Part 34 (1/2)

Cou'd you, without you cou'd, cou'd ye?

CCCLXVII.

If all the world was apple-pie, And all the sea was ink, And all the trees were bread and cheese, What should we have for drink?

CCCLXVIII.

Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

When you're well, 'twill make you sick: Tobacco wick! tobacco wick!

'Twill make you well when you are sick.

CCCLXIX.

[The following occurs in a MS. of the seventeenth century, in the Sloane Collection, the reference to which I have mislaid.]

The man in the wilderness asked me, How many strawberries grew in the sea?

I answered him, as I thought good, As many as red herrings grew in the wood.

CCCLXX.

[The conclusion of the following resembles a verse in the nursery history of Mother Hubbard.]

There was an old woman, and what do you think?

She lived upon nothing but victuals and drink: Victuals and drink were the chief of her diet; This tiresome old woman could never be quiet.

She went to the baker, to buy her some bread, And when she came home her old husband was dead; She went to the clerk to toll the bell, And when she came back her old husband was well.

CCCLXXI.

Here am I, little jumping Joan; When n.o.body's with me, I'm always alone.

CCCLXXII.

There was an old woman had nothing, And there came thieves to rob her; When she cried out she made no noise, But all the country heard her.

CCCLXXIII.

There was a little Guinea-pig, Who, being little, was not big; He always walked upon his feet, And never fasted when he eat.

When from a place he ran away, He never at that place did stay; And while he ran, as I am told, He ne'er stood still for young or old.

He often squeak'd and sometimes vi'lent, And when he squeak'd he ne'er was silent; Though ne'er instructed by a cat, He knew a mouse was not a rat.

One day, as I am certified, He took a whim and fairly died; And, as I'm told by men of sense, He never has been living since.

CCCLXXIV.

[Mind your punctuation!]