In My Nursery - LightNovelsOnl.com
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And since then, through wind and weather, They have said "He, he!" together, For several hundred thousand merry years, years, years.
[Ill.u.s.tration: THE CANTILUNAR DOG.]
THE LITTLE DUTCHESS
Once there lived a little Dutchess, Just beside the Zuyder Zee; Short and stout and roly-poly, As a Dutchess ought to be.
She had pigs and she had poultry, She had lands and she had gold; And she loved the Burgomaster,-- Loved him more than can be told.
"Surly, burly Burgomaster, Will you have me for your love?
You shall be my pouter-pigeon, I will be your turtle-dove.
"You shall have my China porkers, You shall have each Dorking hen; Take them with your loving Dutchess, Oh, you Dutchiest of men!"
Loudly laughed the Burgomaster, "Naught I care for Dorking fowls; Naught for pig, unless 'tis roasted, And on that my doctor scowls.
"Frumpy, stumpy little Dutchess, I do not incline to wed.
Keep your pigs and keep your poultry!
I will take your gold instead.
"I will take your s.h.i.+ning florins, I will take your fields' rich h.o.a.rd; You may go and tend your piggies Till your spirits be restored."
Loudly wept the little Dutchess, Tending sad each China pig; Loudly laughed the Burgomaster 'Neath his merry periwig.
Till the Dutchy people, angry Conduct such as this to see, Took and plumped the pouter-pigeon Right into the Zuyder Zee.
