at
poets were born together, and shall go out of the world together.

No, no, my melodies will never die,
While nurses sing, or babies cry.

_From "The Only True Mother Goose Melodies,"_
_Published by Munroe & Francis, Boston. 1833_

[Illustration]

MOTHER GOOSE

[Illustration]

Old Mother Goose, when
She wanted to wander,
Would ride through the air
On a very fine gander.

[Illustration]

Cock-a-doodle-doo,
My dame has lost her shoe;
My master's lost his fiddlestick,
And knows not what to do.

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Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had a wife and couldn't keep her;
He put her in a pumpkin shell,
And then he kept her very well.

Peter, Peter, pumpkin eater,
Had another, and didn't love her;
Peter learned to read and spell,
And then he loved her very well.

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Lady-bird, Lady-bird,
Fly away home,
Your house is on fire,
Your children will burn.

[Illustration]

One misty, moisty morning,
When cloudy was the weather,
I chanced to meet an old man clothed all in leather.
He began to compliment, and I began to grin,
How do you do, and how do you do?
And how do you do again?

[Illustration]

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,
And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm;
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But pussy and I very gently will play.

[Illustration]

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,
And can't tell where to find them;
Leave them alone, and they'll come home,
And bring their tails behind them.

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Little Nanny Etticoat
In a white petticoat,
And a red nose;
The longer she stands
The shorter she grows.

[Illustration]

Jack, be nimble; Jack, be quick;
Jack, jump over the candlestick.

[Illustration]

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?

[Illustration]

I'll tell you a story