Nursery Rhyme. CCCXXXV. Games.

        [In the following childish amusement, one extends his arm, and the other in illustration of the narrative, strikes him gently with the side of his hand at the shoulder and wrist; and then at the word "middle," with considerable force, on the flexor muscles at the elbow-joint.]

    My father was a Frenchman,
        He bought for me a fiddle,
    He cut me here, he cut me here,
        He cut me right in the middle.

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

Recipe For An Editor:

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CXLV. Songs.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCCLXXI. Paradoxes.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. DLXXXI. Natural History.

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. CCCXXXIX. Games.

        [An exercise during which the fingers of the child are enumerated.]

    Thumbikin, Thumbikin, broke the barn,
    Pinnikin, Pinnikin, stole the corn.
    Long back'd Gray
    Carried it away.
    Old Mid-man sat and saw,
    But Peesy-weesy paid for a'.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCCLVI. Games.

    Thumb bold,
    Thibity-thold,
    Langman,
    Lick pan,
    Mama's little man.

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. 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. 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 ...

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