him still aspire Which fatal proves at last. For his desire so lustful grown. Opposed both King and Queen ; Tried to usurp the Royal Throne, Such thing had ne'er been seen. The King with rage and fury fir'd To see himself abus'd, That of the court he then desir'd Tom Thumb might be accus'd MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 2o5 That nothing would his wrath appease To free him from all strife, Or set his mind at perfect ease Until he had his life. OF TOM'S ESCAPE ON A BUTTER-FLY, AND THE MAN- NER IN WHICH HE WAS TAKEN PRISONER Now all the court stood in amaze, To hear the King relate, For some did Tom's fam'd action praise While others urg'd his fate. After debates they did agree How he should there appear ; But their designs Tom did foresee, Which caus'd him pannick fear. Perceiving now a mighty throng Approaching near the place Ready to seize him, but e'er long Retir'd with nimble pace. Into his shell, where safe he lay And unperceiv'd by all, And made them search in vain all day Such as design'd his fall. 206 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES But finding all retir'd and gone, His hunger to suffice, In cautious sort he moves along, Nature wants some supplies. But all in vain, no food he finds, His joys are turn'd to grief ; Fortune that once seem'd to be kind Now yields him no relief. So long he wander'd, but in vain, No prospect yet appears, Which did involve him in such pain, As captivates his fears. At last with grief he laid him down, His miseries to deplore, For no expedient could be found For to gain nature's store. At last a butterfly he espy'd, The which he seiz'd in haste, Upon his back he got astride ; With care himself he plac'd. So with expanded wings he mounts For he was plac'd secure. His tender limbs all lay so soft No hardships could endure. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 207 As providence ordain'd all things To each his own nature ; Tom's steed from tree to tree still climbs, His miseries were greater From post to pillar now he's tost, Again upon the ground, And now aloft, thus was he crost, No respite could be found. But mark his fate, Tom's winged steed Did now direct his course, As if by chance, or fate decreed, With all his might and force Into the court, and hovering round, A banquet was prepar'd And in Joy they do abound, No other sound was heard. But in the middle of the sport Tom Thumb they did espy, How he was riding round the court Upon a butterfly. The which in vain they strove to seize, 'Tis his unhappy lot, As on him steadfastly they gaze He fell in a white pot. 208 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES When searching long, at last they found Tom in a piteous case ; He with the fall was almost drown'd Such was his sad disgrace. v. But not regarding of his moan Away they did him bring, Where for his crime he must atone Before the King and Queen. OF TOM'S BEING BROUGHT BEFORE THE KING WITH HIS BEHAVIOUR DURING THE TIME OF THE TRIAL At last the mournful day is come On which Tom must appear Before the King to hear his doom, His plaint none more could hear. For their aversion was so great None would plead his cause, But rather usher'd on his fate To gain the King's applause. Unto all they said, this little man Made no reply at all, For fear his words they would trapan, Which raised their spleen and gall. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 209 Unto all them the King did swear By all his pomp and power, That if himself he did not clear He should be hang'd that hour. So he did raise his little head And said, ah ! woe is me ; My vital spirits are just fled So pass your last decree. For here no respite can I find, But one continual strife, Exert your power, glut your mind, And take my wretched life. This valiant answer mov'd the court, All but the angry Queen, Her rage and fury did transport, No one could intervene. Some pleaded hard that they would give Him present punishment Unto some more remoter place, Should be his banishment. But still in vain, they could not hear, No pity should be shown, Since for the fact he must pay dear, His life must it atone. 210 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES So the King his sentence declar'd, How hang'd he should be, And that a gibbet should be rear'd And none should set him free. After his sentence thus was past Unto a prison he was led, For in a mouse trap he was fast, He had no other bed. His tender limbs not us'd to such Did bruise in piteous wise, In his past life suffered much, Yet none regards his cries, His liberty now to regain, His prison strives to break, Where long he labour'd with great pains, His life was now at stake. Nothing but death appear'd in view Which did his thoughts employ, Yet for no pardon would he sue Nor life again enjoy. Tom thus secur'd was left alone, For death he does prepare ; In piteous sort he makes his moan, Being driven to despair. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 211 At last by chance the cat him spy'd And for a mouse did take, She him attacked upon each side And did his prison break. TOM, ENDEAVOURING TO MAKE HIS ESCAPE, FALLS INTO A SPIDER'S WEBB, AND OF HIS UNEXPECTED DEATH The cat perceiving her mistake Away she fled with speed, Which made poor Tom to flight betake Being thus prison freed. Resolving there no more to dwell But break the King's decree, Into a spider's webb he fell And could not hence get free. The spider watching for his prey Tom took to be a fly, And seized him without delay, Regarding not his cry. The blood out of his body draws, He yielded up his breath ; Thus he was freed from all his pains By this unlook'd for death. 212 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES Thus you have heard his actions small, Likewise his actions great, His rife, his progress, and his fall, Thus usher'd in by fate. Altho' he's dead, his memory lives Recorded ever fare ; His very name some pleasure gives And ever will endure. FINIS. &U Cjnlbren Jf orbtfcfoen to &o pepcmtr ftere 213 JJotea 2l5 216 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 217 PUSSY CAT, PUSSY CAT 8 There is an old proverb which says that "a cat may look at a king." Whether the same adage applies equally to a female sovereign, and is referred to in the following nursery rhyme, or whether it alludes to the glorious Queen Bess is now an uncertainty. SING A SONG OP SIXPENCE 16 In the original the words were " The king was in the parlour, and the queen was in the closet." COME ALL YE BRISK YOUNG BATCHELORS .17 This song is of great antiquity, as it is alluded to as such in the nursery rhymes of Henry VII. A KID, A KID 24 The original of this hymn has come down to us from the Chaldee language through the Hebrew, the manuscript of which is in the possession of George Offer, Esq., of Hackney, England, and is the original of House that Jack Built. The following is the interpretation thereof: The kid, which was one of the pure animals, denotes the Hebrews. The father, by whom it was purchased, is Jehovah, who represents Himself as sustaining this relation to the Hebrew nation. The two pieces of money signify Moses and Aaron through whose mediation the Hebrews were brought out of Egypt. The cat denotes the Assyrians by whom the ten tribes were carried into captivity. The dog is symbolic of the Babylonians. The staff signifies the Persians. The fire indicates the Grecian Empire under Alexander the Great. The water betokens the Romans, or the fourth of the great monarchies to whose dominion the Jews were subjected. The ox is a symbol of the Saracens who subdued Palestine and brought it under the caliphate. The butcher denotes the crusader, by whom the Holy Land was taken from the hands of the Saracens. The angel of death signifies the Turkish power by which the land of the Palestinian was taken from the Franks and to which it is still subject at this time of writing. The tenth stanza is designed to show that god will take signal vengeance on the Turks, immediately after whose overthrow the Jews are to be restored to their own land, and live under the government of their long expected Messiah. 2i 8 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES LITTLE JACK HORNER 30 The tale of Little Jack Horner has long been appropriated to the nursery. The four lines which follow are the familiar ones, and they form part of The pleasant History of Jack Horner containing his witty Tricks and pleasant Pranks, which he plaied from his Youth to his riper Years, a copy of which is in the Bodleian Library. The entire History will be repeated later. I HAD A LITTLE HUSBAND 30 This nursery song may probably commemorate a part of Tom Thumb's history, extant in little Danish work treating of "Tomling Swain, a man no bigger than a thumb, who would be married to a woman three ells and three quarters long." Supposed to have originated in the 10th Century. DOCTOR FOSTER WENT TO GLOUCESTER 37 Dr. Foster went to Gloucester This refers to the time before it was the custom to pave streets. The roads in Gloucester were particularly poor. There is a story told about Edward I. riding through the street one night on horseback and being stuck in the mud so deep that it was necessary to place boards on the ground before they were able to carry him into the tavern. He never returned to the place again. It may be that this rhyme refers to him. SIMPLE SIMON 40 The tale of Simple Simon forms one of the old Chap-books of the Elizabethan era, but these verses are those generally sung in the nursery. A FROG LIVED IN A WELL 52 This is the original of "A Frog he Would A-wooing Go," which appears to have been borrowed from this. A MAN OF WORDS 57 From the early fifteenth century. PURPLE, YELLOW, RED, AND GREEN 58 As this refers to Oliver Cromwell, it undoubtedly belongs to the seventeenth century. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 219 TWO LEGS SAT UPON THREE LEGS -59 One leg is a leg of mutton; two legs, a man; three legs, a stool; four legs, a dog. COME, BUTTER, COME 61 This next charm, if said thrice, will make the butter come from the churn. THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN 62 There was an old woman tossed up in a blanket " was an old melody in the time of Henry V. It was this rhyme that his soldiers used to parody His Majesty upon his return from the French wars. GAY GO UP . . . 63 This is a song to an ancient nursery dance. How ancient is not known. MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE, AND JOHN 66 This comes down to us from the fifteenth century. 220 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES LET'S GO TO THE WOODS 67 Song to five toes, of very olden times. ANNAELISE 67 This jingle is said to have pleased the children of Edward III. OLD KING COLE 68 Old King Coel was one of the ancient Celtic kings of about the third century , much beloved by his people. OLD KING COEL 68 This is a still older version of the same song. THIS LITTLE PIG WENT TO MARKET 71 Song said to five fingers. ALL HAIL TO THE MOON 73 In ye olden days the ladyes in the north of England addressed the new moon in these lines: MISTRESS MARY 76 Older version was " and cowslips all in a row." MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 221 BOBBY SHAFTO 77 Original line was Bobby Shaft OF ALL GAY BIRDS 81 This song is one of the oldest which has come down to us in oral tradition in England, proba- bly from the same date as Beowulf, or before the Christian era. LADY COW 87 This stanza " is of very considerable antiquity." THE OLD GOOSE LAY ON HER DEATH-BED, COCK ROBIN, AND THE FIVE PIGS 88 These last three songs, while they are not among the Percy collection, are of about the same date as is " Froggie would a-wooing go." It may be of interest to note that one of the means by which the relative date of the songs can be ascertained, is by the style of the paper and type of the earliest copy extant. Then by a process of elimination we know that they may or may not be earlier than a certain period, from subjects mentioned in the rhymes, as for instance in this last poem, it speaks of oranges. Oranges, lemons, melons, tents, and trumpets, were not known in Europe before the last half of the thirteenth century, as they were brought into the country from the Orient by the people after the Crusades. Hence the foregoing song cannot be earlier than the thirteenth or fourteenth century. And as they are in the Black Letter Ballads which appeared sometime during the sixteenth century, we know that it must have been written sometime during that interregnum. 222 MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES WHEN A TWISTER TWISTING 107 These three charms are for the hiccups, and each one must be said in one breath, to render the specific service. They are a very ancient English cure for the same. ORIGINAL MOTHER GOOSE 109 As far as is known, the morals and maxims of Part II were written by Oliver Goldsmith who was in the employ of John Newbury, but the songs in the Mother Goose's Melodies, attributed to Goldsmith, are found to be of much earlier date. They were the popular songs of the time and he used them in the same manner that Shakespeare did the songs in his plays. LITTLE JACK HORNER 125 The tale of little Jack Horner has long been appropriated to the nursery. The four lines are the familiar ones, and they form part of The pleasant History of Jack Horner containing his witty Tricks and pleasant Pranks, which he plaied from his youth to his riper years, a copy of which is in the Bodleian Library. The Merriment of Jack Horner has long since departed from the modern series of Mother Goose. In order that it may not be entirely forgotten I give the following copy of it from the Douce's collection. It contains the witty pranks he played, from his youth to his riper years, "being pleasant readings for Winter Evenings." . . . . _ . . .141 This song appeared under the title of The Pleasant History of Jack Horner, in 1785. It was taken almost word for word from the poem The History of Jack Horner printed in London, in 1750. This in turn was copied with a few additions from an earlier rhyme of Jack Homer. Just where Jack Horner originated is not known authoritatively. Some writers ascribe it to Shake- speare's time; on the other hand some attribute it to the early Celtic. MOTHER GOOSE MELODIES 223 TOM THUMB 160 TOM THUMB Tom Thumb, his Life, and Death, wherein is declared many Marvelous Acts of Manhood full of Wonder and Merriment, which little Knight lived in King Arthur's Time, and famous in the Court of Greet Brittain is quoted among the books of John Wright of London in 1630. And again in a Black Letter Print in Edinburgh in 1682, which speak of it as a "piece of ancient popular Poetry." And earlier still Sharon Turner in his History of the Anglo Saxons, connects this renouned dwarf with King Edgar's court. Langley in one of the Black Letter Pages of 1 621, of which but two copies are now extant, priced "a copy of this ancient and very popular poem" as being sold f 6-2/6. Mention is found made of the same as early as during the last half of the sixteenth century, but no known earlier prints are in existence today. Page 160 — Mickle, large. Page 160 — eke, old English for also. Page 160 — Merlin, a Welsh magician said to have lived in the third century. Page 165 — both, old English for booty. Page 176— firmity, later fermety, a form of yeast. Page 208 — Irapan, obsolete form of snare or trick. *<-