Little Man & Maid

1

There was a little man
And he woo'd a little maid,
And he said, "Little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?
I have little more to say
Than 'will you, yea or nay?'
For least said is soonest mended-ded-ded-ded."

2

The little maid replied,
(Some say a little sighed,)
"But what shall we have to eat, eat, eat?
"Will the love that you're rich in
"Make a fire in the kitchen?
"Or the little god of love turn the spit, spit, spit?"

Walter Crane

Walter Crane was an English artist and book illustrator, considered to be one of the most prolific and influential children's book creators of his generation. Born on August 15, 1845, and passing away on March 14, 1915, he was part of the Arts and Crafts movement and is known for his innovative contributions to children's literature. His work often combined art and poetry, aiming to educate and delight young readers.

Walter Crane

The Golden Eggs

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Fox & The Grapes

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Hart & The Vine

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Hausegesinde

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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Nursery Rhyme. CCCCXLVI. Love And Matrimony.

        [This is part of a little work called 'Authentic Memoirs of the little Man and the little Maid, with some interesting particulars of their lives,' which I suspect is more modern than the following. Walpole printed a small broadside containing a different version.]

            There was a little man,
            And he woo'd a little maid,
    And he said, "little maid, will you wed, wed, wed?
            I have little more to say,
            Than will you, yea or nay,
    For least said is soonest mended-ded, ded, ded."

            The little maid replied,
            Some say a little sighed,
    "But what shall we have for to eat, eat, eat?
            Will the love that you're so rich in
            Make a fire in the kitchen?
    Or the little god of Love...

Unknown

An Alphabet Of Old Friends.

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Watching a tailor shape his cloak.
"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow."
The tailor he shot and missed his mark,
And shot his own sow quite through the heart.
"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
For our old sow is in a swoon."

B

Ba, ba, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full.

One for my master,
One for my dame,
But none for the little boy
That cries in the lane.

C

Hen.    Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!
Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!
Hen.    Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!
Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!
                 ...

Walter Crane

An Alphabet Of Old Friends

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,
Watching a tailor shape his cloak.
"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,
That I may shoot yon carrion crow."
The tailor he shot and missed his mark,
And shot his own sow quite through the heart.
"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,
For our old sow is in a swoon."


B

Ba, ba, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes, marry, have I,
Three bags full.
One for my master,
One for my dame,
But none for the little boy
That cries in the lane.


C

Hen.    Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!
Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!
Hen.    Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!
Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!
Sell your e...

Walter Crane

My Pretty Maid

1.
"Where are you going to, my pretty maid?
Where are you going to, my pretty maid?"
"I'm going a-milking, Sir," she said,
"Sir," she said, "Sir," she said,
"I'm going a-milking, Sir," she said.

2.
"Shall I go with you, my pretty maid?"
"Yes, if you please, kind Sir," she said,
"Sir," she said, "Sir," she said,
"Yes, if you please, kind Sir," she said.

3.
"What is your fortune, my pretty maid?"
"My face is my fortune, Sir," she said,
"Sir," she said, "Sir," she said,
"My face is my fortune, Sir," she said.

4.
"Then I can't marry you, my pretty maid."
"Nobody asked you, Sir," she said,
"Sir," she said, "Sir," she said,
"Nobody asked you, Sir," she said.

Walter Crane

There Was A Lady Loved A Swine

1.
There was a lady loved a swine,
"Honey!" said she;
"Pig-hog, wilt thou be mine?"
"Hunc!" said he.

2.
"I'll build thee a silver sty,
Honey!" said she;
"And in it thou shalt lie!"
"Hunc!" said he.

3.
"Pinned with a silver pin,
Honey!" said she;
"That thou mayest go out and in,"
"Hunc!" said he.

4.
"Will thou have me now,
Honey?" said she;
"Speak, or my heart will break,"
"Hunc!" said he.

Walter Crane

Homunculus Et Puellula.

There was a little man,
And he wooed a little maid,
And he said, Little maid, will you wed wed wed?
I have little more to say,
Then will you ay or nay,
For the least said is soonest mended ded ded.

Homunculus eximius puellulam amavit,
Quam ut nubendam duceret sic ore compellavit:
Quid verbis opus pluribus? Dic _volo_, dicve _nolo_,
Sat verbum sapientibus: responde sine dolo.

Then the little maid replied,
Should I be your little bride,
Pray, what shall we have for to eat eat eat?
Will the flame that you are rich in
Make a fire in the kitchen,
Or the little god of love turn the spit spit spit?

Responsum dat puellula,--Si flectar ad nubendum
Dic, quæso, quid cibarii habebimus edendum?
Amorem credis ignem in culinâ servaturum,
Au...

Jacob Bigelow