It was on a merry time, when Jenny Wren was young,
So neatly as she danced, and so sweetly as she sung,--
Robin Redbreast lost his heart--he was a gallant bird;
He doff'd his hat to Jenny, and thus to her he said:--
[Illustration]
"My dearest Jenny Wren, if you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry-pie, and drink nice currant-wine.
"I'll dress you like a Goldfinch, or like a Peacock gay;
So if you'll have me, Jenny, let us appoint the day."
Jenny blushed behind her fan, and thus declared her mind,
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob; I take your offer kind.
"Cherry pie is very good! so is currant-wine!
But I will wear my brown gown, and never dress too fine."
Robin rose up early, at the break of day;
He flew to Jenny Wren's house, to sing a roundelay.
He met Cock and Hen, and bade the Cock declare,
This was his wedding-day with Jenny Wren the fair.
The Cock then blew his horn, to let the neighbors know,
This was Robin's wedding-day, and they might see the show.
And first came Parson Rook, with his spectacles and band;
And one of Mother Goose's books, he held within his hand.
Then follow'd him the Lark, for he could sweetly sing,
And he was to be clerk at Cock Robin's wedding.
He sung of Robin's love for little Jenny Wren;
And when he came unto the end, then he began again.
[Illustration]
The Bullfinch walk'd by Robin, and thus to him did say,
"Pray, mark, friend Robin Redbreast, that Goldfinch dress'd so gay;--
"What though her gay apparel becomes her very well;
Yet Jenny's modest dress and look must bear away the bell!"
Then came the Bride and Bridegroom; quite plainly was she dress'd,
And blush'd so much, her cheeks were as red as Robin's breast.
[Illustration]
But Robin cheer'd her up; "My pretty Jen," said he,
"We're going to be married, and happy we shall be."
The Goldfinch came on next, to give away the Bride;
The Linnet, being bride's-maid, walk'd by Jenny's side.
And as she was a-walking, said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin is a very pretty bird!"
"And will you have her, Robin, to be your wedded wife?"
"Yes, I will," says Robin, "and love her all my life."
"And you will have him, Jenny, your husband now to be?"
"Yes, I will," says Jenny, "and love him heartily."
The Blackbird and the Thrush, and charming Nightingale,
Whose sweet jug sweetly echoes through every grove and dale;--
The Sparrow and Tom Tit, and many more, were there:
All came to see the wedding of Jenny Wren the fair.
[Illustration]
"Oh, then," says Parson Rook, "who gives this maid away?"
"I do," says the Goldfinch, "and her fortune I will pay;--
"Here's a bag of grain of many sorts, and other things beside;
Now happy be the Bridegroom, and happy be the Bride!"
Then on her finger fair, Cock Robin put the ring;
"You're married now," says Parson Rook; while the Lark aloud did sing,--
"Happy be the Bridegroom, and happy be the Bride!
And may not man, nor bird, nor beast, this happy pair divide."
The birds were ask'd to dine; not Jenny's friends alone,
But every pretty songster that had Cock Robin known.
They had a cherry-pie, besides some currant-wine,
And every guest brought something, that sumptuous they might dine.
Now they all sat or stood, to eat and to drink;
And every one said what he happen'd to think.
[Illustration]
They each took a bumper, and drank to the pair,
Cock Robin the Bridegroom, and Jenny the fair.
The dinner-things removed, they all began to sing;
And soon they made the place near a mile round to ring.
The concert it was fine; and every bird tried
Who best should sing for Robin, and Jenny Wren the Bride.
[Illustration]
When, in came the Cuckoo, and made a great rout;
He caught hold of Jenny, and pull'd her about.
Cock Robin was angry, and so was the Sparrow,
Who fetch'd in a hurry his bow and his arrow.
His aim then he took, but he took it not right;
His skill was not good, or he shot in a fright;--
For the Cuckoo he miss'd,--but Cock Robin he kill'd!
And all the birds mourn'd that his blood was so spill'd.
[Illustration]
A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do,
Watching a tailor shape his coat!
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do.
Wife, bring me my old beat bow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow,
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do.
The tailor shot, and he missed his mark,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do,
And shot the miller's sow right through the heart;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do.
Wife! oh wife! bring brandy in a spoon;
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do,
For the old miller's sow is in a swoon;
Sing he, sing ho, the old carrion crow,
Fol de riddle, lol de riddle, he ding do.
[Illustration]
What a pretty bunch of flowers
Little Annie's got
Did they grow in the meadows,
Or in a flower-pot?
[Illustration]
They grew in the wood,
In the deep, deep shade,
Where little Annie plucked them,
And this nose-gay made.
[Illustration]
This goose got in the house,
He'd the courage of a mouse,
So he quacked, and he hissed at the kitten;
[Illustration]
But as she stood at bay,
He quickly ran away;
Afraid of being scratched as well as bitten.
[Illustration]