Part 24 (1/2)

The tale of the little Cossack,-- He said, ”You are doubtless right, Though drowning is not a becoming death For it makes one look like a fright.

If my lovely teeth be crockery, And my hair of Tyrian dye, Then life is a bitter mockery, And no more of it will I!”

The tale of the little Cossack,-- He drank of the stout so brown; Then put his toes in the water, And the fishes dragged him down.

And the people threw in his ha.s.sock And likewise his grandfather John; And there was an end of the family, On the banks of the river Don.

WHAT A VERY RUDE LITTLE BIRD SAID TO JOHNNY THIS MORNING.

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!

Stupid old thing!

Why don't you fly, or hop at least?

Why don't you sing?

There you stand with your great long legs Stiff as a couple of giant pegs; Have you a nest with five blue eggs?

Have you _anything_?

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!

Stubborn old thing!

Is that your only song, that harsh, Loud muttering?

Here! listen, and try to imitate me!

Chirr-a-wink! chirr-a-wink! pirrip-wip-wee!

It's just as easy as easy can be, Stubborn old thing!

Thing with two legs, out on the lawn!

Ugly old thing!

I hear my little brown wife in the nest Soft chirruping.

And if you think I've nothing else to do But stay here and talk to the like of you, You're greatly mistaken, I tell you true!

Good-by, old thing!

THE MONKEYS AND THE CROCODILE.

Five little monkeys Swinging from a tree; Teasing Uncle Crocodile, Merry as can be.

Swinging high, swinging low, Swinging left and right: ”Dear Uncle Crocodile, Come and take a bite!”

Five little monkeys Swinging in the air; Heads up, tails up, Little do they care.

Swinging up, swinging down, Swinging far and near: ”Poor Uncle Crocodile, Aren't you hungry, dear?”

Four little monkeys Sitting in the tree; Heads down, tails down, Dreary as can be.

Weeping loud, weeping low, Crying to each other: ”Wicked Uncle Crocodile, To gobble up our brother!”

PAINTED LADIES

Oh, the pretty painted ladies!