The Complete Works of Walter Crane

By Walter Crane

The Complete Works of Walter Crane

This Complete Collection includes the following titles:

--------

1 - An Alphabet Of Old Friends

2 - The Absurd ABC

3 - The Song of Sixpence

4 - Eight Illustrations to Shakespeares Tempest

5 - The Buckle My Shoe Picture Book

6 - A Masque of Days

7

• Language: English
• Publisher: Dream Books
• Release date: Jun 3, 2023
• ISBN: 9781398295988

Walter Crane

Walter Crane (1845–1915) was an English artist, book illustrator, and one of the most influential children’s book creators of his generation. Crane produced not only paintings and illustrations for children's books, but also ceramic tiles and other decorative arts. From 1859 to 1862, Crane was apprenticed to wood-engraver William James Linton and had the opportunity to study works by many contemporary artists, including Sir John Tenniel, the illustrator of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland and Through the Looking-Glass.

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The Complete Works, Novels, Plays, Stories, Ideas, and Writings of Walter Crane

This Complete Collection includes the following titles:

--------

1 - An Alphabet Of Old Friends

2 - The Absurd ABC

3 - The Song of Sixpence

4 - Eight Illustrations to Shakespeares Tempest

5 - The Buckle My Shoe Picture Book

6 - A Masque of Days

7 - Queen Summer

8 - A Floral Fantasy in an Old English Garden

9 - Line and Form (1900)

10 - The Baby's Opera

11 - The Baby's Bouquet

12 - Mother Hubbard Picture Book

13 - Goody Two Shoes

14 - Princess Belle-Etoile

15 - A Winter Nosegay

16 - Mother Goose's Nursery Rhymes

17 - Of the Decorative Illustration of Books Old and New

18 - The Bases of Design

19 - Walter Crane's Painting Book

20 - A Flower Wedding

21 - Renascence

22 - William Morris to Whistler

23 - India Impressions

24 - Ideals in Art

25 - Legends for Lionel: in pen and pencil

Produced by Suzanne Shell, Christine D and the Online

Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

AN ALPHABET

OF OLD FRIENDS

by Walter Crane

An alphabet of old friends originally published 1874;

AN ALPHABET OF OLD FRIENDS

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,

Watching a tailor shape his cloak.

"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,

That I may shoot yon carrion crow."

The tailor he shot and missed his mark,

And shot his own sow quite through the heart.

"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,

For our old sow is in a swoon."

B

Ba, ba, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes, marry, have I,

Three bags full.

One for my master,

One for my dame,

But none for the little boy

That cries in the lane.

C

Hen.  Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!

Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!

Hen.  Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!

Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!

Sell your eggs and buy shoes!

D

Dickery, dickery, dock,

The mouse ran up the clock.

The clock struck one,

Down the mouse ran,

Dickery, dickery, dock.

E

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess,

They all went together to seek a bird's nest

They found a bird's nest with five eggs in;

They all took one, and left four in.

F

Father, father, I've come to confess.

O, yes, dear daughter, what have you done?

G

Gang and hear the owl yell,

Sit and see the swallow flee,

See the foal before its mither's e'e,

'Twill be a thriving year wi' thee.

H

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree-top;

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the wind ceases the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby and cradle and all.

I

I had a little husband

No bigger than my thumb;

I put him in a pint pot,

And there I bade him drum.

I bought a little horse

That galloped up and down;

I bridled him, and saddled him,

And sent him out of town.

I gave him a pair of garters,

To tie up his little hose,

And a little silk handkerchief,

To wipe his little nose.

J

Jack Sprat would eat no fat,

His wife would eat no lean;

Was not that a pretty trick

To make the platter clean?

K

King Cole was a merry old soul,

And a merry old soul was he.

He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl,

And he called for his fiddlers three

Every fiddler had a fiddle,

And a very fine fiddle had he;

Twee, tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers.

Oh, there's none so rare

As can compare

With King Cole and his fiddlers three!

L

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,

And can't tell where to find them.

Let them alone and they'll come home,

And bring their tails behind them, &c.

M

Mistress Mary,

Quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells,

And cockle shells.

And cowslips all of a-row.

N

Needles and pins, needles and pins,

When a man marries his trouble begins.

O

Once I saw a little bird,

Come hop, hop, hop;

So I cried, "Little bird,

Will you stop, stop, stop?"

And was going to the window,

To say, How do you do?

When he shook his little tail,

And far away he flew.

P

Pease-pudding hot, pease-pudding cold;

Pease-pudding in the pot, nine days old.

Q

Queen was in the parlour, eating bread and honey.

R

Ride a-cock horse to Banbury Cross,

To see an old woman get up on her horse;

Rings on her fingers and bells at her toes,

And so she makes music wherever she goes.

S

Simple Simon met a pieman,

Going to the fair;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Let me taste your ware!

T

Taffy was a Welshman,

Taffy was a thief,

Taffy came to my house,

And stole a leg of beef.

I went to Taffy's house,

Taffy was not at home;

Taffy came to my house,

And stole a marrow-bone.

I went to Taffy's house,

Taffy was in bed;

I took the marrow-bone,

And broke Taffy's head.

U

Up hill and down dale,

Butter is made in every vale;

And if Nancy Cock

Is a good girl,

She shall have a spouse,

And make butter anon,

Before her old grandmother

Grows a young man.

V

Valentine, Oh, Valentine,

Curl your locks as I do mine;

Two before and two behind;

Good-morrow to you, Valentine.

W

Where are you going, my pretty maid?

I'm going a milking, sir, she said.

May I go with you, my pretty maid?

You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.

What is your father, my pretty maid?

My father's a farmer, sir, she said.

Say will you marry me, my pretty maid?

Yes, if you please, kind sir, she said.

What is your fortune, my pretty maid?

My face is my fortune, sir, she said.

Then, I won't marry you, my pretty maid!

Nobody asked you, sir, she said.

X

Cross X patch,

Draw the latch,

Sit by the fire and spin:

Take a cup

And drink it up,

Then call the neighbours in.

Y

You know that Monday is Sunday's brother;

Tuesday is such another;

Wednesday you must go to church and pray;

Thursday is half-holiday;

On Friday it is too late to begin to spin,

And Saturday is half-holiday again.

Z

Zodiac for the Nursery.

The ram, the bull, the heavenly twins,

And next the crab, the lion shines,

The virgin and the scales,

The scorpion, archer, and the goat,

The man who holds the watering-pot,

And fish with glittering scales.

End of Project 's An Alphabet Of Old Friends, by Walter Crane

Produced by Suzanne Shell, Christine D and the Online

Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

·WALTER·CRANE'S·

·PICTURE·BOOKS·

·THE·

·ABSURD·

A·B·C

·JOHN·LANE·

·THE·BODLEY·HEAD·

·LONDON·&·NEW·

·YORK·

The absurd ABC originally published 1874.

A for the APPLE

or Alphabet pie,

Which all get a slice of.

Come taste it & try.

B is the BABY

who gave Mr Bunting

Full many a long day's

rabbit skin hunting.

C for the CAT

that played on the fiddle,

When cows jumped higher than

'Heigh Diddle Diddle!'

D for the DAME

with her pig at the stile,

'Tis said they got over,

but not yet a while.

E for the Englishman,

ready to make fast

The giant who wanted to

have him for breakfast.

F for the Frog in the story

you know,

Begun with a wooing but

ending in woe.

G for Goosey Gander

who wandered upstairs,

And met the old man

who objected to prayers.

H for poor Humpty who

after his fall,

Felt obliged to resign his

seat on the wall.

I for the Inn where they

wouldn't give beer,

To one with too much

and no money, I fear.

J does for poor Jack and

also for Jill,

Who had so disastrous

a tumble down hill.

K for calm Kitty, at dinner

who sat,

While all the good folks

watched the dog & the cat.

L for Little man, gun and

bullets complete,

Who shot the poor duck, and

was proud of the feat.

M for Miss Muffet, with

that horrid spider,

Just dropped into tea and

a chat beside her.

N for the Numerous children

they who

Were often too much for

their mother in Shoe.

O the Old person that

cobwebs did spy,

And went up to sweep 'em

Oh ever so high!

P for the Pie made of

blackbirds to sing,

A song fit for supper

a dish for a king.

Q for Queen Anne

who sat in the sun

Till she, more than the lily

resembled the bun

R stands for Richard &

Robert, those men

Who didn't get up one

fine morning till ten!

S for the Snail that showed

wonderful fight,

Putting no less than twenty-four

tailors to flight!

T stands for Tom, the son of

the piper,

May his principles change

as his years grow riper.

U for the Unicorn, keeping

his eye on

The coveted crown, and

'ts counsel the Lion.

V for the Victuals, including

the drink,

The old woman lived on

surprising to think!

W for the WOMAN

who not over nice,

Made very short work

of the three blind mice.

X is the X

that is found upon buns,

Which, daughters not liking,

may come in for sons.

Y for Yankee Doodle

of ancient renown,

Both he & his pony

that took him to town.

Z for the Zany who

looked like a fool,

For when he was young

he neglected his school.

End of the ProjectEBook of The Absurd ABC, by Walter Crane

Produced by Eileen Gormly, Jason Isbell, Christine D. and

the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at

http://www.pgdp.net

THE SONG OF SIXPENCE

PICTURE BOOK

CONTAINING

SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE

PRINCESS BELLE ETOILE

ALPHABET OF OLD FRIENDS

WALTER

CRANE'S

PICTURE

BOOKS

LONDON & NEW YORK: JOHN LANE

THE SONG OF SIXPENCE

PICTURE BOOK

CONTAINING SING A

SONG OF SIXPENCE; PRINCESS

BELLE ETOILE; AN ALPHABET OF

OLD FRIENDS: WITH THE ORIGINAL

COLOURED DESIGNS BY

WALTER CRANE

INCLUDING A PREFACE AND

OTHER EMBELLISHMENTS

LONDON & NEW YORK JOHN LANE

THE BODLEY HEAD

PREFACE

Whether the Poet undertook to write and SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE for that popular price is not stated in his simple rhyme, but, at all events, we learn that he started with a pocket full, and proceeded to draw on his imagination for all it was worth. What that famous blackbird-pie really cost—except in black-birds—is not disclosed, though the King seemed to show some anxiety about the state of his treasury, as he was discovered in his counting house imediately after the feast. But while the Queen, regardless of expense, regales herself on bread and honey in the parlour, and her Maid-of-honour, or perhaps of-all-work, is engaged at the clothes-line, nothing is said about a princess.

No doubt there was a princess, and that Princess might have been PRINCESS BELLE-ETOILE? Anyway here she is in the same boat—I mean book—and certainly her adventures are romantic enough to prevent any surprise at the company in which Her Highness now finds herself.

Even princesses cannot do without Alphabets, and so in her train comes AN ALPHABET in which will be discovered many OLD and tried FRIENDS of the Nursery.

Thus we launch another volume of our series, like a fairy ship with a rather mixed cargo, in the hope that—to change the metaphor—like the blackbird-pie, it may prove, when opened, to be a pretty dish to set before— their Babyships.

Walter Crane

Kensington. Sept: 1909

SING A SONG OF SIXPENCE

Sing a song of sixpence,

A pocket full of rye,

Four and twenty black-birds,

Baked in a pie

When the pie was open'd

The birds began to sing

Was'nt that a dainty dish

To set before the King?

The King was in his counting-house,

Counting out his money.

The Queen was in the parlour,

Eating bread and honey.

The maid was in the garden,

Hanging out the clothes;

There came a little blackbird,

And nipp'd off her nose.

PRINCESS BELLE-ETOILE.

PRINCESS BELLE-ETOILE.

Once upon a time there were three Princesses, named Roussette, Brunette, and Blondine, who lived in retirement with their mother, a Princess who had lost all her former grandeur. One day an old woman called and asked for a dinner, as this Princess was an excellent cook. After the meal was over, the old woman, who was a fairy, promised that their kindness should be rewarded, and immediately disappeared.

Shortly after, the King came that way, with his brother and the Lord Admiral. They were all so struck with the beauty of the three Princesses, that the King married the youngest, Blondine, his brother married Brunette, and the Lord Admiral married Roussette.

The good Fairy, who had brought all this about, also caused the young Queen Blondine to have three lovely children, two boys and a girl, out of whose hair fell fine jewels. Each had a brilliant star on the forehead, and a rich chain of gold around the neck. At the same time Brunette, her sister, gave birth to a handsome boy. Now the young Queen and Brunette were much attached to each other, but Roussette was jealous of both, and the old Queen, the King's mother, hated them. Brunette died soon after the birth of her son, and the King was absent on a warlike expedition, so Roussette joined the wicked old Queen in forming plans to injure Blondine. They ordered Feintise, the old Queen's waiting-woman, to strangle the Queen's three children and the son of Princess Brunette, and bury them secretly. But as she was about to execute this wicked order, she was so struck by their beauty, and the appearance of the sparkling stars on their foreheads, that she shrank from the deed.

So she had a boat brought round to the beach, and put the four babes, with some strings of jewels, into a cradle, which she placed in the boat, and then set it adrift. The boat was soon far out at sea. The waves rose, the rain poured in torrents, and the thunder roared. Feintise could not doubt that the boat would be swamped, and felt relieved by the thought that the poor little innocents would perish, for she would otherwise always be haunted by the fear that something would occur to betray the share she had had in their preservation.

But the good Fairy protected them, and after floating at sea for seven days they were picked up by a Corsair. He was so struck by their beauty that he altered his course, and took them home to his wife, who had no children. She was transported with joy when he placed them in her hands. They admired together the wonderful stars, the chains of gold that could not be taken off their necks, and their long ringlets. Much greater was the woman's astonishment when she combed them, for at every instant there rolled out of their hair pearls, rubies, diamonds, and emeralds. She told her husband of it, who was not less surprised than herself.

I am very tired, said he, of a Corsair's life, and if the locks of those little children continue to supply us with such treasures, I will give up roaming the seas. The Corsair's wife, whose name was Corsine, was enchanted at this, and loved the four infants so much the more for it. She named the Princess, Belle-Etoile, her eldest brother, Petit-Soleil, the second, Heureux, and the son of Brunette, Cheri.

As they grew older, the Corsair applied himself seriously to their education, as he felt convinced there was some great mystery attached to their birth.

The Corsair and his wife had never told the story of the four children, who passed for their own. They were exceedingly united, but Prince Cheri entertained for Princess Belle-Etoile a greater affection than the other two. The moment she expressed a wish for anything, he would attempt even impossibilities to gratify her.

One day Belle-Etoile overheard the Corsair and his wife talking. When I fell in with them, said the Corsair, I saw nothing that could give me any idea of their birth. I suspect, said Corsine, that Cheri is not their brother, he has neither star nor neck-chain. Belle-Etoile immediately ran and told this to the three Princes, who resolved to speak to the Corsair and his wife, and ask them to let them set out to discover the secret of their birth. After some remonstrance they gained their consent. A beautiful vessel was prepared, and the young Princess and the three Princes set out. They determined to sail to the very spot where the Corsair had found them, and made preparations for a grand sacrifice to the fairies, for their protection and guidance. They were about to immolate a turtle-dove, but the Princess saved its life, and let it fly. At this moment a syren issued from the water, and said, Cease your anxiety, let your vessel go where it will; land where it stops. The vessel now sailed more quickly. Suddenly they came in sight of a city so beautiful that they were anxious their vessel should enter the port. Their wishes were accomplished; they landed, and the shore in a moment was crowded with people, who had observed the magnificence of their ship. They ran and told the King the news, and as the grand terrace of the Palace looked out upon the sea-shore, he speedily repaired thither. The Princes, hearing the people say, There is the King, looked up, and made a profound obeisance. He looked earnestly at them, and was as much charmed by the Princess's beauty, as by the handsome mien of the young Princes. He ordered his equerry to offer them his protection, and everything that they might require.

The King was so interested about these four children, that he went into the chamber of the Queen, his mother, to tell her of the wonderful stars which shone upon their foreheads, and everything that he admired in them. She was thunderstruck at it, and was terribly afraid that Feintise had betrayed her, and sent her secretary to enquire about them. What he told her of their ages confirmed her suspicions. She sent for Feintise, and threatened to kill her. Feintise, half dead with terror, confessed all; but promised, if she spared her, that she would still find means to do away with them. The Queen was appeased; and, indeed, old Feintise did all she could for her own sake. Taking a guitar, she went and sat down opposite the Princess's window, and sang a song which Belle-Etoile thought so pretty that she invited her into her chamber. My fair child, said Feintise, Heaven has made you very lovely, but you yet want one thing—the dancing-water. If I had possessed it, you would not have seen a white hair upon my head, nor a wrinkle on my face. Alas! I knew this secret too late; my charms had already faded. But where shall I find this dancing-water? asked Belle-Etoile. It is in the luminous forest, said Feintise. You have three brothers; does not any one of them love you sufficiently to go and fetch some? My brothers all love me, said the Princess, but there is one of them who would not refuse me anything. The perfidious old woman retired, delighted at having been so successful. The Princes, returning from the chase, found Belle-Etoile engrossed by the advice of Feintise. Her anxiety about it was so apparent, that Cheri, who thought of nothing but pleasing her, soon found out the cause of it, and, in spite of her entreaties, he mounted his white horse, and set out in search of the dancing-water. When supper-time arrived, and the Princess did not see her brother Cheri, she could neither eat nor drink; and desired he might be sought for everywhere, and sent messengers to find him and bring him back.

The wicked Feintise was very anxious to know the result of her advice; and when she heard that Cheri had already set out, she was delighted, and reported to the Queen-Mother all that had passed. I admit, Madam, said she, that I can no longer doubt that they are the same four children: but one of the Princes is already gone to seek the dancing-water, and will no doubt perish in the attempt, and I shall find similar means to do away with all of them.

The plan she had adopted with regard to Prince Cheri was one of the most certain, for the dancing-water was not easily to be obtained; it was so notorious from the misfortunes which occurred to all who sought it, that every one knew the road to it. He was eight days without taking any repose but in the woods. At the end of this period he began to suffer very much from the heat; but it was not the heat of the sun, and he did not know the cause of it, until from the top of a mountain he perceived the luminous forest; all the trees were burning without being consumed, and casting out flames to such a distance that the country around was a dry desert.

At this terrible scene he descended, and more than once gave himself up for lost. As he approached this great fire he was ready to die with thirst; and perceiving a spring falling into a marble basin, he alighted from his horse, approached it, and stooped to take up some water in the little golden vase which he had brought with him, when he saw a turtle-dove drowning in the fountain. Cheri took pity on it, and saved it. My Lord Cheri, she said, I am not ungrateful; I can guide you to the dancing-water, which, without me, you could never obtain, as it rises in the middle of the forest, and can only be reached by going underground. The Dove then flew away, and summoned a number of foxes, badgers, moles, snails, ants, and all sorts of creatures that burrow in the earth. Cheri got off his horse at the entrance of the subterranean passage they made for him, and groped his way after the kind Dove, which safely conducted him to the fountain. The Prince filled his golden vase; and returned the same way he came.

He found Belle-Etoile sorrowfully seated under some trees, but when she saw him she was so pleased that she scarcely knew how to welcome him.

Old Feintise learned from her spies that Cheri had returned, and that the Princess, having washed her face with the dancing-water, had become more lovely than ever. Finding this, she lost no time in artfully making the Princess sigh for the wonderful singing-apple. Prince Cheri again found her unhappy, and again found out the cause, and once more set out on his white horse, leaving a letter for Belle-Etoile.

In the meanwhile, the King did not forget the lovely children, and reproached them for never going to the Palace. They excused themselves by saying that their brother's absence prevented them.

Prince Cheri at break of day perceived a handsome young man, from whom he learned where the singing-apple was to be found: but after travelling some time without seeing any sign of it, he saw a poor turtle-dove fall at his feet almost dead. He took pity on it, and restored it, when it said, Good-day, handsome Cheri, you are destined to save my life, and I to do you signal service. You are come to seek for the singing-apple: it is guarded by a terrible dragon. The Dove then led him to a place where he found a suit of armour, all of glass: and by her advice he put it on, and boldly went to meet the dragon. The two-headed monster came bounding along, fire issuing from his throat; but when he saw his alarming figure multiplied in the Prince's mirrors he was frightened in his turn. He stopped, and looking fiercely at the Prince, apparently laden with dragons, he took flight and threw himself into a deep chasm. The Prince then found the tree, which was surrounded with human bones, and breaking off an apple, prepared to return to the Princess. She had never slept during his absence, and ran to meet him eagerly.

When the wicked Feintise heard the sweet singing of the apple, her grief was excessive, for instead of doing harm to these lovely children, she only did them good by her perfidious counsels. She allowed some days to pass by without showing herself; and then once more made the Princess unhappy by saying that the dancing-water and the singing-apple were useless without the little green bird that tells everything.

Cheri again set out, and after some trouble learnt that this bird was to be found on the top of a frightful rock, in a frozen climate. At length, at dawn of day, he perceived the rock, which was very high and very steep, and upon the summit of it was the bird, speaking like an oracle, telling wonderful things. He thought that with a little dexterity it would be easy to catch it, for it seemed very tame. He got off his horse, and climbed up very quietly. He was so close to the green bird that he thought he could lay hands on it, when suddenly the rock opened and he fell into a spacious hall, and became as motionless as a statue; he could neither stir, nor utter a complaint at his deplorable situation. Three hundred knights, who had made the same attempt, were in the same state. To look at each other was the only thing permitted them.

The time seemed so long to Belle-Etoile, and still no signs of her beloved Cheri, that she fell dangerously ill; and in the hopes of curing her, Petit-Soleil resolved to seek him.

But he too was swallowed up by the rock and fell into the great hall. The first person he saw was Cheri, but he could not speak to him; and Prince Heureux, following soon after, met with the same fate as the other two.

When Feintise was aware that the third Prince was gone, she was exceedingly delighted at the success of her plan; and when Belle-Etoile, inconsolable at finding not one of her brothers return, reproached herself for their loss, and resolved to follow them, she was quite overjoyed.

The Princess was disguised as a cavalier, but had no other armour than her helmet. She was dreadfully cold as she drew near the rock, but seeing a turtle-dove lying on the snow, she took it up, warmed it, and restored it to life: and the dove reviving, gaily said, I know you, in spite of your disguise; follow my advice: when you arrive at the rock, remain at the bottom and begin to sing the sweetest song you know; the green bird will listen to you; you must then pretend to go to sleep; when it sees me, it will come down to peck me, and at that moment you will be able to seize it.

All this fell out as the Dove foretold. The green bird begged for liberty. First, said Belle-Etoile, I wish that thou wouldst restore my three brothers to me.

Under my left wing there is a red feather, said the bird: pull it out, and touch the rock with it.

The Princess hastened to do as she was instructed; the rock split from the top to the bottom: she entered with a victorious air the hall in which stood the three Princes with many others; she ran towards Cheri, who did not know her in her helmet and male attire, and could neither speak nor move. The green bird then told the Princess she must rub the eyes and mouth of all those she wished to disenchant with the red feather, which good office she did to all.

The three Princes and Belle-Etoile hastened to present themselves to the King; and when Belle-Etoile showed her treasures, the little green bird told him that the Princes Petit-Soleil and Heureux and the Princess Belle-Etoile were his children, and that Prince Cheri was his nephew. Queen Blondine, who had mourned for them all these years, embraced them, and the wicked Queen-Mother and old Feintise were justly punished. And the King, who thought his nephew Cheri the handsomest man at Court, consented to his marriage with Belle-Etoile. And lastly, to make everyone happy, the King sent for the Corsair and his wife, who gladly came.

AN ALPHABET OF OLD FRIENDS.

A

A carrion crow sat on an oak,

Watching a tailor shape his cloak.

"Wife, bring me my old bent bow,

That I may shoot yon carrion crow."

The tailor he shot and missed his mark,

And shot his own sow quite through the heart.

"Wife, wife, bring brandy in a spoon,

For our old sow is in a swoon."

B

Ba, ba, black sheep,

Have you any wool?

Yes, marry, have I,

Three bags full.

One for my master,

One for my dame,

But none for the little boy

That cries in the lane.

C

Hen. Cock, cock, I have la-a-ayed!

Cock. Hen, hen, that's well sa-a-ayed!

Hen. Although I have to go bare-footed every day-a-ay!

Cock. (Con spirito.) Sell your eggs and buy shoes!

Sell your eggs and buy shoes!

D

Dickery, dickery, dock,

The mouse ran up the clock.

The clock struck one,

Down the mouse ran,

Dickery, dickery, dock.

E

Elizabeth, Elspeth, Betsy, and Bess,

They all went together to seek a bird's nest

They found a bird's nest with five eggs in;

They all took one, and left four in.

F

Father, father, I've come to confess.

O, yes, dear daughter, what have you done?

G

Gang and hear the owl yell,

Sit and see the swallow flee,

See the foal before its mither's e'e,

'Twill be a thriving year wi' thee.

H

Hush-a-bye, baby, on the tree-top;

When the wind blows the cradle will rock;

When the wind ceases the cradle will fall,

And down will come baby and cradle and all.

I

I had a little husband

No bigger than my thumb;

I put him in a pint pot,

And there I bade him drum.

I bought a little horse

That galloped up and down;

I bridled him, and saddled him,

And sent him out of town.

I gave him a pair of garters,

To tie up his little hose,

And a little silk handkerchief,

To wipe his little nose.

J

Jack Sprat would eat no fat,

His wife would eat no lean;

Was not that a pretty trick

To make the platter clean?

K

King Cole was a merry old soul,

And a merry old soul was he.

He called for his pipe, and he called for his bowl,

And he called for his fiddlers three

Every fiddler had a fiddle,

And a very fine fiddle had he:

Twee, tweedle dee, tweedle dee, went the fiddlers.

Oh, there's none so rare

As can compare

With King Cole and his fiddlers three!

L

Little Bo-peep has lost her sheep,

And can't tell where to find them.

Let them alone and they'll come home,

And bring their tails behind them, &c.

M

Mistress Mary,

Quite contrary,

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells,

And cockle shells.

And cowslips all of a-row.

N

Needles and pins, needles and pins,

When a man marries his trouble begins.

O

Once I saw a little bird,

Come hop, hop, hop;

So I cried, "Little bird,

Will you stop, stop, stop?"

And was going to the window,

To say, How do you do?

When he shook his little tail,

And far away he flew.

P

Pease-pudding hot, pease-pudding cold;

Pease-pudding in the pot, nine days old.

Q

Queen was in the parlour, eating bread and honey.

R

Ride a-cock horse to Banbury Cross,

To see an old woman get up on her horse;

Rings on her fingers and bells at her toes,

And so she makes music wherever she goes.

S

Simple Simon met a pieman,

Going to the fair;

Says Simple Simon to the pieman,

Let me taste your ware!

T

Taffy was a Welshman,

Taffy was a thief,

Taffy came to my house,

And stole a leg of beef.

I went to Taffy's house,

Taffy was not at home;

Taffy came to my house

And stole a marrow-bone.

I went to Taffy's house,

Taffy was in bed;

I took the marrow-bone,

And broke Taffy's head.

U

Up hill and down dale,

Butter is made in every vale;

And if Nancy Cock

Is a good girl,

She shall have a spouse.

And make butter anon,

Before her old grandmother

Grows a young man.

V

Valentine, Oh, Valentine,

Curl your locks as I do mine:

Two before and two behind;

Good-morrow to you, Valentine.

W

Where are you going, my pretty maid?

I'm going a milking, sir, she said.

May I go with you, my pretty maid?

You're kindly welcome, sir, she said.

What is your father, my pretty maid?

My father's a farmer, sir, she said.

Say will you marry me, my pretty maid?

Yes, if you please, kind sir, she said.

What is your fortune, my pretty maid?

My face is my fortune, sir, she said.

Then, I won't marry you, my pretty maid!

Nobody asked you, sir, she said.

X

Cross X patch,

Draw the latch,

Sit by the fire and spin:

Take a cup

And drink it up,

Then call the neighbours in.

Y

You know that Monday is Sunday's brother;

Tuesday is such another;

Wednesday you must go to church and pray;

Thursday is half-holiday;

On Friday it is too late to begin to spin,

And Saturday is half-holiday again.

Z

Zodiac for the Nursery.

The ram, the bull, the heavenly twins.

And next the crab, the lion shines,

The virgin and the scales,

The scorpion, archer, and the goat,

The man who holds the watering-pot,

And fish with glittering scales.

WALTER CRANE'S PICTURE BOOKS

End of the ProjectEBook of The Song of Sixpence, by Walter Crane

Produced by Sam W. and the Online Distributed Proofreading

Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from

images generously made available by The Internet

Archive/American Libraries.)

ILLUSTRATIONS

TO

SHAKESPEARE'S

TEMPEST

BY

WALTER CRANE

1893

See handwritten text Mr Dallas's reproductions of my pen drawings for this work appear to me to be very faithful & successful in preserving the touch & general character of the originals.

I have to certify that I have printed 650 copies of each of these eight subjects designed by Walter Crane, and engraved in Dallastype Facsimile by myself.

Six Hundred Copies are for sale, viz.:—400 for the United Kingdom and 200 for America.

This Copy is No. 417, and I certify that since printing the above number the Plates have been destroyed.

THE TEMPEST

Prospero.—By accident most bountiful Fortune, now my dear lady, hath mine enemies brought to this shore.

Act 1. Scene II.

THE TEMPEST

The Dance of the Nymphs and the Reapers.

Act 4. Scene I.

THE TEMPEST

A noise of hunters is heard. Enter divers spirits in the shape of hounds, and hunt them about: Prospero and Ariel setting them on.

Act 4. Scene I.

THE TEMPEST

Miranda.—If you'll sit down I'll bear your logs the while. Pray give me that, I'll carry it to the pile.

Act 3. Scene I.

THE TEMPEST

Boatswain.—Hence! what care these roarers for the name of king?

Act 1. Scene I.

THE TEMPEST

Ferdinand.—Most sure, the goddess on whom these airs attend.

Act 1. Scene II.

THE TEMPEST

Caliban.—As I told thee before, I am subject to a tyrant, a sorcerer.

Act 3. Scene II.

THE TEMPEST

Miranda.—Sweet lord, you play me false.

Ferdinand.—No, my dearest love, I would not for the world.

Act 5. Scene I.

End of the ProjectEBook of Eight Illustrations to Shakespeares

Tempest, by Walter Crane

E-text prepared by Nigel Blower

and the ProjectOnline Distributed Proofreading Team

(http://www.pgdp.net)

from page images generously made available by

Internet Archive/American Libraries

(http://www.archive.org/details/americana)

Note:

Images of the original pages are available through Internet Archive/American Libraries. See http://www.archive.org/details/bucklemyshoepict00cran

[Pg 1]

[Pg 2]

THE

BUCKLE MY SHOE

PICTURE BOOK

CONTAINING:

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE

A GAPING-WIDE-MOUTH-WADDLING-FROG

MY MOTHER.

WITH THE ORIGINAL COLOURED PICTURES

AND A PREFACE & NEW DESIGNS BY

WALTER CRANE

LONDON:

JOHN LANE

THE BODLEY HEAD

NEW YORK:

JOHN LANE COMPANY

[View image]

CONTENTS

PREFACE

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE

A GAPING-WIDE-MOUTH-WADDLING FROG

MY MOTHER

[Pg 3]

PREFACE

WELL, I must buckle to, and put a good face (pre-face) on the matter as I have to introduce the latest addition to the already considerable family of Crane-reprints.

Here we have those delightful rigmaroles ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE and A GAPING-WIDE-Mouth-WADDLING-FROG: but what, it may be asked is MY MOTHER doing in such company? I shrewdly suspect, if we knew the truth, that she is really the author of both. It is probable, however, that both legends have been transmitted through a long line of mothers, assisted perhaps, by nurses, but I had them direct from my Mother.

A pleasing romance of domestic incident runs through One, Two, Buckle my shoe, while the Waddling Frog shows a rich and sumptuous imagination, if a little inconsequent, except numerically; but if he sets us agape with astonishment, his own Wide-Mouth seems capacious enough to swallow all the marvels by land or sea which he enumerates.

These two are quite early Cranes—almost pre-historic (please notice, however, the up-to-date additions): My Mother is mid-Victorian—just [Pg 4] after crinolines had gone out—but mothers are always in fashion, bless them,—and you also, dear children, whether of the old or the new world, who, having chosen your parents wisely, have become possessors of this book, may your shoes never want buckling, and if by any mischance you should lose one, may Good Luck always find a spare one for you, and so set you on your feet again.

Kensington, June 1910.

[Contents]

[Pg 5]

[Pg 6]

[Pg 7]

ONE, TWO, BUCKLE MY SHOE

[Pg 8]

[Pg 9]

[Pg 10]

1, 2.

3, 4.

One Two,

Buckle my shoe.

Three, Four,

Open the door.

[Pg 11]

5, 6.

7, 8.

Five, Six,

Pick up sticks.

Seven, Eight,

Lay them straight.

[Pg 12]

[Pg 13]

[Pg 14]

9, 10.

Nine, Ten,

A good fat Hen.

[Pg 15]

[Pg 16]

11, 12.

Eleven, Twelve,

Ring the Bell.

[Pg 17]

13, 14.

Thirteen, Fourteen,

Maids are courting.

[Pg 18]

[Pg 19]

15, 16.

Fifteen, Sixteen,

Maids in the Kitchen.

[Pg 20]

[Pg 21]

[Pg 22]

17, 18.

Seventeen, Eighteen,

Maids in waiting.

[Pg 23]

19, 20.

Nineteen, Twenty,

My plate is empty.

[Pg 24]

[Pg 25]

[Pg 26]

[Pg 27]

[Contents]

[Pg 28]

[Pg 29]

A GAPING-WIDE-MOUTH-WADDLING FROG

[Pg 30]

[Pg 31]

[Pg 32]

A gaping-wide-mouth-waddling frog,

Two puddings’ends would choke a dog,

Or a gaping-wide-mouth-waddling frog.

[Pg 33]

Three monkeys tied to a log,

Two puddings’ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 34]

[Pg 35]

[Pg 36]

Four puppies with our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 37]

[Pg 38]

Five beetles against the wall,

Close to an old woman’s apple-stall.

Four puppies with our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 39]

Six Joiners in Joiners’ Hall,

Working with their tools and all.

Five beetles against the wall,

Close to an old woman’s apple-stall.

Four puppies with our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 40]

[Pg 41]

Seven lobsters in a dish,

As fresh as any heart could wish.

Six joiners in Joiners’ Hall,

Working with their tools and all.

Five beetles against the wall,

Close to an old woman’s apple-stall.

Four puppies with our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 42]

[Pg 43]

[Pg 44]

Eight peacocks in the air,

I wonder how they all got there?

You don’t know, and I don’t care.

Seven lobsters in a dish, as fresh as any heart could wish.

Six joiners in Joiners’ Hall, working with their tools and all.

Five beetles against the wall, close to an old woman’s apple-stall.

Four puppies with our dog Ball, who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 45]

Nine ships sailing on the main,

Some bound for France, and some for Spain;

I wish them all safe back again.

Eight peacocks in the air,

I wonder how they all got there?

You don’t know, and I don’t care.

Seven lobsters in a dish,

As fresh as any heart could wish.

Six joiners in Joiners’ Hall,

Working with their tools and all.

Five beetles against the wall,

Close to an old woman’s apple-stall.

Four puppies with our dog Ball,

Who daily for their breakfast call.

Three monkeys tied to a log.

Two puddings’ ends, would choke a dog,

Or a gaping, wide-mouthed, waddling frog.

[Pg 46]

[Pg 47]

[Pg 48]

[Pg 49]

[Contents]

[Pg 50]

[Pg 51]

MY MOTHER

[Pg 52]

[Pg 53]

[Pg 54]

Who fed me from her gentle breast,

And hush’d me in her arms to rest,

And on my cheek sweet kisses prest?

My Mother.

When sleep forsook my open eye,

Who was it sung sweet hushaby,

And rock’d me that I should not cry?

My Mother.

[Pg 55]

Who sat and watched my infant head,

When sleeping in my cradle bed,

And tears of sweet affection shed?

My Mother.

When pain and sickness made me cry,

Who gazed upon my heavy eye,

And wept for fear that I should die?

My Mother.

[Pg 56]

Who dress’d my doll in clothes so gay,

And taught me pretty how to play.

And minded all I had to say?

My Mother.

[Pg 57]

[Pg 58]

[Pg 59]

Who taught my infant lips to pray,

And love God’s holy book and day.

And walk in Wisdom’s pleasant way?

My Mother.

And can I ever cease to be

Affectionate and kind to thee,

Who was so very kind to me,

My Mother?

Ah, no! the thought I cannot bear;

And if God please my life to spare,

I hope I shall reward thy care,

My Mother.

[Pg 60]

[Pg 61]

Who ran to help me when I fell,

And would some pretty story tell,

Or kiss the place to make it well?

My Mother.

[Pg 62]

[Pg 63]

[Pg 64]

When thou art feeble, old, and gray,

My healthy arm shall be thy stay,

And I will soothe thy pains away.

My Mother.

[Pg 65]

And when I see thee hang thy head,

’Twill be my turn to watch thy bed.

And tears of sweet affection shed,

My Mother.

For God, who lives above the skies,

Would look with vengeance in His eyes,

If I should ever dare despise

My Mother.

[Pg 66]

[Pg 67]

[Pg 68]

[Pg 69]

[Contents]

Transcriber’s notes:

The Table of Contents was added to aid navigation.

In the original, the text was interlaced with the illustrations. In this etext it has been placed below the associated illustration.

In A Gaping-Wide-Mouth-Waddling Frog, the original text has variations between verses in the position of the apostrophe in Joiners and Puddings. These have been made consistent.

In A Gaping-Wide-Mouth-Waddling Frog, the variations in wording and punctuation of the first line of each verse are preserved from the original.

Produced by Anne Storer and the Online Distributed

Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was

produced from images generously made available by The

Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

A MASQUE OF DAYS

CASSELL & COMPANY

LIMITED: LONDON:

FROM THE

LAST ESSAYS

OF ELIA:

NEWLY DRESSED

& DECORATED

BY

WALTER CRANE

PARIS, NEW YORK

& MELBOURNE. 1901.

[Pg 1]

THE OLD YEAR being dead, and the NEW YEAR coming of age, wh: he does by Calendar Law, as soon as the breath is out of the old gentleman’s body, nothing would serve the young spark but he must give a dinner upon the occasion, to wh: all the Days in the year were invited. The Festivals, whom he deputed as his stewards, were mightily taken with the notion. They

[Pg 2] had been engaged time out of mind, they said, in providing mirth and good cheer for mortals below; and it was time they should have a taste of their own bounty. It was stiffly debated among them whether the Fasts should be admitted. Some said, that the appearance of such lean, starved guests, with their mortified faces, would pervert the ends of the meeting. But the objection was overruled by Christmas Day who had a design upon Ash Wednesday

[Pg 3] (as you shall hear), and a mighty desire to see how the old Domine would behave himself in his cups.

Only the VIGILS were requested to come with their lanterns to light the

[Pg 4] gentlefolks home at night.

All the Days came to their day. Covers were provided for three hundred and sixty-five guests at the principal table; with an occasional knife and fork at the side-board for the Twenty-Ninth of February.

[Pg 5] I should have told you that cards of invitation had been issued. The carriers were THE HOURS twelve little, merry whirligig foot-pages as you should desire to see, that went all round, and found

[Pg 6] out the persons invited well enough, with the exception of Easter Day, Shrove Tuesday, and a few such Moveables, who had lately shifted their quarters.

[Pg 7] Well, they all met at last, foul Days, fine Days, all sorts of Days, and a rare din they made of it. There was nothing but, Hail! fellow Day,—well met—brother Day—sister Day—only LADY DAY kept a little aloof and seemed some

[Pg 8] what scornful. Yet some said, TWELFTH DAY cut her out and out, for she came in a tiffany suit, white and gold, like a queen on a frost-cake, all royal glittering, and Epiphanous.

[Pg 9] The rest came, some in green, some in white—but old Lent and his family were not yet out of mourning.

[Pg 10] Rainy Days came in, dripping; and sun-shiny Days helped them to change their stockings.

[Pg 11] Wedding Day was there in his marriage finery, a little the worse for wear.

[Pg 12] Pay Day came late, as he always does; and Doomsday sent word—he might be expected.

[Pg 13] April Fool (as my young lord’s jester) took upon himself to marshal the guests, and wild work he made with it. It would have posed old Erra Pater to have found out any given Day in the year, to erect a scheme upon

[Pg 14] good Days, bad Days were so shuffled together, to the confounding of all sober horoscopy. He had stuck the Twenty-First of June next to the Twenty-Second of December, and the former looked like a Maypole siding a marrow-bone.

[Pg 15] Ash Wednesday got wedged in (as was concerted) betwixt Christmas & Lord Mayor’s Days. Lord! how he laid about him! Nothing but barons of beef & turkeys would go down with him to the great greasing & detriment of his new sackcloth bib and tucker. And still Christmas Day was at his elbow, plying him with the wassail-bowl,

[Pg 16] till he roared, & hiccupp’d, & protested there was no faith in dried ling, a sour, windy, acrimonious, censorious hy-po-crit-crit-critical mess & no dish for a gentleman. Then he dipt his fist into the middle of the great custard that stood before his left-hand neighbour, & daubed his hungry beard all over with it, till you would have taken him for the Last Day in December it so hung in icicles.

[Pg 17] At another part of the table, Shrove Tuesday was helping the Second of September to some cock broth,—

[Pg 18] which courtesy the latter returned with the delicate thigh of a hen pheasant—so there was no love lost for that matter.

[Pg 19] The Last of Lent was spunging upon Shrovetide’s pancakes; which April Fool perceiving, told him he did well, for pancakes were proper to a good fry-day.

In another part a hubbub arose about the Thirtieth of January, who, it seems, being a sour puritanic character, that

[Pg 20] thought nobody’s meat good or sanctified enough for him, had smuggled into the room a calf’s head, which he had had cooked at home for that purpose, thinking to feast thereon incontinently; but as it lay in the dish March Many-weathers, who is a very fine lady, and subject to the meagrims, screamed

[Pg 21] out there was a human head in the platter, and raved about Herodias’ daughter to that degree, that the obnoxious viand was obliged to be removed; nor did she recover her stomach till she

[Pg 22] had gulped down a Restorative, confected of Oak Apple, which the merry Twenty-Ninth of May always carries about with him for that purpose.

[Pg 23] The King’s health being called for after this, a notable dispute arose between the 12th of August (a zealous old Whig gentlewoman), and the Twenty Third of April (a new-fangled lady of the Tory stamp) as to which of them should have the honour to propose it.

[Pg 24] August grew hot upon the matter, affirming time out of mind the prescriptive right to have lain with her, till her rival basely supplanted her;

* * * * *

April Fool being made mediator, confirmed the right in the strongest form of words to the appellant, but decided for peace’ sake that the exercise of it should remain with the present possessor.

* * * * *

[Pg 25] It beginning to grow a little duskish, Candlemas lustily bawled out for lights which was opposed by all the Days, who protested against burning

[Pg 26] daylight. Then fair water was handed round in silver ewers, and the same lady was observed to take an unusual time in washing herself.

[Pg 27] May-Day, with that sweetness which is peculiar to her, in a neat speech proposing the health of the founder, crowned her goblet, {and by her example the rest of the company} with garlands. This being done, the lordly New Year from the upper end of the table,

[Pg 28] in a cordial but somewhat lofty tone, returned thanks. He felt proud on an occasion of meeting so many of his father’s late tenants, promised to improve their farms, & at the same time to abate {if anything was found unreasonable} in their rents.

[Pg 29] At the mention of this the Four Quarter Days involuntarily looked at each other, & smiled; April Fool whistled to an old tune of New Brooms & a surly old rebel at the further end of the table {who was discovered to be no other than the Fifth-of-November} muttered out distinctly enough to be heard by the whole company,

[Pg 30] words to this effect, that, when the old one is gone, he is a fool that looks for a better. Which rudeness of his, the guests resenting, unanimously voted his expulsion; & the malcontent was thrust out neck & heels into the cellar, as the properest place for such a boutefeu & firebrand as he had shewn himself to be.

[Pg 31] Order being restored—the young lord {who, to say truth, had been a little ruffled & put beside his oratory} in as few, & yet as obliging words as possible, assured them of entire welcome; &, with a graceful turn, singling out poor Twenty-Ninth of February, that had sate all this while mumchance at the side-board, begged to couple his health with that of the good company before him—which he drank accordingly; observing, that he had not seen his honest face any time these four years—with a number of endearing

* * * * *

April Fool swore they had exchanged conditions; but Good Friday was observed to look extremely grave; &

* * * * *

[Pg 32] expressions besides. At the same time, removing the solitary Day from the forlorn seat which had been assigned to him, he stationed him at his own board, somewhere between the Greek Calends and Latter Lammas.

Ash Wednesday, being now called upon for a song, with his eyes fast stuck in his head, & as well as the Canary he had swallowed would give him leave, struck up a Carol, which Christmas Day had taught him for the nonce; & was followed by the latter, who gave Miserere in fine style, hitting off the mumping notes & lengthened drawl of Old Mortification with infinite humour.

* * * * *

Sunday held her fan before her face, that she might not be seen to smile.

* * * * *

[Pg 33] Shrove tide, Lord Mayor’s Day, and April Fool, next joined in a glee—

Which is the properest day to drink?

in which all the days chiming in, made a merry burden.

They next fell to quibbles & conumdrums.

[Pg 34] The question being proposed, who had the greatest number of followers—the Quarter Days said, there could be no question as to that; for they had all the creditors in the world dogging their heels. But April Fool gave it in favour of the Forty Days before Easter; because the debtors in all cases outnumbered the creditors, & they kept lent all the year round.

[Pg 35] All this while Valentine’s Day kept courting pretty May, who sate next him, slipping amorous billets-doux

[Pg 36] under the table, till the Dog Days {who are naturally of a warm constitution} began to bark and rage exceedingly.

[Pg 37] April Fool, who likes a bit of sport above measure, & had some pretensions to the lady besides as being but a cousin once removed,—clapped & halloo’d them on; and as fast as their indignation cooled those mad wag’s, the Ember Days, were at it with their bellows, to blow it into a flame; & all was in a ferment: till old Madame Septuagesima {who boasts herself the Mother of the Days} wisely diverted the conversation with a tedious

[Pg 38] tale of the lovers which she could reckon when she was young; & of one Master Rogation Day in particular, who was for ever putting the question to her; but she kept him at a distance, as the chronicle wd: tell—by which I apprehend she meant the Almanack.

Then she rambled on to the Days that were gone, the good old Days, & so to the Days before the Flood—which plainly showed her old head to be little better than crazed & doited.

[Pg 39] Day being ended, the Days called for their cloaks & great-coats & took their leaves.

Lord Mayor’s Day went off in a mist as usual; Shortest Day in a deep black Fog that wrapt the little gentleman all round like a hedgehog. Two Vigils—so watchmen are called in heaven—saw Christmas Day safe home—they had been used to the business before. Another Vigil—a stout, sturdy patrole, called the Eve of St. Christopher—

[Pg 40] seeing Ash Wednesday in a condition little better than he should be—e’en whipt him over his shoulders, pick-a-back fashion, & Old Mortification went floating home singing—

On the bat’s back do I fly,

& a number of old snatches besides, between drunk & sober; but very few Aves or Penitentiaries {you may believe me} were among them. Longest Day set off westward in beautiful crimson & gold—the rest, some in one fashion, some in another; but Valentine & pretty May took their departure together in one of the prettiest silvery twilights a Lover’s Day could wish to set in.

FINIS

[Pg 41]

End of the ProjectEBook of A Masque of Days, by Walter Crane

Produced by Anne Storer and the Online Distributed

Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was

produced from images generously made available by The

Internet Archive/American Libraries.)

[Pg 1]

Queen Summer

or the Tourney

of the Lily & the Rose

penned & portrayed

by Walter Crane

Cassell & Co: Ld: London: Paris: & Melbourne

[Pg 2]

[Pg 3]

When Summer on the earth was queen

She held her court in gardens green

Fair hung with tapestry of leaves,

Where threads of gold the sun enweaves

With checquered patterns on the floor

Of velvet lawns the scythe smoothes o’er:

Their waving fans the soft winds spread

Each way to cool Queen Summer’s head:

The woodland dove made music soft,

And Eros touched his lute full oft.

[Pg 4]

Round Time’s dial thronged the hours,

Masking in the Masque of Flowers

[Pg 5]

Like knights and ladies fair be-dight

In silk attire, both red and white.

[Pg 6]

And as the winds about them played,

And shook the flowers or disarrayed,

[Pg 7]

A whispered word among them goes

Of how the Lily flouts the Rose,

[Pg 8]

Suitors for Summer’s favor dear,

To win the crown of all the year—

And how each champion brave would fight,

Queen Summer to decide the right.

[Pg 9]

Then shrill the wind-winged heralds blew;

The lists were set in Summer’s view,

[Pg 10]

With blazoned shields, & pennons spruce

Of fluttering flag & fleur-de-luce:

[Pg 11]

And spread with ’broidered hangings gay,

Till all was ready for the fray.

[Pg 12]

Between their banners white and red,

Of Rose and Lily overhead,

Queen Summer took her judgment seat,

Whom all the crowd of flowers did greet.

[Pg 13]

The silver arum-trumpet’s sound

With tongues of gold, & to the ground

The shining champions each did ride,

Their party-colours flaunting wide.

[Pg 14]

Came first the glowing Rose in view,

With crimson pennon fluttering new;

With glittering spines all armed he came,

With lance and shield—a rose aflame;

With tossing crest and mantling free,

On fiery steed,—a sight to see!

[Pg 15]

Nor long the Lily knight delayed;

In silver armour white arrayed,

He flashed like light upon the scene,

A lamp amid the garden green.

Milk-white his horse, & housings fair

With silver lilies shining there.

[Pg 16]

The summer winds the onset blew:

With level lance each champion flew,

[Pg 17]

And clashed together, mid a snow

Of petals on the grass below.

[Pg 18]

Pressed eager then the gazing rows:

Some cried, the Lily, some, the Rose

But while the fate of battle hung,

Again the silver trumpets sung;

[Pg 19]

And, sudden charging from each side,

Of Roses and of Lilies ride

A host to still maintain the strife

For roses or for lilies’ life

[Pg 20]

Rose favoured knights of maidens true,

Their pennons blushing with each hue

Of Rose-craft, since from wild thorn frail

Their order grew—through dark & pale

Of maiden-bloom to damask deep,

Or Gloire-de-Dijon that doth keep

Enfolded fire within his breast,

Still golden hearted like the rest.

[Pg 21]

Like a cloud of morn they bore,

Or rosy wave on grassy shore,

That, breaking, dashed the silver spray

Thay met—the Lily-lances play;

In crested legends on that came

Against them—snow & burning flame

Mixing with the crimson flood

Of roses & their fragrant blood,

[Pg 22]

Whereof the grass undue was rife,

As surged & rolled the floral strife,

With checquered fortune o’er the green,

Until at last up-rose the Queen:

[Pg 23]

And caused the zephyr horns to blow

A truce, the victor’s crown