The Bellman's Speech
The Bellman himself they all praised to the skies--
Such a carriage, such ease and such grace!
...
I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate,
I saw an aged, aged man,
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Man Naturally loves delay,
And to procrastinate;
Business put off from day to day
Is always done to late.
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Matilda Jane, you never look
At any toy or picture-book.
I show you pretty things in vain
You must be blind, Matilda Jane!
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The Hunting
The Bellman looked uffish, and wrinkled his brow.
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'Tis the voice of the Lobster: I heard him declare
'You have baked me too brown, I must sugar my hair.'
As a duck with its eyelids, so he with his nose
Trims his belt and his buttons, and turns out his toes.
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I'll tell thee everything I can;
There's little to relate.
I saw an aged, aged man,
A-sitting on a gate.
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'Will you walk a little faster?' said a whiting to a snail,
'There's a porpoise close behind us, and he's treading on my tail.
See how eagerly the lobsters and the turtles all advance!
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The Banker's Fate
They sought it with thimbles, they sought it with care;
They pursued it with forks and hope;
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The Milk-and-Water School
Alas! she would not hear my prayer!
Yet it were rash to tear my hair;
Disfigured, I should be less fair.
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