free-verse28 lines
The Frog Who Would A Wooing Go
by Charles Henry BennettA Frog he would a-wooing go,
Whether his mother would let him or no.
Off he set with his opera-hat.
On the road he met with a Rat.
"Pray, Mr. Rat, will you go with me,
Kind Mrs. Mousey for to see?"
They soon arrived at Mousey's hall.
They gave a loud tap, and they gave a loud call.
"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, are you within?"
"Yes, kind sirs, and sitting to spin."
"Pray, Mrs. Mouse, now give us some beer,
That Froggy and I may have good cheer."
"Pray, Mr. Frog, will you give us a song?
Let the subject be something that's not very long."
"Indeed, Mrs. Mouse," replied the Frog,
"A cold has made me as hoarse as a hog."
"Since you have caught cold, Mr. Frog," Mousey said,
"I'll sing you a song that I have just made."
As they were in glee and merrymaking,
A Cat and her kittens came tumbling in.
The Cat she seized the Rat by the crown,
The kittens they pulled the little Mouse down.
This put Mr. Frog in a terrible fright,
He took up his hat, and he wished them good night.
As Froggy was crossing it over a brook,
A lilywhite Duck came and gobbled him up.
So here is an end of one, two, three--
The Rat, the Mouse, and little Froggy.