Nursery Rhyme. CCCXV. Games.

        [A number of boys and girls stand round one in the middle, who repeats the following lines, counting the children until one is counted out by the end of the verses.]

    Ring me (1), ring me (2), ring me rary (3),
    As I go round (4), ring by ring (5),
    A virgin (6) goes a maying (7),
    Here's a flower (8), and there's a flower (9),
    Growing in my lady's garden (10),
    If you set your foot awry (11),
    Gentle John will make you cry (12),
    If you set your foot amiss (13),
    Gentle John (14) will give you a kiss.

        [The child upon whom (14) falls is then taken out, and forced to select one of the other sex. The middle child then proceeds.]

    This [lady or gentleman] is none of ours,
    Has put [him or her] self in [the selected child's] power,
    So clap all hands, and ring all bells, and make the wedding o'er.

        [All clap hands.]

        [If the child taken by lot joins in the clapping, the selected child is rejected, and I believe takes the middle place. Otherwise, I think, there is a salute.]

Unknown

The identity of this poet is not known. Their works, which are often of significant historical or cultural value, have been attributed to 'Unknown'. This designation is commonly used when the creator of works, ranging from ancient texts to more modern writings, remains anonymous or uncredited. Despite the lack of personal details, the impact and importance of these works endure, offering insight into the eras and cultures from which they originated.

Unknown

Hosts

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. DXIII. Natural History.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCCXCIII. Lullabies.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCCCXI. Jingles.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

English

Suggested Poems

Explore a curated selection of verses that share themes, styles, and emotional resonance with the poem you've just read.

Nursery Rhyme. CCLXXXVII. Games.

        [A string of children, hand in hand, stand in a row. A child (A) stands in front of them, as leader; two other children (B and C) form an arch, each holding both the hands of the other.]

    A.    Draw a pail of water,
            For my lady's daughter;
            My father's a king, and my mother's a queen,
            My two little sisters are dress'd in green,
            Stamping grass and parsley,
            Marigold leaves and daisies.
    B.    One rush, two rush,
            Pray thee, fine lady, come under my bush.

        [A passes by under the arch, followed by the whole string of children, the last of whom is taken captive by B and C. The verses are repeated, until all are taken.]

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCCXXXII. Games.

        [A stands with a row of girls (her daughters) behind her; B, a suitor, advances.]

    B.    Trip trap over the grass: If you please will you let one of
                        your [eldest] daughters come,
                Come and dance with me?
                I will give you pots and pans, I will give you brass,
                I will give you anything for a pretty lass.
    A.    says, "No."
    B.    I will give you gold and silver, I will give you pearl,
                I will give you anything for a pretty girl.
    A.    Take one, take one, the fairest you may see.
    B.    The fairest one that I can see
                Is pretty Nancy, - come to me.

        [B carries one off, and says:]

                You shall have a duck, my dear,
...

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCLXXVII. Games.

        [Rhymes used by children to decide who is to begin a game.]

    One-ery, two-ery,
        Ziccary zan;
    Hollow bone, crack a bone,
        Ninery, ten:
    Spittery spot,
        It must be done;
    Twiddleum twaddleum,
        Twenty-one.

    Hink spink, the puddings stink,
        The fat begins to fry,
    Nobody at home, but jumping Joan,
        Father, mother, and I.
    Stick, stock, stone dead,
        Blind man can't see,
    Every knave will have a slave,
        You or I must be he.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCCXXXVIII. Games.

        [A play with the face. The child exclaims:]

    Ring the bell!            giving a lock of its hair a pull.
    Knock at the door!    tapping its forehead.
    Draw the latch!            pulling up its nose.
    And walk in!                opening its mouth and putting in its finger.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCCXLIII. Games.

        [The two following are fragments of a game called "The Lady of the Land," a complete version of which has not fallen in my way.]

    Here comes a poor woman from baby-land,
    With three small children in her hand:
    One can brew, the other can bake,
    The other can make a pretty round cake.
    One can sit in the garden and spin,
    Another can make a fine bed for the king;
    Pray ma'am will you take one in?

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCCXXVIII. Games.

        [The following is a game played as follows: A string of boys and girls, each holding by his predecessor's skirts, approaches two others, who with joined and elevated hands form a double arch. After the dialogue, the line passes through, and the last is caught by a sudden lowering of the arms - if possible.]

    How many miles is it to Babylon? -
    Threescore miles and ten.
    Can I get there by candle-light? -
    Yes, and back again!
    If your heels are nimble and light,
    You may get there by candle-light.

Unknown