SIMPLE SIMON
Reading edition
SIMPLE SIMON met a pie-man, Going to the fair; Says Simple Simon to the pie-man, "Let me taste your ware."
Says the pie-man unto Simon, "First give me a penny." Says Simple Simon to the pie-man, "I have not got any."
He went to catch a dicky-bird, And thought he could not fail, Because he had got a little salt To put upon his tail.
He went to ride a spotted cow, That had got a little calf, She threw him down upon the ground, Which made the people laugh.
Then Simple Simon went a-hunting, For to catch a hare, He rode a goat about the street, But could not find one there.
He went for to eat honey Out of the mustard-pot, He bit his tongue until he cried, That was all the good he got.
SIMPLE SIMON went a-fishing For to catch a whale; And all the water he had got Was in his mother's pail.
He went to take a bird's nest, Was built upon a bough; A branch gave way, and Simon fell Into a dirty slough.
He went to shoot a wild duck, But the wild duck flew away; Says Simon, "I can't hit him, Because he will not stay."
ONCE Simon made a great Snowball, And brought it in to roast; He laid it down before the fire, And soon the ball was lost.
HE went to slide upon the ice, Before the ice would bear; Then he plunged in above his knees, Which made poor Simon stare.
He went to try if cherries ripe Grew upon a thistle; He pricked his finger very much, Which made poor Simon whistle.
He washed himself with blacking-ball, Because he had no soap: Then, then, said to his mother, "I'm a beauty now, I hope."
He went for water in a sieve, But soon it all ran through; And now poor Simple Simon Bids you all adieu.
