Clara Doty Bates

Sir Arthur, the sinner, Ate twelve fish for dinner, And you may believe it's just as I say!

Versified by Clara Doty Bates I see a little group about my chair, Lovers of stories all!

[Daintily] Come, see how the ladies ride, All so pretty, all so gay,

Once on a time there was a man so hideous and ugly That little children shrank and tried to hide when he appeared; His eyes were fierce and prominent, his long hair stiff like bristles,

Buz, Buz, Buz--says the Great buzzing Bee. Go away butterfly--this flower is for me. Why? Why? Why? says the little butterfly,

Dame Spider had spun herself lank and thin With trying to take her neighbors in; Grasshopper had traveled so far and so fast

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. Poor, pretty little thing she was, The sweetest-faced of girls,

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. A Wee, wee woman Was little old Dame Fidget,

Little Dame Spider had finished her spinning, Just as the warm summer day was beginning, And the white threads of her beautiful curtain

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. Dick, as a little lad, was told That the London streets were paved with gold.

What a silly bobolink, Down in the meadow grasses! What can the noisy fellow think,

By Clara Doty Bates. One sunny day, in the early spring, Before a bluebird dared to sing,

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. Two-Shoes, Two-Shoes, Little Goody Two-Shoes!

Tick-Tack! tick-tack! This way, that way, forward, back, Swings the pendulum to and fro,

Once on a time there was a fagot-maker, And he had seven sons. Who could be aught but poor to feed and shelter

Little boys, sit still-- Girls, too, if you will-- And let me tell you of Jack and Jill;

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. A lazy and careless boy was Jack,-- He would not work, and he would not play;

All alone in the field Stands John S. Crow; And a curious sight is he,

What was Bo-Peep? Can anyone guess? Why, little Bo-Peep was a shepherdess! And she dressed in a short white petticoat,

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. If you listen, children, I will tell The story of little Red Riding-hood:

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. A miller had three sons, And, on his dying day,

By Susan Hartley 'Twas a good little lady fairy, Who saddled her wee white mouse,

Nose to window, Still as a mouse, Watching grampa

Versified by Mrs. Clara Doty Bates. Silver Locks was a little girl, Lovely and good;

Come, list to my story, More sorry, by far, To her who must tell it,

A miller had a daughter, And lovely, too, she was; Her step was light, her smile was bright,

By Paul H. Hayne. I. Bless us, and save us! What's here?

The little brown owl sits up in the Tree, And if you look well His big eyes you may see.

Versified by Clara Doty Bates The ringing bells and the booming cannon Proclaimed on a summer morn

Knit, knit, knit, knit! See old white-capped Pussy sit, Fairly gray with worry and care,

Ah, very, very poor was she-- Old Dame Pig, with her children three! Robust, beautiful little ones

Whisk!--away in the sun His little flying feet Scamper as softly fleet