Part 20 (2/2)

Yes, weekly from Southampton, Great steamers, white and gold, Go rolling down to Rio (Roll down--roll down to Rio!).

And I'd like to roll to Rio Some day before I'm old!

I've never seen a Jaguar, Nor yet an Armadill-- O dilloing in his armour, And I s'pose I never will,

Unless I go to Rio These wonders to behold-- Roll down--roll down to Rio-- Roll really down to Rio!

Oh, I'd love to roll to Rio Some day before I'm old!

_The Beginning of the Armadilloes._

China-going P. and O.'s Pa.s.s Pau Amma's playground close, And his Pusat Tasek lies Near the track of most B.I.'s.

N.Y.K. and N.D.L.

Know Pau Amma's home as well As the Fisher of the Sea knows 'Bens,' M.M.'s, and Rubattinos.

But (and this is rather queer) A.T.L.'s can _not_ come here; O. and O. and D.O.A.

Must go round another way.

Orient, Anchor, Bibby, Hall, Never go that way at all.

U.C.S. would have a fit If it found itself on it.

And if 'Beavers' took their cargoes To Penang instead of Lagos, Or a fat Shaw-Savill bore Pa.s.sengers to Singapore, Or a White Star were to try a Little trip to Sourabaya, Or a B.S.A. went on Past Natal to Cheribon, Then great Mr. Lloyds would come With a wire and drag them home!

You'll know what my riddle means When you've eaten mangosteens.

_The Crab that Played with the Sea._

p.u.s.s.y can sit by the fire and sing, p.u.s.s.y can climb a tree, Or play with a silly old cork and string To 'muse herself, not me.

But _I_ like _Binkie_ my dog, because He knows how to behave; So, _Binkie's_ the same as the First Friend was, And I am the Man in the Cave!

p.u.s.s.y will play man-Friday till It's time to wet her paw And make her walk on the window-sill (For the footprint Crusoe saw); Then she fluffles her tail and mews, And scratches and won't attend.

But _Binkie_ will play whatever I choose, And he is my true First Friend!

p.u.s.s.y will rub my knees with her head Pretending she loves me hard; But the very minute I go to my bed p.u.s.s.y runs out in the yard, And there she stays till the morning-light; So I know it is only pretend; But _Binkie_, he snores at my feet all night, And he is my Firstest Friend!

_The Cat that Walked by Himself_

There was never a Queen like Balkis, From here to the wide world's end; But Balkis talked to a b.u.t.terfly As you would talk to a friend.

There was never a King like Solomon, Not since the world began; But Solomon talked to a b.u.t.terfly As a man would talk to a man.

_She_ was Queen of Sabaea-- And _he_ was Asia's Lord-- But they both of 'em talked to b.u.t.terflies When they took their walks abroad!

_The b.u.t.terfly that Stamped._

THE LOOKING-GLa.s.s

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