The Little Dutchess
Reading edition
Once there lived a little Dutchess, Just beside the Zuyder Zee; Short and stout and roly-poly, As a Dutchess ought to be. She had pigs and she had poultry, She had lands and she had gold; And she loved the Burgomaster,— Loved him more than can be told. "Surly, burly Burgomaster, Will you have me for your love? You shall be my pouter-pigeon, I will be your turtle-dove. "You shall have my China porkers, You shall have each Dorking hen; Take them with your loving Dutchess, Oh, you Dutchiest of men!" Loudly laughed the Burgomaster, "Naught I care for Dorking fowls; Naught for pig, unless 'tis roasted, And on that my doctor scowls. "Frumpy, stumpy little Dutchess, I do not incline to wed. Keep your pigs and keep your poultry! I will take your gold instead.
"I will take your shining florins, I will take your fields' rich hoard; You may go and tend your piggies Till your spirits be restored." Loudly wept the little Dutchess, Tending sad each China pig; Loudly laughed the Burgomaster 'Neath his merry periwig. Till the Dutchy people, angry Conduct such as this to see, Took and plumped the pouter-pigeon Right into the Zuyder Zee.
