Written and Adapted
by
M. A. Bonnell
Awake, sweet hope! for she who shares the throne
Lends her own merit to make dulness bright,
Even as Luna to the insipid drop its light.
Xanthine yellow might the aster take for hue,
An emerald green the clove carnation crown,
Nor could fair England’s rose yet learn to frown.
Diadems of humble bloom and royal fleur-de-lis,
Rare crowns of love, have crowned her long ago;
And ever round her noble brow more intertwined they grow.
—M. A. BONNELL
July 3rd, 1901.
The above lines accompanied the
copy which was graciously accepted
by Queen Alexandra.
Toronto:
William Briggs.
With honest pride the rhymer sings
Her ancestress’ renown,—
Oh, proud the day that gave her birth!
And proud her natal town!
Oh, may the theme the verse redeem,
Of meagre wit and rhyming loose,
And win a kind indulgence still
For Mary Susan Goose!
Entered according to Act of the
Parliament of Canada, in the year
one thousand nine hundred, by
William Briggs, at the Department
of Agriculture.
Dedicated
By
Permission
To
Miss Liv Nansen
DEDICATION.
Though pure the drifting snows of northern realms,
Dazzling the Aurora of the polar girth,
More stainless still thy fair and childish brow,
More bright the aureole that surrounds thy birth.
Ofttimes a nation bends its tender gaze
To watch the blooming of a royal flower;
Child of heroic blood, genius thy heritage!
The loving interest of a world thy dower!
M. A. B.
CONTENTS.
DEDICATION.
THE DEPARTURE.
PUSSY CAT.
HIGH DIDDLE-DIDDLE.
THE QUEENS OF THE CARDS.
JACK AND JILL.
OLD KING COLE.
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN.
BAA-BAA BLACK SHEEP.
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO, MY PRETTY MAID?
WHEN I WAS A BACHELOR.
HUMPETY DUMPETY.
TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN.
THREE WISE MEN OF ST. IVES.
THE FROG AND THE CROW.
THE DONKEY’S REPLY.
FARMER BROWN.
THE CAPTAIN.
THE SHOEMAKER.
THE COOK.
THE GROCER.
THE FARMER.
THE FARMER’S WIFE.
THE TAILOR.
MRS. THOMPKINS AND MR. HOPKINS.
THIS VERY BLACK MAN OF SIAM.
THIS LAZY OLD MAN OF MOSELLE.
CE COCHON, AN INTERESTING PIG.
THIS SHOCKING OLD MAN FROM CAPE RAY.
PETER PRADDLE BOUGHT A SADDLE.
THE MAN FROM HONG KONG.
THE LITTLE BOHEMIAN.
THE KING IS RETURNING TO PARIS.
LE PETIT MARÉCHAL.
LA PETITE ÉTRANGÈRE.
LAY THE TABLE.
TOMMY HAS A GUN.
ENIGMAS.
THE MAID WITH EYES OF BLUE.
THIS STUDIOUS GIRL OF OGONTZ
ENIGMAS.
THE MILLER.
A KING.
LOUIS HAD A SISTER TRÈS-PETITE.
DICK’S POEM.
THE LITTLE NUT TREE.
L’ENFANT TERRIBLE.
ISIDORE ET ISABELLE.
EVERY DOG ON THE STREET.
THE APPLE-PIE PARTY.
GLOSSARY.
Mother Goose’s Bicycle Tour.
THE DEPARTURE.
Long years ago dear Mother Goose
For little people made, you see,
Of merry rhymes and odd conceits
A veritable pot pourri.
Some riddles hard the brain to puzzle,
Tales that really seemed quite true,
Rhymes with fun just brimming o’er,
For each one something à son goût.
6
Her fame had spread through many lands,—
A princess came from France to see
The tree that bore the golden pear:
At least such was l’on dit.
But years rolled by, the dame grew old,—
Alas, the universal fate!
She found herself almost forgot,
And with her goose left tête à tête.
7
Said Mother Goose: “My faithful bird,
Our friends neglect us, to be sure;
But never mind, we’ll just prepare
And take a pleasant little tour.
Some evenings spent in brushing up
The foreign words we used to know,
Ere setting out upon our trip,
Would now be very à propos.
I’ll order from my milliner
A brand new hat and travelling suit;
And then procure some maps and guides;
We’ll surely need them whilst en route.
’Tis fifty years since you and I
Our journey took the moon to see;
For fear we never should come back
We left our cards with P. P. C.
What crowds there were to see us off!
What merry shout and loud hurrah!
Most certainly we undertook
Our enterprise with great éclat.
And then the journey back again,
And how we made the world to stare
When home we brought the wondrous news—
The moon was made of fromage vert!
But times are changed, and people now
Doubt everything they cannot see;
And men are old before they’re young,
And even children feel ennui.
No fairies now their revels hold,
Nor dare their merry pranks pursue;
The prying eye, the searchlight’s glare,
Have made them bid the land adieu.
Should you in this material age
Your magic powers reveal by chance,
You’d never be a moment free
From scientific surveillance.
Besides, to ride upon your back
Would outrage modern fashion’s code;
To go upon a two-wheeled thing
Is now considered à la mode.”
When thus the dame had spoke her mind,
Her banker first she went to see;
Then purchase made of many things,
Besides a flask of eau-de-vie.
She meant to cross the Channel soon,
And for the future had a care;—
All those who travel on the sea
Provision make for mal de mer.
Two bicycles were ordered then
From Monsieur Brun de Chambray;
To tell the truth, the dame on hers
Looked really most distinguée.
The goose all unaccustomed was
To this most curious gait,
But spite of this her mistress vow’d
She thought her manner was parfaite.
“I am an awkward creature,”
Quoth the goose, “as people say;
But on the water, rest assured,
You’ll find me quite au fait.
“I know you dread the noisy ship,
With all its bustle and to-do;
And for the horrid smell of tar
You have a natural dégoût.
“So let us take an open boat;
The voyage is not very long.
I’m sure we’ll reach the other side
Without the slightest contre-temps.”
With courage rare the dame replied,
“Your plan, I think, is for our weal;
We’ll follow it without delay.”
Her charming nature was facile.
12
The noble, brave, and clever bird,
As one may well perceive,
For new and strange adventures now
Was quite on the qui vive.
Adventures came too soon, alas!
For on that self-same day
A storm arose, and they were wrecked
In that short traversée.
In this extremity most dire
The dame takes off a wooden boot,
And says, “I’ll buoy these precious bikes,
And get them sometime coûte que coûte.”
For string she ravels out her hose,
While briny waters saturate her;
Her plan will surely win success
For is it not a coup de maître!
“Now bind together, mistress dear,
Before they float away,
Those oars of good Canadian pine;
They are our pis aller.
“Your weight, supported by this frame,
I have the power to draw;
Nor danger fear while you retain
Such admirable sang-froid.”
By strength of will, and wing, and web,
They reached a passing man-of-war,
And now to Mother Goose and bird
We must say “au revoir.”
14
PUSSY CAT.
“Pussy cat, pussy cat, where have you been?”
“I’ve been to London to see the Queen.”
“Pussy cat, pussy cat, what saw you there?”
“I saw a little mouse under the chair.”
“Pussy cat, pussy cat, what did you do?”
“J’ai mangé la souris tout à coup.”
15
HIGH DIDDLE-DIDDLE.
High diddle-diddle, the cat and the fiddle,
The cow jumped over the moon.
Regardez donc cette vache agile,
Qui saute par-dessus la lune.
Je vais au marché à l’instant,
I’m going to the market now,
Pour acheter cette vache surprenante,
To buy that remarkable cow.
The well-known cat and the wonderful cow,
On the picture now you may see,
Ainsi que le chien intelligent,
Qui avait beaucoup ri.
17
THE QUEENS OF THE CARDS.
Les dames des cartes,
Elles firent des tartes
All on a summer’s day.
18
Les valets des cartes
Volèrent ces tartes,
And took them clean away.
19
Les rois des cartes
Cherchèrent les tartes,
And beat the knaves full sore.
20
Les valets des cartes
Rapportèrent les tartes,
And vow’d they’d steal no more.
21
JACK AND JILL.
Jack and Jill went up the hill,
Ensemble de l’eau y chercher;
Jack fell down and broke his crown,
La pauvre Jille fut renversée.
Up Jack got and home did trot,
En colère et très-pressé;
Dame Jill had the job to plaster his knob,
Quand l’effusion de sang eut cessé.
Jill came in and she did grin,
En voyant cet emplâtre;
Her mother vow’d she’d whip her next,
À cause de ce désastre.
22
OLD KING COLE.
Old King Cole was a merry old soul,
Il aimait la compagnie;
He called for his pipe, he called for his bowl,
Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He shared with his fiddlers the very best cheer,
23Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He drank from his bowl the very best beer,
Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He never knew sorrow, he never knew fear,
Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
He lived very happy (cela va sans dire),
Singing “Vive la compagnie!”
24
THERE WAS AN OLD WOMAN.
There was an old woman
Who lived in a shoe,
Elle avait beaucoup d’enfants,
And she didn’t know what to do.
She gave them some broth,
Without any bread,
Elle les battait très-fort,
And sent them to bed.
25
BAA-BAA BLACK SHEEP.
“Baa-baa black sheep,
As-tu de la laine?”
“Oui, Monsieur, j’en ai
Deux poches pleines.
“Une pour mon maître,
Une pour ma dame,
Rien pour le garçon
Qui versa des larmes.”
26
OLD MOTHER HUBBARD.
1.
Old Mother Hubbard went to the cupboard
Des os d’obtenir pour son chien,
But when she got there, the cupboard was bare,
Hélas! le pauvre chien n’eut rien.
27
She went to get bread
From the baker next door,
But when she returned
Le chien était mort.
She went for a coffin,
With many a tear,
But the dog was only joking,
Se met donc à rire.
She went for some tripe,
Feeling all in a maze,
But when she returned
Il fumait à l’aise.
“I will get him some ale,”
Mother Hubbard said she,
But when she returned
Le chien était assis.
She went for some wine,
Her favorite to fête,
Returning she found him
Debout sur sa tête.
She went to the hatter’s
To get him a hat,
But when she returned
Il nourrissait la chatte.
She went to the barber’s
To buy him a wig,
But when she returned
Il dansait une gigue.
She went to the fruiterer’s
To get him some fruit,
Returning she found him
Jouant de la flûte.
To buy him a coat
She went to the tailor,
Returning she found him
À cheval sur une chèvre.
30
She went to buy shoes,
But, most strange to tell,
Returning, she found him
Lisant les nouvelles.
To buy him some linen
She went one fine day,
Returning, she found
Le chien qui filait.
31
She went to buy hose
From old Father Drew,
Returning she found him
Paré de son mieux.
The dame made a curtsey,
The dog made a bow;
The dame said, “Your servant,”
Le chien dit, “Bow-wow.”
This wonderful dog
To the dame was most dear,
He could read, sing and dance,
Et il savait écrire.
Whilst living she fed him
With dainties galore,
And built him a tombstone
Quand il était mort.
33
WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO, MY PRETTY MAID?
“Où vas-tu, ma belle chérie?”
“I’m going a-milking, sir,” said she.
“Puis-je t’accompagner, belle chérie?”
“Just as you please, kind sir,” said she.
“Que fait ton père, ma belle chérie?”
“My father’s a farmer, sir,” said she.
“Que fait ta mère, ma belle chérie?”
“Wife to my father, sir,” said she.
“Quelle est ta fortune, belle chérie?”
“My face is my fortune, sir,” said she.
“S’il en est ainsi, belle chérie—”
“What do you mean, kind sir,” said she.
“Nous n’aurons jamais de fiançailles.”
“Nobody asked you, sir,” said she.
34
WHEN I WAS A BACHELOR
Quand j’étais un garçon,
I lived by myself,
Et toute la viande et le fromage
I put upon a shelf.
Les rats et les souris
Did lead me such a life,
Je m’en allai à Londres
To get myself a wife.
Les rues étant grandes,
And the lanes being narrow,
Je dus amener mon épouse,
In a wheel-barrow.
La brouette se cassa,
My wife got a fall,
A terre fut la brouette,
Little wife and all.
35
HUMPETY DUMPETY.
Humpety Dumpety sat on a wall;
Humpety Dumpety had a great fall.
All the King’s horses
Et l’armée du roi
Couldn’t make Humpety Dumpety
Ce qu’il était autrefois.
36
TAFFY WAS A WELSHMAN.
Taffy was a Welshman,
Taffy was a thief,
Taffy coura chez moi
And stole a leg of beef.
I went to Taffy’s house,
Taffy wasn’t at home,
Taffy coura chez moi
And stole a marrow bone.
I went to Taffy’s house,
Taffy was in bed,
Je pris vite le savouret,
And beat him on the head.
37
THREE WISE MEN OF ST. IVES.
Said this very wise man of St. Ives,
“I hear that potatoes have eyes;
I’ll shave all my head and dye my clothes red,
I’ve a nervous objection to spies.”
Said the wiser, “I cannot advise
Such a strange and uncommon disguise;
But this is my plan, to eat all we can,
Regardless of shape or of size.”
Said the sagest, “You don’t realize
That your scheme is most truly unwise;
If you eat them at all, either large ones or small,
Every thought of your heart they’ll surmise.
“On the man who successfully tries,
Or some feasible plan can devise,
To grow us a kind that really is blind,
We’ll bestow a magnificent prize.”
39
THE FROG AND THE CROW.
1. Une chère petite grenouille, Lived on the river brink, oh! Un corbeau noir et
gaillard Came there to get a drink, oh! “Come ashore, Come ashore,” Dit le corbeau
40
à la grenouille, “Come ashore, come ashore,” Dit le corbeau à la grenouille.
2. “And you shall hear the music On yonder green hill, oh! And you shall see the
dancers All dressed up in yellow.” “Je vous remercie, Je vous remercie,” Dit la
jeune petite grenouille, “Je vous remercie, Je vous remercie,” Dit la jeune petite grenouille.
Larger image
Listen
41
So the frog began a-jumping,
A-jumping to land, oh!
And the crow began a-hopping,
To give her his hand, oh!
“Je vous remercie, je vous remercie,”
Dit encore la jeune grenouille.
“Miss, you’re welcome; Miss, you’re welcome,”
Dit le corbeau à la grenouille.
“But where is the music
On yonder green hill, oh!
And where are the dancers
All dressed up in yellow—?”
“Yough” (scream).
42
THE DONKEY’S REPLY.
“Dear Neddy, I called you long ago,
Are you cold out here in the snow?
I would take you down to the kitchen below,
Only—”
“Cook is so cross I’m afraid to go;
When I wanted to help her knead the dough
She sent me away and scolded so,
But—”
“But if you are quiet and speak very low,
And try to walk on your very tip-toe,
We might go to the room where sisters sew,
Or—”
“Dear old Ned, you are as hoarse as a crow,
And you wobble your long ears to and fro,
But whatever you mean, I would like to know,
By—”
44
I painted a picture of his two cows,
And sent him in the bill;
Old Pogue is there, and Sukie, too,
And Minn’s behind the hill.
45
FARMER BROWN.
Farmer Brown is a sneak,
And Farmer Brown is a rogue!
He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t,
For painting his cows and Pogue.
He wanted a picture of his two cows,
Sukie and coal-black Minn;
And then for the pound he was to give
Old Pogue must be painted in.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak,
And Farmer Brown is a rogue!
He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t,
For painting his cows and Pogue.
I painted a picture of his two cows,
Sukie and coal-black Minn;
And then for the pound he was to give,
Old Pogue was painted in.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak,
And Farmer Brown is a rogue!
He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t,
For painting his cows and Pogue.
I painted a picture of his two cows,
And sent him in the bill;
Old Pogue is there, and Sukie, too,
And Minn’s behind the hill.
Oh, Farmer Brown is a sneak,
And Farmer Brown is a rogue!
He said he would give me a pound, and he didn’t,
For painting his cows and Pogue.
47
THE CAPTAIN.
“I’ve finished my ship to the very last nail,
I’ve painted the deck and set the sail,
And now I’m ready to cross the main,
For I will be le capitaine.”
48
THE SHOEMAKER.
“I mean to make shoes of the strongest leather,
That boys may go out in any weather.
I’ve got some wax, and I know the way,
So I will be le cordonnier.”
49
THE COOK.
“My cakes will be indeed a treat;
I’ll make them of raisins and sugar sweet:
First a story and then a layer,
And I will be la cuisinière.”
50
THE GROCER.
“Currants and chocolate, apples as well,
The very things I would like to sell;
In spite of brother Ned’s facetiæ,
I’ll be a prosperous
épicier.”
A
51
THE FARMER.
“You must have horses large and strong,
To drag the heavy plough along;
And go to market and draw the hay,
So I will be le fermier.”
52
THE FARMER’S WIFE.
“I’d like to make butter and skim the milk,
And go to church in a nice black silk;
And I like boys with curly hair;
I think I’ll be la fermière.”
53
THE TAILOR.
“The stylish suits of cloth I’ll make
The eye of taste will surely take;
And swain, intent on wedding tour,
Will ask, ‘Qui est votre tailleur?’”
54
MRS. THOMPKINS AND MR. HOPKINS.
1. “Oh, here is lit-tle Mrs. Thompkins, In such a frill, in such a
frill!” “Oh, bless me if it isn’t Hopkins, All dressed to kill, all dressed to kill!”
[55
2. “Good morning to you, Mrs. Thompkins, Pray how d’you do? pray how d’you
do?” “Oh, none the better, Mr. Hopkins, for see-ing you, for seeing you.”
3. “That sil-ly, sil-ly Mrs. Thompkins, I’m sorry for her, I’m sorry
for her!” “That horrid, horrid Mr. Hopkins, He’s my bête noir, he’s my bête noir!”
56
Larger image
Listen
57
THIS VERY BLACK MAN OF SIAM.
Ce jeune homme très-noir de Siam,
Just asked for a slice of good ham;
They said, “If you crave it,
And take affidavit
You’re not a Mohamme-dan-dan,
You can.”
58
THIS LAZY OLD MAN OF MOSELLE.
This lazy old man of Moselle
Said, “Indeed, it is all very well;
But to kill flies with pease
Is not taking one’s ease,
‘Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle.’”
59
CE COCHON, AN INTERESTING PIG.
Ce cochon, an interesting pig,
Always wore a dress coat and a wig,
But his friends looked askance,
And soon took a chance
To ask why he wore that strange rig.
60
THIS SHOCKING OLD MAN FROM CAPE RAY.
This shocking old man from Cape Ray
Refusa de mettre son gilet;
They put him to bed,
And everyone said,
“Such men must be made to obey.”
61
PETER PRADDLE BOUGHT A SADDLE.
Peter Praddle bought a saddle,
Put it on a pump handle;
When they asked him what for,
He answered, “Je ne sais quoi.”
62
THE MAN FROM HONG KONG.
This extraordinary man of Hong Kong
Déclarait la journée trop longue;
They put on his head a poultice of bread,
And told him his views were all wrong.
63
THE LITTLE BOHEMIAN.
“Que fais-tu ici, mon petit?
You must be far from home;
It is not right that such a mite
Should be allowed to roam.
“What is your race and country,—
It never could be guessed,—
Your raven locks and Northern bloom
To different climes attest?”
3.
“I had a race, a long one,
Across the river Seine,
Ma mère parle le Français
Et elle est Américaine.
“But I’m going to my own country,
And it’s forty miles away;
I’m walking very fast because
I must be there to-day.
“My father knows the name of it,
Il m’appelle Bohème;
And Victor’s going with me,
For I think he is the same.”
65
THE KING IS RETURNING TO PARIS.
Le roi revient à Paris,
La reine est très-heureuse,
Le roi il est le mari,
La reine elle est l’épouse.
66
LE PETIT MARÉCHAL.B
I was a little sergeant, don’t you see,
And I drilled my soldiers one and twenty-three,
And we all stepped out together,
In fair and stormy weather,
Myself and soldiers one and twenty-three.
I was a little captain, happy me!
Of my chosen band of one and twenty-three,
And we roamed the world together,
In fair and stormy weather,
Myself and soldiers one and twenty-three.
And now I am a marshal, as you see,
With a score and four of soldiers under me,
And we roam the world together
In fair and stormy weather,
Just five and twenty soldiers counting me.
68
LA PETITE ÉTRANGÈRE.
I met a little foreigner,
All on a walking tour;
She smiled at me and sweetly said,
“Je suis Française, Monsieur.”
She looked so very elegant—
A countess, I am sure—
I quickly lifted off my hat
And said, “Madame, bonjour.”
69
LAY THE TABLE.
Mettez donc le couvert
Vite, vite, vite.
Set the plates immediately
To heat, heat, heat.
Jeanne a fait le ragoût,
Anne a fait la tarte,
Sue will place the chairs around
With all her little heart.
70
TOMMY HAS A GUN.
Tommy has a gun,
Prenez-garde;
It has bullets made of lead,
Very hard.
He might take you for a bear,
He might take you for a hare,
He might take you for a bird,
Prenez-garde.
71
ENIGMAS
I feed all the Summer,
O dear, yes!
You’d better keep out of my way.
I fast all the Winter,
O dear, dear!
In the dark and the cold I stay.
I feed all the Winter,
O dear, yes!
I feed both night and day.
I fast all the Summer,
O dear, dear!
In a dark, dreary place I stay.
This is a pretty little girl,
And yet I do not know,
It seems to me her manners
Are not quite comme il faut.
72
THE MAID WITH EYES OF BLUE.
I met a little maiden
With eyes of lovely blue,
I said in my politest tone,
“Ma chère, que voulez-vous?”
She said, “I’d like a cherry ripe,
Kind sir, or even two.”
Oh, no one could refuse her,
La fille aux beaux yeux doux.
73
THIS STUDIOUS GIRL OF OGONTZ
Cette fille studieuse de l’OgontzC
Said, “This child will, I fear, be a dunce;
It’s my place to see that
She is taught to spell cat,
So come here, little sister, at once.”
This lad with compassion was smitten,
Qui vint des environs de Wittin,
He said, “I fear that
She’s too young to spell ‘cat’,
Oh do, please, first try her with ‘kitten.’”
74
ENIGMAS
Connaissez-vous mon père?
Connaissez-vous ma mère?
Connaissez-vous mes frères,
chérie?
They are hiding in the hedge,
They are peeping o’er the ledge,
They are seeking in the grass
For me.
À cette fenêtre
Veux-tu paraître?
De tout mon être
Je t’attends.
My heart is ever true,
I wait, dear love, for you,
At this our rendez-vous,
Cassandre.
75
THE MILLER
This jolly, fat miller works hard every day,
To grind up the corn in the very best way;
Oh, bright is his smile and friendly his chat,
And on his head always he wears a white hat;
Oh, gay is his whistle and cheery his song.
Et sur sa tête toujours un chapeau très-blanc.
Pourquoi?
Pour se tenir la tête chaude.
76
A KING.D
A king:—in history my name is surely known;
Their love my subjects by word and deed have shown.
Tho’ grieved to leave the palace of my sires,
Tho’ grieved to leave the land of sunny skies,
Choice of evils bade me leave my tottering throne,—
Should I say more my answer would be known.
77
LOUIS HAD A SISTER TRÈS-PETITE.
Louis had a sister très-petite,
He thought that standing up she would look sweet;
But her mother came and sought her,
And caught her little daughter—
Before that he had taught her this new feat.
78
DICK’S POEM.
When Benny wasn’t doing something silly he was very wise;
He was bigger than he was small regarding size;
His head was about as large as a piece of chalk,
79And when he didn’t run he went in a walk.
Even when he walked it was on his feet,
And he never was greedy when he hadn’t anything to eat.
The way he didn’t behave himself was a disgrace;
But then he never hurt you when he bit you on your false face.
THE LITTLE NUT TREE.
J’avais un noisetier,
Nothing did it bear
Mais une muscade d’argent
And a golden pear.
The King of France’s sister
Came to visit me,
All for the sake
Of my little nut tree.
80
L’ENFANT TERRIBLE.
I wish that grown-up gentlemen,
And grown-up ladies, too,
Would learn to speak as plainly
As other people do.
Uncle calls me some queer name,
Something “long” I know;
I cannot tell quite what it is,—
He always says it low.
I never call him “long,” although
He’s seven or eight feet high,
Or more, perhaps—at any rate,
He’s longer far than I.
I tried to wait in uncle’s room
To ask him what it meant,
But all my poor dear dollies
Wanted some of uncle’s scent.
They’re very fond of scent, you know,
And so I gave them plenty;
But, oh, dear me! I was surprised
To find the bottle empty.
With sister it is just the same—
She says I am de trop
Whenever there is company,
What’s that, I’d like to know?
To-day (of course to help them)
I just took off the string
From a cunning little parcel
I saw the postman bring.
It was the sweetest ring, although
It did not fit me quite,
So I put it in my pocket
To keep it out of sight.
My birthday cake was getting made
Down stairs that very minute,
And when cook looked the other way
I pushed the ring down in it.
And if the ring should fall to Rose,
I’ll be so glad, you know,
For she is my darling sister
And I really love her so.
82
ISIDORE ET ISABELLE.
Isidore et Isabelle
Marchent dessous une grande ombrelle.
Now which is which? If you can tell,
You shall have a candy and kiss as well.
83
EVERY DOG ON THE STREET.
Every dog on the street wags its tail when we meet.
Mais voici une autre chose;
This one I dread, for it waggles its head,
And fastens its teeth in my hose.
84
This very small child on a stool,
Had a bird that her nurse called a Poule;
But the gardener’s son, Ben,
Always called it “An enn,”
Though his parents had sent him to school.
Twice one are two,
Toujours je l’ai su.
Twice two are four,
J’ai des boutons d’or.
Twice three are six,
Ce fait est vraiment fixe.
Twice four are eight,
La réponse est parfaite.
Twice five are ten,
Les écoliers viennent.
Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq,
De l’argent dans la banque;
Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix,
J’en donnerai à mon fils.
Apportez-moi du potage,
Apportez-moi du sel,
Apportez-moi une tranche de pain,
And I’ll do very well.
85
THE APPLE-PIE PARTY.
A was an apple-pie, bitten by Tom;
French people call an apple “une pomme.”
B was the bite, and I really must say,
Tom was sorry that ever he took “la bouchée.”
C was the cook; Tom was always quite safe
To get goodies and tarts, when he called him “le chéf.”
D was the dinner got ready that day;
Dinner in France is called “le dîner.”
E was the edge (in France called “le bord”)
Of that pie trimmed with pastry to imitate cord.
F was the fun the sight gave to all;
In words of the Frenchman “la gaiété folle.”
86
G was the guest Tom was late to receive;
He came looking happy—a merry “convive.”
H was for Harry, who served the pie in great glee;
In France his name is pronouncéd “Henri.”
I was the ivy; the pie with great care
Was entwined with the creeper the French call “lierre.”
J was the juice, well sweetened by the cook;
He flavoured it nicely and called it “le suc.”
K was the kitchen, so tidy and clean;
In France it is always called “la cuisine.”
L was the linen beside each place set,
In Anglo, the napkin; in French, “serviette.”
87
M was the music (in French “la musique”)
Aunt played for the game of “lost treasure seek.”
N was the nurse (in France called “la bonne”)
Who brought some small cousins to share in the fun.
O was the oven (in French called “le four”);
At ’Xmas it bakes many pies for the poor.
P for the plates (in French “assiettes”),
Kept warm till the table was all nicely set.
Q the quadrille, which I think came from France;
The place where all children learn early to dance.
R was the room where the dancing took place,
In French called “le salon,” or else “la pièce.”
88
S was the sideboard for things stored away;
Cupboard, or sideboard, in French is “buffet.”
T was the tray (in French called “plateau”)
All laden with jellies and cream whipped like snow.
U was the urchin, old cook’s “petite peste”;
Of leavings and scraps she was always in quest.
V was the valet; at “dix heures” he came,
His very small master and mistress to claim.
W a wrangler, a horrid “mégère”;
Just read the next line, her name will be there.
X Xantippe was not at the party, I’m told;
Such people are always left out in the cold.
89
Y was the year (in French called “l’année”),
Which for these happy children had just passed away.
Z was the “zeste” that appetites hearty
Unfailingly give to an apple-pie party.
GLOSSARY.
CODE.
a, fāte, făt, fāll; e, mē, mĕt, hêr; i, pīne, pĭn, fîr; o, nōte, nŏt,
nôr; u, tūbe, tŭb, fûll; tŏĭl; oo, ooze.
Where the letter “g” is added at the end of a syllable in the
pronunciation, it should be sounded very faintly so as to be scarcely
perceptible.
À cause de ce désastre (ă kōs dĕ sĕ dēsăstr), because of this
misfortune.
À cette fenêtre (ā sĕt fĕnātr), at this window.
À cheval sur une chèvre (ă shêvăl soor oon shāvr), riding a goat.
Adieu (ă-dew), farewell.
Ainsi que le chien intelligent (ăn-sē kĕ lĕ shē-ĕn ân-tĕl-ē-jôn),
also the intelligent dog.
À la mode (ă lă mōd), in the fashion.
Anne a fait la tarte (ăn ă fā lă tărt), Anne has made the tart.
Apportez-moi du potage (ă-pōrt-ā mŏá doo pot-ăj, bring me some soup.
Apportez-moi du sel (ă-pōrt-ā mŏá doo sĕl), bring me some salt.
Apportez-moi une tranche de pain (ă-pōrt-ā mŏà oon transh dĕ pă-ng),
bring me a slice of bread.
Approchez-vous (ă-prō-shā voo), come nearer.
À propos (ă prō-pō), to the purpose, suitable.
À son goût (ă sōng goo), according to his taste.
Assiettes (ăs-sē-ĕt), plates.
As-tu de la laine? (ā too dĕ lă lān) Hast thou any wool?
À terre fut la brouette (ă tār foo lă broo-ĕt), down came the
wheelbarrow.
Au fait (ō fā), expert.
Au revoir (ō rĕv-vôr), good-bye till our next meeting.
Bête-noir (bāt nwôr), bugbear.
Bonne (bŭn), nurse maid, or maid-servant.
Bouchée (boo-shā), mouthful.
Buffet (boo-fā), sideboard.
Ce cochon (sĕ kō-shŏn), this pig.
Ce fait est vraiment fixe (sĕ fāt ā vrā-mŏng fēx), this fact is truly
fixed.
Ce jeune homme très noir de Siam (sĕ joon ŏm
trā nwôr dĕ Sē-ăm), this young man very
black of Siam.
Cela va sans dire (sĕ-lă vă sŏng dēr), that goes
without saying.
Cette fille studieuse de l’Ogontz (sĕt fēl stoo-dē-oos), this
studious girl of Ogontz.
Ce qu’il était autrefois (sĕ kēl ĕt-ā ōtr-fōy), that
which he was formerly.
Chef (shāf), head cook, man cook.
Cherchèrent les tartes (shĕrsh-ār lā tărt), searched
for the tarts.
Comme il faut (kŭm ēl fō), the correct thing.
Connaissez-vous ma mère? (kŏn-nā-sā voo mă
mār), Do you know my mother?
Connaissez-vous mes frères? (kŏn-nā-sā voo mā
frār), Do you know my brothers?
Connaissez-vous mon père? (kŏn-nā-sā voo
mŏng pār), Do you know my father?
Contre-temps (kŏntr-tŏng), mischance.
Convive (kōng-vēv), companion at table.
Coup de maĭtre (koo de mātr), master-stroke.
Coûte que coûte (koot kĕ koot), cost what it may.
Cuisine (kwē-zēn), kitchen.
Debout sur sa tête (dā-boo soor să tāt), standing
on his head.
Déclarait la journée trop longue (dā-klă-rā lă
joor-nā trō lŏng), declared the day was too
long.
De l’argent dans la banque (dĕ lăr-jôn dông lă
bănk), some money in the bank.
De trop (dĕ trō), in the way.
Des os d’obtenir pour son chien (dās ō dōb-tĕ-nēr
poor sōng shē-ĕn), some bones to procure
for her dog.
De tout mon être (dĕ too mŏng ātr), with all my
soul.
Deux poches pleines (doo pōsh plān), two bags
full.
Dégoût (dā-goo), disgust.
Dîner (dē-nā), dinner.
Distinguée (dĕs-tāng-ā), distinguished.
Dit encore la jeune grenouille (dēt ŏng-kor lă
joon grĕn-oo-ē), said the young frog again.
Dit la jeune petite grenouille (dē lă joon pĕ-tēt
grĕn-oo-ē), said the young little frog.
Dit le corbeau à la grenouille (dē lĕ kôr-bō ă lă
grĕn-oo-ē), said the crow to the frog.
Eau-de-vie (ō-dĕ-vē), brandy.
Éclat (ā-klă), brilliancy.
Elle avait beaucoup d’enfants (ĕl ă-vā bō-koo
dŏng-fŏng), she had a great many children.
Elle les battait très-fort (ĕl lā băt-tā trā fōr),
she beat them very soundly.
Elles firent des tartes (ĕl fēr dā tărt), they made
some tarts.
En colère et très-pressé (ōng ko-lār ā trā prĕssā),
in anger and haste.
Ennui (ŏng-nwē), condition or state of being
bored.
Ensemble de l’eau y chercher (ŏng-sômble dĕ lō
ē shĕr-shā), together to get some water there.
En route (ŏng root), on the journey.
En voyant cet emplâtre (ŏng vŏĭ-ŏng sĕt ŏng-plătr),
on seeing this plaster.
Et elle est Américaine (ā ĕl āt ă-mā-rē-kān), and
she is an American.
Et il savait écrire (ā ēl săv-āt ā-krēr), and he
knew how to write.
Et l’armée du roi (ā lăr-mā doo rwŏĭ), and the
army of the king.
Et sur sa tête toujours (ā soor să tāt too-joor),
and on his head always.
Et toute la viande et le fromage (ā toot lă vē-ŏnd
ā lĕ frō-măj), and all the meat and cheese.
Facile (fă-sēl), compliant.
Four (foor), oven.
Fromage vert (frō-măj vār), green cheese.
Frottez le dos (frŏt-ā lĕ dō), rub my back.
Henri (ŏng rē), Henry.
Hélas! le pauvre chien n’eut rien. (ā-lă lĕ pōvr
shē-ĕn noo rē-ĕn), Alas! the poor dog had
nothing.
92
Il aimait la compagnie (ēl ā-mā lă kŏm-pă-nē),
he used to love company.
Il dansait une gigue (ēl dŏng-sāt oon jē-g), he
was dancing a jig.
Il fumait à l’aise (ēl foo-māt ă lāz), he was
smoking comfortably.
Il m’appelle Bohème (ēl mă-pĕl bō-ām), he calls
me a Bohemian.
Il nourrissait la chatte (ēl noo-rē-sā lă shăt), he
was feeding the cat.
J’ai des boutons d’or (jā dā boo-tŏng dōr), I have
some gold buttons.
J’ai mangé la souris tout à coup (jē mông-jā
lă soo-rē toot ă koo), I ate up the mouse
instantly.
J’avais un noisetier (jăv-āz ūn nŏĭ-zĕt-ē-ā), I had
a nut-tree.
Jeanne a fait le ragoût (jān ă fā lĕ ră-goo), Jean
has made the stew.
Je dus amener mon épouse (jĕ dooz ămĕn-ā
mon ā-pooz), I was obliged to bring my wife.
Je m’en allai à Londres (jĕ mōn ăl-ā ă Lŏndr), I
went away to London.
J’en donnerai à mon fils (jŏn dŏn-ĕ-rā ă mŏng
fēs), I will give some of it to my son.
Je ne sais quoi (jĕ nĕ sā qàw), I don’t know
what.
Jouant de la flûte (joo-ŏng dĕ lă floot), playing
the flute.
Je pris vite le savouret (jĕ prē vēt lĕ să-voo-rā),
I quickly took the marrow-bone.
Je suis Française Monsieur! (jĕ swē frŏng-sāz mŏng-sor), I am a
French woman, sir!
Je t’attends (jĕ tă-tŏngd), I wait for thee.
Je vais au marché à l’instant (jĕ vāz ō măr-shā ă lŏng-stŏng), I am
going to the market now.
Je vous remercie (jĕ voo rĕ-mĕr-sē), I thank you.
La brouette se cassa (lă broo-ĕt sĕ kăs-ă), the wheelbarrow broke.
La cuisinière (lă kwē-zē-nē-ār), the cook (woman cook).
La fermière (lă fĕr-mē-ār), the farmer’s wife.
La fille aux beaux yeux doux (lă fēl ō bōz ū
doo), the girl with the lovely soft eyes.
La fournaise (lă foor-nāz), the furnace.
La gaieté folle (lă gā-ā-tā făl), the merriment,
the fun.
L’année (lă-nā), the year.
La pauvre fille fut renversée (lă pōvr fēl foo
rŏng-vēr-sā), the poor girl fell down.
La petite étrangère (lă pĕ-tēt ā-trŏng-jār), the
little foreigner.
La reine, elle est l’épouse (lă rān ĕl ā lā-poos), the
queen, she is the wife.
La reine est très-heureuse (lă rān ā trā-oo-roo-s),
the queen is very happy.
La réponse est parfaite (lă rā-pŏns ā păr-fāt), the
answer is perfect.
Le capitaine (lĕ kă-pē-tān), the captain.
Le chien dit (lĕ shē-ĕn dē), the dog said.
Le chien était assis (lĕ shē-ĕn ĕtāt ăs-ē), the dog
was seated.
Le chien était mort (lĕ shē-ĕn ĕt-ā mōr), the dog
was dead.
Le chien qui filait (lĕ shē-ĕn kē fē-lā), the dog
who was spinning.
Le cordonnier (lĕ kŏr-dŭn-ē-ā), the shoemaker.
L’enfant terrible (lŏng-fâng tĕr-ē-bl), the dreadful child.
Le fermier (lĕ fĕr-mē-ā), the farmer.
Le jeu ne vaut pas la chandelle (lĕ joo nĕ vō pă
lă shong-del), the game is not worth the
candle.
L’épicier (lā-pē-sē-ā), the grocer.
Le petit maréchal (lĕ pĕ-tē măr-ē-shăl), the little
marshal.
Les dames des cartes (lā dăm dā kărt), the queens
of the cards.
Les écoliers viennent (lās ā-kō-lē-ā vē-ĕn), the
scholars are coming.
Les rats et les souris (lā ră ā lā soo-rē), the rats
and the mice.
Le roi, il est le mari (lĕ rŏĭ ēl ā lĕ mă-rē), the
king, he is the husband.
Le roi revient à Paris (lĕ rŏĭ rĕ-vengt ă pă-rē),
the king is returning to Paris.
Les rois des cartes (lā rŏĭ dā kărt), the kings of
the cards.
Les rues étant grandes (lā roo ĕtŏng gránd), the
streets being wide.
Le suc (lĕ sook), the juice.
Les valets des cartes (lā vă-lā dā kărt), the knaves
of the cards.
Le tailleur (lĕ tă-ē-oor), the tailor.
Lierre (lē-ār), ivy.
93
Lisant les nouvelles (lē-zŏng lā noo-vĕl), reading
the news.
L’on dit (lŏng dē), the rumour, the saying.
L’ours (loor), the bear.
Ma chère, que voulez-vous? (mă shār kĕ voo-lā
voo), My dear, what do you wish?
Ma mère parle le Français (mă mē-r părl lĕ
frāng-sā), my mother speaks French.
Madame, bonjour (mă-dăm bŏng-joor), Madam,
good day.
Mal de mer (măl dĕ mār), sea-sickness.
Mais voici une autre chose (mā vŏĭ-sē oon ōtr
shōs), but here is a different thing.
Mais une muscade d’argent (maz oon moos-kărd
dăr-jŏn), except a silver nutmeg.
Marchent dessous une grande ombrelle (mărsh
dĕs-oos oon grŏnd ŏm-brĕl), walk beneath
a wide umbrella.
Mégère (mā-gā-r), a scold.
Mettez donc le couvert (mĕt-ā dŏng lĕ koo-vār),
lay the table then.
Musique (moo-zē-k), music.
Nous n’aurons jamais des fiançailles (noo nō-rōng
jă-mā dā fē-ong-sā-ē), we will never be
betrothed.
Oui, monsieur, j’en ai (wē mŏng-soor jŏn ā), yes,
sir, I have of it.
Où vas-tu, ma belle chérie? (oo vă-too mă bĕl shārē),
Where are you going, my pretty dear?
Parfaite (păr-fāt), perfect.
Paré de son mieux (pă-rā dĕ song mū), dressed
up in his best.
Petite peste (pĕ-tēt pēst), urchin.
Pièce (pē-ā-s), apartment.
Pis aller (pēs ăl-lā), last resource.
Plateau (plă-tō), tray.
Pot pourri (pō poorē), mixture.
Poule (pool), hen.
Pour acheter cette vache surprenante (poor ăsh-tā
sĕt văsh soor-prĕn-ānt), to buy that remarkable
cow.
Pour se tenir la tête chaude (poor sĕ tĕn-ēr lă
tāt shōd), to keep the head warm.
Pourquoi, (poor-kwā), why!
P.P.C., Pour prendre congé (poor prŏng-dr
kŏng-jā), to take leave.
Prenez-garde (prĕn-nā-gărd), take care.
Puis-je t’accompagner? (pwē-j tā-kōm-pă-nē-ā),
May I go with you?
Quadrille (kwá-drĭl), quadrille.
Quand il était mort (kŏng-d ēl ĕt-ā mōr), when
he was dead.
Quand j’étais un garçon (kŏng-d jĕt-ā găr-sŏng),
when I was a bachelor.
Quand l’effusion de sang eut cessé (kŏng-d lĕf-foo-zē-ŏng
dè sŏng oo sĕsa), when the effusion
of blood had ceased.
Que fais-tu ici, mon petit? (kĕ fā-too ē-sē mŏng
pĕ-tē), What are you doing here, my little
one?
Que fait ton père, ma belle chérie? (kĕ fā tŏng pār
mă bĕl shā-rē), What does your father do,
my pretty dear?
Quelle est ta fortune? (kĕl ā tă fŏr-toon), What is
your fortune?
Que voulez-vous? (kĕ voo-lā voo), What do you
wish?
Qui avait beaucoup ri (kā ă-vā bō-koo rē),
Who laughed so much.
Que fait ta mère, ma belle chérie? (kĕ fā tă mār
mă bĕl shā-rē), What does your mother do,
my pretty dear?
Qui est votre tailleur? (kē ā vōtr tă-ē-oor), Who
is your tailor?
Qui saute par-dessus la lune (kē sōt păr-dēs-oo
lă loon), Who jumped over the moon.
Qui versa des larmes (kē vĕr-să dā lărm), Who
shed tears.
Qui vint des environs de Wittin (kē văngt dās
ong-vē-rōng dĕ Vit-tăn), Who came from
the neighborhood of Wittin.
Qui vive (kē vēv), state of expectation.
Rapportèrent les tartes (ră-pōr-tār lā tărt),
brought back the tarts.
Refusa de mettre son gilet (rĕ-foo-ză dĭ mĕtr
sōng jē-lā), refused to put on his waistcoat
Regardez donc cette vache agile (rĕ-găr-dā dŏng
sĕt văsh ăjel), look at this active cow.
Rendez-vous (rŏng-dā-voo), appointed place of
meeting.
Rien pour le garçon (rē-ĕn poor lĕ găr-sŏng),
nothing for the boy.
94
Salon (să-lŏng), drawing-room.
Sang-froid (săng-frŏĭd), self-possession.
Se met donc à rire (sĕ mē dŏng ă rēr), began to
laugh.
Serviette (sĕr-vē-ĕt), table napkin.
S’il en est ainsi (sēl ŏng āt ăng-sē), if that is the
case.
Six, sept, huit, neuf, dix (sēs, sĕt, wēt, noof,
dēs), six, seven, eight, nine, ten.
Surveillance (sŭr-vē-lang-s), overseeing, watchfulness.
Taffy coura chez moi (tă-fē koor-ă shā mŏĭ),
Taffy ran to my house.
Tête-à-tête (tāt-ă-tāt), conversation between two
persons alone.
Toujours je l’ai su (too-joor jĕ lā soo), I have
always known it.
Tour (toor), journey or trip.
Traversée (tră-vĕr-sā), voyage.
Très-petite (trā-pĕ-tēt), very small.
Un chapeau très blanc (ŭn shă-pō trā blāng), a
very white hat.
Un corbeau noir et gaillard (ŭn kŏr-bō nŏĭr ā
gă-ē-ărd), a jolly black crow.
Un, deux, trois, quatre, cinq (ŭn, doo, trwô,
kătr, sănk), one, two, three, four, five.
Une chère petite grenouille (oon shār pĕ-tēt grĕn-oo-ē),
a dear little frog.
Une pomme (oon pôm), an apple.
Une pour ma dame (oon poor mă dăm), one for
my lady.
Une pour mon maître (oon poor mŏng mātr), one
for my master.
Valet (vă-lā), a gentleman’s body-servant.
Veux-tu paraître? (voo-too pă-rātr), Wilt thou
appear?
Vite (vēt), quickly.
Vive la compagnie! (vēv lă kŏm-pă-nē), Long
life to the company!
Volèrent ces tartes (vō-lār sē tărt), stole these
tarts.
Zeste (zĕst), Zest.
Transcriber’s Note:
The original spelling, hyphenation, accentuation and punctuation has
been retained, with the exception of apparent typographical errors
which have been corrected.
The transcriber has added a Table of Contents, following the Dedication.
