Lays of Ancient Babyland

Lays of Ancient Babyland - to which are added Small Divers Histories not known to the Ancients

Title: Lays of Ancient Babyland Subtitle: to which are added Small Divers Histories not known to the Ancients Author: Richard Trott Fisher Release Date: May 19, 2016 [EBook #52103] Language: English Credits: Produced by Emmy, MWS and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images generously made available by The Internet Archive) Whittington and his Cat 1 The Three Wishes 33 Little Red-riding-hood 43 Jack the Giant-killer 55 Divers Small Histories The Vain Mouse 79 Cock Robin and Jenny Wren 83 The Proud Eagle 87 Young Lumpkins Hyna 91 The Young Thrushes 95 M. P., or the Magpie 101 The Pigeon and the Hen 105 The Oyster and the Muscle 109 GOD prosper long our good Lord Mayor, And give him wealth and wit! A little wisdom too mote well His judgement-seat befit. Come listen all ye prentice lads, Sore set to drudge and fast, How that good luck and industrie Will make a man at last. Whittington,When our third Edward ruled the land, A king of glorious fame, An humble boy there lived also, Dick Whittington by name. an orphan boy,[4]His father and his mother too Were laid beneath the sod: But he was left, and all alone The path of misery trod. destitute, No woollen hose wore he, nor shoes Upon his shivering feet; A tatterd cloak was all he had To ward the rain and sleet. Yet, though his breast was cold without, His heart was warm within; And he grumbled not, for well he wot That envy is a sin. but industrious, And he would fight with all his might To earn his daily bread: Alas, to think how oft he went All supperless to bed! had heard great reports of London. Now he had heard of London town, And what the folks did there: How aldermen did eat and drink, [5]And plenty had to spare. And how the streets were full of shops, And shops were full of food; Of beef, and mutton, cheese and ham, And every thing thats good. And how the men and women all Were lords and ladies there; And little boys were riggd as smart As monkeys at a fair. But what most wonderful did seem, Of all he had heard told, Was how the streets of that great town Were paved with solid gold. Resolved to get there, Heyday! thought he, if only I Could get to that fine place! Twould not be long ere I would change My miserable case. he makes his way on foot. Now started off for London town Before the break of day, He fared beside a waggoner [6]Who drove his team that way. All day they trudged until the sun Had sunk behind the hill; And when he rose again next morn He saw them trudging still. His joy to behold that land of plenty. At length a multitudinous smoke Hid half th horizon round: And such a sight of chimney-pots! Dick gaped with joy and stound. He thought how often he had lain Beneath the cold damp air; While here was house-room sure for all, And fires ifaith to spare. Twere hard indeed if one should need A chimney-corner here: And from the drays that blockd the ways Small lack could be of beer. Twas thus thought Dick, and so full quick The waggoner he left; And was not long, ere thro the throng His nimble way he cleft. [7]His subsequent disappointment; Thro street, thro lane, full fast he ran; But marvelld to behold The ways all strown with dirt and stone, And not with solid gold. And folks were not all lords he thought, Nor ladies of degree: For here were rags, and here were tags, As in his own countrie. when hungry and cold, Yet, where such plenty seemd of all A hungry lad mote need, Tho rags were there he did not care: He could not fail to speed. he is neither fed by the victualler; So at a shop he made a stop: Before his well-spread board The victller stood, in jolly mood; Dick thought he was a lord. In cap ydight and waistcoat white He beckond folks within; While fumes arose to tell the nose [8]Of all that savoury bin. Dicks joy was great to see the meat; So in he ran with haste: Alas! roast beef is nought but grief To such as may not taste. The victllers eye right scornfully Scannd Dick from foot to head; Who beggd, for love of God above, A bit of meat and bread. For one small groat it may be bought; Ifaith it is not dear: But no sirloin withouten coin, Nor room for beggars here. Thereat a pamperd cur rushd forth And bit Dicks naked feet: Who by the wrathful victualler Was shoved into the street. nor covered by the clothier; Next shivering in his tatterd dress He viewd a clothiers store; But, as he was all penniless, [9]They drove him from the door. Ah, tradesmen sleek! ah, Christians meek! Why will ye swell with pride, When ragged want or wretched woe Stands shivering at your side? nor even heeded by any body. Alas, poor boy! what could he do? The busy crowd swept past: But all on self intent, or pelf, No eye on him was cast. He strove to beg: some heard him not, And some would not believe: Some heard him and believed him too, But yet would not relieve. Want most grievous in the midst of plenty. Oh! hunger is a galling thing, Where nought is there to eat; But three times more it galleth sore To starve midst bread and meat. At last he is noticed by a merchant-citizen, Now just as Dick all spent and sick Had laid him down to die, A citizen of gentle mien [10]It chanced came walking by. A merchant he of high degree, With ruffles all of lace; And Natures true nobility Was blazond in his face. who takes him home, and feeds him. He up did pick and home led Dick, And gave him food to eat: Then sent him to a clean warm bed, Not back into the street. Thank God! for that I passd that way This night, the good man cried; For had I walkd another way, Poor boy! he might have died. The morning come, Dick early rose, And thankd him from his heart; And told him how no friend on earth He had to take his part. This merchant becomes his friend. Then Im your friend, the kind man cried, And you shall live with me: And you shall tend my merchandize, And keep my granary. [11]and employs him in his granary; How danced for joy the lucky boy, To see his alterd plight! He watchd his granary by day, And lockd it fast by night. Now stored within this granary, Were corn and wine and oil, And cheese and other precious things Which rats and mice do spoil. where there lived a cat, So there with Dick ydwelt a cat; A tabby cat was she: As sleek and soft, and eke as fat, As any cat could be. of social temper, And she about his legs would purr, And on his knees would sit; And every meal he took, for her He saved a dainty bit. and high quality. And not a mouse came near her house But swallowd was alive: And not a rat but felt her pat: No wonder she did thrive! [12]The birth of a kitten: Now scarce three moons had waned and filld, Since Dicks lone hours she cheerd, When at her side, as Heaven willd, A kitten there appeard. and Dicks twofold delight thereafter. Then Dicks delight was doubled quite; For one may well avouch, Whatever fun there was in one In two was twice as much. This kittens surpassing beauty, All black and red this kittens head Lookd like a polishd stone: All red and black this kittens back Like tortoiseshell it shone. Full sure I am that well its dam Might dote on such a kit: The very rats that flee from cats Would stand and stare at it. and most pleasant humour. Its tail it whiskd and leapt and friskd, In weather fair and foul: Or cold, or hot, it matterd not [13]To such a merry soul. But who could see such joyful glee And not be joyous too? So Dick forgot his sorry lot And laughd as others do. Dick acquires his first property. Which when the merchant saw, and how The kitten it was grown, Of his free gift to Whittington He gave it for his own. ......Buy Now (To Read More)

Product details

Ebook Number: 52103
Author: Fisher, Richard Trott
Release Date: May 19, 2016
Format: eBook
Language: English