Part 33 (1/2)

_R.L. Stevenson_.

MINNIE AND WINNIE

Minnie and Winnie Slept in a sh.e.l.l.

Sleep, little ladies!

And they slept well.

Pink was the sh.e.l.l within, Silver without; Sounds of the great sea Wandered about.

Sleep little ladies!

Wake not soon!

Echo on echo Dies to the moon.

Two bright stars Peep'd into the sh.e.l.l, What are they dreaming of?

Who can tell?

Started a green linnet Out of the croft; Wake, little ladies, The sun is aloft!

_Lord Tennyson_.

THE MAYOR OF SCUTTLETON

The Mayor of Scuttleton burned his nose Trying to warm his copper toes; He lost his money and spoiled his will By signing his name with an icicle quill; He went bareheaded, and held his breath, And frightened his grandame most to death; He loaded a shovel and tried to shoot, And killed the calf in the leg of his boot;

He melted a s...o...b..rd and formed the habit Of dancing jigs with a sad Welsh rabbit; He lived on taffy and taxed the town; And read his newspaper upside down; Then he sighed and hung his hat on a feather, And bade the townspeople come together; But the worst of it all was, n.o.body knew What the Mayor of Scuttleton next would do.

_Mary Mapes Dodge_.

THE PURPLE COW

I never saw a Purple Cow, I never hope to see one; But I can tell you, anyhow, I'd rather see than be one.

ENVOI

Ah yes, I wrote the Purple Cow, I'm sorry now I wrote it.

But I can tell you anyhow, I'll kill you if you quote it.