The Man That Pleased None

Through the town this good Man & his Son
Strove to ride as to please everyone:
Self, Son, or both tried,
Then the Ass had a ride;
While the world, at their efforts, poked fun.

You Cannot Hope To Please All--Don't Try

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 Ungrateful Wolf

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

London Bridge

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

The Stag In The Ox Stall

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

Baa! Baa! Black Sheep

Walter Crane, Simple Poetry

English

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The Boaster

In the house, in the market, the streets,
Everywhere he was boasting his feats;
Till one said, with a sneer,
"Let us see it done here!
What's so oft done with ease, one repeats."

Deeds Not Words

Walter Crane

The Plough Boy In Luck

1.
My daddy is dead, but I can't tell you how;
He left me six horses to follow the plough;
With my whim wham waddle ho!
Strim stram straddle ho!
Bubble ho! pretty boy, over the brow.

2.
I sold my six horses to buy me a cow;
And wasn't that a pretty thing to follow the plough?
With my, &c.

3.
I sold my cow to buy me a calf,
For I never made a bargain but I lost the best half.
With my, &c.

4.
I sold my calf to buy me a cat,
To sit down before the fire to warm her little back.
With my, &c.

5.
I sold my cat to buy me a mouse,
But she took fire in her tail and so burnt up my house.
With my, &c.

Walter Crane

The Horse And The Ass

Overladen the Ass was. The Horse
Wouldn't help; but had time for remorse
When the Ass lay dead there;
For he then had to bear
Both the load of the Ass & his corse.

Grudge Not Help!

Walter Crane

The Ass And The Lap Dog

"How Master that little Dog pets!"
Thinks the Ass; & with jealousy frets,
So he climbs Master's knees,
Hoping dog-like to please,
And a drubbing is all that he gets.

Asses Must Not Expect To Be Fondled

Walter Crane

The Miller, His Son, And The Ass

^[1]

To M. De Maucroix.^[2]

Because the arts are plainly birthright matters,
For fables we to ancient Greece are debtors;
But still this field could not be reap'd so clean
As not to let us, later comers, glean.
The fiction-world hath deserts yet to dare,
And, daily, authors make discoveries there.
I'd fain repeat one which our man of song,
Old Malherbe, told one day to young Racan.^[3]
Of Horace they the rivals and the heirs,
Apollo's pets, - my masters, I should say, -
Sole by themselves were met, I'm told, one day,
Confiding each to each their thoughts and cares.
Racan begins: - 'Pray end my inward strife,
For well you know, my friend, what's what in life,
Who through its varied course, from stage to stage,
Have...

Jean de La Fontaine

The Miller, His Son And The Ass.

A Miller and Son once set out for the fair,
To sell a fine ass they had brought up with care;
And the way that they started made everyone stare.

To keep the Ass fresh, so the beast would sell dear
On a pole they slung him. It surely seemed queer:
He looked, with heels up, like some huge chandelier.

One person who passed them cried out in great glee.
"Was there anything ever so silly?" said he.
"Can you guess who the greatest Ass is of those three?"

The Miller at once put the brute on the ground;
And the Ass, who had liked to ride t'other way round,
Complained in language of curious sound.

No matter. The Miller now made his Son ride,
While he followed after or walked alongside.
Then up came three merchants. The eldest one cried;

"Get do...

Jean de La Fontaine