S stole it; V viewed it; W wanted it; X, Y, Z, and amperse-and, All wish'd for a piece in hand. XLIV. A. for the ape, that we saw at the fair; K for the keeper, that look'd to the park; T for a top, that doth prettily spin; THE STORY OF CATSKIN. THERE once was a gentleman grand, Who lived at his country seat; He wanted an heir to his land, His lady's again in the way, So she said to her husband with joy, "I hope some or other fine day, To present you, my dear, with a boy." The gentleman answered gruff, "If 't should turn out a maid or a mouse, For of both we have more than enough, She shan't stay to live in my house." The lady, at this declaration, Almost fainted away with pain; She sent her away to be nurs'd, Fifteen summers are fled, Now she left good Mrs. Jervis ; To see home she was forbid, She determined to go and scek service. Her dresses so grand and so gay, She knock'd at a castle gate, They sent her some meat on a plate, My lady look'd long in her face, So Catskin was under the cook, And broke poor Catskin's head. There is now a grand ball to be, When ladies their beauties show; "Mrs. Cook," said Catskin, " dear me, How much I should like to go! "You go with your Catskin robe, A basin of water she took, And dash'd in poor Catskin's face; But briskly her ears she shook, And went to her hiding-place. She washed every stain from her skin, In some crystal waterfall; Then put on a beautiful dress, And hasted away to the ball. |