A pleasing romance of domestic incident runs through "One, Two, Buckle
my shoe", while the "Waddling Frog" shows a rich and sumptuous
imagination, if a little inconsequent, except numerically; but if he
sets us agape with astonishment, his own "Wide-Mouth" seems capacious
enough to swallow all the marvels by land or sea which he enumerates.

These two are quite early Cranes--almost pre-historic (please notice,
however, the up-to-date additions): "My Mother" is mid-Victorian--just
after crinolines had gone out--but mothers are always in fashion, bless
them,--and you also, dear children, whether of the old or the new world,
who, having chosen your parents wisely, have become possessors of this
book, may your shoes never want buckling, and if by any mischance you
should lose one, may Good Luck always find a spare one for you, and so
set you on your feet again.

Walter Crane

[Illustration]

Kensington, June 1910.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration: 1, 2. 3, 4.]

One Two,
Buckle my shoe.

Three, Four,
Open the door.

[Illustration: 5, 6. 7, 8.]

Five, Six,
Pick up sticks.

Seven, Eight,
Lay them straight.

[Illustration: 9, 10.]

Nine, Ten,
A good fat Hen.

[Illustration: 11, 12.]

Eleven, Twelve,
Ring the Bell.

[Illustration: 13, 14.]

Thirteen, Fourteen,
Maids are courting.

[Illustration: 15, 16.]

Fifteen, Sixteen,
Maids in the Kitchen.

[Illustration: 17, 18.]

Seventeen, Eighteen,
Maids in waiting.

[Illustration: 19, 20.]

Nineteen, Twenty,
My plate is empty.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

* * * * *

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

A gaping-wide-mouth-waddling frog,
Two puddings' ends would choke a dog,
Or a gaping-wide-mouth-waddling frog.

[Illustration]

Three monkeys tied to a log,
Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog,
Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Illustration]

Four puppies with our dog Ball,
Who daily for their breakfast call.
Three monkeys tied to a log.
Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog,
Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Illustration]

Five beetles against the wall,
Close to an old woman's apple-stall.
Four puppies with our dog Ball,
Who daily for their breakfast call.
Three monkeys tied to a log.
Two puddings' ends, would choke a dog,
Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Illustration]

Six Joiners in Joiners