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.

LXXXV.

THERE was an old woman of Leeds,

Who spent all her time in good deeds; She worked for the poor,

Till her fingers were sore, This pious old woman of Leeds!

LXXXVI.

OLD mother Hubbard,

Went to the cupboard,

To get her poor dog a bone; But when she came there,

The cupboard was bare,

And so the poor dog had none.

She went to the baker's

To buy him some bread, But when she came back

The poor dog was 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 his pipe.

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

She went to the tavern

For white wine and red,

But when she came back

The dog stood on his head.

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.