Hood - Fairy Realm

GUSTAVE

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University of California

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FAIRY REALM A COLLECTION OF

THE FAVOURITE OLD TALES. ILLUSTRATED BY THE PENCIL OF

GUSTAVE DORE. TOLD

IN

VERSE BY TOM HOOD.

LONDON

WARD, LOCK, AND TYLER,

:

158

FLEET STREET,

AND 107

DORSET STREET, SALISBURY SQUARE.

PREFACE.

'T'HE

favourite

five

so

are

illustrated

different

many

determine

adopted

to

give

mere

recital

as

could

I

fear

pictures.

the

manner, in

in

going,

in

with

works

I

have done the best

have I

a

have

I

of the

so

genius

The

prevented

little

like

by

deserves

M.

satisfaction

so

difficulty

to

I

have

in

the

most

anything

even

this

ill

the

beyond

plain

task

health,

and

honour

GUSTAVE of

has

in

plan

and

if

little

performing

written

small

metre

and

told,

no

them.

simple

been

single

often

matter of

short,

From

have

I

a

treating

tales

wished

what

But

of

easy verse.

have

that

association

mode

been

have was

it

M. GUSTAVE DORE

which

legends

known, that

ways, best

unpretending

I

well

the is

fairy

knowing

DORE'S that

could.

TOM HOOD. November,

1865.

of

I

CONTENTS.

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY LITTLE RED RIDING PUSS IN BOOTS

CINDERELLA

HOP

O'

MY THUMB

HOOD

.

29

THE SLEEPING BEAUTY.

TN

strange region, dim and Which lies so very far away, that

Whose Are

chronicles

dated "

There was

So deep,

To

prose or rhyme upon a time,"

in

Once

land where

a

the

hear the

ear

silence

reigned almost pained

it

clarion

shrill

gnat's

he Sleep's herald

Though

you deem

Scarce would

grey,

blow,

we know.

is

calm profound,

that

Unbroken by the ghost of sound, Had, like a sudden curtain, dropt a

Upon

revel,

instant

stopt,

That laugh and shout

And

hunting song had Stricken

A I

'11

tell

Of Princess all

to

it

bevies of

various

Prettipet's

look

all

silence

touch

single

you how

What

They

and merry rout

!

died out,

touch

a

at

was not

It

much

!

came about.

pages

ages

christening

banquet engages

as

deeply important hundreds of cooks

What To judge by

as

!

sages.

!

their

looks,

They had written the very profoundest of books. (Of course, books like those by Hobbes, Bacon, or Hooker Mean not mere Kitchener's Essays on Cookery.)

I

THE

As

to

From While

To The

the cartes, the

'T would need to

them

detail

taste

just

salmon,

or

partridges,

Maccaroni, potatoes, cream,

Jelly,

plovers'

Peas,

cheese,

parts

;

item

bite

'em,

own would

affright

'em.

real

turtle,

snails,

eggs,

fricassees,

sourcrout,

lobsters,

trout,

ice,

brocoli

herring, duck,

swine's

truffles,

tripe,

nests,

Dutch

liqueurs,

ale,

birds'

bitters,

about,

cutlets,

Lamb, blanc-mange, kippered Sheep's Sole au gratin,

of some

you want to find out

beef,

trotters,

to

tarts,

man

a

eat of each

to

The amount, the

the

to

soups

voracious will

veracious If

Of

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

and ragout

(say

snout,

cheese,

wine,

sprout,

whiting-pout,

stout,

ragout

For the sake of the rhyme)

And

And

have plenty of time, a knowledge of figures (which I call a crime), Because it's a feat that would puzzle beginnersMake out and declare

The cube Of

twice

twenty

of the

square

,

thousand of Lord Mayor's grand dinners.

The invited guests begin With nobles and courtiers They

And In

rich

to

arrive

:

the scene

is

alive.

hustle,

bustle,

dresses

rustle

;

The

squeeze for good places is almost a tussle; Precedence depends not on birth, but on muscle.

But they're none of them

To

reach

the

high

able

table,

For the grave Major-Domo, perceiving the Babel,


A

sufficient

With

the

Musqueteers,

King's

Because he well knows

when the time comes

If

The

twelve fairy

clears

space

will

it

last

Of

trumpets,

there

a

's

to

his

soups and the cannot find seats. the

for

godmothers

At

him

cost

ears

meats

bray say

That His Majesty's Majesty

coming

's

this

way,

With his Ministers gorgeous array, his And the Lords of Council, a noble display, And the Queen, who's as beauteous as blossoms in May, With her Ladies in Waiting so smiling and gay, With a great many more in

all

I

If

at

might

pageants like this

the

seats

that

run o'er

briefly

were only mi

I

The glittering Makes stately

To

their

fait.

procession

progression

Musqueteers hold

the

At the top of the While the visitors

possession

hall; all

Are crowded to death, though the place But from wall unto wall

Crammed

in

with short folks

is

and

not small,

tall,

Who, as chances befall, And in various degrees They All

bawl,

brawl,

haul,

suffer

the

squeeze,

maul, squall,

The King

's

call,

fall,

crawl,

and sprawl

looking pleasant,

Expecting a presentSay knives, forks, and spoons that cost many a bezant

!

THE

For a

for

daughter and heiress each of the fairies ;

these days

sponsor in

But

fairies,

Have

More

BEAUTY.

his

From (A fay

SLEEPING

gifts

quite

is

1)

we know, to bestow

and gold ones One gives the babe beauty, Another gives health, than

precious

rare

silver

and so

This a strong sense of duty,

That plenty of Five,

seven,

six,

Add

their

wealth.

presents,

but when

Eleven have endowed her, the " Says,

I

really

don't

ten

nine,

eight,

of the dozen

last

know what

to give

her,

dear cousin,"

(Addressing the Queen,) " But the courses between I

shall

hit

So pray take your As, while

I

The King Beside

am

has

I

upon something. seats,

for

will

not be

And my

;

'm not such a sinner

I

thinking, to keep

you from dinner

" !

taken the highest place,

him the Queen in her diamonds and Each fairy godmother Sits

mean

down by

lace.

another,

the Archbishop is just saying grace, When in comes a cook, with a very white face, cries, as he straight up the hall rushes nimbly, lord

Who

"

Please

your Majesty, somebody

There

's

For

silence

half

a

in

's

the

fell

down the chimbley

hall

minute,

And not a word doth fall From those within it No And yet it When, lo ;

!

!

is

so

!

" !

THE

The sound the

Up

of a foot comes

heavy and slow from down below

staircase

And

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

a

;

figure

ill-grown,

Unattended, alone,

Walks

straight

through the guests to the foot of the throne,

And

then with a squeak

Rising into a shriek, And eyes that with fury are terribly glistening, " Cries, Pray, sir, why was not / asked to the christening

'Twas old Fairy

Spite,

Whom

not invite,

they did

Because of her manners, which were not

She led a bad

Was And

So

Her wrath

to

And "

she

really

hopes

appease said,

strife,

all

But 'twas to

polite.

life,

to

worst of

besides

in

addicted

ate

peas with

see

Couldn't think

sore

affrighted,

her that

how

The Queen, Her fears to Here

is

it

day in

they was she had not been invited fact,

in

a

tremble,

dissemble,

the darling

papa

she'll

resemble.

'd

But

please not to wake her, " does she said Spite, really

"

Sleeps

!

like,

!

!

You " sleeps."

!

no joke

Shrieked Spite, " Silence, gaby Let's look at the baby."

She

knife

provoke. her His Majesty spoke,

Quite charmed

Said,

a

They both were delighted

To

' ;

" ?

p'rhaps,

to take

her,

?

I

'11

make

her

THE

Of

ma'am, have plenty" -CHORUS "Attente ! ")*

sleep,

(Here " If she touches

" For

a

Shall over

before

spindle

she does,

if

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

a

she

is

twenty

!

heavy sleep

all

your palace creep, with you, your whole court, " Buried in leaden fetters deep

And

shall

keep

!

" Until "

Who, Her

here as

gift

Broke " Until

in

a

Number

Fairy

Twelve,

we know, was forced

to shelve

because the banquet waited,

and capped what Spite had stated

come

prince shall

wake

to

The Sleeping Beauty, and so break The spell wherewith old Spite in vain Would her young life for aye enchain

The King

sent

Proclaiming

" !

through the land

heralds

contraband,

spindles

Pronouncing penalties and pains 'Gainst

And

and skeins.

so to spin

Became Wheels were bowled

No

rocks,

treadles,

distaffs,

a

sin

;

and looms came

out,

more old women were allowed

to

With wheel There were no

left,

spinsters

All

*

The

passage

Ssuredly find

I

quote in in

Act

I.

meddle or

treadle

the fair deceivers

became weavers

wild dithyramb you " Sonnambula."

this

of

in.

Ml

a-

;

;


The

very

name and

of a

uses

spindle

To nought The

fashion was,

Expired

past

folks

human

;

said,

Entirely dead, effort to re-kindle.

Time's wonted pace Is not a rapid race

His

did dwindle

;

motto seems to be " Festina lente"

But yet he passed away, Until at length the day Approached on which the Princess would

What What

What

consultations

!

!

preparations times for people of busy

What

stations

all

!

scouring out of rooms

With mops and brooms

What

be twenty.

!

scouring to and fro of hurried grooms No leisure, not the least,

For man or

!

beast,

Because His Majesty had fixed a feastAcres of eatables and seas of ale,

A

banquet that should make

all

others

pale,

E'en those of Heliogabalus, deceased To celebrate the day his child was quite

Beyond the malice of old Fairy It

was

a

scene of

And

vast

!

and intrusion,

bustle

profusion-

Such game, and meat, and

fish,

The tables and the Down- and up-stairs

Were packed away

Spite

piled

up

and rare confections

chairs

in

all

directions,

In chaos, which the master of a house Whose want of nous

!

THE

Is

such that he allows

Discovers

He In

fain

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

wife

his

a soiree,

round him, when tired out and sorry, would sleep, but cannot for the din dozethat

short,

" a

plague,

house turned out of windows."

wonder the Princess, so meek and quiet, Should run away from all the dust and riot.

No

No wonder, I When all the From Were

uite,

Great Seal to her

the

hardly sure

Or on

No

repeat,

who made

the

beds,

they were on their heads,

if

their

feet

!

no soul aware, Even of those who had her in their care-

wonder the Princess

from her room, and up a winding

Stole

Up

to

the

highest turret's or let or stop,

Without

Went

In

to enjoy

room

a

An

the

at

scenery

and

top of the

Merrily, with never span,

dame

old

the

The wool was

as

The

she

air

Princess

!

tower that day merrily turned the wheel a

Merrily,

looked in

the wheel

!

turned the wheel

!

Merrily turn the wheel

!

merrily

merrily,

at

!

stay,

"

sang,

top,

Merrily, merrily turned white as the driven snow,

Merrily,

And

tipmost

stair,

oh

the door

!

and

"

said

Merrily, merrily turned the wheel bonny white wool, and what bonny white thread Merrily, merrily turned the wheel !

What

!

" !

" The Princess looked in at the door and said *

What

bontiy

white wool, and what bonny white thread !

'

"

THE

'

Come

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

and make the wheel go Merrily, merrily turned the wheel fair

then,

hither,

one,

" !

!

Said ugly old

"

who

Spite,

Merrily, oh Merrily turn the wheel

sang,

She turns the wheel and wakes She

twists

call

her, but

Charmed with The wheel runs

the

toy,

swiftly

of

And

all

fall

that

cruel

ON

ONE AND ALL

of

steed

very

that

bird

she

her.

calls

on the wool,

Spite foretold

befalls

her

!

!

the

in

upon

palace courtyard cropt the roof that hopt

cook who mincemeat

for

the

banquet chopt-

gardener who the fruit tree's branches lopt huntsman who his beaded forehead mopt gay young lover who the question popt damsel who thereat her eyelids dropt councillor who fain the state had propt

measures

anxious to adopt courtier in his new court suit be-fopt

King,

his

who

beak

Rhenish soptscullion wiping up the sauce he slopt toper

his

chamberlain, purblind jester

in

wise

as

as

who 'd

peer that

who

lingers.

full,

who

DlD SUDDEN SLUMBER PALL

The The The The The The The The The The The The The The The

room

small

distaff's

heedless

blood

fall

in

with

STOPT

!

;

:

and the

She takes the spindle tiny drops

her whiter fingers she will not come

that

in

" !

busy hum,

its

the white wool with

She hears them

Two

!

ancient

the

Copt

fountain

flopt-

mirth had topt

THE

And

A

over

there

all

came a change

;

and strange

terrible

silence

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

Enwrapt the place dense of thorn and brier ;

While

thickets

Grew round

it

till

the

topmost

They

And

To

only aged

;

spire

efface.

came nigh

crones

sticks

gather

did

passing by,

or,

Some huntsman Spying a tower, would ask

And by

the

How many Had

striven

its

bold,

tale,

shepherds scared and pale Would then be told

a

to

noble blood

prince of penetrate

And

the wood,

reach

the

keep

Where that Princess so passing fair, With King and Queen and courtiers Lay wrapt

in

there,

sleep.

But how none ever yet could make

A

path through that thick-tangled brake

And none came But perished miserably

And

left

their

bones

back,

there,

all

In

bleached and bare

that

dark track

!

was a solemn place, I ween, Wrapt in its shroud of sombre green, It

So hushed and

The fall Nor was

of every leaf there

in

its

you

10

heard,

shades

To

still

cheep

a

bird

and

trill.

-,

I

s 1 -s>

s


No No

chirped beneath the hedgereed-wren rustled in the sedgecricket

No Only Did

at

where

times,

thickest

skylark soared round the keep

snaky

ivies

A The The

creep,

grey owl

snored.

slumbered on the wall

sunlight

shadow did not

tranced

;

crawl,

Or

scarcely crept the white lake-lilies lay

Dreaming Above their image,

;

as

still

they

;

;

The hushed wave

Like hermits dozing

Drowsed

in

in

their

the drooping

slept

cells,

blossom-bells

The murmurous

bees

;

All languidly the land up-clomb Around the central palace dome

By But

A

that

slow degrees.

embowered

pile did

some

fantastic

cloud from

Some Its

And

towers were

clothed in

slumbering

forests

branches

dream

visioned

place

misty sheen,

its

nodded, and the

base.

breeze

Sighed ceaseless through the sleepy

A

Nature's

warm

:

seemed to lean

About

The

seem

trees,

breath

long-drawn here seemed stayed, pulses

Steeped in a trance that all dismayed, 'T was so like death

11

:

!

;


Only

grew and spread

for ever

The sombre

branches

overhead,

Thick As

make

to

if

The brooding

Nature's

for

silence

The

vegetation lush

heart

deep the

in

Of

The

horns

Tra-la-la-la

are

deer's

The echoes The music tells

Bids

all

!

repeat sweet

vale,

deer's

finding

plain,

and hollow

!

That note again good huntsmen follow.

Tra-la-la-la

La-la!

The

through the wood

finding

and over the

forest, !

!

la-la!

of the red

river

Tra-la-la-la

man

!

La-la!

Through

runs

sweet

!

la-la!

notes

fail

Along the gale, Then, all good huntsmen, follow

12

;

sign

gaily winding.

Tra-la-la-la

Over the

and twine

That music good

!

Denotes the red

That

living

that

river

ran,

bine

or

never trace or track

the

!

:

sides

all

looped and drooped

Down by

gloom

and rank

On And And

sleep

a terror sank

the

;

more deep-

still

More

Into

and bloom

leaf

!

!

THE

SLEEPING

mile of moorland vast,

By many a By many Tra-la-la-la

BEAUTY.

mile of forest

a

huntsman's blast

the

!

where the chase

Tells

Tra-la-la-la

!

La-la!

Oh, hapless fate

sorest.

is

la-la!

deer,

near, Thy Which vainly thou deplorest.

In

is

the flying quarry seeks

vain

The dark wood's friendly branches The chase is done its race is run, The dogs are at its haunches. The Prince looks back. He rides alone, :

His

no longer And he can hear no suite

In answer to

What What What

He

's

outridden

Where

He

'11

his

a chase

!

!

a

race

a

terrible It

friendly cheer

holloa

his

friends.

follow,

!

pace

!

a very queer case-

's

he have got ? What 's the name of the place never be able his steps to retrace can

!

He

pulls

Not For the poor beast If

his

too early, is

his

And

up

finished,

home

steed,

indeed, it

shakes

lay quite

he knew where to

like

reed.

near, steer,

His horse could not carry him there

13

a

that

is

clear.

SLEEPING BEAUTY.

THE

Meanwhile each lengthening shadow shows That day is drawing to a close. In two more hours the glowing sun Will down the western heavens run,

And quench In

Before

its

yon bright

him

And none

is

molten gold.

sea of

awful

its

near to

and seclusion,

silence

tell

him

to

tale

its

And

On

and dim

dense thicket vast

that

Spreads out

manifold

glories

intrusion.

scare

path a giant bole Rears its huge form, a rude gigantic column. That gloomy portal does not fill his soul side

either

his

With

His step

From

is

fancies

on the luxuriant

light

the green

solemn.

sod,

blades a thousand

dew-drops spurning. Little he dreams that path has ne'er been trod

By

foot

returning.

Heedless he views the dark nooks in the glades, Passing to spots that shafts of sunlight brighten-

Nor knows

human bones

that

within those

Are

For him there

No

hint

is

no

of deaths

For him no

spectres

terror

to its

laid

the

in

which

it

bright

Or

14

to whiten.

spot,

interest

sunshine

fill

shades

its

sad owes blot,

shadows.

;


For him the Is

secret

that

locked away

To him

of that

grove profound

the death-like calm

and

tearful.

reigns

around

tale,

tragic

that

Is

not

strange,

fearful.

through sunshine and through shade, By paths that ne'er before were trod by mortal, To where the dusky forest's green arcade

So on he

fares,

Leads to a

avenue the young Prince gaily passes, carpeted with velvet moss beneath the nodding grasses. dreamy sunlight through the boughs upon the green sward streaming,

Along 'T

is

The

that

silent

and there with radiance

here

Sets

On

portal.

either

hand

rise

stems

lofty

a lingering dew-drop

rare

the

branches

the end

of some

above,

;

gleaming.

mingle

;

green dingle, glimpse of blue shuts closes where that of Framed in an arch long alley greenery He sees a flight of steps, a gate o'ergrown with truant roses,

And,

as

a

in

And some one who

beside

the

Was

A

gate

that

in

warm

sunshine dozes.

there found

ever

so sound

sleeper

?

He thumps him

and shakes him, But that never wakes him ;

Not Can I

don't

stir

think he

An immoderate

tweak, or pinch

kick,

'd

him an stir

slice

Cried the

The So he

left

page,

inch.

you gave him

of the coldest " cold

a- big

pig."

leaping o'er Qu'il s'endort .'"

Prince,

" that

if

inveterate

While he ventured on

15

sleeper

farther

the

to snore place

to

explore.

THE

" 'T

a very fine

is

As one

From

the dirt

So much

that

a

as

's

it

If

Look

And It

yet the floor well

's

This It

when

child,

evident

's

the

for

these words

From

the

!

:

playing this

trick,

slovenly

and had a big

stick

!

and carpets of plush, rooms covered with toadstools and mushrooms of velvet

!

parlour-maid she 'd not beside her she left that great cobweb and spider.

cleanliness

With

To

's

duster

lick

I

were the owner,

I

with curtains

!

for

dust-brush, or

an inch thick

Oh, wouldn't

The minions

and he made a wry face, don't seem they can muster

head, or

quite

trace-

Prince,

about,

's

Turk's It

the

place

may

clearly

said

Though, by Jove," "

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

their

isn't

the

Prince

"

hobby

reached

!

end of the lobby.

the

lobby he passed to the guard-room, and thence and gardens, which both were immense.

the courtyard

The

palace,

he

sees,

back beyond these, Apparently rather too darkened by Lies

trees

They're not trees though he finds, bringing closer But ivy and woodbine and other quick creepers,

Which

with

no interference of gardeners to " worret,"

Have climbed

How

his

to the

roof of

the loftiest

turret.

have turned and twirled, Twisted, wandered, rambled, and curled those

creepers

!

Such

Had From basement

a

never

I

ween, been seen

place,

to roof in

such

greenery furled

Throughout the whole inhabited world.

16

peepers,

THE

Not even

that

For

vast

abortion,

The Exhibition

Though

of 'Sixty-two,

the

across

Now

the

court

young Prince

trips,

around a sallyport

Sees

Hounds Huntsmen

in

asleep

slips

;

returned

bold,

to blow

All

prepared Snoring, horns to

lips

from

Lying with

!

near

:

E'en the steeds

like

ships

outspread,

on an ocean dead.

Lifeless

draws

sail

all

sport,

a mort,

There they were becalmed,

He

the view,

a monstrosity to " so overgrown."

quite

half

Swift

known

so widely

building,

want of proportion

its

That

Seemed

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

there are

no one

is

too

While each

to

bar

sleepy to utter single

his

a

way,

"nay,"

hound

be bound, Is so sound there 's no chance of his making a sound, Though not wanting in bark, since he 's closely bound round but then they are boughs With branches of creepers In the pack,

I

'11

;

That

are

not of

the

sort

to be

followed

One huntsman would have an ugly

by

"

wows."

fall

he were not upheld by the palace wall, Whence a stray branch of woodbine, in pitying scorn for him, Has thrown out a trailer that 's winding his horn for him. If

Another one, dropt Off soundly, is propt

By

a

buttress

that

stands

where

17

his

steed

by chance

stopt.

THE

An odd That

A

unless

sleep

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

vow

I

pillow,

;

For you '11 surely allow of some slumber your need

on a buttress seems anything but

Two men

the

in

the

is

utt'rest,

rest.

doorway

a

in

Appear poor way, So closely they're bound

And wound Around Their

By

the

feet

in

fetters,

stems

snake-like

;

their

their various

in

crowned

temples

inclinings,

That they must appear

To in

Sleeping partners

Past

grooms

Past

screws

Past

the

I

fear,

some branch department of Twining's. as

unawakened

hounds

as

fast

no

as

sinners,

Derby

winners,

less

express,

Bedfordshire

The young

And on through

sad

as

sound

of hunters

As the

Through

Prince,

land of

into the

Prince

corridors

Nod,

trod,

and long arcades,

wrapt in sombre shades, anterooms wherein had Echo slept So long, it scarce awakened as he stept

Halls

And

Lightly

and swiftly

o'er

The

That

dusty floor, stood in need of sadly

And

ever

He

swept.

and anon,

As he passed In

being

room, in

on, hall,

on

stair,

Here, there, and everywhere, came on sleepers sleeping with the

18

air

" He

a fight of steps, a gate o'ergrown with truant roses, some one tobo beside the gate in that warm sunshine dozes."

sees

dnd


Of

folks

Whom

work by sleep nothing could awaken active

at

;

Not even being That

o'ertaken.

to

its

physic with a sediment swallowed 's an impediment

like

being

Well shaken

The housemaid, seemingly Caught unaware Upon the bottom

By sudden

And

A

so

rouse

to

up

lay dozing

fallen

napping,

A Playing

When

muster

any

the

against

and

to

stir,

banister.

the coal-scuttle,

let

the whole

fall

scuttle

giddy page

Was, with another youngster of at

and duster,

to

failed

herself

lacquey, carrying upstairs

Had

fluster,

stair

had quite

slumber, sense

Sufficient

and

fuss

with feather-broom

downstairs

Tripping

in

his

age,

the hall

in,

fly-the-garter

both asleep did

fall

One Going

take

to

a

run,

Straining to start (as when is trained a and there gets Pointer or sporting dog

Partridge or

The

Had

fallen

Within

pheasant, other of

asleep while

their

in

barracks

the

the

slip

he

taking such

And

let

Until

filled

his

run

was

any

up any

'11

strain),

tucking in his

several of

the

twopenny

guards cards

;

nap,

silver

the wine

the cask

a

pup

twain

Were quarrelling in their slumber over The butler in the cellar at the tap

Was He 'd

flagon o'er all

and

o'er,

about the floor

drained and

19

!

held

no more.

!

;


But he

continued after that to snore,

'd

Until he was

as

dusted

And cobwebbed and As

rare

All

these

old

bottled

port,

Prince

the

'Thirty-four.

by with

stealthy tread

sped,

he reached the grandest room of

Until

The banquet-hall, the board a mighty feast was on

Where

But

in

passed

As on he

encrusted

since

when

the day

Time had strange havoc made With dish and dainty on the board

Had With

In

dinner with short,

or

five

to

by

six

his

the

quickened

King

the

his

rotting

seams,

spiders

lie,

hung on high

But there was neither gnat nor

To The very mice had in

company.

dusty cobwebs huge,

were

to sleep,

That ventured

jump, any

spawn of hideous dreams,

in

Wherein did bloated feign

to

;

disgraced,

room, but by

And And

nation

taste

Vast mushrooms,

Had

the

no conclusion harsh

Had thought only

ruler of

the

Person of

Not

;

tricks

strange

some

arrayed

laid

People of station had been favoured with an invitation

Who To

played those

spread.

cloth was

that

first

all,

catch fallen

that

20

hall

;

fly

by subterfuge. asleep

to

creep.

THE

SLEEPING BEAUTY.

And where

sun athwart the gloom

the

Poured through the pane

A

glittering

lane

Like Dreamland's golden bridge, You looked for stir of life in vain, Because the very midge Slept

As

The King And head

that

silent

with half o'er

Presiding Like the

in

drowsy room,

tomb

the

as

!

half-way to his lips the beaker, turning to the latest speaker

his

banquet,

slumbered there-amid,

Pharaoh sleeping in his pyramid While the Prime Minister, acute and wise, Still

And,

first

saw what must be done with fast-shut eyes, as

behoved him

Kept nodding

The

Was For

And

;

to

in

his

Treasurer and bolt

the

royal

Sovereign

acquiescence.

Chancellor of trim

as

upright, raising coin and

as

a

presence,

Exchequer three-decker.

borrowing he was meant, nobody could ever say he leant

To

right or

left,

E'en when of sense

The

Secretary,

Upright did

bereft.

Foreign and Domestic,

less

stick,

And, being long accustomed to Inclined

Beside

Stood

the door like

the

indite,

to right.

a

sentry

Roman

soldier

in

the entry

Discovered in the ruins of Pompeii, You (Or Herculaneum which was 't ?

21

see,

I

THE

Have got no book Here

the

in

For sake

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

of reference

at

all

country, not e'en what we'll call, of rhyme, a classical invent'ry).

At any rate, he stood There like a thing of wood

And by

side

his

Salver

A

in

did

;

stand,

hand,

whose duty was to cater With flagons, flasks, and bowls

servitor

For

all

the

thirsty souls

(He's called a buttery-man

Well There this Remained a sticker !

Against the

Of claret, And other Just

like

a very

Alma Mater) of liquor

lad

stair-foot,

sherry,

at

with his laden

tray

Burgundy, Tokay,

wines we

'11

call

et

caetera

image or dumb-waiter.

Another 'mid the goblets lay a-sprawl

made

It

the

young Prince think

Him

overcome with drink, really had not been the case O'ercome he was there's no

Which

at

all.

denying, but 'T was only sleep for though the glass was cut, He was not even blown;

He He

did

could

have shown

not owe to any drop his

fall.

Through every tiny crevice, nook, and Heaven knows how many

Of

every kind of creeping plant

had sprouted And grown and wandered since,

Till

If

cranny,

he were in

the

young Prince

or out

of doors

half

doubted.

THE

SLEEPING

The

clinging

Which Nature (as Had taught to turn The One The

silent

As

Maid to

if

To " It

an

officer

men

his

drills)

one way, enwound and bound

formed a

foremost

tendrils,

who

sleepers

trailer

BEAUTY.

all

sort

sound.

so

slept

between

of chain

Honour and

of

the Queen,

say

who

those

sleeping

lay,

"

time to

rise, good sirs, and go away In short, the very same remark that made 's

By "

stingy hosts who save their wines Of the discourteous hint,

Come,

you think

don't

is

by dint

time to join the ladies ?

it 's

The young Prince gazed Upon the scene amazed.

He

shouted

not a single head was raised

;

No

single

All

heads

sound upon the

silence

broke-

Nobody spoke

He

were bowed.

alike

shouted loud

As one who wishes But not

He

No The

of

:

seemed absurd.

feast

for

And though Of

stirred

really

lay the

Not one

crowd

word

a

creature

Untouched

a

heard

situation

There

to outroar

years

they all

'd

at sat

least

so

;

long.

the

throng feeding seemed inclined to be beginner, And there was the young Prince,

Dropt

in

some minutes

And making Since

he'd come

That he became

since,

such a din

for

in,

them another

23

dinner.

;

"

THE

At

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

tired

last

out,

Of vain attempts by shout, And even shake, to rout

From

slumberers

deep sleep the

their

The

banquet-table,

Whether he'd be

able

Ever to wake them, feeling quite

The

To And

about

in

doubt,

made up his mind them all behind,

Prince leave

some one waking he could find, And so passed on through halls and quiet cloisters, But everywhere found people mute as oysters And sound as tops. see

if

But yet he never stops, Though neither man nor woman, girl nor boy

All

And Stirs

the

as

is

not

No

banners or the

maid's

voice or

page's

Heard

in

shrill

No No

death,

breath

a

ancestral

No

as

still

the

upon the

footfall

arras

groom's listener's

ear

on what Jane Housemaid

But

still

the

his

calls

ladies'

tiring-rooms

maids

Then

so

for

a

Appear

;

terrace.

stept in.

he views

tired

they

're

in

a

snooze.

change

Through sleeping-rooms he

Which by some

the

onward course pursued,

Half fearing to intrude, As each fresh chamber doubtfully he

The

harass

anywhere,

e'en

In

to

stair,

Not

Prince

;

rooms,

tongue the

step

stirs.

'11

range,

contradiction

the only rooms

24

very strange that are not slept

in.


Yet onward All

And

For round

undecided, his

yet

are

steps

head on

his

A Who

he strays

still

;

pinion

airy

by devious ways,

still

To

where the Sleeping Beauty O'er whose tender violet eyes

For such

On

"

plays

band of Fays,

him forward

lead

guided

the

years

lies,

have closed,

lids

her couch while she reposed.

Come away

"

"

Now we hail When the Prince

the happy day shall break the

old

Spoken by

Now

we

sing

sang each Fay,

!

the

Spite merrily,

For the destined one

Thus

all

" !

could not hear their

Wandering on

Last he

he

is

sung the Fays,

gladly

Though he

spell

fell.

as

reached a

a

in

silent

maze.

chamber,

Where through all the woodbine's And the roses' red profusion, And the jasmine's silver stars, Glowed the

Misty golden

Touching

But

or

Where For

a

all

the

with

magic

space,

Gazed he on

in

amber.

all

entered

was centred,

wonder, dumbly

that

figure

25

clamber,

intrusion-

bars,

room he

that

e'er

sun's

glorious

lays,

comely

THE

the

Sleeping in Where the

From

BEAUTY.

SLEEPING

snowy bed,

sunshine splendour shed

the casement's

Crimson, blue, and In a variegated all

(Not

That

Can

stain

yellow

rain. as

colours,

we know,

painted windows the sun contrive to in

Primal

red,

tints,

glow

throwindigo,

yellow,

a

however, through

Will,

pane

pictured

"windy"

One moment on the thresholdOne moment and no more So

!

a thing of dreams Fairyland she seems,

like

And

That he must pause

And

go.)

he of

time his breath

till

life

take

fresh

restore,

hold-

One moment and no more And then across the room he bounded

To

that

bed by clustering bloom surrounded-

white

Across

the

startled

floor,

Whence foot had been estranged so long The frightened echoes that his step awoke Seemed shrieking out In her bed, as

hear

to

white

as

when

silence

snow,

Softly had she slumbered, While old Time with silent flow

Had Quiet

long years numbered. the dead she lay,

the as

Sleeping all those years away On her pillow, woodbine-cumbered,

Wreathed with flowering may.

And

her breath

Through

the

so

softly slips

rosy-tinted

2fi

lips,

before,

broke

!

li s;

*^

kj

O

^


That the white

seems to

lace

rest

Moveless on her whiter breast-

That

scarce

it

One

of

That,

all

love

in

Glitter

appears to stir the fluttering motes

look

to

down

the

at

her,

golden lanes

That the sun pours through the

panes,

Bright with armour-coats.

Drawn by As a bee

When Stole

to

the the

Every

Prince

are

in

all

across

he nearer

step

perfume,

lips'

golden broom,

braes

bloom, room.

the

set,

eyes of violeta little wider yet !

the white

Showed the Showed the

quite

lids,

beauties soft

asunder,

hidden under-

eyes,

full

of wonder,

him turned bent upon him of marvel won him

towards

Opening, Till

sweet

the

Oped Oped Till

her

radiance

their

From his trance And his bosom burned With the passion to outpour All

her feet before,

soul

his

Careless

if

she

spurned,

So that he might only tell That he loved her and how

Now

in

banquet-hall with

the

While

Awoke It

well

through the palace woke the Both fork and knife

Were

seemed

so as

far

great if

;

the

stir

!

of

life

vigour plied,

and wide a

riot

after

the quiet,

household was

27

at

strife.

;


woman, boy, and man

Girl,

All

Bustled

about and ran

hurried,

not one plodding

you

Because,

Each thought

!

see,

he or she

that

been the only one that had been nodding,

Had

of detection,

fearful

And,

Was bound

to

and look

strive

alive,

escape correction. And the red sun set.

In order to

Meanwhile

The household All

The The

fire

yet

not into order get

did

:

was surprise and wonder, Error and blunder. was out, the

cook was

in

a

pet,

Queen was in a fret The hunters just returned, they thought, from hunting, feast was cold, the

Felt

it

;

affronting

Their game should get so very high and mite-y The housemaid, seeing all the dust and dirt, It

Felt

hurt,

drove her almost

crazy

But over

all

this

din

Uprose the

And by

its

rays

at

least

;

flighty.

and turmoil soon silver

moon,

shed on the dewy grass,

Forth from the palace that young pair did pass, And threaded the deep shades In the arcades

Of sombre forests And so they took

To

around them

that their

Fairyland, wherein,

as

lay.

way legends

say,

'Mid mirth and merry-making, song and laughter,

They

married, living

And

there,

I

happy ever after 'm told, they 're living

to this

day

!

LITTLE RED

the

A

RIDING HOOD.

of

side

wood

a

once stood,

cottage

who wore a red hood. Where little girl dwelt, Her father of trees in the forest was cutter, And her mother sold poultry, milk, eggs, cream, and The little red hood, a

It

must be understood,

Belonged to a mantle

As e'er you set But operas ne'er,

Had

butter.

as

eyes on that I

pretty in

:

am

and proper a cloak a

short,

red

opera cloak.

aware,

been heard of by any one dwelling round there

;

Whereas every dame had a cloak bright as flame That she wore when out riding (which gave it its name.) For then in those parts

They Gigs,

'd

no

chaises,

or waggonettes,

such

spring-carts, as

a farmer

So Hodge, Reuben, or

Went

his

eight

or

ten

now

starts

;

Giles,

miles

dodging the stiles On his nag, grey or brown, to the next market town. And were you to meet him, I 'd bet you a crown

By

the

road

or

the

You would (If

bridle

path,

certainly find

your sight's

not,

like

him mine, -dim,)

A-jogging along with the goodwife behind him, Perched up on the pillion of Dobbin or Dapple, T and cheeks like an apple ith a cloak like a

W

poppy

A

hood, that was really some good, For use, not for ornament one that you could cloak with

(That

a

is,

if

you would)

:

LITTLE RED RIDING HOOD.

Draw over your face quite The sun was too warm or

A

closely,

the

in

rain

case

fell

apace,

hood. both-ears-protecting, eyes-shading, hair-hiding

And

that's

why

they called the child Little

Red Riding Hood.

where Red Riding Hood dwelt Was a garden, surrounded by trees The flowers were the sweetest that ever were smelt,

By

the

side

of the

cot

;

And

were

beloved by the bees,

greatly

Who

led jolly

lives

In a couple of hives Well sheltered from shower and from

breeze.

Beyond the small garden, whose flowers were so sweet Bees wooed them through long summer days,

The woodman had That, as

patch for the wheat he would raise, each year came round, To grind and to bake For bread and for cakecleared

a

small

Simple wheat, not that wonder,

Now

the sun

rises

a

maize

!

and the world awakes,

For morning like a careless servant breaks And from house, hut, and cot,

;

Hind, farmer, or what not,

Each

villager

Each

stride

From

off

the

way to labour takes. he makes a thousand dew-drops shakes his

fresh

green

grass

they were besprinkling,

And makes them wink, And gleam, and glance, and

blink,

Until the peasant in great haste you think Because he walks the whole way in a twinkling.

30


Red Riding Hood's father has shouldered And is off to the woods again. At the thwacks and the

The echoing But woe For

shades

murmurs

its

are

he hacks

;

steel

attacks,

vain.

in

all

axe,

the timber

as

complain

stem that his

the

to

cracks

his

Red Riding Hood's mother has risen with day, As soon as the hens were awake, And down to the kitchen has taken her way,

From And the

embers to rake, butter and flour on the table to lay,

the hearth

For she

But For

bent upon making a cake.

's

Red Riding Hood

little

She

the

all

is

terribly lazy,

folks

little

As soon

up the

as

And not The best Which is six,

When

in

fear

I

's

slumbering yet

;

morning should get becomes clear,

the

light

away

sleep

time of the day, as I hear. or about :

cake's

the

and brown

nice

The young In her

Has

for

slip

a

breakfast

And when Just

little

lady comes down, white apron and little

she

has

on your

Want you

to

her mother says,

cloak,

as

dear,

some things

Red Riding Hood's And, looking her Is

gown

;

bowl of fresh milk from the cow, finished,

carry

blue

quick to

as

"Now,

you can

;

your granny!

drest,

best,

behest. only awaiting her mother's

On

the

table

is

laid

The cake that was made Ere Red Riding Hood opened her

31

eyes,

I'm

afraid,

I


And beside it Whose equal

a pot

could not

At Fortnum and Mason's be as

For, Is

every one

tells

fine

me,

got

easily

;

fresh

fragrant

honey

even for money.

not always obtainable,

[There are very few treats in the matter of sweets, Like the honey one fresh from the honeycomb eats.

But fond I

can't

Without

as

I

am

a

think

(As his

real

To

" Little

that

a

tarn

the

a

to

amat

bees

honey,

wanderings sunny

painful disaster, trouble the famous

secret,

explain

Qui is

's

fresh

their

in

would

it

name

little

of a

risk

great

I

it

a

watch the bees

Though

How

of

we

'11

say

mella,

make an

Red Riding Hood,

child

object

of

to

sting

larches,

folks

or

pick flowers

and pine. cot

her.

on the way

Little

Red Riding Hood promised her mother

She

not stop

'd

me.J

mine,"

Go, and tell her what you have brought But mind what I say do not delay

"

o'

the

chatter with

"

Thingamy)

And down by the pool of water, And over the fields to your grandmother's With the griddle-cake and the honey-pot,

To

Beemaster

"fellah,"

mother to her daughter, " Through the forest of beeches, and Said

Dr.

"

on the road to do one or the

" !

other.

Such allurements I old enough now to withstand am., So I '11 carry the honey and cake to my grandam, And then you shall see how quick I can be. Good bye, dearest mother " And oflf hurried she. !

3-2

LITTLE RED RIDING

HOOD.

The fields with buttercups are gold, The hedges white with' may The woodbine's trumpets manifold ;

Are bright beside the way

The foxglove rears Where hang the In

its

lofty

;

spire

bells

purple

;

shady quiet nooks retire The modest pimpernels ;

The poppy the green corn-fields decks, The meads are bright with cowslips. She

on her way, nor recks

loiters

How

She

now

time

rapidly

now

enters

slips.

a

glade,

Dappled with light and shade, Through which the path is to her grandam's

And

she

as

strolls

along,

Singing her careless

She meets a grim grey

made;

song,

She

wolf.

's

not

afraid,

Because close by

She hears her father ply His axe, and knows he'd to the rescue fly If Master Wolf should any treason try. And Master Wolf knows too it would not do, hard with such

it 's

Although

And

He Albeit

"

his

carry see

you

a

cake

pray safe

cloak

nice

pretty

that it,

in

view

;

pleasant,

stomach's crying "cupboard"

What

carry

meal

most laudably

makes himself quite For the present.

How

Me Me Me

so

a

you or

that

are

there

are

of !

scarlet

!

33

!

Let

very big jar

you taking "

said

audibly.

the

it

far

:

:

let

Let

wicked old

varlet.

RED RIDING HOOD.

LITTLE

Alas

Red Riding Hood,

Little

for

!

That she should be naughty instead of good That she should let the old wolf flatter, And allow him to walk her

By

When "

What

" I

"

'm

her mother so

your name Little

my

is,

and

side

talk,

he

Red Riding Hood."

" fain

said,

"

her to chatter.

forbade

strictly

dear,"

"

"

Where

are

you going

am going to my granny's, to carry this jar " Indeed And this cake from my mother."

?

I

Oh, you go through the wood, and

You And

see

'11

a

small

that

cottage there

lives

a

stands

"

" Yes

?

your granny She can't get out of bed and she

little

" Is

When I reach granny's To knock at the door

by

beyond

pond." but now she

;

from

suffers

'

always calls out

'

cold."

care

Who

who brings you a bite and From her mother,' say I And she 's sure to reply,

Your

so old

's

;

take

I

cottage till she

far ?

it

a

" Poor dear," said the wolf, with a pitying grin " " But how does she do about letting you in

"

be knowing.'

I 'd

!

"

;

grandchild,

'

there

's

a

?

sup

;

'

If

you pull at That 's how I

get

" This

So

bobbin the latch

the

Oh my way,

in."

lane

"

"

!

is

will

said

fly

wolf,

up.'

in

And

wish you good day." he vanished at once in a terrible scurry

Said

Red Riding Hood,

I

goes

hurry,

a

flurry

'11

Like a shot from a

Away

a

the

wolf,

"

Doesn't he seem

rifle,

and,

or I

'11

faster

wager

a

;

in

"

trifle,

my

life,

'11

Be up to some mischief or other ere long, For his only delight is in doing what 's wrong.

34

!

'

'

I'm going

And

ttis

to

fake

my

Granr.'fs to carry this

from my

mother.'

jnr 'Indeed!

L

it

far?'"


Off through the wood still

Hastening

Round by (He

's

Stealing

He

skirts

I

I

no good),

to

'11

beyond

cottage

give

my

you

bond),

along (intending a wrong) the grandam's abode, by the skirts of the road,

Towards (By

evil

up

ill),

the

to

pond,

some

after

upon

(bent

the

's

(he

mean

don't

sneaks to what

muslin or

either

has

Shakespeare

called

calico,)

"

miching mallecho."

at the door. Rap, tap In the midst of a snore !

The old lady woke up with a start, and said, " Lor Red Riding Hood ne'er knocked so loudly before. Oh, deary me, I

'11

cannot be she

it

pretend I 'm

still

!

wolf old

so

rapped

woman

she

If

I

shall

miss

door

the

at

:

hard that his knuckles were a

like

sleeps

see."

shall

once more

Rap, tap She heard

The The

;

and then we

sleeping,

!

make

doesn't

My

time

that

tit-bit

shall

I

what a bore

top

sore.

!

haste,

waste

who's so much to

my

taste.'

Tap, rap Rap, tap must wake from her nap, !

!

" She

Or

the

Before

Her

old

foolish

At "

I

At

child I

be here

will

can clear

grandmother up, every

last

said

rather

a

the

hand I

scrap."

grandam,

am

know, so and Very soundly, there so long Perhaps she has waited and knocked That, in order to wake me, her tap becomes strong. sleeping,

35


Who

's

"

there

then

?

cried

she

;

Said the wolf from outside,

'

And

Disguising his voice the deception to hide, whispering low with his mouth to a cranny,

It

no one but

's

Red Riding Hood, granny

Little

!

brought you some butter, some eggs, and a cake That mother got up in the morning to make, And she sends you besides some nice cream in a cup" " If you pull at the bobbin the latch will fly up I 've

!

Wolf pulled And what a

He

went

the

at

sad

bobbin,

job

!

in

knob

but no sooner had thrust his grim

;

in

(But for rhyming, instead Of "knob" I'd say "head")

Than

the

frightened

old

But before she had time She was bolted

Who, though Remarked

entire

the

lady

to

bolt up " Oh

sat

of

pangs

his

bed

:

"

my

exclaim,

by the monster voracious

fierce

in

gracious ;

hunger were

gratified,

himself, with a grumble dissatisfied, " Tough skinny old folks are not nice things to victual one " Here goes for the little one However, no matter

to

Then he turned down granny's

the

bed-clothes tied

big nightcap And he cuddled Close

up

to

his

under

and quickly jumped his

chin

said

in,

:

the clothes nose,

And For

;

!

!

And

!

was speedily off in a very nice doze " For Red Riding Hood if I 'd have any he,

Respectable

twist

;

I

must

first

digest

granny.

For though at one meal I could eat child, pa, and mamma, There 's a good deal of picking somehow about grandmamma

36

" !

Before ibe had time

She was bolted

to

exclaim

'

'

Ob, my gracious

entire ty the monster voracious."

!

.

**

5 -Si


Red Riding Hood

Little

Stopping

Or Or

hear while

to

to

list

to

follow

the

in

loitered

the

thrush

to the

croft

along,

sang his

blackbird's

down of

the feathery

the

Or blowing in flocks The seeds from the "

Of

the

bright

For the to

Is

To

one's

or

dandelions,

burrs,

"

clocks

ones

thin

if

matters

it

thistle

searching the docks whose chief trick

no matter

(Though

whistle,

and to stick

catch

garments,

song,

clear

or

thick

:

to you,

Because they come through Supposing your clothes are the former and prick).

foolish

Why, Will Close

She puts

And

you

butterfly,

skip,

flutter,

the latter

immediately stolen by the mice. But what does the latter at all to her matter

Why

a

a

Lunatico

the writ

I

Must,

Who

runs

so

Through

fit

fain

the

in

pastures

a

as

hatter.

's

inquirendo

harsh a

would

sneer

;

innuendo

humorous his

invariably felt

and meads

De

for

subject

fancy the hatter this in the first place, to

For a man who

mad

:

should be

hatter

Proverbially called

But

!

fly

's

She's after that butterfly, [It's not clear to me

friend

gratitude for

owe,

smother

another.]

the butterfly leads, and little she heeds as

Red Riding Hood follows, The orders and warning her mother

Had

fly

You 're an idiot utter, by the child ? down the honey and cake in a trice,

that

morning

even her grandmother's needs. given her, But when she comes back once again to the track, And finds the cake gone, she grows frightened. " Alack or

37

" !


She

" what

cries,

Won't granny be

To

loss

!

cross.

with honey for

off nothing

breakfast

a

sauce

" ?

then a glittering dragon-fly gauzy pinion darted by.

Just

On

Oh, he was clad in burnished mail, His wing a fairy galley's sail, And he was twice as big, I ween,

As the biggest butterfly she had Soon forgotten the honey 's She off with a run is

seen.

;

Where

the dragon-fly

bright in the sun ditches and hedges, by rushes and sedges, ponds full of reeds and all sorts of weeds,

By By By

that

pools

are

glancing

so

and brooks

stagnant,

full

is.

of waterbreaks,

She chases Libellula Eagerly. [Well, you '11 Llow there must some

When

Awful punishment come commands in this manner a daughter breaks.] But conceive her concern

her mother's

When, on She

For the

And

a-

I 'd

Said

"

shan't better

she,

I

get

how in

Strays

To

she can

placed in left

for

sunny

spot,

pot.

!

grandmother say scolded

a

earn.

but the honey's

?

stopping to play

get on

loiters

up

all

Lack-a-day

will

Resolution

climbs

it

honey, and

She

Or

jar's

the

all

What And

empty

had discovered

ants

cleared

an

that

finds

her return,

without further delay vain Again and again

!

" !

!

meadow, wood, highway, and laneinto

the coppice

the

pick bright poppies, the hedge for the nest that

a-top

is

;

.


Or

she emerges

else

Where

widely diverges

The forest's long avenues leafy green arches Of beeches, of ashes, of elms and of larches, Which she lingers beneath

To

A Or

pick for a wreath

bright trail of ivy, that some lofty stem on is, with bluebells her apron to fill or anemones Or to watch the quaint habits ;

And ways of the rabbits, And the plans of the crows, Who, as every one knows, Establish

scouts

their

At certain look-outs, To warn them of danger whenever they Ve

doubts.

[As touching these rooks, Natural History books the

thing to their greatest eclat 's The fact which should win them the warmest applause That nothing they do is e'er done without caws.]

Declare

that

But now she has passed

Through Is

the forest,

and

fast

approaching her grandmother's cottage What excuse can she make

For the honey and cake

At the thought of

that

she's

scrape

at

last.

?

beginning to quake.

She creeps through the garden,

Her

Attempting to harden and declare she " Don't care a brass farden."

heart,

in

But,

She

And

asking

The knock That

there

is 's

so

her

's

very

granny

faint,

of

spite

that

near

her trying, crying,

grant her a pardon. the wolf's scarce aware "

to

any one knocking, but

39

cries

out,

Who

's

there

?


"

"

Red Riding Hood

Come

to

see

"

on her speech broke a sob

here

Said wolf,

you."

"

The And

latch

will

up

fly

the

at

pull

bobbin,

So she opened the door,

!

Mother promised "

For love or

for

Then where

is

make

to

granny, to-day she

Please,

"

you

in

with terrified feet o'er the floor. Said wolf, " Where 's the cake

tottered

"

" If

not able

's

money."

my

" r

to

bake,

"

honey

r

"

What makes you expect any, granny ? How funny Said Little Red Riding Hood, trying to smile,

To

a

in

Although "

terrible

me no

send

'm

all

fright

said

breakfast,"

the while. " she

!

was

wolf,

silly

;

feeling hungry and faint, I 'm quite chilly. As you Ve brought me no food, you must warm me instead I

I

so

take

in

you So take off your '11

Jump

place of things,

into bed, just

for

breakfast

my

some help

and,

And

to

into bed

clothes,

goes.

Old wolf keeps the counterpane up to But the child sees with fear That, now she 's so near, Her grandmother 's looking remarkably

She trembles with

Commences "

Oh, granny, "

"

They

're

to

I

They

're

to

fright,

view hear

see

Oh, granny, your

"They're

and

following

Oh, granny, how "

"

the

to eat

your gran to

once warming-pan to be."

She takes off her

in

brief

his

nose,

queer.

sad

perturbation, conversation :

your long ears with surprise all

fiery

you

you

say

and big all

teeth

the

to are

the

" !

letter."

"

your eyes

!

better."

tremendous

are

in

size

" !

you!"

AND HE ATE HER.

40

;

bed.

in

be,

PUSS IN BOOTS.

PHERE It

once was a

who

miller,

been done by a good

's

But

this

miller,

lived

many

you

he died

till

people

beside

;

see,

In particular he, On the brink of the grave " on the banks of the dee," " As a Scotchman would say (vide song " Annie Laurie ;

It

North-country short

For

Made

a will,

articulo

whence

mortis]

the whole of

arises

Three sons had

To whom Stock,

A

business,

tenure,

in

all

this

his

story.

miller, siller,"*

and "

wilier

"-

not to spin out my verse, on all " seised " of, both real and personal,

short,

of

(Exclusive, of course,

With which he was

He

bad cough and which carried him

the very

seized

had to devise

you would surmise,

as

And,

and

accordance with ages not a bit But no

divide

in

!

!

He For such a

'

my

"

goodwill,

premises,

Things he died

Would

is

hadn't

division

the wit or

didn't

see

fit

;

Though with terms Caledonian this story is filled, You '11 find it, I hope, only scotched, and not killed.

41

size.

off)

PUSS

IN

BOOTS.

a

partition

But made So strange

That

to one

It

is

The

The

To

a

blow

for

half

after

one,

was

't

funeral's

reading should

think

now

loss

Since of

all

(Though "where "There's always a

that

it

their

there's

it

proves

the will

doesn't

!

be

begun.

the dying

;

grieve,

father was

a will,"

there's

When

the will

says

able

the

not always

is

to

leave.

you know, Woe.)

proverb, a

recited

are delighted,

young brother

is

they find

that

slighted.

cruelly

For joy they with decency scarce can

When

hit

not bereave

Way"

their

a

done,

of

does

They both For

the others

The youngest is crying, The others are trying who 's most colour for praising Their

Them

condition

in

their

bemean them dad

Every thing that he had

Has

left

them, the eldest, to own all between them, Save one thing and that

only the cat, he leaves to the youngest, Is

Which

The By But

And

youngest, poor lad the loss of a father, as

didn't

care

not fortune,

" that

as

what he had,

made

nursing his cat, at a loss what he next should

silent

quite

he

!

described

sad.

sat,

42

be

at,

brat.

PUSS

Each

brother,

(Who, " Said,

him

addressing

BOOTS.

IN

He

young Lazybones

then,

Nemesis,

and more cruel than Themis

the Greeks say, less just

Now

as

sternly

Clear off

!

asked for some bread and some

And

he

'd

work

a

like

But they both answered,

We

have to

shall

half

So,

And

assist

in

Of

'd

if

you

not an idea what he

He

much

Till

best

'd

set

about.

him

for

that

nobody cared

for

him

and what was prepared

big tear-drops

his

eyes were

;

"m inclined to think yours the more serious In having a penniless wretch for a master." his

addressed,

see,

he,

then,

I

disaster

master caressed,

then in plain language " said shall

suffusing,

sing.

I

You

him

speaking he suddenly heard,

Are unfortunate too

Dear master,"

for

a word,

As he was a-musing, his cat, too, a mew " " Ah, Puss," he said, you

And

!

by the dam,

while

sat,

Nor

'

:

to

could not help feeling

thus

slow

go "

be pitied, old mill he quitted.

sat

And

Puss,

better

the

The The door gave a slam Not one pang was spared

Thus he

're

said.

poorish look out, there 's no doubt ;

a

that

So,

He

bed,

you

much

!

poor lad departed, the world for himself he was started.

'T was

He 'd

!

a

brothers, he

you along

broken-hearted,

thus

No

premises

his

slave for

"

straw for

is,) "'

the

just

his

feelings

leave

it

to

expressed.

me

promise, what then

43

;

you

shall

see.

!

I

Your

And And

assist all

want

I

The

He But

fortune

is

to

make,

your revenge on those brutes

to wreak

you

that

once undertake

at

'11

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

a

new

of boots

pair

notion was funny hadn't

!

:

much money,

nothing more hopeful appeared to be done,

as

;

Went off to a cobbler, who lived in a stall, And ordered the boots to be made rather small. Not shabby, old, worn-out, and New boots, too !

he

holey 'uns,

But a spick-and-span pair of resplendent Napoleons.

The boots arrived, the bill was And Pussy an excursion made. Some snares he prepares,

To take dozens And a wire that Quantum

of

hares,

will

of rabbits

paid,

grab

its

;

Without burning cartridges, Catches some partridges

And And

To

the court

several

bears

of

the

pheasants

them

as

King

I

But history reports he was

;

presents can't

partial

tell

you

his

name,

to game.

Day day the cat brought his prey In numbers sufficient to load a big dray, after

Or

the cart which

they call in the Crimea each single thing

And

He "

With

the

loyal

respects

of the Marquis

of

the

The cat, as Where the

arabah

;

brought to the King

monarch one day, " Come, tell me, Whereabouts is the Marquis's property, eh ? Said

an

requested,

lands

the

quarter

lay whose

44

fee

in

Carabas."

I

pray,

suggested the

Marquis was

vested.

" His '

cries the

whole neighbourhood round might awaken-

The Marjtfii of Caracas'

clothes

have been taken

'

!

"

PUSS

Said I

the

IN

BOOTS.

drive over

'11

"

monarch,

Hooray way

that

!

:

Master of Horse just to bring round the chay." In a moment at that off went the cat

Tell

the

At what modern Faster

and

slang

faster,

"a

styles

reaching his

till,

He cried, " Of your clothes And jump in the river that " In

On

the

bank Pussy

the

be

sir,

bat,"

master,

once off a

at

runs

" Don't talk,

river

terrible

by the path

caster, " !

but pray go to bath

'

while

stayed,

master obeyed

his

But the Royal procession so long was delayed That he felt very cold in the stream, I 'm afraid. " At last, " Here they come " cried Pussy now, !

Is

the word

But, while

you

Said his teeth

my "

Said the If

"

!

My

cat,

do,

You Ve good

will

it

fortune

" !

master,

chatter

young

so,

With

cold

to

this

out well in

am numb,

warning attend

the

hand, and the path

at

I

cannot be dumb."

friend,

turn

all

mum

:

"

;

's

;

end.

very quick to

it,

So keep a look-out, Mind what you 're about,

And

whatever

I

say,

Then

And

you

say

and

stick

to

" it

!

Puss goes

crafty

hides

likewise

all

the clothes

With grass and dead leaves and when he perceives The royal coach nearing him, loudly calls " Thieves ;

"

!

His

"

neighbourhood round might awaken The Marquis of Carabas' clothes have been taken " cries

the whole

!

Said the

What

My

is

"

King, it

I

see

Deary me

!

?

"

the cat up a tropical tree : " " master has had a disaster, Ah," said Puss, my dear " " For some one has cut Cut Oh, here 's some court

good

friend

!

45

plaster."

" "

He

the cat,

said

No,

sire,"

He

doesn't

no court

needs

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

want

that.

but needs a court

plaster,

suit

;

For while he was bathing some mannerless brute, Who had chosen the reeds and the rushes to lurk Cut away with his hosen, knee-breeches, and jerkin." "

" "

Whatever Gloves,

that

Is

My

collar,

shall

servants

needful

is

the

said

all ?

cloak,

King

;

bring stockings,

and doublet

in,

in

cap,

sword,

robe,

a whole wardrobe,

short,

Each thing that he wants,

From

a king takes the you're to spare provided with changes of clothing

He 's At

so

least,

The

A A A

pants."

when

aware

course,

[Of

to

castor

seem to

legend would

this

air

declare.]

produce for the Marquis's use rich velvet suit with gold trimmings profuse, rich velvet mantle with a lining of satin, servants

diamond brooch stuck a

While another the

ostrich

cravat

point-lace

fastened

plume

the

in,

hat

in.

These elegant clothes

Were With trimmings With noeuds of

de

couleur

of green ruban,

rose,

and with apple-green hose,

to encase

(For further particulars, please see

Our

By

hero,

the

Who The

attired

right

(as

the

garb thus

lovely daughter was

King's

sat

in

before

I

intended to

of her pa in the

But

I

'm bound

Our hero no

stout

his

Le

mollets

Follet).

acquired, greatly admired, state)

on

"

royal to

phe-ayton."

confess

less

Was charmed by

her grace

For

his

and her beauty in turn " hern." looks, he was ravished with

1

if

she liked

40

Said the

Thus

"

King,

to

in

fall

My

with

dear

Marquis, it 's really a treat one I Ve been dying to meet.

Pray take a

And

How much Of

I

partridges,

We 're

going

Here

my

's

repeat

your numerous presents grouse, woodcocks, and pheasants.

'm obliged rabbits,

a

for

for

still

's

But the weather

I

is

for

fine

fear

:

dear,

getting

the time of the year.

suppose we are passing here through your estate

So the King But the old

Unable

to

sat

answer,

But Pussy cut

in

And

with, for

Because

He

pray enter the carriage. yours, if you wish it, in marriage.

drive

daughter she 's Any news ? None,

Bread

I

seat,

me

let

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

never can

tell

if

rattled miller's

on, son,

scratching his " Yes !

why it 's

he's

pate,

though he 's Dash my wig

?

" ?

in

doubt of

!

so

big

in

it

or

out of

it.

But your Majesty, p'rhaps, Will order your chaps To drive to the castle, which certainly caps Any castles you'll meet in a long summer day; And, if you '11 allow me, 1 11 show them the way."

To Bids

Pussy's his

request

coachman

the

King promptly

to follow

And away

accedes,

wherever he

leads,

the cat

sped ahead long way a road that was bordered by corn-land and meads.

A

On

Pussy well knew

That the land they passed through Belonged to a wizard

a

47

mighty one, too-

it

;

PUSS

Who,

what Shaun the Post

's

Was

that

colloguer,"

" Arrah

quoting from

in

I,

"

One being

with the Evil

besides

(Don't think It

BOOTS.

IN

in

the

urgh

rogue an ogre.

as

:

!)*

on they kept going,

as

fields,

err

the

says to Feeney,

Middle Aged cannibal known

But where'er

na Pogue,"

They came upon labourers reaping or mowing, Or ploughing or harrowing, weeding or sowing The cat ran before,

And

cried

Your master commands Said

In

Puss,

a

" Give o'er

out,

"

"

!

and the workmen forebore.

!

He 11

approach

state-coach,

splendid

And has sent me before him these tidings to broach, And to bid you, unless you wish demons to tease you, If the King, his companion, inquires who employs you, With one voice in a moment, men, women, and boys, you Must haste to declare, With a satisfied air, The Marquis of Carabas, sire, an it please you See The carriage draws near '

'

!

!

!

haste

Come, Quit

And And

give

Do you

!

hear

?

all

occupations, haste to your stations,

him the

The poor

lowest

of low salutations

" !

afraid,

people,

His orders obeyed.

The Marquis

* This

himself

expletive, I

to

rather

dismayed,

used to express utter loathing,

scarcely can

One

How

became

spell

really can't

put sounds

in

tell

etymological

clothing.

PUSS

BOOTS.

IN

Thinking what was to end all these funny proceedings Into which he was following Pussy's queer leadings But he felt he was sinned against rather than sinning ;

For Pussy strange fun With the clothes had begun, But what would the close be of such a beginning

on Pussy speeds By pastures and meads, the coachman still follows wherever he Still

And

"

Your

estates

Pray,

Marquis, inform

If

I

may

us,

inquire,

Did they come from your

He

must

have been a most

really

much by

so

Acquiring

I

'm

With such The

Of

so

to

a

right of the

lord,

sword.

perceive,

riches

leave,

son of such

merit

to

?

terrible

to

wealth

sire

inherit

mighty a conqueror and enemy-killer." " "

My

the

pleased

He 'd

leads.

enormous

are

late

To

tell

had quite a renown

father

The As

the youth, you the truth,

said

Yes,"

to

Though

hint

she

a

miller."

smiled sweetly,

Princess if

as

neatly,

counted the father

-

A

conqueror rather, She fancied the son

Had In

fact,

.she

was

About one of For she

a

victory as sure

won the

would infer-

conquests, and that was of her he was lord of her bosom completely.

his

felt

smile

!

49

;

And now

the

To right And seem With

fields

and so

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

left

much

lofty crests

and meads they leave huge mountains rise,

;

heights deceive touch the skies.

their

to

Pine forests clothe their sombre

sides,

Where dark ravines and gorges frown, And many a mountain torrent glides, Or bounds from ledge to ledge adown. Their mighty wings the eagles flap High up among the summits lone,

Whose

peaks the snows eternal

Or where But

in

the

the

plain

cap,

billows

glacier

groan.

about the base

Of this portentous mountain chain, The signs of human toil they trace, And find men labouring again. Here, turned by some wild torrent's force, Huge wheels revolve with busy hum ;

There some

Whose

vast

depths

chasm

their

stops the eye would

course,

Or, laden deep on shrieking wheels, Toil waggons up the steep inclines

Their load the mystery reveals, This region is a place of mines

As soon

as

plumb

vainly

:

!

Puss

got to this desolate spot, miners, he kept up the plot.

Addressing the " See your master approach In the King's grand state-coach

He

;

has sent

me

before

50

;

him, his orders to broach.

at Ci

-e **

PUSS

If

you don't wish the gnomes and the kobolds

When Be '

BOOTS.

IN

The Marquis

whom you

asked

certain

to

of Carabas,

to seize

you,

obey,

say,

an

sire,

'

it

you

please

!

When

His Majesty's Grace Appears on the place,

You must bow

each one touches earth with his

till

To

face

!

every word

That from Pussy they heard

The

attended

miners

Low bowed and low bended And when the King came, And asked them the name Of

their

they answered him

master,

And

I 'd

just

hint

as

thus

this

That

Of miners obeyed

minors

to

;

all

just

you

whole crew should

always

But now having passed through this wild They came to a plain greenly wooded and

And

A A

castle

Or

the

that

half

spied out, thick forest amid,

on the

stood

brow of

a

rock

For the

crest

of a

the

gates

The

horses

royal

of the

will

last,

vast,

hill,

you

will

the

base-

place, side

at

full

chase,

coach wound,

got pretty well

For such roads

at

was so steep

Though Pussy went straight up the While slowly around The

tract

choose which

The road had to creep Round and round from

To

do.

hid

you may

hill

same.

the

e'en

puzzle

51

I

tired,

a

'11

be bound,

nag that

is

sound.

;

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

Boots made a stopHalf-way to the top Puss in Not because he was tired and quite ready to drop, But because he encountered a dame and her goodman the man was a woodman And child

by

profession wished to

And

inquire

Ere he went any higher If this past all doubt was the castle and dwelling Of the wizard of whom I have elsewhere been telling. " bow, he said, Pray allow to ask you one question that struck a

making

So,

Me

That

To

castle

that

dazzle our

me

just

now

rises

eyes

is

"

of a man of position " " of a mighty magician, said they, palace," So harsh and severe he's regarded with fear

The The

I

abode,

:

suppose,

By all the poor people who The best course, if you asked Is

not to go near him

he

" Never fear,

for

Said Puss, the

Till

I

about here

us, that

we

may put

'd

;

recommend

to you,

an end to you."

1 11

persevere of this wicked one clear."

neighbourhood So he went on once more,

Of Of

dwell

reaching the door

till

he gave with the knocker a score such rat-tat-tat-tats, to the blush as would put man-

the

castle,

-Y thundering knocks by a real London footman. The door was flung wide, and Puss stept inside, But not an attendant there was

Nought but

a

to

be spied

hand

Bearing a wand,

That pointed the way with a courtesy bland, corridors

gorgeous, up staircases grand, Through halls by arched ceilings, all painted, o'erspanned, Along galleries brilliant with lovely stained windows,

By

Whose curtains Of that Indian Which

Great Britain,

't is

were made brocade

said, to

52

the conquest of

Scinde owes

;

PUSS

BOOTS.

IN

the wizard of course

Though Not by

At length doth Puss

A

hall

The Ogre he

by

and O. steamers, or

P.

merchant-ships,

curtains

got his

sick

whose centre

in

cui

spies,

Cyclopius venter.

taken his

has

Beef,

And

mutton, and the

beasts

there's

seat,

manner of meat-

all

each in separate bowl

veal,

different

And

of

repast

taste,

eat

to

Preparing

An enormous

craft.

enter

" as a matter of (Which, translated, would mean His figure and form ran a good deal to waist.")

He

witchcraft,

served

are

one

him whole

to

up

;

moreover,

dish,

That Puss can discover, That strikes him with horror and harrows his soulBabes of quite slender years (that means tender, not thin, Piled

age)

up on a dish (and no gammon), and spinach.* nothing daunted (Although 'twill be granted

Puss,

The

sight

in

some

Walked Where At the

servants

the

to

straight

the

might have

hearts

terror

implanted),

board

monster abhorred

him bellowed and

attending

roared

And servants sure ne'er on their master attended With such an unwilling respect as those men did " Rascals of mine

Bring

Or

I

'11

cut

you

me some in

wine,

sunder from head-piece to chine

'm authorised wholly

By Anthony Rowley,

Whose -O)

And

spells if

editio

the

!

!

* In thus making spinach 'To rhyme as with Greenwich I

princeps

;

(of course

it 's

a

foli-

word s.p.i.n.n.a.g-.e

any should know how

53

to

spell

it,

't

would be

he.

!

Alarmed

the

at

One brought

Of wine

BOOTS.

IN

PUSS

one-tenth

speaker,

big beaker

a

had floored any one weaker.

part

But the Ogre held up the great In

a

critical

Smacked "

That

do

'11

And

!

called

is

They

"

The

Not

to

near the

delighted,

skill

[I

a

as

regular

that

's

it

puzzle

dry,

;

eat

'm

with

chair

huge

I

it

to drink,

it 's

hand on

lowly bent,

acquaintance

For

goblet.

since

eye

say

from, you'd think " instead of a gobble-it," call it

'd,

Drawing

so,

his

one gulp drained cannot see why

at

all

to

just

lips,

and count

For

With knee " Quite

the

to

way,

his

and then

down

set

It

"

glass

of one

so

gigantic

heart,

arts

air,

and head bare,

courteously to

distinguished

in

guzzle-it."]

reverent

a

Puss

so

sure,"

"

a

spake,

make,

necromantic,

Whose fame Is

not to speak it in terms sycophantic driving with envy all wizards quite frantic, "

European, or Asian, or e'en Transatlantic Here Puss bowed again with a courtier-like !

Even

wizards,

I

fear,

or

so

Cannot always, unmoved,

The Ogre Pray who In

return

For

for

since

I

said,

flattery

f

what can

these compliments

'm not vain,

Of your

hear.

"Ugh!

you

I

do

?

seems pretty plain this without some hope of gain."

not tell me " Quite right Says Pussy,

it

you

're

fain

I 'd

very polite have a sight.

magical powers one now report says is yours, the which borders " what is impossible." Pray give your orders,

There

And And

would appear,

artful

are

You would

On

't

antic.

's

I

'11

open your eyes with

prove

that

report

does

a

not

little

always

surprise, tell

lies."

"

'

'

The

abode, I suppose, of a

The

palace,'

said they

'

man of position ?

'

of a mighty magician!'

PUSS

"

Well, since you the

power

Ape,

bear,

Is

Tiger,

lion,

all

a

peccary,

beast

known

in

the

least

A

gnu, paradoxurus you wish

bird

if

or

a

call

zoological

leopard,

e'en

I

hippopotamus

wolf,

elephant,

latter

shapes

Pacha of Egypt obliging got 'em

Or

The

what a wonderful dodge

of assuming

Scarcely

the

BOOTS.

kind

so

're

(The Till

IN

us),

;

fish

penguin, for instance, or Buckland's Said the Ogre, "He! he!

silurus."

You

quickly shall see " That 's only child's-play to a wizard like me So without more ado, hands and knees on he sunk, His ears turned to flaps, and his nose to a trunk, !

And

form

his

all

at

once took so quickly to swelling,

He "

threatened to knock off the " " that 's Bravo cried the cat !

You

roof of his dwelling. capital,

;

almost

that

!

big as the Heidelberg vat But can you now, please, with just as much ease Into smaller dimensions at once yourself squeeze ? 're

as

!

from the elephant, big as the house, " Sans any embarrassment, into a mouse ?

Say,

turn

Bulk, big

legs,

and

trunk

Immediately shrunk In three seconds no more!

Was Where

the

a

mouse on the

elephant

floor

stood but an

instant

before.

At one bound, quick as thought, That mouse Pussy caught,

And

any aid from his charms could be sought, Or help could be had from the spirits who followed him, Had given the magician one grip and then swallowed him before

55

!

PUSS

IN

Then back

to

time to receive the

in

door

the

once more,

Puss hastened Just

BOOTS.

state

carriage

and

four.

He

helped to descend His master and friend,

Who

was

bewilderment

in

still

And The

how

it

would end,

proceeded to bring

and the King

Princess all

the

grand rooms, and grooms pages

Through

Where

Who To

were glad with the Marquis their old situations hold in the castle made low salutations.

To

cut

And,

his

short,

court,

nobody wished their attachment to thwart, The young folks were married,

And

To

tale

returned to the

They since

my

he

his

bride

carried

where happily ever they And the cat was provided

castle,

tarried

;

The King so decided With a cushion of silk And a gallon of milk Every day of

his

Ve The I

life

till

the day that

he died-ed.

only to add fortunate lad

Sent and fetched his two brothers so cruel

And recalling the To their mernory, Told

and bad,

past at

last

good fortune, which made them aghast And then, bidding them better in future behave them, To be nobly revenged on them both he forgave them his

present

;

56

!

CINDERELLA.

once was a Baron who dwelt

Of

the

at

top

rock by the Rhine, Whence, whene'er he 'd incline, a

way he was ready

that

travellers

Upon

to

drop,

And lighten their purses Which brought many curses

On

head of the

Baron of Snitherumpopp For a practice, which now

the

We And,

in

shouldn't

the

fact,

allow,

would immediately

police

Hard by where These strange There

lived

a

young

Proclaimed unto

the tricks

stop.

Bar(i)on* did carry on

who by

Prince,

flourish

of clarion

both great folks and small, He intended to give a great banquet and ball Or, to use modern language, a spread and a hop 'T was good news for the daughters of Snitherumpopp. all,

:

For the Baron, you

see,

had daughters

The two eldest as ugly as ugly And prouder than Lucifer (no That through.

For they

three,

can be, !

I

waited

must scratch so

long for a catch, It 's not true that their pride was above any match) But the youngest was fair, with beautiful hair Her sisters looked on her with rage and despair 'd

;

;

And

that

they 'd

" forward If that

At I

this

have no chance they declared past a doubt, " " come out." young minx was allowed to

new mode

hare seen a

of spelling the word don't

Baron with more than one eye

57

feel !

shy

CINDERELLA.

So

of her

fear

for

beauty their lovers bewitching, her to stop

They compelled

In that wretched cook's-shop

Which In

own denizens christened the " kitching." very mean they compelled her to clean

is

clothes

Pots,

its

by

and pans

kettles,

In her

pa's

implements

de

cuisine.

worn-out gloves

She polished the stoves, Poker, shovel, and tongs, and whatever belongs To the role of what Stubbs* calls " say po-vers onfongs"

The General

Servants

this

Though Or at least

last

is

a

as

or

a

in

rule

Maids-of-All-Work,

name they seem anxious advertisements

from robust, she

to

shirk,

burke.

sweep and to dust, see dinner cooked, when skewered rightly or trussed, far

Though And to

'd

to

(Though dining herself off a scrap and a crust, While if aught turned out wrong by her pa she was Not to mention, en passant, the fact that she must and tables adjust and, from all things were clean from

Chairs

;

See that

this

(For

Deserts

she

last

used paper, which brain

this

last dirt,

unto fust, mildew, or unless

is,

cussed)

rust.

memory

called

poor altogether, Emery.) doubt on the to [N.B. Any point enlighten, I don't mean the actor, although he 's a bright 'un.]

When To And Of

was announced, off the two sisters bounced send their best dresses to have them re-flounced, the

ball

soon became clawers from various

fans,

flowers,

gloves

(by the

drawers

shopman

" styled

strawers "),

Trimmings, ribbons, and laces, to add to the graces Of their very poor forms and their very poor faces.

*

Of But

scenes continental once,

though

poor

Stubbs has been viewer his trip as " ntong two-cr."

he speaks of

58

CINDERELLA.

I

must own that they were

What

tradesmen

One

Hear described by your eldest

With

plain

you'll or wife

emerald green or a

a

for

scarlet

's)

"

in

figures

!

a

Bertha.

a

as

sister

to declare

inclined

's

Either an

speaking de rigueur

one contrives to unearth

scarf,

Compound of tulle And ribbons which The

plain

" marked

denominate

out a

routs

(since

tarlatane, 'un,

under-petticoat known as a slip While the second decides double skirts are "the tip." " " (What the tip means you know, though one can't see the point of I 'd not use the slang, save that rhyme makes a joint of it.) a

silk

At

a

draws near the

last

The

What

;

ball

last

three

and bustle

hustle

Be made when I

to

's

the

And

dear

oh,

noise

that

waltz

of the

they say.

what a

fuss

'11

rustle,

scuffle

Be made when along the oak While the band are all playing

The popular

!

!

whisper and

enough

quite

day

nights,

ball-dresses

warrant

'11

festal

'11

floors

hard

as

the

season

their as

feet

they

shuffle, 're

able

" Mabel."

While her unprepossessing

Two Cinderella

to

are

sisters

do

dressing,

the work,

all

I

'm

afraid,

is

made,

Not only She

of general servant, but lady's maid. out the robes by which each so much

lays

Takes things down Cleans Pins

their

And now Is

prepared

They

To

're

hooks

sleeves,

they're to

gone

!

their

both

become

And

poor Cinderella

their drest,

at

yet

for

shoes,

the

to

their

and

dresses,

her

a

their

corsets.

guest.

thanks

lending her aid

59

hair,

laces

looking her best,

Prince's

neither

sets,

air,

curls

each,

store

;

has

conveyed

it.

CINDERELLA.

they have not even

They Ve not wished her good-night Though for once they've allowed

her to act

as

kist her,

assister.

She could not but feel it, her heart being tender, So she sat down and had a good cry on the fender; When as good Mrs. Brown,

Of

Whose

figures

Be described

world-wide

renown, may, without any bosh, "the things that come home from

of speech

as

Says" All

a suddin

of

The room was

a

!

But no

The

Was

Cinderella often

Very

As

I

!

chimney!

!

the contra/ry

fairy

!

had got what now-a-day not has

can't

learn

you

any one's lot, but instantly grant

to

fallen

fancy you

When

to the

fire

set

quite

and a

affair,

Oh, Jim'ni

glow

an accident

another

" said,

was not so

beautiful

not due to

Altogether

t'

!

in

flood

Of light Cinderella, surprised, The soot must have caught and

the wash,"

"

it 's

This benevolent fay

by way of an aunt. has called in, in this way a

fairy

To hear what her favourite niece has to say, And to send her, if any desire she evinces To share in the fun, to the ball at the Prince's.

When

she

said,

"Will you go?" she

But answered, " Just shouldn't

I,

How

one

I

wish

I 'd

a

ball-dress "

aunt fit

didn't

say,

"

" adding,

!

for

a

belle

"No!" Oh !

a

" So

White muslin with tucks you shall, Cinderella. But first we must get you an equipage proper. You '11 find some black-beetles down there by the copper There 's a rat in the trap, and some mice, too, mayhap, !

And

On

there

the

's

also

grass-plot

a lizard,

before

a

the

little

;

green chap,

scullery door.

Bring them here, there's a dear.

60

Stay,

I

want one thing more

"

Now

pumpkins

But no

some fry 'em, some boil 'em, some stew 'em made one a brougham ! "

one before ever

CINDERELLA.

A

pumpkin

And yonder

!

I

my

if

see,

eyes "

Don't deceive me, a pumpkin exactly the size Cinderella soon sought the things out, and brought !

To

her

Turned the

A As

as

who, by magic

aunt,

thought,

pages, and made of the rat powder, bouquet, and laced hat. to

beetles

coachman,

as

rapid

all

they became in a trice Eight cream-coloured galloways, worth any price And the lizard she made that most active of friskers the

for

mice,

;

A

footman " "

Now

with

!

and big whiskers.

calves,

livery,

And

now, dear," said she, For a coach we must see

some

pumpkins

fry 'em,

some

But no one before ever made one

At once

although

Turned

to

a

coach

bow

a

a

some stew

brougham.''*

at

long range

in

trick

bantam

a

cock-sure as

a

like

boil 'em,

you may fancy the change,

strange

And think I am drawing The pumpkin (of that as

!

I

'm)

a

pantomime. her niece's array touched Then the worthy old fay Rags and tatters all vanished at once quite away, in their lieu, she appeared to the view And, lo !

In

a

of fashion the

ball-dress

She

Hunt Where on

of

them

cruel

's

!

Hancock's, or Ryder's, or H. Emmanuel's, Or the shops of some forty more

at

(Say Storr and Mortimore, and Roskell, or any besides of the things

*

No

!

such lovely jewels

'd

The thought Not

newest of new

!

But

of the

at

sort

the Adelphi

Are often quite

carried

you may spend

some

away

folks

by a

61

"

I

've

Mellon.

heard

tell

many a

on

nice

penny)

'em,

CINDERELLA.

Could you ever procure such pearls, diamonds, and top az the Pope has I very much doubt if their equal

:

;

Though there are Good many gems But what Polished

No

(so

one of

Ve read

the

in

newspaper

a

par.)

!

French

satin,

those

a

in

papal tiara had the sweet

shoes

white

leather,

not

!

of

sort

I

or

kid,

her dear

hid

Cinderella-

now what

do

prunella? toes.

little

She wore

can't

She wore

come, you know what she had pour ses scullers ?" " as A. Ward would remark, 't was pekoolier

She wore

?

you guess

She wore, to be brief, then, a pair of And what vulgar rapture calls " regular

And And

said

now,"

"

her aunt,

sisters

your

?

you suppose

glass

slippers, " !

clippers

may

flaunt,

but they shan't young fancy they There 's one thing, however, I 'm anxious to mention And I beg you will give to my words your attention catch

'11

Prince

the

:

If

the

at

you stop

ball

hours

the

till

that

are

Your jewels and finery '11 vanish that 's all So when twelve 's drawing near be careful, my

small,

!

And Yes

to at

;

away

get five

take

safely

minutes

to,

minutes

five

dear,

clear.

take

pray

Or something may happen you

'11

your adieu, long have to rue

charmed with her gorgeous array, Scarce had patience to hear what her aunt had to Cinderella,

quite

But the moment she seemed Kissed

" !

her, and

Cinderella

promised

steps

into

to

she 'd

her

say,

making an end to

be

strictly

carriage

attend

to

it

!

and eight, Tantara-tantara-ta

With coachman, and footmen, and

pages

She

grand

is

driven

away

to

the

Prince's

of

state,

gate.

Tantara-tantara-ta

Oh,

didn't

they think she was

somebody

great

!

!

Tantara-tantara-ta

62

!

!

it,

!

CINDERELLA.

The

Lord Chamberlain rushed

Prince's

the door,

to

Tantara-tantara-ta

And bowed While

very low

that

fair

before,

lady

and guards crowded round by the

retainers

Tantara-tantara-ta

And

even

solemn old porter

the

said,

when he heard

Prince,

all

the

!

hubbub and

the

grand

staircase,

and held out

Cinderella, and welcomed her

a

very sweet

was so blest

smile

as

fin

in,

leads

At once

her all

the

to

ball-room.

eyes on Cinderella

Each noble of the

As they or

the

To

who

learn

Though

she

can be,

really 's

they can't see no fermenter

For turning -tempers naturally Into

What They 'd

a

tenter "

"

Like female jealousy there

"

enter,

grand,

honour of her tiny hand. The women all are on the hooks styled Desires

!

centre.

well-born

land,

!

to win.

Tantara-tantara-ta

He

!

his

Tantara-tantara-ta

And

!

din,

Tantara-tantara-ta

Came down To the fair

score, !

"

" Lor

Tantara-tantara-ta

The

!

bitterly

corrosive

placid

acid

men

could find in her to praise ne'er met one more plain in all their days. Her clothes were fine,

all

the

And

did with jewels

shine,

But then, you know, they'd probably been

What need to To differ from

enlarge us

?

It

appears

lent

woman's duty

upon questions of beauty.

63

her."

CINDERELLA.

The

The men were enchanted. More brazen-faced thing

Well, a

meaning poor

Cinderella.

" !

(The dissension of

As experience Is

one of

The

the

Cinderella

That

Mia.)

dance

very next

the

for

;

but gave him a glance heart dancing with passion and pleasure by far than his feet danced the measure.

consented, his

set

Much

tells,

her hand

claimed

Prince

belles,

of horrida

oldest

" said,

ladies

faster

"

Now 's

your chance, to dance.

Miss,

Hark!

Who 'd To

'Mabel.'

they play the

be

false

such a waltz, If to spin he

able

's

":

" Faster they Ought to play

Can't they do that

No,

The

"

"'

it

quicker

ass

double-bass,

He 's

far

the

floor

O'er

in

gone

liquor.

One round more Will not "

I

The

Prince

after

asks

While young Shake

their

trust,

you."

Only one

And now

For dance

I

tire,

it 's

"

down."

sit

'11

done

Oh, must you

" :

dance his delight to enhance her hand no one else has a chance ;

ladies

heads

at

and

" old,

left

out in

such doings, and

!

the cold,"

say that

it's

"bold!'

-.1

-

CINDERELLA.

But the Prince doesn't care for any one there But his own darling partner, so gentle and fair

(Which is more than his conduct is so they declare). At last Cinderella looked up at the clock, One minute to twelve What a terrible shock !

In

She has no time to It

!

two seconds more she

is

out

the door,

at

but runs to the gate's well no one sees her, because she 's too late The clock has struck twelve. The enchantment

The

who were

guards

When Had Except All rag,

wait,

stationed

questioned,

seen

each

said

of

side

:

the

portal,

they

none pass that way

one scullery-maid, a poor mortal, patch, and tatter, but didn't look at her.

yes

!

The porter declared he knew nought of the matter At the door as he sat he 'd seen nothing thereat But a pumpkin,

The

o'er

is

Prince,

a

who

lizard,

some mice, and a

rushed out to look

'd

after

;

rat.

his

partner

And hand her downstairs To her carriage, declares

He

make

can't

it

" It

out

However, next night he When he sees her again

Once more by

And

his if

side

he

's

feels

at

" is

it's

his

through a

a

quite all

!

right

palace

the

disheart'ner

alight.

hall

she

will

glide

chance,

In the midst of the dance

He

'11

ask her

Cinderella,

permission

to

make her

his

bride.

taught wisdom by yesterday's scrape,

Though Watched

enjoying the ball, the clock on the wall,

from the room made escape. But the Prince, looking out very sharply, no doubt, Saw what his mysterious guest was about

And

in

plenty of time

65

!

CINDERELLA.

So

And Of

A

sent

a

for

trusty and

follower

he was yearning the name to be learning

said

the lady just gone to her carriage And so he must ride

little

way on

down

say just

conducted the

But

his

At

And The

in

vain

ride

in

did its

so

his

;

the

!

fair

await

vassal

track,

news of

the

let

coach,

outside

next turning whatever betide

And follow the The Prince then

To

tried,

at

her coach-

its

approach he came back.

last

master looked black,

his

failure

to

him the sack. next night came round once more the Prince found His love at the ball and his heart gave a bound of a money-bag gave

instead

!

In the midst of the hop the question to pop He determined and nought his intention should stop.

How

sweet

are

As on the

More More

ear

they

fall!

musical than song of birds sweet than whey, more soft than

So welcome And, ah! to

Who 'd How

us

to

Cinderella's

heard so

All

aunt's

ear,

little

her fond heart other

dear,

could plainly hear

to

Young Cupid makes

!

her niece her shelve

When The

love,

accents

sounds above

directions

suddenly her joy must cease clock upon the mantelpiece Is on the stroke of twelve.

One

Two

!

!

Three!

runthroughthe

66

curds,

all.

were the Prince's

Which

Her

tender words

love's

first

;

CINDERELLA.

Four Five

look alive

!

you do not

If

!

door.

!

contrive

To

be out of the place ere the clock strikes twice guess, Miss, you '11 be in a tall sort of a fix.

I

She

off and

is

away without any

Ere the Prince can get rid of Off down the stairs one

quite

So the Prince

To

top of the

the

Found

What

that

was

Together

The

a

he to do " at once,

to

his

but

slipper

He

?

its

love

that

for

name when he came true

staircase

was

she

And Remarked,

and. dismay

fear

thing she tears of her slippers, small blame

off altogether,

Slipt

delay,

his

:

mad

Like a

When

six,

to

;

pursue,

him

left

same,

a

shoe.

put two and two "

calculating

like

Babbage

;

Taylor would say

as

In adapting a play, " If that 's I choux,

will

make

it

my

cabbage."

questioned, but nought could he glean They had carefully watched, but had nobody seen Except one poor beggar girl, ragged and mean.

''

guards were

all

one observed, " from her beautiful colour, he Thought had been scrubbing the pans in the scullery." The very next day, in the usual way,

Who,"

so

His nobles he

with

sent,

a

herald,

That the fortunate

to

say,

fair

Who

could easily wear The slipper which they on a cushion then carried Would be by the Prince instantaneously married. " "

Pooh

" !

say

the

ladies,

as

each

trial

made we 're

is,

afraid, Chang's lady, that shoe, You 'd better convince that foolish young Prince, the fact not to mince If he waits till it's fitted

Only

He

'11

The

fit

for

finish

at

last

by not marrying

at

all ''

slipper

is

really

too foolishly small

67

!

;

is.

;

CINDERELLA.

But

in

And

to

of

spite

their

get on the

Indeed,

To

and contrive

try

had given

slipper

there were

they were

sneers,

who

those

or

it

half

all

their

ears

And

two

the tale goes.

so

sisters

as

Altogether,

When shoe

When

they

if

you

it!

please,

each tried to

squeeze her big toe in scarcely could get

she

on, 'd

mim'sters,

Toole would observe, "just a-goin'

Because,

The

tears,

;

cut off their toes

were fiery as blisters, abused the young Prince and his learned

Cinderella's

in

Cinderella

done,

sat

down

the

in

chair

it.

:

Oh, didn't they stare with contemptuous air! While each to the other said, "Well, I declare!"

But when the

The the Prince

Said

What more

?

on her

shoe

Without any ado

it

in

into

slipt

a

lords

" trice,

The good

I

put

foot,

the shoe

wed none,

'11

fairy

returned

but you

love,

!"

on the scene,

And, instead of the garb which was really not clean, At a touch of her wand, in a dress of rare sheen Presented her niece to

So

faithful

and fond,

" Post [From the

Of

the

By

a

Her

who had been and who made her his Queen. the

"

you

Prince

will

marriage performed

all

the

the two

particulars

glean

parties between

Bishop, assisted by Canon and Dean.] sisters were very near dying of spleen,

And thought

conduct remarkably mean, But lived as neglected old maids, spare and lean (Though they'd never acknowledge to more than nineteen). their

aunt's

So there

Whose

life

's

no more to

tell

-Bout sweet Cinderella, was quite happy in fact, "

68

a-

" all

serene

!

~~ llllitllli'il!

" Without any ado It s/ipt into the shoe !

"

HOP

MY THUMB.

O'

TJPON a forest thick and A cottage, the reverse

gloomy of roomy

To put it plainly, just a hut And nothing better did abut.

T was

built

of clay and roofed with straw

;

The walls had many a gap and flaw; The chimney wouldn't always draw; The floor was damp, the ceiling leaky With stains of rains the walls were streaky. ;

Around the

A

blazing

hearth, fire,

As

if

where seldom smiled

were faggots for

Oh, mockery

cruel

!

For they were heaped from -Ers

as

The

fires

a

piled

fuel

floor

to

raft-

check upon the draught.

used that draught to flicker to Consisted only of a stick or two, Enough to warm a mess of pottage.

Pshaw

that

why

!

waste time

In spinning rhyme, When one can easily contrive

To The

picture

usual

"

it

with words just five

?

English labourer's cottage."

There dwelt a goodwife, and her goodman, Who by profession was a woodman, But was so poor and so prolific

(A family of seven

's

terrific

HOP O MY THUMB.

To

one whose trade

That

He

when

oft

not

is

did

That he could cut

his

his

But while he

him own

the

so

appal stick

the woods was

in

What, think you,

Who

chop),

he'd limb and lop

trees lot

wished

first

also.

hewing,

wife was

poor

doing,

home, and see Her children gather round her knee With looks that, plain as words could had to

"

What

could she do but

While

bitter

The

and

had clothed the

she

toils

that

a

as

?

"

the

cry."

were but few

duties

rule

infant

"

butter

sigh,.

bedewed her eye

tears

Her household

When

sit

the " hew," but hers

His was

utter,

we want some bread and

Please,

Said,

at

sit

:

crew,

belong

To

cooking, did not take her long ; They never tasted meat, to vary an Eternal

And

On And Is

diet

well

vegetarian.

we know,

not existence

vegetation,

As they a fire

that

"

single

My

husband one night

Mow By

sat

by the

light

them was uncommonly dear, we have got carrot

it

that

bright,*

and not

more to put

scrap

*

!

for

One

A

a

rear

troop broth and carrot turnip soup, ne'er taste " pieces of resistance,"

Said the

Of

to

flickered

and

notable

artist

flared

of

into

has

artists,

70

the

pot.

been drawn

G. Dore.

con

nmnre

}

HOP O MY THUMB.

We 're

nothing much that we every day shall grow poorer and poorer. And what for our brats as

Than

poor

church mice, and there

as

Can we

The It

That

?

like green gnaws at my heart long since we had any victuals to carve, But now we Ve no soup

To What

is

spoon out to be done ?

The wife shook And mournfully

'

rats

we

can't

them

see

starve."

her head, said,

" If

we have not the food, why, they cannot be fed Unless we find heart to entrust them all seven

To

the Power

And Of

the wild

's

needs

the

to

then,

to

when we

find

Allow the pause while they

polite

my

The

're

settling

story has

'11

a

question

so

vital

;

'11

come by that was

child

last

them."

recital

And I, in requital, To make it all right, Explain how

;

they're not looking, we'll lose

Here the reader

To

of heaven."

what we must do

the forest the poor little crew roundabout ways, all the more to confuse them

We'll take

;

that feeds

things of earth and the winged things Said the father, "That's true! It

By And

attends

its

title.

born

To this couple forlorn Was tiny in figure ;

Not very much

Than

the

wee dancing

Or I

think,

dolls

rather,

That no He'd,

!

the group

for for

surer

's

'

that

question 's

love

my

do,

's

so

bigger

that

one

sees

in

an.

organ

;

small

figure

at

all

have been called by Professor de Morgan,

HOP

But

MY THUMB.

O*

devoted to fractions

most

That diminutive point which

infinitesimal

known

is

decimal.

a

as

though he was a boy, And we do not employ So,

Says the grammar that Eton lads always For the masculine omne quod exit in urn,

They

The And

christened

the

one

little

Hop

enjoy

my Thumb.

o'

regarded the child with surprise ; mother, poor woman, shed tears for his

father his

For she

felt

That

little

so

she

And

he grew older every beholder as

Still

That he

But then

as

didn't

grow bigger

at

all

some comfort they

all

of them

Possessed

Though For though he was

night that begins

To Hop

And And

flickering

By

there

the

my

Or

a

as

a

him.

narration,

consultation,

some

" ;

up in bed, by the red

that glare

Saw the She was poor

" a remarkable

sat

light

cat rat

;

around of

the

it

was shed,

log

and the doghe 'd a waist

like

a

frog,

greyhound but due to the absence of prog, Not the presence of breed,

He

;

my Thumb

o'

alert

So he

her

found him

they couldn't get round

holding this grave Sleep would not come

was on the

told

always

of great nous, the size of a mouse

little,

Now it chanced on the When his parents were

He

size,

looked at her babe the misgiving a boy could but make a small living.

as

resembled, indeed,

72

" He saw

on her cheek a

tear-drop glisten,

So be bid himself under her chair

to listen."

HOP O MY THUMB.

The nags

that

Whose

see

you "

"

are

points

all

There

Too

a

in

cab-driver's

to

owing

his

father

stud,

not to blood.

bone,

and mother

by each other, tones they seemed anxious to smother, sat

Conversing in And he saw on her cheek a tear-drop So he hid himself under her chair to

glisten, listen.

What did he hear He regarded with fear r

left

Being

in

the forest

And

all

Get wholly

Whom

(see

When

they

mislaid,

story) eat,

!

no good,

for

For 'twas

and drear

dismal

so

likely

like

he should

the Babes

with leaves the

in

kind

the

Wood, alack

robin,

for

by mistake, deadly nightshade

!

buries,

blackberries

In a state of despair, Hidden under the chair,

Poor

o'

my Thumb

is

really

no fun

'm the wretchedest mortal that

To

bed

I

But awake For what I Ve to do Said Hop When his

To

his

parents

declare

first

This I

heard

thing next day they would make the excursion so they determined, should end in desertion. " What 's to be done ?

That the

Which,

Hop

his

:

under the sun.

's

must creep I

will

is

to

o'

keep,

not to

think,

-

sleep,"

my Thumb,

father

" said,

Mum

" !

mother, intending that she should be

dumb

On the subject that late Had formed their debate "

I

think you had

better

get

73

breakfast

at

eight."

!

HOP O MY THUMB.

The boy

stole

To

o'er

turn

The things which And discover, if As

well

in

bed,

head

his

mother had

father and

his

'cute

possible,

little

chap

said,

!

he can,

as

Some snug

To

to

little

plan

guard him and brothers against One thing was clear

a

mishap.

:

When

they started from here some landmarks must leave by which homeward to steer

He For

Go

he

if

the

'd

means

to

discover

the

track

again,

where they would, he

could find his way back But in vain to devise

again

!

Some

Till

he

's

guide-post he tries, quite wearied out, and sleep closes

But while he

On

A

fairy

And

:

a

still

sweeps

beneath his closed eyelids

she

sad

slips

peeps,

of schemes,

sorts

all

To aid his escape From the morrow's She a cunning suggestion

scrape,

into

dreams.

his

Where lofty oaks deep shadows make, And ceaselessly the aspens quake, Where ancient elms their branches spread, And ashes whisper overhead ;

Within the

darkest glades There flows a stream among the shades, Above its wave a hoary group forest's

Of melancholy The kingfisher

T

is

willows its

droop. waters loves

haunted by the

startled

74

eyes.

sleeps,

moonbeam down

finding him busy on

his

;

doves

;

;

HOP O MY THUMB.

And,

of

free

beside

fear,

The dappled fawn 'T

is

oft

fed

by twenty And here and there

A A

halo,

tinkling

drink.

rills,

where sunlight the

spills

boughs o'erhead

red

azure,

yellow,

to

stops

in

Through openings

brink

its

tiny rainbow bright and small

mimic

the

o'er

Hangs

Where through

;

the

overarching green of the sky are seen,

Bright glimpses

The dancing

waterfall

waters

as

they go Mirror the snatch of blue below.

Long mosses wave

And And

stream,

glance and gleam, float and sail.

water-lilies

these

My

point,

that

And

its

silvery fishes

But

Is,

within

do not concern

tale.

mystery to unravel,

the

bed of

the

my

it

is

gravel,

bays and banks abound In pebbles small, and smooth, and round. that

By

its

the

side

of this

As he walked It

in

stream,

his

dream,

all appeared that the pebbles " Thumb o'

Hop Come

my

set

up

He

creeps

is

hither,

up and away

rum

" !

!

out of the house through a crack in the

* At the slang the stones speak don't,

How

their

Must be Just

scream,

!

boy, come ; If we cannot show you the way it is At the first streak of day

He

a

schooling

's

I

pray,

be offended

neglected

recollected

remember how

often

roads

75

have to be mended

!

:

clay,

HOP O MY THUMB.

Off

To With

stones

fill

rocket

a

like

every pocket

though not

stones,

precious

fit

for

a

locket.

Brooch, bracelet, or ring, Or any such thing

But precious

him

to

the

for

they

help

will

bring.

Away must he go Like arrow from bow,

Yet

all

And The

scene

is

a

in

reaches

a taking

quiver,

the one,

river.

this

though

a

is

giver

Of

peaceful delight, Full of charm for the

That

reads

sight

beauty of Nature aright. the bank of the stream the

all

On

Rests one fleeting gleam,

Where

the

And The

Of an

and dainty anemones teem,

bluebells

there

o'er

rises

them

grey hollow stem while old pollard willow ;

From

the waters

many

a

gem

hung

is

Leaf and blossom among,

For

't is

here

that

the

stream's

sweetest

madrigal

But what does he care for song, bluebell, or pollard There are the jockeys that have to be collared.

Down on

he went, if you please, oblivious of sunshine, and blossoms, and

And Where

Hop

his

knees

the waterfall

o'

my Thumb

piped in the filled

his

shrillest

Returned through crept

into

of trebles

pocket with pebbles.

Then homeward he

And

trees,

stole,

the

hole,

bed, not disturbing a soul

76

;

's ?

sung.

" Where the trebles waterfall piped in the shrillest of his pockets with pebbles." Thumb o" filed Hop my

HOP O MY THUMB.

But

the

danger completely forestalled, Curled up, and slept soundly until he was called feeling

At eight

clock the

o'

And donning

mournfully her

up some

Lit

mother

rose,

clothes,

and put the

sticks

As she and he did

last

!

kettle

settle

night

on

on, :

The water boiling, in goes, souse The one last carrot in the house. The hapless mother can't but feel

!

any case it 's their last meal ; For even if they now gave up The plan on which they had agreed, There 's nothing left, nor bite nor sup, In

Her hungry, Less pain

To

lose

And

't

babes

starving

will

she

be,

this

feed.

poor mother,

feels,

them one way than

so

to

another.

poor Hagar

Prepared her soupe maigre,

While

and perplexity harass and plague And soon as their eyes

grief

Are open, with

Of

"

Oh, we

're

so

cries "

hungry

the

!

While the

father,

Very great

at

a

who

little

ones

her.

rise.

not

's

plot,

Conceives that his plan some more treachery lacks So in order to hatch it, goes out with his axe, And makes an attempt at restoring his mind's tone

;

By

setting

the

edge of the blade to the grindstone.

The poor Sit down

And

eat

up

their

little

to

souls

their

bowls,

pottage without

77

any

rolls.

MY THUMB.

HOP O

It

not a remarkably nourishing diet, But it eases the pangs

's

Qf

And

hunger's sharp fangs, the wolf in the stomach keeps

But the mother It's

For the

And

too

rather

afraid

's

well

made, and strength haven't stopt in from the tears that have dropt

flavour

fine

carrot's

it 's

from

far

salt

However, no matter clear

They In If

they want a

And

A

a

expecting for

as

third

they

share

The "

Said

the

father,

I

take

the

you There

are

however they wish for

was cleared

disappeared

Hop

o'

children,

with

all

;

had so

feared.

'm off to the wood,

providing you of wild fruits,

mention the

to

:

me

lots

it.

;

my Thumb I

it,

're

good.

roots,

hawthorns are putting forth midsummer shoots. You '11 have plenty to eat 'T

So run

cloth

Come,

Not

And

table

came what

then

And

'11

:

they must e'en lick the dish for second, they '11 have to go fish for it

So the

And

it.

!

out each platter of the soup, dog and cat err

not meet with,

'11

it,

in

course

first

the

quiet.

partially

to

will

be

really

a

your mother, and

Off they ran

To

in

treat all

great

;

be made neat

" !

glee

mother, and she Did the best that she could for the boys but, you A respectable look 's not the easiest of matters To give to clothes made of shreds, patches, and tatters. their

;

see,

"

And

here and there along the track

Dropping a pebble

to

guide him back."

HOP

inspected and passed, out 'for the forest so gloomy and at

However,

They

MY THUMB.

O'

set

The

last,

goes first with his axe on his shoulder, The next place was the mother's,

father

And

then

Who

than the

is

the others

all

;

he of the brothers

First

And

On

vast.

so

of the family older,

rest

from the

tallest

Right down to the smallest, a scale that would greatly amuse a beholder.

And, pray, who last of all should come But the mite of the family, Hop o' my

Thumb

r

Trudging along, a

Humming As

if

song,

he were quite unsuspecting of wrong, But keeping an eye

Very much on the

On

the

various

objects

sly

road took them

the

by,

And

here and there along the track Dropping a pebble to guide him back.

On In

they went still, mounting a hill the sort of locality papers call "ill" That retired kind of spot

You would

An

unsuitable

Up

look on

not

as

place for the scene of the steep gloomy slope

They stumble and grope They'd come to a fir wood, but At

last

the old woodcutter Set

the

And With

his

wife

then

stole

when he

murther

;

still

out a

cried

to

children

a

they went further.

halt,

play,

away fancied

79

they'd

all

be

at

fault.

HOP O MY THUMB.

And

so

they were

rather

When, weary of playing And running and straying, They hunted

vain

in

for

their

mother and

father.

Oh, where could they be ? In bush, thicket, and tree

They

searched,

but their parents they nowhere could

And some

of them

"

cried, "

Oh, where do you hide ? As young Lovell remarked to his beautiful

Who And

see.

bride,

" the got in wrong box," while the key was outside, suffered such pains in the chest that she died.

They

ran

to

and

fro,

And And O'

exerted

searched high and low, themselves till near ready to drop,

Whereupon little Hop my Thumb, who till then held his

out " Stop

called

tongue, This was done to deceive us :

They meant But

I,

if

you'll just

Soon help you

all

thus leave us let

;

me manage

out of this

That night the sad

the job,

queer-looking

'11

hobble."

sire

down by the fire, mother sat near him in agony Sat

And

the

dire,

And, though they'd not dined, from inclined

Felt far

To

eat

of the

loaf

Where some gay

they'd the good luck to find

picnic

Just

as

party had

left

it

behind,

they

Well-a-day

Had

left

!

(As the madrigals say) their poor children behind in

80

dismay.

!

HOP O MY THUMB.

"

" Rat-tat-tat

"What Said

On

!

that?"

is

the

sire

he

as

sat

the desolate

hearth 'twixt the dog knock at the door."

"A

And Ado,

it

and the

cat.

without any more

was opened and, lo on the floor Stood those desolate ones, !

His seven

With Hop

little

sons,

my Thumb

o'

walking coolly before

There was nought to be They put them to bed

said

!

:

;

You

a

solve

can't

Or the

All

by scratching your head,

father

that

Would "

riddle

distrest

have certainly guessed

Family Herald's "

"

most puzzling and

much

best.

our sorrow, '11 lose the young rascals once more, dear, to-morrow. But for fear that again of our scheme nought should come,

But he

said

to his

it 's

Though

wife,

to

We

Just

keep a sharp eye on that

The

He In

Where And if

Hop

o'

my Thumb."

to

stray-

very next day led

them away, of the

forest

a

different

the

and darker, and denser, foliage was thicker, 'm permitted the term much immenser

I

part

!

Any chance, to provide From the rivulet's side Any

to

pebbles,

Hop

my Thumb

o'

was denied

;

But the youngster was one

Not Said he,

So

He

into

"

I

'11

his

easily

done

contrive

pocket,

had given him

as

it,

sure

unnoticed, for

the

breakfast

81

as

a

"

gun

!

crust

he quietly thrust,

HOP O MY THUMB.

And when onward different

this

By

He

dropt crumbs all Very well the way back, But for one little fact I

along,

they strode

road,

that

had

certainly

his

intention,

had been

as

am

mention

to

going

showed

:

That the thrush and the blackbird, the woodlark and Discovered

And And

this

at

alighting

of -bread in

strewing

ruined this

ate

once,

plan

Now

a

minute, of the crumbs,

all

up

of poor

linnet

Hop

my Thumb's

o'

!

boys didn't mind were left behind, they Thinking Hop o' my Thumb would the road for them find. the

If

alas

But,

To

It

was

A

pretty

when they thought

!

and they ought get home, and he failed to find out what he sought,

And

Was

set

up

What

And Wild

useless

a

to

left

the

in

bohoo

once by the

were

They lost

frightened

at

all

to-do "

a

'T was

They were

late,

terrified

search

in

forest

terrible

the as

" !

crew.

;

lurch, safe

as

the

church.

!

plight It was t'wards getting night, there not be although might (so whispered beasts in the forest about, yet there

their fright)

might

!

The sun adown the western sky in dying glory rolled, And turned the forest's topmost leaves to fluttering flecks The twilight shadows deepened round And filled the violet sky, Till,

out of depths profound, were in the sky.

springing

The

stars

82

of gold

;

HOP O MY THUMB.

A

purple pall over all ;

Fell

The

last

And,

faded

ray

like

a

soon,

and small

galley far

Appeared the thread of moon. All

noises

died

Save winds that sighed the

Among And

sombre

trees,

sad

nightingale's

song,

In melody to these

Huddling shoulder

to

brothers

the

little

in

terrors

shone out colder, sorest,

wandering on through the gloom of the Free from dismay,

Hop

my Thumb,

o'

At

he

last

he,

can

first,

spirit

led

the

way

not they

;

!

espies

A ''

forest.

and gay,

marching But they hadn't got the same

I

shoulder,

moon

Gallant

Said

!

And not growing bolder, breezes moaned louder, the

As the Those poor

Went

allied

trunk of huge In the world this

size

;

give me a rise the land lies."

will

by ascending it how So without wasting time

see

He

hastes

to

the

climb.

His own elbows and knees, With some limbs of the trees, Assisting

He And

him up

contrives

views

While

his

all

to

the

top

by

on a bough very

lofty

to

sit

him,

of night will permit him, conjure him to tell what he sees.

the darkness

brothers

degrees,

83

HOP O MY THUMB.

But what

" Far away Shines a single ray, may be I can't venture

it

looks

It

But

rather

say

;

far,

we

here

since

to

are

Without any voice In the matter or choice,

Whatever the

we ought

distance

to

rejoice

For whether the night be a melter

Or If

We

On

muggy

it 's

mustn't

went the

as

make

children,

pelter

or

beer

of

light

rains

it

a

that

light

shoulder to

still

helter-skelter

means

shelter

shoulder,

As frightened as bricks, and than stones And much more alarmed, for a stone is

vastly colder, oft

boztlder

!

Arm-in-arm, In alarm,

Expecting some harm, In a terror no words of their brother's could charm, They walked t'wards the light

Gleaming out through the

And

as

fearful

to

turn

Beginning

Trudged

to

sorrowful

On

night, at

if

playing brake and through

Through the

as

mire,

tire,

sons

of a sorrowful

sire.

wandered they

In pursuit of a ray (Though girls more than boys think of Till

Fright.

at

length

at

the

so

dress,

they say)

great

Front-door,

postern-gate at that very vague mansion, a building gigantic,

(Or whatever 'twas

Of

a

castle,

or

called

date),

Designed on the model of dwellings romantic-

si.

;

" Far away Shone a

single ray."

X

"

'

Who

are you,

You queer

little

crew

?'"

HOP O MY THUMB.

Gothic,

That

and strong,

solid,

ever

lasts

so

long

Not sham Gothic run up on

that

'T was terribly high It wearied the eye

To

follow

turrets

its

How many don't

I 1

'm

bad hand

a

Twas

as

Till

Hop

o'

to

repeat,

which to be sparing,

of

figures,

my Thumb

Langham, or Charing.*

top

of the

bars,

they saw,

Not

a

;

and fastenings withdrew,

bright,

the head

at

to

of the

flight,

their joy,

man

nor a boy for which terms we employ

But one of a sex a

pursue,

which he blew

with a light

steps

And

Of

to

found a horn

Very vivid and the

or

Grosvenor,

Whereon some one the bolts, And came out

On

sky,

them knew what course

of

tenderer

sort

;

In short, one to court " In

"

short

?

Not

at

For she was a

"

Who Said

are

queer

Hop

o'

The

who

poet

The warmest

To To

learn

give

that to

crew

little

"

in

in

short

!

figure

sighed

's

(he

of welcomes

sighs

these

" ?

Madam,

Might equal

The

one,

tremendous, ^rz-actually bigger.

my Thumb,

*

tall

being

giantess,

the

you, you

but a

all

Than Chang

!

feet

care

the

as

high

They none

at

tick

;

the

into

up

very bad plan,

in

depicted find

as

at

d'

thin)

an inn

panting

of a inns

those guests

to

how

pray

Banting are

who

85

prepared, are

in

poorest

kind a

lift

thrift, !

ye do

?

MY THUMB.

HOP O

We

so

people

Have come

We

small a

for

call

:

"

want a night's lodging and supper, that " Alas " said the dame, " I can't promise that same,

all

's

!

!

But In

to

pity

your entreaty were

grant

claim.

lays

a

really

sin-

you here, I should take you " Please, madam, do

in

all

receiving

"

!

!

Said the

Who

to

lonely condition

Though your

each

fancied

And

terrified

crew,

moment much

darker

it

grew,

with awe,

gazing

they saw Wild beasts coming after with ravenous maw (Not to mention such trifles as jaw, paw, or claw), that

Believed

And

marrow

their

all

enough

spectres

thaw

to

;

and closer together they drew, " Please, madam, do Repeating the chorus of

So

closer

" " Is

My Ve

I

an Ogre as

His appetite

's

a

"

said

!

husband, and as

savage

savage

she,

he can be

;

great, and when hungry he 's sweet on boys So board, lodging, and clothing

He Besides

poor children

" !

'11

give

because you

education

for

you

'11

no-thing,*

be Eton, boys

" !

These words they don't like, But the terror they strike

Not being so near As the darkness they fear, They beg her once more to their prayer

Pray pardon the Is

a

If

in

Am

rhyme

to

rhyme, which, the

a

botch

terribly clear,

eye, not a rhyme

thus fitting clothing you

making

it 's

say

86

'twas

fancy

to

to I

the

fail,

done by a

ear.

or tailor.

give

ear.

;

"

By arm,

leg, or bead,

He dragged

all the urchins

from under

the

bed?

HOP O MY THUMB.

"

madam, do

Please,

Said "

We

're

the to

prepared

" !

terrified

crew; be eaten, we 're in such a stew

!

ma'am, you might Put us out of his sight We only want shelter and food for the night. Let our prayers, and our tears, and our woes your heart Besides,

;

Some supper And hide us We're

quite used to

us,

please

hide

done

has

father

it,

Moved by their tears, And gave them some

provide

soften

us, it

so

often.''

she flung open the door,

food

but in

minutes more, Ere they'd finished their bread

And "

Here

's

Unless you

Or would

;

she

Gloster,

Ogre approaching

feel

gridiron-like

to

like

be

!

stewpan-ish,

off in

As promptly as Were Colonel Stodare and had

All

under the bed

get

with the onions

fried

They were

But

said,

the

or

five

a

called

''

Spanish

jiffy,

he

if

said

to

them,

" Vanish

" !

scarce were

they hidden away, I declare, Than the giant came in with a curious air. his wife's kind precautions were very well meant,

But

Who A

bill,

"

Little

easily

Fee,

faw,

Said

he,

children

No

sent

fum

dragged

all

about

please

nose

I

there

are,

mum

said,

leg,

to

or

head,

from under the bed.

urchins

Each began

To

scent.

!"

yes,

sooner

the

off the

" there are some

Than by arm,

He

Jew

going to do

is

was not

a

like

he,

entreat

him

not to eat him,

87

" !

!

;

HOP O MY THUMB.

But the Ogre replied he 'd be happy So he sharpened his knife

To

take

The

it

not been for

showed him the supper she 'd got If so, she was willing

To children,

feed

the

the

fatten

see

brats

Wasn't

his

wife, "

that

enough

fat

enough.

true

do.

will

for

"

were not

Ogre, "That's

The supper

;

killing

who now he could Said

We'll

for

up

meat him

life

every

As he would have done had

Who

to

a

week

or

p'rhaps

two.

Meanwhile, since late hours make them tasteless and flabby, " Let them all go to bed without waking the babby !

Away they all sped And hurried to bed, For But

fear

Hop

o'

his

opinion

my Thumb,

should change on that head. while his brothers were weeping,

Everywhere peeping, Stealthily creeping,

Found

seven

young Ogrelings cozily sleeping In the very next bed on a pillow of down, And each of them wearing a little gold crown. Cried Hop o' my Thumb, on perceiving those bright caps, " Ve not been accustomed to sleep without nightcaps

We

!

away from the others, And put them instead on himself and his brothers. So he took the gold

circlets

By and bye The Ogre so

sly

had made up his mind to a little boy-pie For his breakfast) comes up in the dead of the night With his very sharp knife, but without any light,

(Who

And

so

in

the

dark

(as

pitched

as

the

ark)

Begins fumbling and feeling about for his mark,

88

:

HOP o MY THUMB.

Comes But

A And

He

crown,

at

once

cuts

all

so

bed,

on Hop's head

feels

off

goes

for

the

to

to

at

Hop

And

soon

vardict.)

mum

of daylight was come, the heavens he saw

"

in

fast

(The night was quite done,

;

streak

first

dawn " breaking

the

usual

but kept

all,

the

as

the

my Thumb

o'

Heard as

is

slumbering babbies. Reader, you coroner are, tlict-

(For which, since here, " Sarve him -Ate, right "--it's

And

instead,

he a dab

see

you

slaughter throats of his

the

children

his

the

morning was raw), and they all crept downstairs, Climbed up to a window by aid of some chairs, Got easily out through a large broken pane, Jumped clown on the grass, and were free once again

Woke

his

brothers

once

at

if

;

!

Off went each urchin,

And The

Ogre,

left

who And For

The Ogre

And In

at

spite

his

well

may

sure

slept

in

like

a

church

in.

they run, a

as

wake and

lurch

gun

find

out what

he

done,

's

once setting forth from his castle to catch 'em, of their start will be sure to outmatch 'em.

They may run Possessed

will

bed

still

as

the

quite

of

the

like

Yes

wind

but the horrible brute's

of charmed

a pair

!

dread

Seven League Boots

and

fear

!

!

Already they hear

The

giant

They must

pursuing them try

to

coming more near themselves

conceal

They endeavour

The Ogre

to

closely,

save

Themselves

in

approaches,

and even the brave

a

89

cave

:

:

that

's

clear.

MY THUMB.

HOP O

Hop o' my Thumb feels When the giant, who suffers From

Sits

across

striding

down on

rock that

the

But

From

step

beginning to

my Thumb Now while he

We our

frightful

seven

fatigues

leagues,

over their head

is

o'

"

most

;

not long before

it 's

He 's And Hop

each

at

tremor of dread

a

Little

snore,

up courage once more.

plucks 's

asleep

must quietly creep

hiding,

and bolt

a

like

parcel

of sheep

!

Out scramble the boys Without making a noise,

And

while

Hop

o'

this

way each rapidly shoots off, takes the Seven League Boots off.

my Thumb To

that

or

way

my

finish

story

Scriptori-

more

-

With

He

returned

once in his glory. speed to the house of the giant,

boots was

the at

full

:

hero

our

at

And finding the wife to his orders compliant, Made her hand him more treasure at once from the Than the whole Bank of England is able to offer, And took it straightway to his parents, by which

He

made,

like

a

So

his

And Good

And I

as

know not

the I

and

he made

But one

By

On

brothers'

and mother's

father's

can't

That such

Which

his

rich.

name any others. Ogre, what chanced to become of him never asked Hop o' my Thumb of him

fortune

for

good joke, the poor

'tickler

not to

but suppose

giants

as

those

nursery legends and stories one knows, defaming the race must inflict quite a pang the large hearts of giants like Anak and Chang, in

coffer

;

"

m&m

;S

HOP O MY THUMB.

for

size

their

(Though

their

some remedy

suffering

So we So

that

trust

'11

fierce

and

this

giant,

fact

I

'm

reliant

taken by Hop o' my Thumb And so being left with a very small sum, Namely, nothing, 't is likely ere long he began

His gold was

all

!

and so sank to a van,

arrear

in

fall

lives).

defiant,

Indeed, on one

Got punished.

To

gives,

one learns the more patience the longer one

Since

A

poor sort of coop In which he 'd to stoop

the

(E'en

Then As

"

That ever

existed.

Babies

In which

sides

in

case

to

their

if

he'd be shown

handbills

see

all

must bow

fairs

"

Giant

Allowed on

N.B.

and

revels

at

A

greatest

be

fortunes as

" unrivalled

a

in

will

sight

height,

than any one penny.

taller

Admission, free of charge are admitted." a monster like that 's to be pitied.

arms

e'en

L ENVOI. Five Favourite Fairy Fables old, The efforts of a muse, which eke

Are

efforts

And my Since

to

amuse,

farewell

ended now

't is

this

With one more "f"

FINIS.

91

are

told,

time to

speak,

book of mine for

't

adding

is,

droop).

Hood - Fairy Realm

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