Small service is true service while it lasts;
Of humblest friends, bright creature! scorn not one;
The Daisy, by the shadow that it casts,
Protects the lingering dew-drop from the sun.
—_William Wordsworth._
_Mistress Mary._
Mistress Mary, quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With cockle-shells, and silver bells,
And pretty maids all in a row.
_Handy Spandy._
Handy Spandy, Jack-a-dandy,
Loved plum cake and sugar candy;
He bought some at a grocer’s shop,
And out he came, hop, hop, hop.
_About the Bush, Willy._
About the bush, Willy,
About the bee-hive,
About the bush, Willy,
I’ll meet thee alive.
Then to my ten shillings
Add you but a groat,
I’ll go to Newcastle,
And buy a new coat.
Five and five shillings
Five and a crown;
Five and five shillings,
Will buy a new gown.
Five and five shillings,
Five and a groat;
Five and five shillings
Will buy a new coat.
_Little Jack Horner._
Little Jack Horner
Sat in the corner,
Eating a Christmas pie;
He put in his thumb,
And he took out a plum,
And said, “What a good boy am I!”
_If I’d as Much Money._
If I’d as much money as I could spend,
I never would cry old chairs to mend;
Old chairs to mend, old chairs to mend;
I never would cry old chairs to mend.
If I’d as much money as I could tell,
I never would cry old clothes to sell;
Old clothes to sell, old clothes to sell;
I never would cry old clothes to sell.
_Pretty John Watts._
Pretty John Watts,
We are troubled with rats,
Will you drive them out of the house?
We have mice too, in plenty,
That feast in the pantry;
But let them stay
And nibble away
What harm in a little brown mouse?
_This Pig Went to Market._
[Illustration]
1. This pig went to market;
2. This pig stayed at home;
3. This pig had a bit of meat;
4. And this pig had none;
5. This pig said, “Wee, wee, wee!
I can’t find my way home.”
_The Rose is Red._
The rose is red, the grass is green;
And in this book my name is seen.