The Kangaroo says, whenever I jump,
I always come down with a great big thump.

The Emu can give a nasty kick;
Which is worse than getting a hit with a brick.

I'm but a funny wild, little, spotted Native Cat,
With claws and tail like a squirrel and a nose like a rat.

Common people call me simply Mr. PLATYPUS,
Learned people call me Mr. OR-NI-THO-RINK-KUS.

I'm bit a little Native Bear, and am so happy and bright,
I sleep and dream in a tree by day, and climb about at night.

The clever Bower Bird builds his nest up a tree,
And his beautiful palace down on the lea.

Here we see a pretty bird, of its voice you will never tire,
But tho' it mocks the sounds it hears the bird is still a Lyre.

(By a Company of Three Particularly Poor Poets.)

Ding dong dell, pussy's in the well!
Who put her in?—little Tommy Lin.
Who pulled her out?—dog with long snout.
What a naughty boy was that
To drown poor pussy cat,
Who never did any harm
But kill'd the mice in his father's barn.

A cat came fiddling out of a barn,
With a pair of bagpipes under her arm;
She could sing nothing but fiddle cum fee,
The mouse has married the bumble-bee.
Pipe cat—dance, mouse,
We'll have a wedding at our good house.

Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, where have you been?
I've been to London to visit the Queen.
Pussy-cat, pussy-cat, what did you there?
I frighten'd a little mouse under the chair.

Pussy-Cat lives in the servant's hall,
  She can set up her back and purr;
The little mice live in a crack in the wall,
  But they hardly dare venture to stir;
For whenever they think of taking the air,
  Or filling their little maws,
The Pussy-cat says, "Come out if you dare;
  I will catch you all with my claws."
Scramble, scramble, scramble, went all the little Mice,
  For they smelt the Cheshire cheese,
The Pussy-Cat said, "It smells very nice,
  Now do come out, if you please."
"Squeak," said the little Mouse; "squeak, squeak, squeak,"
  Said all the little ones too;
"We never creep out when cats are about,
  Because we're afraid of you."
So the cunning old Cat lay down on a mat
  By the fire in the servants' hall:
"If the little Mice peep, they'll think I'm asleep;"
  So she rolled herself up like a ball.
"Squeak," said the little Mouse, "we'll creep out
  And eat some Cheshire cheese,
That silly old Cat is asleep on the mat,
  And we may sup at our ease."
Nibble, nibble, nibble went all the little mice,
  And they licked their little paws;
Then the cunning old Cat sprang up from the mat,
  And caught them all with her claws.

Hie, hie, says Anthony, puss in the pantry
Gnawing, gnawing a mutton, mutton-bone;
See now she tumbles it, see now she mumbles it,
See how she tosses the mutton, mutton-bone,

Do look at the cat! why, what is she at?
She's catching a rat that's hid in Dick's hat.
Dick ran for a bat to knock him down flat,
But, crossing the mat the foolish young brat
Tripped up and fell flat, He half killed the cat
Instead of the rat, Hal cried out that that
Was just tit for tat.

Says Mr. Monkey, giving a wink;
"It would be exceedingly funny, I think,
To catch the cat, and give her a drink,
Out of a great big bottle of ink."

So, suiting the action to word,
He caught up Puss, but she demurred;
And made such a noise you never heard,
And said it 'twas worse than eating a bird.

The Puss she didn't like ink at all!
She didn't like bottles great or small;
Ink to her was worse than gall,
And so she did nothing but spit, mew, and squall.
    And that's all!

Sing, sing, what shall I sing?
The cat has ate the pudding-string!
Do, do, what shall I do?
The cat has bit it quite in two.

Poor Puss, dear, lovely pretty puss,
  Content at home to stay;
Thy pleasure's shown in gambol tricks
  And loves to skip and play.

Grateful for every sup of milk,
  And for every bit of meat;
Gives lively proof of gratitude
  By singing while you eat.

See, how she cleans her sleeky skin!
  A soil would prove a flow;
She licks her neck, her sides and back,
  And don't forget her paw.

Mary had a little cat,
  With long snow-white hair.
Such a merry little cat,
  Jumping everywhere.

When Mary went to take a walk,
  Pussy ran to meet her,
Rubbed its head against her frock
  And said, 'Purr, purr,' to greet her.

Once, when Mary was at school,
  Some cruel bad boys found it,
And in a pond beside the road,
  Oh, sad to tell, they drowned it!

Poor Mary's face was wet with tears,
  When she found Pussy lying:—
I would not be a cruel boy,
  To set poor Mary crying.

I love little Pussy, her coat is so warm;
And if I don't hurt her, she'll do me no harm,
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I very gently will play.
She'll sit by my side, and I'll give her some food;
And Pussy will love me, because I am good.
Oh! here is Miss Pussy, she's drinking her milk;
Her coat is as soft and as glossy as silk.
She sips the milk up with her little lap-lap;
Then, wiping her whiskers, lies down for a nap.
My kitty is gentle, she loves me right well;
How funny her play is I'm sure I can't tell.
Now under the sofa, now under the table.
She runs and plays bopeep as well as she's able.
Oh! dearly I love her! you never did see
Two happier playmates than kitty and me.

Dame Trot once went to a neighbouring fair.
And what do you think she bought herself there?
A pussy! the prettiest ever was seen;
No cat was so gentle, so clever and clean.

Each dear little paw was as black as a sloe,
The rest of her fur was white as the snow,
Her eyes were bright green, and her sweet little face
Was pretty and meek, full of innocent grace.

Dame Trot hurried home with this beautiful cat;
Went upstairs to take off her cloak and her hat;
And when she came down she was astonished to see
That Pussy was busy preparing the tea.

"Oh, what a strange cat!" thought poor little Dame Trot,
"She'll break my best china and upset the pot."
But no harm befell them: the velvety paws
Were quite sure; the Dame for alarm had no cause.

Next morning when little Dame Trot came downstairs,
To attend as usual, to household affairs,
She found that the kitchen was swept up as clean
As if Puss a regular servant had been.

The tea stood to draw, and the toast was done brown;
The Dame very pleased to her breakfast sat down;
While Puss by her side on an armchair sat up,
And lapped her warm milk from a nice china cup.

Now Spot, the old house-dog, looked on in amaze,
He'd never been used to such queer cattish ways,
Put Puss mewed so sweetly, and moved with such grace,
That Spot at last liked her, and licked her white face.

Poor little Dame Trot had no money to spare,
And only too often her cupboard was bare;
Then kind Mrs Pussy would catch a nice fish,
And serve it for dinner upon a clean dish.

The rats and the mice, who wished Pussy to please,
Were now never seen at the butter and cheese;
The Dame daily found that their numbers grew thinner,
For Puss ate a mouse every day for her dinner.

If Puss had a weakness, I need but confess
'Twas a girl of the period's fancy for dress,
Her greatest desire a high chignon and hat,
And a very short dress a la mode for a cat.

So one day when Dame Trot had gone out to dine,
Puss dressed herself up, as she thought, very fine,
And coaxed kind old Spot, who looked at her with pride,
To play pony for her, and give her a ride.

Now Spot, who to welcome his mistress desired,
And to "company manners" had never aspired,
Jumped up to fawn on her—and down came the cat,
And crushed, in her tumble, her feather and hat.

"Oh, puss!" said Dame Trot, "what a very sad mess!
You'd best have remained in your natural dress;
The graces which Nature so kindly bestows
Are more often hid than improved by fine clothes.

A little dog said, and he looked very wise,
  "I think, Mistress Pus,
  You make a great fuss
With your back and your great green eyes
  And you, Madam Duck,
  You waddle and cluck,
Till it gives one the fidgets to hear you;
  You'd better run off
  To the old pig's trough,
Where none but the pigs, ma'am, are near you."

The duck was good-natured, and she ran away;
  But old pussy-cat
  With her back up sat,
And said she intended to stay;
  And she showed him her paws,
  With her sharp, long claws,
So the dog was afraid to come near,
  For Puss if she pleases,
  When a little dog teases
Can give him a box on the ear.

I like little pussy, her coat is so warm,
And if I don't hurt her she'll do me no harm;
So I'll not pull her tail, nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I very gently will play.

Ho! Master, Mistress, Mary, run,
  Your Tabby is in grief;
This broken jug caught hold of me
  As though I were a thief.

Diddledy, diddledy, dumpty,
The cat ran up the plum tree
  I lay you a crown
  I'll fetch her down;
So diddledy, diddledy, dumpty.

  Pussy Cat Mole
  Jumped over a coal,
And in her best petticoat burnt a great hole
Poor Pussy is weeping, she'll have no more milk
Until her best petticoat's mended with silk.

Three little kittens they lost their mittens,
  And they began to cry,
"Oh! mammy dear, we sadly fear,
  Our mittens we have lost."
  "What! lost your mittens,
  You naughty kittens,
  Then you shall have no pie."
    Miew, miew miew, miew.

The three little kittens had need of mittens:
  The winter was now nigh.
"Oh! mammy dear, we fear, we fear,
  Our mittens we shall need."
  "Go, seek your mittens,
  You silly kittens;
  There's a tempest in the sky."
    Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens, in seeking their mittens,
  Upset the table high.
"Oh! mammy dear, we doubt and fear,
  The house is tumbling down,"
  "You foolish kittens,
  Go find your mittens,
  And do not make things fly."
    Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they found their mittens,
  And they began to cry,
"Oh! mammy dear, see here, see here,
  Our mittens we have found."
  "What! found your mittens,
  You little kittens;
  Then you shall have some pie."
    Purr, purr, purr, purr.

The three little kittens put on their mittens,
  And soon ate up the pie;
"Oh! mammy dear, we greatly fear,
  Our mittens we have soiled."
  "What! soiled your mittens,
  You naughty kittens!"
  Then they began to sigh.
    Miew, miew, miew, miew.

The three little kittens they washed their mittens,
  And hung them up to dry.
"Oh! mammy dear, look here, look here,
  Our mittens we have washed,"
"What! washed your mittens,
  You darling kittens!—
  But I smell a rat close by!
  Hush! Hush!" Miew, miew.

The three little kittens put off their mittens,
  A hunting match to try.
"Oh! mammy dear, his hole is here:
  Our mittens down we fling."
  Both cat and kittens
  Flung down their mittens;
  When—whisk!—the rat ran by.
    Miew, miew, miew, miew.

Come, Pussy, will you learn to read?
  I've got a pretty book:
Nay, turn this way, you must indeed,
  Fie, there's a sulky look!

Here's a pretty picture, see
  An apple with a great A;
How stupid you will ever be
  If you do nought but play!

Come, A B C, an easy task,
  What anyone can do,
I will do anything you ask,
  For dearly I love you.

No, no, your lesson is not done,
  You have not learnt it half;
You'll grow a downright simpleton,
  And make the people laugh.

Old Daddy Hubbard
Went to the cupboard,
  To get poor Puss some meat;
But when he got there,
I do declare,
  There was nothing but two pig's feet.

Daddy went to the fish shop
  To get Puss a sprat,
And when he came back,
  She was watching a rat.

Daddy went to the carpenter's
  To get Puss a house,
And when he came back
  She was catching a mouse.

Daddy went to the miller's
  To get Puss some meal,
And when he came back
  She was skinning an eel.

Daddy went to a meadow
  To get milk from a cow,
And when he came back,
  Puss cried: "Me-ow, Me-ow."

Daddy went to the crockery shop
  To get Puss a dish,
And when he came back
  She had caught Ma's goldfish.

Daddy went to the dairy
  To get Puss some curd,
And when he came back
  She'd ate Ma's pet bird.

Daddy went to the brewer's
  To get Puss some beer,
And when he came back
  She's a flea in her ear.

Daddy went for some water,
  To give Puss some souse,
And when he came back
  Puss was top of the house.

Daddy went to the ironmonger's
  To get Puss a saw,
And when he came back
  She had scalded her paw.

Daddy went to the photographer's
  To get Puss some pictures,
And when he came back,
  She had burnt off her whiskers.

Daddy went to the garden
  To get Puss a snail,
And when he came back
  She'd a bottle-brush tail.

Daddy went to the grocer's
  To get Puss some tea,
And when he came back
  She had run up a tree.

Daddy went to the draper's
  To buy Puss some mittens,
And when he came back
  She was licking her kittens.

Daddy went to the stable
  To get Puss a donkey,
And when he got back
  She was teaching the monkey.

Daddy went to the confectioner's
  To buy Puss a lollie,
And when he came back
  She was nursing the dolly.

Daddy went to get clothes
  To make Puss a lady,
And when he came back
  She was kissing the baby.

Daddy took Cole's balloon
  And got Puss a cloud,
But Puss when she saw it
  Laughed right out loud.

Daddy went to the furrier's
  To get Puss a muff,
And when he came back
  She was taking some snuff.

Daddy went to the baker's
  To get Puss a bun,
And when he came back
  She was beating a drum.

Daddy went to the dressmaker's
  To buy Puss a frock,
And when he came back
  She was winding the clock.

Daddy went to the jeweller's
  To get Puss a brooch,
And when he came back
  She'd caught a cockroach.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  Some cheap music to buy,
And when he came back
  Puss had made a mud pie.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy Puss some pens,
And when he came back
  She was feeding some hens.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy Puss a slate,
And when he came back
  She opened the gate.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy Puss some ink,
And when he came back
  She gave him a wink.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  For an exercise book,
And when he came back
  Puss gave a wise look.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy Puss a purse,
And when he came back
  She was singing a verse.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  And Oh me! Oh my!
And when he came back
  Puss had swallowed a fly.

Daddy went to Cole's Book Arcade
  Some paper to buy,
And when he came back
  Puss thought she would die.

Daddy went to the doctor's
  To get Puss a pill,
And when he came back
  She still looked very ill.

Daddy went to the auction sale
  To buy Puss a bed,
And when he came back
  Puss Shammed to be dead.

Once there was a little mouse,
  Who came to live in our house;
She came because she was terribly frighten'd
  To stay outside as it thunder'd and lighten'd.

When she came in 'twas nearly dark,
  And Ponto he began to bark;
But she ran round at a rapid rate,
  Then darted in behind the grate.

Ponto smelt, and sniff'd, and bark'd and scratch'd,
  But Mousey was safe and couldn't be catch'd;
So Ponto, when tired laid down to sleep,
  And Mousey quite quiet determined to keep.

Mousey stayed there a month, as she thought it was better,
  And Ponto could smell her, but never could get her,
But every morning when Ponto went out,
  Miss Mousey crept forth, and for crumbs looked about.

Now one day as Ponto came into the house,
  Thinks he, I'll be KIND to that poor little mouse;
"So come out Miss Mousey," our Ponto he said,
  "And if anyone hurts you I'll bite off his head."

So the poor little mouse came out of the grate,
  And ate with our Ponto out of his plate,
And always when Ponto laid down on the mat,
  Beside him Miss Mousey in her little chair sat.

But one rainy night as Miss Mousey sat still,
  A thing called a bat, came over the hill;
But Ponto says to him, "You are not wanted here,"
  And sent the bat off with a flea in his ear.

The very same night as they lay on the mat,
  What should come rushing in but a great big rat;
Up jumped Mr. Ponto and gave a loud bark,
  And that rat scampered off out into the dark.

They had just got rid of the bat and the rat,
  And what should come in but a GREAT TOM CAT;
Came jumping, springing, and bounding along,
  And frightened Miss Mousey more than a gong.

He raced after mousey, around, in and out,
  Through the house and the yard, and all round about;
To the East, to the West, to the North, to the South,
  And at last caught her up in his great big mouth.

He squeezed her back hard and frighten'd her so,
  She scarcely could say, "O, please let me go!"
But Tom spoke and said, "Mouse is very good meat,
  And as I feel hungry, why, it's you I shall eat."

Tom let her go once, but caught her afresh,
  Although Mousey made a most desperate dash;
And again Mousey pleaded, "Oh, please let me go";
  But Tom only answered, "Decidedly No!"

But as luck should now have it, our Ponto came in,
  And asked Mr. Puss, "What's this horrible din?"
Says Puss to our Ponto, "I've caught this sly thief,
  And now I intend to bring her to grief."

Says Ponto to Puss, "The mouse is my friend,
  And if you would hurt her, why I must defend
That nice little, kind little, good little mouse,
  As long as she ever remains in this house."

Says Pussy to Ponto, "I pray you don't fret;
  I'll love and I'll cherish your poor little pet;
She shall sleep on the mat, and we'll find her in food,
  Because she is nice and because she is good."

So the nice little mouse, the dog and the cat,
  all three ate together, and slept on the mat;
They sung, danc'd and romp'd with joy and merry laughter,
  And as the old take says, "Lived happy ever after."

My little white kitten's
  Asleep on my knee;
As white as snow
  Or the lily is she;
    She wakes up with a purr
    When I stroke her soft fur;
  Was there ever another
    White kitten like her?

My little white kitten
  Now wants to go out
And frolic, with no one
  To watch her about:
    "Little kitten," I say,
    "Just an hour you may stay;
  And be careful in choosing
    Your places to play."

But night has come down,
  And I hear a loud "mew";
I open the door, and my
  Kitten comes through;
    My white kitten! ah me!
    Oh! can it be she—
  This sad looking beggar-like
    Cat that I see?

What ugly grey marks
  On her side and her back!
Her nose, once as pink
  As a rosebud, is black!
    Oh! I very well know,
    Though she does not say so,
  She has been where white kittens
    Ought never to go.

If little good children
  Would wish to do right,
If little white kittens
  Would keep themselves white,
    It is needful that they
    In their houses should stay,
  Or be careful in choosing
    Their places to play.

Pretty little Kitty
  Sat upon a stile,
Sang a little ditty
  To herself for a while,
Watching how the sparrows—
  Seeking grain to eat—
Dart about like arrows
  In among the wheat.

Pretty little Kitty
  Liked the birds to see!
Though it was a pity
  They were wild and free.
So she stopped her singing—
  Left the stile forlorn;
And went gaily springing
  In among the corn.

Pretty little Kitty
  Fond of country things,
Cares not for the city
  Where no birdie sings.

"Oh, for shame,
  Baby Cat,
Mother's pet
  Her cupboard at.

"With a spoon
  Eating Jam
Quite ashamed
  Of you I am.

"If she comes
  And catches you
You'll be punished
  Rightly too.

"She will send you
  Straight to bed,
With for supper
  Plain dry bread."

I love little Pussy,
  Her coat is so warm;
And if I don't tease her,
  She'll do me no harm.

I'll not pull her tail,
  Nor drive her away,
But Pussy and I
  Very gently will play.

She'll be gentle with me,
  If I'm gentle with her,
And if I speak kindly,
  I know she will purr.

She shall sit by my side,
  And I'll give her some food
And Pussy will love me
  Because I am good.

It's true, if I tease her,
  Her claws she will show;
But Pussy knows well
  That I never do so.

"I wonder," says puss,
  "If a thing like that
Would presume to bite
  A respectable cat?

'Tis the queerest thing
  That ever I saw;
I'll hit it a slap
  With my strong forepaw.

No! No! On the whole
  I had better not;
But what curious claws
  The creature has got!

I'll just step up
  And quietly ask it
How it got out
  Of that market-basket.

I'll play with the animal,
  Just to see
If it wants to do
  Any harm to me.

No! I thank I had better
  Get out of its way,
And I surely am safer
  Not even to play.

For I'll get into trouble,
  And horribly wail,
If that thing with the claws
  Takes a grip on my tail."

                Rev. A. Taylor

Three little pussies,
  All in a row,
Ranged on the table,
  Two down below.

Five little pussies
  Dressed all in silk,
Waiting for sugar,
  Waiting for milk.

Dear little pussies,
  If you would thrive,
Breakfast at nine o'clock,
  Take tea at five.

You are a naughty pussy-cat;
I think it right to mention that
For all who see your picture here—
'Twas you who broke my bunny dear.

An hour ago, as you can tell,
I left him here, alive and well;
And now he's dead, and, what is more
You've broke his leg, I'm pretty sure.

For you, my puss, I'll never care,
No—never, never, never—there!
And you are in disgrace, you know,
And in the corner you must go.

What, crying? Then I must cry too,
And I can't bear to punish you;
Perhaps you've only stunned his head.

And though I'm sure you broke his leg,
It may be mended with a peg;
And though he's very, very funny,
My bunny's not a real bunny;
And I'll forgive and tell you that
You are my precious pussy-cat.

                Robert Mack

Tabby was a kitten,
  Tabby was a thief.
Tabby tried to steal the cream,
  And so she came to grief.

Jumping on the table
  (Nobody was nigh),
On the pretty cream-jug
  Tabby cast her eye:

Wondered what was in it;
  Thought she'd like to see;
Crept a little nearer,
  Slyly as could be.

Cream was very low down;
  Jug was very high;
"Must have some," said Tabby.
  "Even if I die!"

Then into the cream-jug
  Popped her naughty nose;
Just what happened after,
  Only Tabby knows.

This is how we found her,
  Naughty little cat!
Did she get a whipping,
  Think you, after that?

Tabby was a kitten,
  Tabby was a thief,
Tabby tried to steal the cream,
  And so she came to grief.

Don't hurt the poor old cat,
There can be no fun in that;
And it would be cruel too—
She never tried to injure you.

She, for years, has kept the house
Free from thievish rat and mouse;
Puss has always faithful been,
And has kept herself so clean.

True, she now is getting old,
Though she once was strong and bold;
At her prey she cannot leap,
And, if caught, can scarcely keep.

Poor old puss! 'Twould be a shame
Thee for uselessness to blame;
When though canst not active be—
Useless through infirmity.

I'm a rich little kitten:
  I live at my ease,

I keep my own carriage,
  I go where I please;

My turn-out is stylish,
  I nothing neglect,

And often I notice
  That all recollect

That a rich little kitten
  Deserves much respect.

Don't talk to me of parties, Nan;
  I really cannot go;
When folks are in affliction
  They don't go out, you know.
I have a new brown sash, too;
  It seems a pity—eh?
That such a dreadful trial
  Should have come just yesterday!

The play-house blinds are all pulled down
  As dark as it can be;
It looks so very solemn
  And so proper, don't you see?
And I have a piece of crape
  Pinned on my dolly's hat,
Tom says it is ridiculous
  For only just a cat.

But boys are all so horrid!
  They always, every one,
Delight in teasing little girls
  And kitties, "just for fun."
The way he used to pull her tail—
  It makes me angry now—
And scat her up the cherry tree,
  To make the darling "meow!"

I've had her all the summer.
  One day, away last spring,
I heard a frightful barking,
  And I saw the little thing
In the corner of a fence;
  'T would have made you laugh outright
To see how every hair stood out,
  And how she tried to fight.

I shooed the dog away,
  And she jumped upon my arm;
The pretty creature knew
  I wouldn't do her any harm;
I hugged her close, and carried her
  To mamma, and she said
She should be my own wee kitty,
  If I'd see that she was fed.

A cunning little dot she was,
  With silky, soft, grey fur;
She'd lie for hours on my lap,
  And I could hear her purr;
And then she'd frolic after
  When I pulled a string about,
Or try to catch her tail,
  Or roll a marble in and out.

Such comfort she has been to me
  I'm sure no one could tell,
Unless some other little girl
  Who loves her pussy well.
I've heard about a Maltese cross;
  But my dear little kit
Was always sweet and amiable,
  And never cross a bit!

But oh, last week I missed her!
  I hunted all around;
My darling little pussy-cat
  Was nowhere to be found.
I knelt and whispered softly,
  When nobody could see:
"Take care of little kitty, please,
  And bring her back to me."

I found her lying yesterday
  Behind the lower shed;
I thought my heart was broken
  When I found that she was dead.
Tom promised me another one;
  But even he can see
No other kitty ever will be
  Just the same to me.

I can't go to your party, Nannie,
  Maccaroons, you say?
And ice-cream? I know
  I ought to try and not give way;
And I feel it would be doing wrong
  To disappoint you so.
Well, if I'm equal to it
  By to-morrow, I may go!

                Sydney Dayre

A monkey, being fond of nuts,
  Thought he would have some roasted;
But how was he to get them done,
  Not liking to be toasted?
A poor young cat was passing by,
  And innocently watches;
The wicked monkey saw her stop,
  And at his victim snatches.

"Dear pussy, you are just the one
  That I've been looking out for;
How beautiful you look to-day,
  But tell me what you pout for!
Upon my word I long have had
  For you a fond affection;
Now you shall stay and dine with me,
  Or take some slight refection."

"Twas no use for poor puss to speak,
  Or offer to deny him,
The monkey had her in his grasp,
  And she could not deny him.
So he began to laugh and chat,
  And show a few grimaces;
Oh! if you had but seen, like me,
  The contrast of their faces.

He put some nuts into her paw,
  And he the fire approaches,
As if a salamander she.
  Or made of young cockroaches.
The poor cat now began to squall,
  Her face the fire attacking;
And sadly too, her paw was burnt,
  The while the nuts were cracking.

The monkey having feasted well
  Began to snarl and grumble,
That he should be so taken in
  With nuts he scarce could mumble.
"Dear me," he said, "how they are burnt,"
  And at poor pussy looking,
"I cannot think how I could bear
  Such miserable cooking.

And what a fuss you make about
  A little bit of warning;
I've often done the thing myself—
  There's nothing so alarming.
Now take this for yourself," he said,
  "And next time be less squalling:"
Then gave the cat a hearty cuff,
  Which sent the poor thing sprawling.

"Now let me give you this advice,
  For I am one of letters:
Leave off your rude, obstreperous way,
  When you are with your betters.
And think yourself well off," he said,
  "That I had mercy on you;
For many would have sent you home
  Without a dress upon you."

                Mrs. W. Taylor

I wish you could just see my cat:
She's a darling, there's no doubt of that:
So soft, and so sleek, and so fat.

Her eyes are a beautiful green,
The brightest that ever were seen:
Of cats she is truly the queen.

She loves to lie stretched in the sun
But as soon as my lessons are done,
She is ready for frolic and fun.

My kitty has two sets of claws,
Tucked away in those velvety paws:
She can use them, too, when there is cause.

I cannot thin what I should do,
If, my pussy, I ever lost you:
We're so happy together, we two!

I call her my bundle of fur:
Hark! now she's beginning to purr:
Kit loves me, and oh, I love her!

Dear kitten, do lie still, I say,
  How much I want you to be quiet,
Instead of scampering away,
  And always making such a riot.

There, only see! you've torn my frock,
  And poor mamma must put a patch in;
I'll give you a right earnest knock,
  To cure you of this trick of scratching.

Nay, do not scold your little cat,
  She does not know what 'tis you're saying;
And every time you give a pat,
  She thinks you mean it all for playing.

But if your pussy understood
  The lesson that you want to teach her,
And did not choose to be so good,
  She'd be, indeed, a naughty creature.

Kitty, Kitty, go to sleep,
Shut your eyes, and don't you peep.
Sing with me your little song,
We will not make it very long.

Hurry Kitty for to see
Mamma soon will come for me,
And I must see you safe in bed
All covered up except your head.

And while I rock you in my chair,
You must purr your little prayer,
Altho' you say it soft an low,
'Twill all be just the same you know.

Mamma makes me bend my knee,
But Kitty dear, you can't, you see,
For you're too little yet to try—
See! I'm so big, and tall, and high.

And then you can't say any words,
No more than chicks, or little birds.
But I've heard the Bible tell
That even birds are cared for well.

                M. E. S.

She went to the baker's
  To buy him some bread,
And when she came back
  The poor Dog looked dead.

She went to the joiner's
  To buy him a coffin,
But when she came back
  The poor Dog was laughing.

She took a clean dish
  To get him some tripe,
But when she came back
  He was smoking a pipe.

She went to the ale-house
  To get him some beer,
But when she came back
  The Dog sat on a chair.

She went to the hatter's
  To buy him a hat,
But when she came back
  He was feeding the cat.

She went to the barber's
  To buy him a wig,
But when she came back
  He was dancing a jig.

She went to the fruiterer's
  To buy him some fruit,
But when she came back
  He was playing the flute.

She went to the tailor's,
  To buy him a coat,
But when she came back
  He was riding a goat.

She went to the seamstress
  To buy him some linen,
But when she came back
  The Dog was a-spinning.

She went to the hosier's
  To buy him some hose,
But when she came back
  He was dressed in his clothes.

She went to the cobbler's
  To buy him some shoes,
But when she came back
  He was reading the news.

She went to the hotel
  To get him some ale,
But when she came back,
  He was wagging his tail.

The dame made a curtsey,
  The Dog made a bow;
The dame said "Your servant,"
  The Dog said "Bow-wow."

This wonderful Dog
  Was Dame Hubbard's delight;
He could sing, he could dance,
  He could read, he could write.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him a book,
And when she came back
  He at once took a look.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book two,
And when she came back
  He was tying his shoe.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book three,
And when she came back
  He getting his tea.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book four,
And when she came back
  He sat at the door.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book five,
And when she came back
  He was out for a drive.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book six
And when she came back
  He was picking up sticks.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book seven,
And when she came back
  He was brewing some leaven.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book eight,
And when she came back
  He was baking a cake.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book nine,
And when she came back
  He said it was fine.

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book ten,
And when she came back
  He took it an then

She went to Cole's Book Arcade
  To buy him book eleven,
And when she came back
  He had gone up to heaven.