BEHIND THE HILL

Behind the hill I met a man in green Who asked me if my mother had gone out? I said she had. He asked me had I seen His castle where the people sing and shout From dawn to dark, and told me that he had A crock of gold inside a hollow tree, And I could have it.—I wanted money bad To buy a sword with, and I thought that he Would keep his solemn word; so, off we went. He said he had a pound hid in the crock, And owned the castle too, and paid no rent To any one, and that you had to knock Five hundred times. I asked, "Who reckoned up?" And he said, "You insulting little pup!"