Part 11 (1/2)

In April the coo-coo can sing her song by rote; In June of time she cannot sing a note; At first koo-koo! koo-koo! sings still-- At last koo-ke! koo-ke! koo-ke!--six koo-kees to one koo.

NORFOLK

When the weirling shrieks at night, Sow the seed with the morning light; But when the cuckoo swells its throat, Harvest flies from the mooncall's[A] note.

[A] _Mooncall_--the cuckoo (Norfolk).

Parson Peard, Be not afeard, Nor take it much in anger; We've bought your geese At a penny a piece, And left the money with the gander.

A peac.o.c.k picked a peck of pepper; Did he pick a peck of pepper?

Yes, he picked a peck of pepper; Pick, p.e.c.k.e.r, peac.o.c.k!

SOUTHERN INDIA

An old story! an old story!

Clever Brahman, an old story!

What shall I say?

I know none.

Little chickens! little chickens!

Sing me a song!

What can I sing?

Pyong! Pyong!

The c.o.c.k did say: ”I use alway To crow both first and last, Like a postle I am, For I preache to man, And tell hym the nyght is past.”

THE APE AND THE c.o.c.kATOO

Said an ape in the Zoo To a white c.o.c.katoo: ”Your beak is uncommonly strong!”

Said the white c.o.c.katoo To the ape in the Zoo, ”And your tail is excessively long!”

Said the ape in the Zoo To the white c.o.c.katoo: ”Remarks are exceedingly rude!

And you must look out, And see what you're about, Or I'll seize and run off with your food!”

Then the white c.o.c.katoo Really furious grew, And shouted as loud as he could: ”You black-faced Wanderoo![B]

With your white whiskers, too, Do you think to insult me is good?”

'Tween the ape in the Zoo And the white c.o.c.katoo Then furious battle ensued, And the c.o.c.katoo bit The ape into a fit, And the ape s.n.a.t.c.hed the c.o.c.katoo's food.

[B] An ape is a Wanderoo in Ceylon.

Sweet Amaryllis by a spring's Soft and soul-melting murmurings Slept, and thus sleeping thither flew A robin red-breast, who, at view, Not seeing her at all to stir, Brought leaves and moss to cover her.