Part 8 (2/2)

p.u.s.s.y

_Child_ ”Wherefore wash you, p.u.s.s.y, say, Every half-hour through the day?”

_p.u.s.s.y_ ”Why? Because 'twould look so bad If a dirty coat I had; Little face and little feet, They too must be always neat.”

So says p.u.s.s.y, and I've heard All give her a handsome word, In the parlour she may be, People take her on the knee, Why all love her I can tell,-- It is for was.h.i.+ng herself so well.

p.u.s.s.y sat upon a wall, Taking a little fresh air, A neighbour's little dog came by-- ”O p.u.s.s.y! are you there?”

”Good morning, Mistress p.u.s.s.y-cat, Pray tell me how you do,”

”Quite well, I thank you,” Puss replied, ”And, Doggy, how are you?”

p.u.s.s.y-cat Mole Jumped over a coal, And in her best petticoat Burnt a great hole.

Poor p.u.s.s.y's weeping, She'll get no more milk, Until her best petticoat's Mended with silk.

”Leedle! leedle! leedle! our cat's dead.”

”How did she die?” ”Wi' a sair head.”

All ye who ken'd her When she was alive, Come to her burying At half-past five.

”Good day, Miss Cat, so brisk and gay, How is it that alone you stay?

And what is it you cook to day?”

”Bread so white, and milk so sweet, Will it please you sit and eat?”

p.u.s.s.y-cat high, p.u.s.s.y-cat low, p.u.s.s.y-cat was a fine teazer of tow.

p.u.s.s.y-cat she came into a barn, With her bagpipes under her arm.

And then she told a tale to me, How mousie had married a humble bee.

Then was I indeed ever so glad, That mousie had married so clever a lad.

DERBY

”p.u.s.s.y-cat, p.u.s.s.y-cat, where have you been?”

”I've been to see grandmother over the green.”

”What did she give you?” ”Milk in a can.”

”What did you say for it?” ”Thank you, Grandam.”

KITTENS

Now we must name you little creatures, After your several gifts and natures; Velvet-skin, thou shalt be; Softly-Sneaking, call I thee; This I surname Catch-the-Mouse, But that one is Thief-o'-th'-House.

They grew up handsome as could be; Velvet-skin lay on the knee, Catch-the-Mouse for mice went seeking; In the barn went Softly-Sneaking; Thief-o'-th'-House indulged his wishes 'Mid the kitchen plates and dishes.

”What is she doing, Miss Cat?

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