Nursery Rhyme. CCXXXIX. Charms.

        [The following, with a very slight variation, is found in Ben    Jonson's 'Masque of Queen's,' and it is singular to account for its introduction into the modern nursery.]

    I went to the toad that lies under the wall,
    I charmed him out, and he came at my call;
    I scratch'd out the eyes of the owl before,
    I tore the bat's wing, what would you have more.

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

Nursery Rhyme. DCXXXVI. Relics.

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCCCLXXXIII. Love And Matrimony. [Cumberland courtship.]

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Courtship

Unknown , Simple Poetry

Nursery Rhyme. CCXV. Riddles.

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. CCXLIX. Charms.

    Swan swam over the sea -
        Swim, swan, swim;
    Swan swam back again,
        Well swam swan,

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXL. Charms.

        [A charm somewhat similar to the following may be seen in the 'Townley Mysteries,' p. 91. See a paper in the 'Archæologia,' vol. xxvii, p. 253, by the Rev. Lancelot Sharpe, M.A. See also MS. Lansd. 231, fol. 114, and Ady's 'Candle in the Dark,' 4to, London, 1650, p. 58.]

    Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John,
    Guard the bed that I lay on!
        Four corners to my bed,
        Four angels round my head;
    One to watch, one to pray,
    And two to bear my soul away!

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXXXVIII. Charms.

        [Said to pips placed in the fire; a species of divination practised by children.]

    If you love me, pop and fly;
    If you hate me, lay and die.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CLXII. Songs.

        [The following catch is found in Ben Jonson's 'Masque of Oberon,' and is a most common nursery song at the present day.]

    Buz, quoth the blue fly,
        Hum, quoth the bee,
    Buz and hum they cry,
        And so do we:
    In his ear, in his nose,
        Thus, do you see?
    He ate the dormouse,
        Else it was he.

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXLIII. Charms.

    A Thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a thatching;
    Did a thatcher of Thatchwood go to Thatchet a thatching?
    If a thatcher of Thatchwood went to Thatchet a thatching,
    Where's the thatching the thatcher of Thatchwood has thatch'd?

Unknown

Nursery Rhyme. CCXLVI. Charms.

    Robert Rowley rolled a round roll round,
    A round roll Robert Rowley rolled round;
    Where rolled the round roll Robert Rowley rolled round?

Unknown