The Nursery Rhyme Book

Chapter 15

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."

[Ill.u.s.tration: THE FIVE PIGS]

[_A play with the face. The child exclaims:_]

RING the bell! [_Giving a lock of its hair a pull._ Knock at the door! [_Tapping its forehead._ Draw the latch! [_Pulling up its nose._ And walk in! [_Opening its mouth and putting in its finger._



[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

[_Game with the hands._]

PEASE-PUDDING hot, Pease-pudding cold, Pease-pudding in the pot, Nine days old.

Some like it hot, Some like it cold, Some like it in the pot, Nine days old.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

"IS John Smith within?"-- "Yes, that he is."

"Can he set a shoe?"-- "Ay, marry, two, Here a nail, there a nail, Tick, tack, too."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

1. I WENT up one pair of stairs.

2. Just like me.

1. I went up two pair of stairs.

2. Just like me.

1. I went into a room.

2. Just like me.

1. I looked out of a window.

2. Just like me.

1. And there I saw a monkey.

2. Just like me.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

1. I AM a gold lock.

2. I am a gold key.

1. I am a silver lock.

2. I am a silver key.

1. I am a bra.s.s lock.

2. I am a bra.s.s key.

1. I am a lead lock.

2. I am a lead key.

1. I am a monk lock.

2. I am a monk key!

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

_Suitors._

WE are three brethren out of Spain, Come to court your daughter Jane.

_Mother._

My daughter Jane she is too young, And has not learned her mother-tongue.

_Suitors._

Be she young, or be she old, For her beauty she must be sold.

So fare you well, my lady gay, We"ll call again another day.

_Mother._

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And rub thy spurs till they be bright.

_Suitors._

Of my spurs take you no thought, For in this town they were not bought; So fare you well, my lady gay, We"ll call again another day.

_Mother._

Turn back, turn back, thou scornful knight, And take the fairest in your sight.

_Suitor._

The fairest maid that I can see, Is pretty Nancy--come to me.

Here comes your daughter safe and sound, Every pocket with a thousand pound, Every finger with a gay gold ring.

Please to take your daughter in.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

RIDE a c.o.c.k-horse to Banbury Cross, To buy little Johnny a galloping-horse; It trots behind, and it ambles before, And Johnny shall ride till he can ride no more.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

RIDE a c.o.c.k-horse to Banbury Cross, To see what Tommy can buy; A penny white loaf, a penny white cake, And a twopenny apple-pie.

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

[_The following is a game played thus: A string of boys and girls, each holding by his predecessor"s skirts, approaches two others, who with joined and elevated hands form a double arch. After the dialogue, the line pa.s.ses through, and the last is caught by a sudden lowering of the arms--if possible._]

"HOW many miles is it to Babylon?"-- "Threescore miles and ten."

"Can I get there by candle-light?"-- "Yes, and back again!

If your heels are nimble and light, You may get there by candle-light."

[Ill.u.s.tration: Decoration]

RIDE a c.o.c.k-horse to Banbury Cross, To see an old lady upon a white horse; Rings on her fingers, and bells on her toes, And so she makes music wherever she goes.