And hid in the forest green,

Saw the strange things that past!

Next day he took to his bed,

And sent for the doctor to come;

And begg'd him no other than Catskin,
Might come into his room!

He told him how dearly he lov'd her,

Not to have her his heart would break; Then the doctor kindly promis'd,

To the proud old lady to speak.

There's a struggle of pride and love,
For she fear'd her son would die ;

But pride at the last did yield,
And love had the mastery!

Then my lord got quickly well,

When he was his charmer to vow;
And Catskin before a twelvemonth,
Of a young lord was brought to bed.

To a way-faring woman and child,

Lady Catskin one day sent an alms; The nurse did the errand, and carried The sweet little lord in her arms.

The child gave the alms to the child, This was seen by the old lady mother;

66

Only see," said that wicked old woman,

"How the beggars' brats take to each other!"

This throw went to Catskin's heart,

She flung herself down on her knees, And pray'd her young master and lord, To seek out her parents would please.

They set out in my lord's own coach,
And travell'd; but nought befell,
Till they reach'd the town hard by,
Where Catskin's father did dwell.

They put up at the head inn,

Where Catskin was left alone;
But my lord went to try if her father,
His natural child would own.

When folks are away, in short time
What great alterations appear!

For the cold touch of death had all chill'd,

The hearts of her sisters dear.

Her father repented too late,

And the loss of his youngest bemoan'd;

In his old and childless state,

He his pride and cruelty own'd!

The old gentleman sat by the fire,
And hardly looked up at my lord;

He had no hopes of comfort,
A stranger could afford.

But

my

lord drew a chair close by,

And said, in a feeling tone,

"Have you not, sir, a daughter I pray, You never would see or own?"

The old man alarm'd, cried aloud,
"A hardened sinner am I!
I would give all my worldly goods,
To see her before I die !"

Then my lord brought his wife and child,
To their home and parents' face;
Who fell down and thanks return'd
To God, for his mercy and grace!

The bells ringing up in the tower,

Are sending a sound to the heart; There's a charm in the old church bells, Which nothing in life can impart!

LXXXII.

SAYS Robin to Jenny, "if you will be mine,

We'll have cherry tart, and drink currant wine."

So Jenny consented, the day was nam'd,

The joyful news the cock proclaim'd:

Together came the Rook and Lark,
One was parson, the other clerk:
The goldfinch gave the bride away,
Who promised always to obey:

The feathered tenants of the air,
Towards the feast gave each a share;

Some brought grain, and some brought meat,
Some brought savours, some brought sweet:
And as it was most pleasant weather,
The jovial party dined together;
And long did Robin and his mate,
Live in the happy married state.

Till, doleful to relate! one day
A hawk with Jenny flew away,
And Robin, by the cruel sparrow,

Was shot quite dead with bow and arrow.

LXXIII.

[The tale of Simple Simon forms one of the chap-books, but the following verses are those generally sung in the nursery.]

SIMPLE Simon met a pieman,

Going to the fair :

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

"Let me taste your ware."

Says the pieman to Simple Simon, "Shew me first your penny." Says Simple Simon to the pieman, "I have not got any."

Simple Simon went to town,
To buy a piece of meat:
He tied it to his horse's tail,
To keep it clean and sweet.

Simple Simon went out fishing,
For to catch a whale :
All the water he had got
Was in his mother's pail.

Simple Simon went to look
If plums grew on a thistle;
He pricked his fingers very much,
Which made poor Simon whistle.

LXXIV.

THERE was an old woman of Norwich, Who lived on nothing but porridge!

Parading the town,

She turned cloak into gown!

This thrifty old woman of Norwich.