_BO-PEEP AND THE SQUIRREL._
[Illustration]
Little Bo-peep said to her sheep,
"In the wood there is tender grass growing;
And as you're so good, you shall dine in the wood,
By the brook that is quietly flowing."
Then a squirrel hard by looked down with a sigh,
And said, "Oh, please go away, ma'am!
The acorns are mine, and the nuts too, so fine;
And in the woods always I play, ma'am."
Then little Bo-peep at the squirrel did peep:
"No harm we are going to do, sir;
My sheep are not thieves, and, under the leaves
Of the wood, there is room for us too, sir.
"But I wish to be just: so here's a soft crust
Of white bread of my mother's own baking;
And I'll give you a slice, which you'll find very nice,
If you'll join us in our merry-making."
* * * * *
If you saw a goat
Buttoned in a coat;
If you saw a rat
Dressed up in a hat;
If you saw a lamb
Take a slice of ham;
If you saw a bear
Combing out its hair;
If you saw an ox
Opening a box;
If you saw a pig
Eat a nice new fig;
If you saw a mouse
Throwing down a house;
If you saw a stag
Picking up a rag;
If you saw a cow
Make a pretty bow;
If you saw a fly
Take its slate and cry--
You would surely say,
"What peculiar play!"
Or would surely sing,
"What a funny thing!"