"The cackling old hen she began to collogue,
Says she unto the fox, 'You're a stinking old rogue;
Your scent it is so strong, I do wish you'd keep away;'
The cackling old hen she began for to say."
The tune, as I still remember it, is as fine as the words--for fine they
certainly are, as an honest expression of opinion, capable of a large
application to other than foxes.
I cannot vouch for a like antiquity for the following sea-verses; but
they are so good that I venture to append them to their more ancient
brethren:--
"And now we haul to the 'Dog and Bell,'
Where there's good liquor for to sell;
In come old Archer with a smile,
Saying, 'Drink, my lads, 'tis worth your while.'
Ah! but when our money's all gone and spent,
And none to be borrowed nor none to be lent;
In comes old Archer with a frown,
Saying, 'Get up, Jack, let John sit down.'"
Alas, poor Jack! and John Countryman too, when the like result arrives.