THE ROYAL BABY

VII

NURSERY NOVELS

VII

NURSERY NOVELS

The Courtship, Merry Marriage, and Picnic Dinner of Cock Robin and Jenny Wren

It was a merry time

When Jenny Wren was young,

So neatly as she danced,

And so sweetly as she sung,
Robin Redbreast lost his heart:
He was a gallant bird;
He doft his hat to Jenny,

And thus to her he said:

My dearest Jenny Wren,
If
you will but be mine,
You shall dine on cherry pie,

And drink nice currant wine.
I'll dress you like a Goldfinch,
Or like a Peacock gay;
So if you'll have me, Jenny,
Let us appoint the day."

Jenny blushed behind her fan,
And thus declared her mind:
"Then let it be to-morrow, Bob,
I take your offer kind-

Cherry pie is very good!

So is currant wine!

But I will wear my brown gown,
And never dress too fine."

Robin rose up early

At the break of day;

He flew to Jenny Wren's house,
To sing a roundelay.

He met the Cock and Hen,
And bid the Cock declare,
This was his wedding-day

With Jenny Wren, the fair.

The Cock then blew his horn,
To let the neighbors know,
This was Robin's wedding-day,
And they might see the show.
And first came parson Rook,
With his spectacles and band,
And one of Mother Hubbard's books
He held within his hand.

Then followed him the Lark,
For he could sweetly sing,

And he was to be clerk

At Cock Robin's wedding.

He sung of Robin's love

For little Jenny Wren;

And when he came unto the end,
Then he began again.

Then came the bride and bridegroom;
Quite plainly was she dressed,
And blushed so much, her cheeks were
As red as Robin's breast.

But Robin cheered her up;

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My pretty Jen," said he, "We're going to be married And happy we shall be."

The Goldfinch came on next,
To give away the bride;
The Linnet, being bride's maid,
Walked by Jenny's side;
And, as she was a-walking,
She said, "Upon my word,
I think that your Cock Robin
Is a very pretty bird."

The Bulfinch walked by Robin,

And thus to him did say,

"Pray, mark, friend Robin Redbreast,

That Goldfinch, dressed so gay;