w for the onset!

[Illustration]

Jack Sprat could eat no fat;
His wife could eat no lean;
So 'twixt them both they cleared the cloth,
And lick'd the platter clean.

* * * * *

There was a little boy went into a barn,
And lay down on some hay;
A calf came out and smelt about,
And the little boy ran away.

[Illustration]

The sow came in with the saddle,
The little pig rock'd the cradle,
The dish jump'd up on the table
To see the pot swallow the ladle.
The spit that stood behind the door
Threw the pudding-stick on the floor.
Odsplut! said the gridiron,
Can't you agree?
I'm the head constable,
Bring them to me.

[Illustration]

Little Tommy Tucker,
Sing for your supper:
What shall I sing?
White bread and butter.
How shall I cut it
Without any knife?
How shall I marry
Without any wife?

* * * * *

I would, if I could; if I couldn't, how could I?
I couldn't without I could, could I?
Could you without you could, could ye? could ye? could ye?
You couldn't without you could, could ye?

* * * * *

Oh that I were where I would be!
Then should I be where I am not;
But where I am, there I must be,
And where I would be I can not.

[Illustration]

Hiccory, diccory, dock,
The mouse run up the clock;
The clock struck one, and down he run,
Hiccory, diccory, dock.

[Illustration]

Jacky, come give me your fiddle,
If ever you mean to thrive.
Nay, I'll not give my fiddle
To any man alive.

If I should give my fiddle,
They'll think that I'm gone mad,
For many a joyful day
My fiddle and I have had.

[Illustration]

There was a Piper had a Cow,
And he had naught to give her,
He pull'd out his pipes and play'd her a tune,
And bade the cow consider.

The cow considered very well,
And gave the piper a penny,
And bade him play the other tune,
"Corn rigs are bonny."

[Illustration]

Away, pretty robin, fly home to your nest,
To make you my captive I still should like best,
And feed you with worms and with bread:
Your eyes are so sparkling, your feathers so soft,
Your little wings flutter so pretty aloft,
And your breast is all cover'd with red.

* * *